The creature in my pocket made a sound, almost like a tiny hiss, and I stuck my hand inside, hoping to calm it as I cleared my throat.
“Hello, father.” I went over to the nearest chair and sat as the creature wrapped its claws around my pointer finger.
My father put his hands together, resting them on top of the desk. “You were bitten by a werewolf?” He watched me, his eyes unblinking. It was disconcerting.
“That’s right. Some men tried to kill me, and then the… wolf rescued me,” I said, working not to sound nervous. That I was sitting in front of my father after all these years was no big deal. I snorted at my thoughts because it was a big deal. Dammit.
He made a face. “Uh-huh. And your mother finally told you what you are?”
“Yep,” I said, but thought no duh! “Then I got an invitation followed by a threat, which is why I’m here. After I arrived, I was taken to the coliseum, where I was told to shift. I did that, then I was left alone in the dark until I finally shifted back. I got out and made my way here.” I forced myself not to roll my eyes. “Now you’re all caught up.” That sounded more sarcastic than I meant it, but whatever.
He did roll his eyes, and I bit the inside of my cheek. “You made a fool of me. You know that, right?” He picked up a stack of papers, pounding them on the table before setting them back down.
“If you’re looking for an apology, you aren’t going to get it,” I said, leaning forward.
The creature hissed again.
Before my father could ask what the sound was, I coughed to cover it up and went on. “This is new to me. I had no idea what to expect, so if you aren’t going to help me, then you’re just going to have to deal with whatever happens.”
Surprisingly, his eyes brightened, and I couldn’t be sure, but I thought it looked like respect. “A mouth full of sass.” He shook his head. Then his eyes narrowed and became twin slits. “What of the monster thing that seemed to come out of you? Had you ever experienced something like that before? What did it feel like? Were you able to control it?”
I listened and realized he was desperate for answers.
He seemed to recognize what I felt and sat back. “You’d better tell the truth. What you did? Well, that wasn’t normal.”
What was he saying? I swallowed and had a quick internal debate about what to say. I decided to go with the truth. “I was angry,” I said, starting slowly. “And then it felt like the anger came out of me.” I shrugged. That was the only way I could describe it. “But I didn’t feel a monster, only anger, and it was the first time I felt anything like that before,” I added.
He watched me, listening intently. Laced his fingers together. “I see. Well, whatever happened, be careful. Every move you make is being watched during the initiation process.” He picked up what looked like a tiny remote and pressed a button. Behind him, the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves slid apart, revealing a big screen. On it were displayed numbers with names beside them. Mine was at the very bottom. “You in the last place doesn’t sit well with me, and it shouldn’t with you either. You’re a Valene, Moonlight. Act like it,” he snapped.
At the use of my real first name, I flinched. “Diana,” I said.
He gave me a questioning look. “I go by Diana.”
“Fine.” He rolled his eyes again.
I didn’t know what else to say, so I just stared at him, unable to believe my father was such a total douche.
“And your wolf?” He finally asked.
“What’s wrong with my wolf?” The crowd and even Wyatt had gasped when I first shifted. What was up with that?
“Silver wolves are beyond rare. That surprising oddity is the only reason you aren’t being expelled.
I wanted to ask him to clarify. He should fill me in. I knew nothing, and it was beyond frustrating. Before I could put my question into words, he looked away and over to the door.
I followed his gaze. Penelope stood there, her eyes down. How much had she heard?
“You’ll be rooming with Penelope. Get some rest. You’re going to need it.” He got up and walked over to the fireplace, resting an arm on the hearth, his gaze on the roaring fire.
“Nice to see you too,” I whispered and followed Penelope out of the office. When we were on the stairs, heading to the second floor, the little creature scampered up my arm and nibbled on my ear. It tickled, but it also reminded me I was starving. Penelope still hadn’t spoken to me yet. “Is there a way to get some food? I’m really hungry.”
