Wolf Blood: Lunar Academy, Year One

by Snyder, Jennifer

  “Wolf Bloods are so predictable. Hotheaded and impatient. I seriously don’t understand why the academy allows them to attend school here with the rest of us,” she said to her groupies, loud enough for me to hear. They nodded in agreement and flashed me a nasty look that mirrored hers.

  I rolled my eyes. Her and her sheep didn’t faze me. I’d dealt with mean girls before. They weren’t worth my time.

  I continued outside and made my way around to the front of the building again. Once there, I became lost in the crowd trying to make my way to the table for Wolf Blood’s house. An older guy—who I presumed to be a teacher—motioned for me to veer right.

  “Wolf Blood information is that way,” he said before shifting his attention to the next student behind me.

  I gave him a thumbs up and continued walking. Mr. Leather Jacket was no longer in line, or at least I couldn’t see him from where I was. A part of me was disappointed. However, deep down I knew it was probably for the best.

  He was a distraction I didn’t need.

  My gaze drifted to the center building. It looked like a castle. There wasn’t much I knew about Lunar Academy other than it had been here for ages, which meant the possibility of it being an actual castle was strong.

  “Honey, you only wish you were Wolf Bound,” a familiar bitchy voice said from nearby. I glanced in her direction. If she was talking to me, I planned on telling her where she could go with her attitude. When I spotted her, her attention was on a brown-haired mousy-looking girl with more suitcases than she could carry. “Your house line is right over there. Step behind Biker Chick.”

  I folded my arms over my chest and glared at her. Biker Chick? Eh, I’d been called worse before.

  “Oh, okay,” the mousy brunette said as she struggled to gather her suitcases. It was painful to watch. Not because she wasn’t strong enough to carry them—being in the Wolf Blood house meant she was part vampire and had physical strength because of it—but because two of the suitcases she was manhandling were nearly taller than her. She was a tiny thing. While I wasn’t an Amazon woman, I had a few inches on her. “I didn’t realize I was in the wrong line, so thanks for pointing it out.” Her cheeks puffed out as she exhaled forcefully, and I knew, like me, she had to be a first year.

  I left my place in line to help her with her suitcases. “I see Barbie is giving you problems too.” I nodded in the busty blonde’s direction. Her attention had dipped to a group of guys standing at a nearby table. “She’s such a peach, isn’t she?”

  “Yeah, a rotten one.” The pint-sized brunette smirked.

  I liked her already.

  We stepped back into line for the Wolf Blood table, hauling her gigantic suitcases with us, and I introduced myself to her properly. “I’m Faith, by the way, but you’re free to call me Biker Chick. I’m sure there will be others who do thanks to Barbie.”

  “I’ve never been one for nicknames, so I’ll stick with Faith. I’m Nora.” She hoisted her backpack higher on her shoulder and then nodded to her three suitcases. “Thanks for helping. I’m not a light packer.”

  “I noticed.” I chuckled. I wiggled the suitcase in front of me. The thing was heavy. “What’s in this one? Bricks?”

  “Something like that.” She grinned. “So, are you a first year too?”

  “Yeah. We can brave this craziness together.”

  Her brows pinched together as she gave me a once-over. “Seriously? I figured you were an upperclassman because you only have a backpack. You must be a light packer!”

  “Not really. There just wasn’t much I wanted to bring with me. I plan on heading into town for stuff once I settle in.” I shrugged.

  The line moved forward, and I dragged Nora’s gigantic suitcase behind me as we stepped forward. A stern-faced older man I assumed was a teacher caught my eye. He stood behind the upperclassman sitting in chairs with stacks of papers in front of them and markers in hand. My eyes remained glued to the man. Not because he was hot—which he was, for an older guy—but because of his muscles.

  He was seriously ripped and kind of scary.

  I didn’t know what he taught, but I hoped I didn’t get him as a teacher. Whatever subject was bound to be as intense as he seemed, and I wasn’t sure I could handle it.

  “So, do you know anyone else here? Like do you have any siblings that go here?” Nora asked, still trying to keep our small talk going. “Cousins? Family friends’ kids? I feel like everyone here already knows each other.”

  I glanced around. “It seems that way, doesn’t it?” My gaze shifted back to her. “This place is cliquish. Then again, what else would you expect when we’re split into groups upon entry?”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Just makes it feel too cliquish.”

  “I know what you mean.”

  “I hear the uniforms are color-coded too,” a guy standing in line behind us chimed in. He had jet black hair and dark eyes that looked soulful. His shirt was for a band I liked, but I didn’t comment on it.

  Not here for guys, I told myself as I turned back around, ignoring him.

  “Red isn’t my color,” Nora muttered to the guy.

  “Mine either, but I guess that’s something we’ll all have to get used to,” the guy said with a chuckle. I didn’t look back at him.

  “To answer your earlier question—no siblings, cousins, or family friends’ kids,” I said, steering the conversation back to the two of us. “I don’t know anyone here.” Excitement pulsed through me at admitting such a simple thing. I’d always been a part of my mother’s nest, but now I was on my own.

  It felt good. It felt right.

