CLAIRE'S POV
CURRENT DAY
"Your transcript is in order."
"Thank you, Madam Gretchen," I said, straightening in my seat, and trying to appear more confident than I felt.
Madam Gretchen, the headmistress at Carnemore, looked like she belonged in a storybook, but I couldn't shake the discomfort that settled in my stomach as I sat in her office. I couldn't tell if it was because my parents were not even allowed inside the school gates, or because the reality that I was now in this school all alone was dawning on me.
I sighed and tried to distract myself from thinking about my family by glancing around the office. Her office was a picture of order and sophistication. The walls were lined with bookshelves, filled to the brim with neatly arranged books. In one corner, an air conditioning unit hummed, providing a comfortable chill and making the office a pleasant place to be.
My eyes went to the globe that sat on the table which had papers stacked neatly and pens aligning perfectly.
I was still glancing around when I noticed Madam Gretchen pinch her nose as she went through my file. I could feel her eyes stealing glances at me and it made me fidget, my feet tapping nervously against the floor.
"Carnemore is home to different kinds of supernaturals, are you aware?" She asked, lifting her eyes slowly.
I nodded. "Yes, Madam Gretchen."
I could tell that she was a Fae even if she hadn't said it outright. My father had trained me to recognize supernaturals since I was little, and I had learned to trust my instincts.
Werewolves were difficult to spot but you could tell from their strength, their hairy body, and also from their defined jawbones and intense eyes.
On the other hand, Vampires had enchanting eyes, long canines, and pale skin. I remembered my father's warning: never look directly at a vampire's eyes because they could trap you and then feed on you.
As for Faes, they were different. They were beautiful in an otherworldly way with bright hair colors and curved ears. Madam Gretchen was not an exception, with her striking gold hair that shone in the light.
Watching her, I swallowed hard, reminding myself to stay calm and collected even as my heart raced. I hoped everything my father taught me would help me here but I also prayed I wouldn't have to resort to violence to survive in this place.
"Ehem!" My attention snapped back to Madam Gretchen, who looked like she was waiting for an answer.
"I'm sorry," I said, feeling completely lost.
She eyed me before saying, "Your father has requested that you continue from where you left off at your previous school."
I nodded and she continued, "This means you will be starting junior year here."
"Yes, Madam Gretchen," I answered.
She slid a file across the desk. "This contains everything you need for Carnemore," She said. "It has the school map, handouts, and your class schedule."
I took the file, deciding not to open it right there. "Thank you."
"You'll get your assigned room at the end of the day," She added. "I'll have to speak with the resident coordinator for the semester to see where you can fit in."
I nodded again and rose to my feet. After a small bow, I turned to leave but then she called out to me, "Claire."
I turned back to face her, my heart racing.
"You're the first of your kind to come here, so I want you to brace yourself." She stated.
Hearing that, I felt a chill run down my spine. My anxiety tripled as I wondered what those words meant for me. But I nodded, my fingers digging into my thighs as I stopped myself from asking questions.
"There are 3 rules that will help you here," She continued, leaning back in her seat. "That is if you want to survive."
My heart skipped. No one had mentioned anything about students dying at Carnemore.
"What does that mean?" I decided to ask.
Madam Gretchen smiled, but it felt cold. "Accidents happen, Miss Hunter, and not all accidents can be prevented." I swallowed, a lump forming in my throat. So, if someone hurt me here, it would just be brushed off as an accident?
"Rule no 1," Her voice rang out, and I forced myself to focus. "You must never be out of your room once it's 10 pm. We can account for most of our students at night, but once it's 10 pm, please lock your doors."
"Yes, Madam Gretchen."
"Two," She continued, her tone turning serious. "You must keep your head down. Most people here have a grudge against your father, even I do. Your peers will try to use that as an excuse to hurt you. But if you keep your head down, they might eventually forget you exist. After all, you're just a human with a dormant wolf."