She paused on the top step and glanced back. “I stashed an apple. You can have it.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you.” I followed her down the hall and into our room.
After the door was closed and locked, I heaved a massive sigh of relief. At least for tonight, I was safe.
Penelope had already unpacked her stuff. There were bunk beds and other furniture usual to a bedroom. My roommate already claimed the top. Her bedding was black. After handing me the apple, she changed out of her clothes and into black silk pajamas. I sensed a theme with her.
“You did really good today.” I’d also noticed on the rankings that she was in the top ten.
“Thanks.” She gave me a sideways glance. “That was your first time shifting?” she asked.
“Could you tell?”
She nodded. “A silver wolf, too.” Awe filled her voice as she went into the bathroom.
I heard her brushing her hair. “What’s the big deal?” I asked, taking a bite and giving a piece of the apple to the creature. It was back in my pocket, but poked its head out and chewed the apple chunk.
“In some circles, silver wolves are considered too monstrous to be allowed to live. An abomination,” she added.
That didn’t sound good. “What do you mean?”
Penelope poked her head out of the bathroom, a toothbrush in her mouth. “It’s believed,” she paused and removed her toothbrush. “Silver wolves possess too much monster blood and its believed… by some anyway…” She disappeared back into the bathroom. “That they will turn on the wolves and side with the monsters of the shade.”
I thought about what she said as I finished the apple while sharing it with the creature. Was that true? I was like the monsters in the Shade? I picked up the little creature and rubbed its ears against my cheek. “Maybe that’s why you’re here. Because I’m like you?”
In response, the creature flicked its tongue, touching my cheek. An image of a woman appeared behind my eyes in a flash and then was gone. Shaking my head, I stood and began to unpack my things.
The clock on the nightstand beside our beds said it was nearly ten o’clock. After putting my clothes in the drawers, I waited for Penelope to be done in the bathroom. When she climbed into her bed, I took my turn and got ready.
Once I turned off the lights, I lay there, trying to sleep. The creature was curled up on my pillow beside my head. “Do I seem like a monster?” I asked, hoping Penelope wasn’t already asleep.
She didn’t respond right away, which was probably for the best. Her answer might not be what I wanted to hear. Because I didn’t feel like a monster. I rolled onto my side.
“No,” Penelope said quietly.
That was all I needed to hear and I relaxed, closing my eyes. The creature scooted closer, her body against my forehead.
“You’re the best monster of all,” a soft, masculine voice said.
That wasn’t Penelope.
I lifted my head, searching the wide eyes of the creature.
Its tongue came out, tasting the air. When it was back inside, its clawed hands touched my face. “That’s right, I can speak,” it said, his voice so low only I could hear. “And my name is Oakus.”
It-he pressed his face against mine. “Thank you for taking me with you. I am forever in your debt.”
I could say the same about him. When I’d been afraid and lonely, he showed up. I snuggled against him. It’s nice to meet you, Oakus,” I said, and yawned, knowing sleep was only
seconds away.
But I was wrong. Instead of sleep came thoughts of Wyatt. Without a doubt, his wolf saved me. Why? And how had he known I was in trouble?
Thoughts I didn’t want to believe came to mind. Like had he been one of the guys who tried to kill me in the first place? That made sense. They were the only ones who knew where I was. But then he was a wolf. Maybe he smelled them or me and came over after the men left. I couldn’t be sure, and it was with those thoughts that I fell into a fitful sleep.
Chapter Nine
The following morning, Penelope and I went down to breakfast. We wore our uniforms: Tan pants, white shirts, and a button-down sweater with the Academy crest on the pockets. Oakus was once again in my pocket. I tried to get him to stay in my room, but he wasn’t having it. Penelope gave me more than one strange look but didn’t say anything.
She was quiet this morning. Whether it was because of me or just her nature, I didn’t know. It was too soon in our roommate partnership.
In the cafeteria, which looked more like it belonged in a palace and not an Academy, hundreds of students were seated on long wooden benches at equally long wooden tables.
