Silvercrest Academy – The Abandoned Tower
Ronan had never believed in fate.
His life had always been dictated by strength, hierarchy, and survival. You clawed your way to the top, or you were crushed beneath the boots of stronger men.
But standing in the shadows of the abandoned wing of Silvercrest Academy, listening to Selene read from a prophecy older than any of them, he began to wonder.
"Under the Blood Moon, a child of the forsaken blood shall rise."
"Neither wolf nor man, neither bound nor free."
"Marked by death, yet unclaimed by the grave."
"He shall bring the end of an era… or the beginning of a new one."
The words hung in the air like an executioner's blade.
Ronan inhaled sharply, but it did nothing to settle the slow-burning fire in his veins.
"So, what?" His voice came out rough. "I'm supposed to be some kind of walking apocalypse?"
Selene's violet eyes met his. "You're supposed to be impossible."
She turned another page, the ancient paper crackling under her fingers. "The Blood Moon Curse isn't just about losing your wolf, Ronan. It's about becoming something beyond werewolf limitations. Strength that isn't tied to the packs. Power that isn't limited by the full moon."
Ronan's jaw tightened. That was exactly what he had felt in the arena.
A power that had erased his opponent's strength like it was nothing.
Selene tapped a passage with her fingertip. "The last time a Forsaken One was born, it nearly destroyed the supernatural balance."
Ronan let out a humorless chuckle. "Great. That's comforting."
Selene shot him a sharp look. "I'm being serious."
"So am I," Ronan muttered. "Because the only thing I'm hearing is that the supernatural world already decided I shouldn't exist."
Selene hesitated. "You're not wrong."
Ronan scoffed, running a hand through his hair. First, he lost his pack. Now, the entire supernatural world wanted him erased?
"Fine," he said. "If that's the case, what am I supposed to do?"
Selene's smirk was sharp. "Stay alive."
By the next morning, Ronan's reputation had shifted.
Everywhere he walked, he felt eyes on him.
"Did you hear? He took down Silas Vaughn without shifting."
"No one's ever seen anything like it."
"I heard the Moon Reapers came for him last night."
"And he survived."
The Academy had always run on power, dominance, and status. The strongest ruled; the weak followed.
And now?
Ronan was no longer a rogue to ignore.
He was a problem.
It wasn't long before that problem reached the highest levels of the academy.
A formal summons arrived at his dorm that morning.
Now, he stood outside the Council Chamber, staring at the massive iron doors.
Selene adjusted her gloves beside him. "You ready for this?"
Ronan smirked. "Should I be?"
Selene didn't return the expression. "They don't just summon students, Ronan. They summon threats."
Ronan exhaled and pushed open the doors.
The chamber was colossal, lined with ancient banners from every supernatural faction. Gold-lit chandeliers illuminated five figures sitting on high-backed thrones, each representing a different supernatural power:
Headmaster Aldric – A vampire elder with crimson eyes and a glacial presence.
Elder Varian – A werewolf, silver-haired and broad-shouldered. His stare was a challenge.
High Priestess Liora – A witch, her golden robes woven with arcane sigils.
Duke Raviel – A demon noble, his fingers tapping against his throne with quiet amusement.
Lord Graves – The representative of the Hunter's Guild.
Ronan's jaw tightened.
Lord Graves wasn't just anyone. He was Darius Graves' uncle.
The same Darius who had betrayed him.
Headmaster Aldric's voice was smooth. "Ronan Blackwood. You've caused quite the… disturbance."
Ronan held his gaze. "Didn't realize defending myself was a crime."
Elder Varian scoffed. "Defending yourself is one thing. Unleashing unknown power is another."
Selene stepped forward. "With all due respect, Elders, Ronan is still a student here. If his abilities are unknown, the academy should study them, not judge them prematurely."
Duke Raviel's smile was sharp. "Study? Or contain?"
Ronan tensed. Contain?
Lord Graves finally spoke, his voice measured. "The Moon Reapers have already taken an interest in him. That alone should concern us all."
Ronan clenched his fists. "The Moon Reapers are cowards who attack what they don't understand."
Lord Graves' gaze hardened. "They see a threat, boy. And frankly? So do I."
Silence stretched in the room.
Then the High Priestess sighed. "We are not here to execute a student. However…"
Her golden eyes locked onto Ronan.
"You will be watched."
Ronan's lips curled into a smirk. "Go ahead. I've got nothing to hide."
Aldric's expression didn't change, but there was a flicker of something in his gaze—amusement? Approval?
"Then you are dismissed," the vampire said.
Ronan turned, walking away without hesitation.
But as he left, he felt Lord Graves' gaze boring into his back.
Outside the chamber, Selene exhaled. "That could have gone worse."
Ronan smirked. "Could've gone better too."
Selene gave him a look. "They're watching you now. You can't afford to lose control again."
Ronan ran a hand through his hair. "Then maybe it's time to learn how to control this."
Selene studied him for a moment. Then, she reached into her cloak and pulled out a small silver key.
"If you're serious about that," she said, "meet me at midnight. Training grounds."
Ronan arched an eyebrow. "More library lessons?"
Selene smirked. "No. Something better."
She tossed him the key and walked away.
Ronan caught it, staring down at the etched runes on the metal.
Whatever Selene had planned, it wasn't going to be easy.
But then again, nothing in his life was.
And if the supernatural world thought they could control him, erase him?
They had another thing coming.