  “I’m on my own here too. Not that I’m an only child—I’m actually the middle kid of three—but I am the only one here. Well, for now anyway.”

  “What’s that mean?” The line moved forward again, and I pulled her giant suitcase along with me as I walked.

  “My older brother was supposed to come last year, but he decided the academy experience wasn’t for him. Honestly, I’m glad because it’s not like our family would’ve been able to send us both. Heck, they couldn’t even pay for all my tuition. And, my little sister is still little. She’s ten, so the academy isn’t even a thought yet.”

  I nodded. “Got ya.”

  It was clear that just because Nora looked shy and mousy, it didn’t mean that she was. The girl was definitely a talker. I’d hate to see what she was like caffeinated first thing in the morning.

  “What about you?” She glanced at me. “Are you on a scholarship, or are you paid tuition?”

  The way she said paid tuition felt a bit judgy. It made me not want to answer. Having money had never been an issue for my family since the nest was a collective. Everyone pooled their resources, which included money, houses, and cars.

  “Um, paid tuition,” I muttered, uncomfortable.

  Nora’s brows shot up. “Oh. Sorry for the way that sounded. I didn’t mean to judge or sound like I was.” She swiped a stray strand of hair from her eyes as a breeze blew. “Geez, talk about a foot-in-mouth moment.”

  I flashed her a smile. “It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”

  The line moved again, positioning us as next.

  “Name?” a young guy sitting at the table asked without looking at me. His gaze was fixed on the stack of papers in front of him, his black marker poised and ready to cross my name out.

  “Faith Brooks.” It felt strange to not use my real last name of Clairemont, but changing to Brooks was part of leaving my past behind.

  It was added protection to insure it.

  The guy flipped a few pages into his stack. When he found my name, he marked it out and then handed me a stapled packet of papers. “This is everything you should need. The welcome speech starts in about ten minutes in the great hall, which is in the building behind me. You’ll meet your advisor there. You’ll be given more information there too.”

  “Thanks.” I took the packet and then stepped to the side, taking Nora’s luggag
e with me.

  I glanced at the first paper. It was a standard welcome letter. Next was a map of the campus. It didn’t seem too big, which was nice. I noticed the first-year dorms were on the fourth floor of each dormitory building. That had pros and cons. I wouldn’t have to hear people above me, but the fourth floor was a long way from being on ground level. And… there didn’t seem to be any elevators.

  At least not on my map.

  I glanced at the stone building in front of me again. What did I expect when the place looked like a castle? Elevators were too modern for this place. Still, I hoped they at least had a decent Wi-Fi connection.

  “Okay, got my packet too,” Nora said. She moved to stand beside me and glanced at her packet. “Anything good in here?”

  “Seems basic.” I shrugged as I flipped to the last page. Rules. I read them silently and then rolled my eyes. “Did you get to the rules yet?”

  “What page is that?”

  “The last one.”

  Nora flipped through her packet. She scoffed as she read, and I skimmed them again.

  No shifting except during school sanctioned times.

  No leaving campus in wolf form.

  No feeding from others.

  No use of magic against others.

  No use of magic outside of select classrooms.

  No fighting.

  No parties.

  “How many do you think will be broken this year?” Nora asked with a grin.

  I waved her words away. “Oh, please. How many do you think will be broken by the end of the week?”

  “You’re probably right.” She laughed and then started lugging her suitcases toward the great hall.

  It was time to meet our advisors, figure out our roommate situation, and get settled in. I couldn’t wait. As I walked beside Nora, still hauling one of her gigantic suitcases behind me, I glanced at the others making their way into the building. They were an eclectic group. Some of them had me thinking a few of the school rules might end up being broken tonight from the way they looked.

  Yeah, this place would definitely be interesting.

  Axel

  My back pressed against the wall as I surveyed those crowding into the great hall, waiting for the welcome speech to start. I wasn’t sure how long this would take, but I hoped it was quick. My wolf couldn’t handle being in a crowd of this size for long. He was already gnashing his teeth and growling whenever someone got too close. My vampire was barely hanging on too. His fangs were ready to prick through my gumline and sink into someone.

  I needed to get out of here and decompress soon. If not, I was at risk of breaking more than a few of their rules.

  My lungs filled with a deep breath to calm my inner demons, but it didn’t help. The large room was growing smaller by the second as more crammed through the double doors. The air was stuffy and thick. I slipped my leather jacket off and draped it over my arm.

  Didn’t they have air-conditioning in this place? I fanned my t-shirt and exhaled a puff of air. It was like an oven in here.

  “And, he’s got tattoos,” the dark-haired girl standing beside me muttered to her friend. She had to know I could hear her. Hell, she had to know I’d felt her, and her friend’s, eyes on me since they stepped into the damn room and found a spot to stand beside me. “Why do tattoos always make guys ten times hotter?”

  “Because it proves they’re bad boys,” the other girl said with a giggle.

  I didn’t look at either of them. I didn’t speak. I wasn’t in the mood.

  Instead, I put more distance between myself and them. This had me stepping closer to the upperclassman wearing red lanyards. I assumed one of them would most likely be my advisor.