"I will keep my head down," I replied, even though it went against everything my father had advised me to do. But Madam Gretchen would know better in this dangerous place.
"Finally." She said, letting out a long breath as she leaned forward. "Avoid Zane Ravenscroft. You know who he is?"
I nodded, biting down on my lips. "Yes."
"Good." She continued seriously. "He's not particularly pleased you're here, so stay out of his way. You may leave."
I gave an appreciative smile and turned to leave her office, my legs feeling shaky beneath me.
As I stepped outside, I exhaled, realizing I had been holding my breath the whole time. Was this how it was going to be? Would I always feel this scared, always looking over my shoulder?
I couldn't shake off the feeling that Madam Gretchen warned me about Zane. I could only imagine how angry he must be, ready to take it out on me for all of my father's mistakes. Even though everyone here hated me, I was sure he despised me the most.
I had to avoid him at all costs, even though I had no idea what he looked like. I just hoped I wouldn't run into him. Ever.
Pushing those thoughts aside, I figured that I needed to focus on getting to my first class.
I started shuffling through the file Madam Gretchen gave me, trying to find my schedule. Engrossed in the file, I didn't see the person in front of me until I bumped into them really hard and the file slipped from my hands and papers scattered everywhere.
"I'm really sorry, I didn't…." I started to say, but then I raised my head and locked eyes with a pair of stunning golden eyes. For a moment, I froze.
The guy standing in front of me wasn't just handsome. Tall, broad-shouldered and gorgeous, he stood there like he had walked out of a magazine. I didn't mean to stare but when someone looked like that, it was practically impossible not to.
But his looks weren't the only reason I couldn't take my eyes off him. It was something deeper – a pull I couldn't ignore. My wolf which I had never felt before since I was born, suddenly stirred inside me, restless and wanting.
My breath hitched. For the first time, I felt her presence and she was reaching for him. Before I could stop myself, I felt a word escape my lips.
"MATE."
I gasped, staggering back as the reality of what I said hit me. Swallowing hard, I straightened my dark hair and forced a smile. "H-Hi. I'm Claire and…"
"Why are you here?" he growled, his face twisting into a mask of anger. I instantly felt his aura, and it hit me—he had an Alpha wolf.
I opened my mouth to say something but the words got stuck in my throat. Did he not feel the mate bond between us? Was I wrong? My mother had described it perfectly, and I heard my wolf's voice.
I decided to introduce myself. "I'm new here and I was just…"
"Did your father think sending you here would wash away his sins?" he asked, stepping closer.
My heart skipped a beat. He knew who I was.
Stay calm, Claire, I told myself but my heart was pounding.
"The peace treaty…"
"Peace treaty?" He interrupted, stepping even closer. "He killed my father, and now he believes in peace?"
"That wasn't…" I started to say but trailed off as his words finally hit me. My eyes widened, and I felt goosebumps cover my skin as fear took over.
If this boy had an Alpha wolf and claimed my father killed his, that meant… No.
My father only killed one Alpha when he was a hunter, and that was Alpha Ravenscroft. So, this… This person I was staring at was his son, Zane Ravenscroft, the one person I prayed to never cross and he was my mate?
No. Moon goddess. Is this some kind of joke?
I shakily forced my mouth open to speak even though I felt like passing out.
"Zane…"
"Don't you dare!" He yelled, his body shaking with rage and I flinched. "Don't you ever say my name."
I took an unwilling step back but tripped and fell to the ground, shaking. Zane stepped forward and squatted, his breath hot against my face. "You should have never come here."
Tears burned in my eyes and they soon flowed down my chin. He was scary and my lips trembled as I tried to speak. "I'm sorry," I cried. "I'm sorry for what my father did."
"If you're truly sorry, why would you come here?" He asked angrily. "To remind me that the man who murdered my father is living a good life? That he's a good dad?"
"I can prove to you that I'm different," I said desperately. "We are mates, and it means something, doesn't it?"
Zane straightened, looking down at me with spite. "You can never be my mate."