As we made our way over to a couple of empty spots, the students quieted until it was uncomfortable, their eyes locked on me like they were missiles, and I was their target. It was disconcerting, to say the least. This much attention wasn’t something I enjoyed.
“I can tell it’s going to be hard to be your friend,” Penelope whispered as she sat.
“Might want to get out while you can,” I said, feeling morose and wishing I could disappear as I plunked down beside her.
Was there magic that could make someone invisible? Was it possible for a wolf blood to perform such a feat? Yet another thing I didn’t know. But hey, I didn’t know anything about magic, the Academy, or even how I came to be. There hadn’t been time for mom to give me a history lesson, except to say I came from a long line of Legacy wolves.
A woman dressed in all red brought Penelope and me each a plate of food. There were utensils, napkins, and water already set at our place on the table.
“Thank you,” I said.
She grunted and moved away.
I picked up my fork, desperate to forget all the eyes on me, but it was difficult.
“Everyone, get back to your food. The second test is coming up, and you better be prepared.” That was Wyatt who spoke as he stood, picking up his plate and walking down the aisle, where he forced everyone to slide down the bench so he could sit beside me.
The group slowly began to talk again, and I let out my breath. I dug into my scrambled eggs. Penelope and Wyatt did the same, and I felt myself relax even more. “Thank you,” I managed to say to him after a few minutes.
He smiled, keeping his lips together while he chewed. When he finished, he bumped into my arm playfully. “You sure do know how to make an entrance.”
That was putting it mildly, even though it wasn’t my intention. “Is it because of my wolf color or that I’m in last place?” I asked, only mildly desolate.
“If I had to guess, it would be both.” He smiled.
Penelope chuckled on the other side of me.
“Don’t worry. You’ve got me as a friend, so you’re good to go.” He bit into his buttered toast, watching me while he chewed.
I’d stuck my hand inside my pocket to feed Oakus a chunk of my toast. At Wyatt’s words, the little monster bit my finger. “Ouch,” I said and winced.
Wyatt gave me a funny look, his mysterious eyes watching me. My breath hitched, and my body warmed. Yep, he was hot.
“You don’t want to be friends?” he asked, his eyebrows scrunched together.
I thought about his question. He had attacked me in the coliseum, but then again, it was because he wanted me to shift. He’d been trying to help. Not only that, but I was pretty sure he was the wolf who saved me from drowning. His wolf looked exactly the same anyway.
“It’s isn’t that,” I said, casually checking out my finger. Oakus had drawn blood. I wiped it on my napkin. When I looked at my finger again, the wounds were gone, but my finger felt a little numb. “It’s…” I didn’t feel right about telling anyone I had Oakus. He was a monster from the Shade. Even I knew that keeping him as a pet was a bad idea, not that I intended to give him back. I smiled. “I’m really glad I have at least one friend,” I said, thinking that was my safest response.
“Make that two,” Penelope said. “I couldn’t care less what these people think of me,” she added, sipping her water through a straw, her eyes lingering on Wyatt.
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one with the hots for the guy. But even as I thought about him, something inside rejected the two of us together. It was the weirdest feeling.
Wyatt pointed his half-eaten toast at her. “That’s the spirit.”
A loud bell sounded, and the room went quiet.
“What’s happening?” I asked, no longer hungry.
“Round two,” Wyatt said, dropping his toast onto his plate and wiping his hands on his napkin.
Oakus dug his claws into my leg, and I handed him some eggs.
My father, the dean, appeared at the front of the room. “Good morning, initiates. I hope you’ve had a good breakfast and are feeling well-rested. Today’s test will be even more challenging.” His gaze lasered in on me. “Do your best,” he said and clapped his hands once.
Almost as one, a bunch of people dressed in black uniforms appeared and lined the outside of the room. They stood at attention, their backs straight, their eyes squarely ahead. It was like they had no personality or souls, but were of one mind.