  More people crowded into the room. We had to be over max occupancy by now, but no one seemed to care. I did though. My wolf felt claustrophobic as hell, and my vampire was starved, which had me feeling crabby and in desperate need of a cigarette.

  I glanced at the front of the room, searching for whoever was in charge of this shit show. It didn’t take me but two seconds to pinpoint the headmaster of Lunar Academy. He stood among the other teachers looking prim and proper. His eyes scanned those of us crammed into the room, waiting for him to speak. What was he waiting for—silence? If so, I was down to yell at everyone to shut the fuck up.

  Someone bumped me from the side and my wolf almost snapped; his irritation had reached a new high. A snarl slipped past my lips as I glanced to see who it was. My wolf was too close to the surface.

  Ice water crashed through my veins the instant I realized who’d bumped me—the girl with the motorcycle.

  “Chill.” Her eyes flashed with irritation that matched my own before it simmered out. “This freaking thing is huge—I’m pretty sure Nora packed her whole house—and they’ve got us crammed in here like sardines. I didn’t bump you on purpose.” A sarcastic smirk, which did things to me it shouldn’t, twisted at her red lips.

  I didn’t know who Nora was, but if she looked anything like this girl, then I needed to keep my distance.

  “I might have,” a petite brunette said as she maneuvered two large suitcases and a bag to where we stood. “You never know what you might need.”

  “Anyway,” the girl with the motorcycle said. She shifted her attention from her friend back to me. When our eyes locked this time, my wolf had calmed down enough for me to notice the finer details about her, like her hazel eyes. One seemed a little greener than the other, but it could be the shitty lighting in this place. “I’m Faith, and I’m a Wolf Blood… which I’m guessing you are too.”

  Faith? It always struck me as odd when people named their kids after things like that. I’d once met a little girl named Miracle. All I could think about every time her parents said her name was, why the hell did they need to name her that? Couldn’t they see the miracle she represented by looking at her daily? It seemed redundant to me to make it her name.

  Faith was one of those redundant names. You either had faith or you didn’t. There was no reason to name your kid after it.

  “I am.” My voice sounded harsh, but it was probably for the best. I didn’t want her to think I was flirting with her, or even the slightest bit interested, because I was talking to her. Some chicks were crazy like that. Although, I knew some guys could be too. Crazy didn’t discriminate. “I’m Axel.” I almost didn’t give her my name. Not doing so would’ve made me seem like a complete ass though.

  “Hey, I’m Nora,” the petite brunette said as she glanced around Faith and flashed me a smile.

  “Hi,” I said before Faith drew my attention to her as she peeled out of her leather jacket. It hadn’t gotten any cooler in here.

  “I see you’re not wearing a lanyard,” she said. “Must be a first year like us, then.”

  My gaze dipped to the white crop top she wore. It hugged her chest perfectly, accentuating the fact that she wasn’t wearing a bra. One could argue that because she was braless and drove a motorcycle she craved attention in the worst way, but my gut told me that couldn’t be further from the truth.

  Faith didn’t crave attention from anyone; she just didn’t give a fuck what people thought of her. At least that was my impression.

  “Yeah,” I muttered in response to her comment about being a first year.

  I folded my arms over my chest and looked straight ahead. It was all to make myself look intimidating, but it didn’t seem to work on Faith. Nora was a different story. She shifted on her feet as though the hard set to my jaw and my stance had made her uneasy. Not Faith. She continued to stare at me as though trying to pick me apart. I licked my lips and glanced at her after a beat.

  “Well, I’m sure we’ll see each other around, then.” Her hazel eyes flashed before she shifted her attention back to Nora.

  I should have looked away from her, but I couldn’t. Was she playing hard to get? Was that why she seemed so nonchalant with me?

  Did it matter?

  Fuck no. I wasn’t here to date. I was here to l
earn control. It was a promise I’d made.

  “May I have everyone’s attention,” the guy on stage I’d pegged earlier as the headmaster said. His voice was deep. Commanding. The chatter in the room died down as everyone shifted their attention to him. “Thank you. I’d like to welcome you to Lunar Academy. We’re glad to have the upperclassman back for another year, and just as eager to welcome those new to the academy as well. You should have all received a packet upon check-in. In it, you should find our welcome letter, a map of the campus, and also our rules. You know how this goes. All of you. This isn’t the first time you’ve ever been read a list of rules on the first day of school. Please abide by the rules listed. They benefit us all.”

  There were some murmurs of annoyance from a few around me, but it was to be expected.

  “Moving on… if I could have the advisors raise their hands, please. Upperclassman, you may make your way to your advisor from last year, who will have the name of your new advisor. If you’re a first year, please make your way to someone holding a flag with your house color. They will direct you to your advisor, who will then pair you with a roommate and lead you to your dorm house where you will find your room. They will also have your schedule. First years are on the fourth floor of the dormitory buildings. Please remember, there are no elevators. These buildings are old, and even with the help of magic, we could only do so much.” He cracked a grin, but no one else seemed to find the no elevator bit as comical as he did. “I look forward to getting to know all of you, and to another fantastic year here at Lunar Academy. Thank you.”