My father went on. “You will be paired in teams. The only way to win the challenge is to work together. Got it?”
A couple of people responded with soft yes’s, but mostly everybody remained silent.
My father smiled, but it wasn’t one of joy. It made me shudder. “I didn’t hear you,” he shouted.
“Yes,” came the reply from dozens this time.
Not me, though. Not Wyatt either.
Penelope responded and then looked at us sheepishly. “What?”
“Everyone on your feet,” my father ordered.
Nervously, I got to my feet.
When we were all standing, he continued, “Are you ready?”
“Yes,” the whole room shouted.
I mouthed it, but couldn’t get behind yelling like the others.
“That’s better. You’ll notice our fine Rasa Keepers have entered the room.” He indicated them with his hand as he spoke. “They will direct you and give you instructions on the second test. Do as they say, and you won’t get hurt.” He exited through a door to the left and was gone.
We all remained standing as the Rasa Keepers came forward, grouping students together and leading some out. The guy who came over to Wyatt, Penelope, and I seemed to know Wyatt. They exchanged a wordless greeting before he went and collected five other students and brought them over to us.
Three I recognized. Fallon was the guy in the cell beside me last night, and the other two were Vivian and Cohen. The other two names I couldn’t remember.
“My name is Logan. Good job completing your first test. Some of you did better than others, but now isn’t the time to focus on the past. Instead, concentrate on your next task,” he said, meeting the eyes of everyone in the group except mine.
And why would he? I was in last place. The others in the group kept looking over and then away like they wished they’d been grouped with anyone else.
Sorry, guys, I thought, wrapping my arms around myself. My father said I was only still here because of my wolf. I wanted to prove him wrong. Somehow I would, I promised myself.
Logan was still talking. “You eight are to complete an obstacle course. It is treacherous and will also be timed, but if you work as a team, you will do just fine.” He looked at me then. Or I should say he glared. “Use your strengths to help each other. Am I clear?” His gaze flashed around at the rest
of us.
We all agreed.
I cringed and glanced down at my shoes. I can do this, I thought.
“Good. Now follow me,” Logan said and started toward the exit.
I waited for everyone else. Wyatt waited as well.
When we were finally moving, he said, “Whatever happens, stay close to me.”
I didn’t know why he was so keen on protecting me, but I appreciated his willingness. “I’m not going to like this, am I?”
“Probably not,” he admitted. “No one does. It’s just something to get through.” He leaned in closer. “Trust your instincts, and remember this is a school. It might look like you can die, but they aren’t going to kill anyone.”
I took that to heart as we went outside.
The weather was changed once again. There was no longer snow on the ground, but green grass and a mild breeze. That wasn’t what held my attention. It was the twenty-foot tall gate of greenery standing ominously just on the other side of the circular driveway. The grassy knoll and animal-shaped shrubberies were gone.
The other initiates were surprised and voiced their concerns.
Someone said what I already believed, that it existed because of magic.
I sucked in a deep breath, hoping this time I would do better. That I would be an asset to my team and not a disappointment. Several other groups were standing around, talking uneasily with each other. Probably making a plan. I knew it was an obstacle course. All I could think about was the TV show, American Ninja Warrior. If the course was like that, I might have a chance of being an asset.
One by one, each group was called forward. A leaf-covered door would open, and the groups were instructed to enter. Occasionally when the door opened, I would hear screams, cursing, and sounds that seemed more horror movie than an obstacle course. The others in our group looked at Wyatt to lead and keep them calm. He was definitely the alpha. He did his best, offering encouraging words, but I got the feeling he was nervous too.
When we were scheduled to enter next, Wyatt faced us. “Huddle up,” he said.
We gathered into a circle.
“Introduce yourselves,” he began. “I’ll go first. My name is Wyatt Wright. I’ve gone through this once before. I’m going through again because I did something I shouldn’t have…” He paused, and I heard his teeth grind together as his gaze flicked at me.
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