The Elite Academy of Jerks

[Elena]

True to Nikolai’s words, the next day, I was enrolled into the elite academy of every werewolf dream, but only restricted to the high wolves. 

My parents had sold almost all of their resources just to have Sophie attend this school and almost all my life, I had wished I could get into this school too. But now that I was here, I didn’t know how to feel. I wasn’t prepared for this. All of it just felt overwhelming to me. 

As I walked down the hallway, I controlled myself from gaping in awe at how breathtaking and ancient the school building was. It was unlike any academy I had seen in my entire life.

But as I walked past the students that lingered in the hallway, I noticed their stares and nervously clutched my stack of books so tightly that my knuckles almost turned white. As always, I was grateful I had covered my hair with a beanie. 

The whispers around me got louder the more I walked. 

“Is that her?”  

“The temporal Luna? I heard she’s sick and weak. You know, she does look weeble.”

“Can you believe the Lycan King is stuck with that?”  

Then, louder than the whispers, someone called out from the end of the hallway.

“Hey, weak temporary Luna! How does it feel knowing your days are numbered? You really think you can become Luna and Lycan Queen of the entire realm, huh?”

Laughter erupted among the other students and my cheeks flamed, but I kept my gaze down and kept walking, pretending not to hear them.  

I felt regret claw my heart. Regret for being here. Regret for being a temporal Luna to Nikolai. Regret that the moon goddess had mated me to the Lycan king in the first place. Did she really think my life was some cruel joke that she loved to watch?

I was knocked out of my thoughts when suddenly, a foot slid out in front of me. Before I could see it, it was already too late and I stumbled, the weight of my books tipping me forward. 

My body hit the marble floor with a loud thud and my books scattered in every direction. Laughter followed again, loud and mocking.  

“What a klutz!” Someone sneered.  

My knees stung from the impact, and I could feel the warmth of embarrassment spreading from my face to my neck. My heart pounded, but I forced myself not to look at the crowd forming around me.  

“Oops, didn’t see you there.” A girl’s voice said mockingly, her tone dripping with faux innocence as she stepped roughly on my book while walking off. I still didn’t bother to look up.  

Instead, I pushed myself to my knees and started gathering my books, my fingers trembling as I reached for the first one. 

Don’t cry, Elena. Don’t you dare cry.

A hand joined me, picking a book and handing it to me.

“Are you alright?” A masculine voice followed and I lifted my gaze to look at him. 

A guy was crouched in front of me. He had good looks and striking features. Sharp jawline, piercing silver eyes, and messy black hair. He looked almost too perfect to be real. 

Although still not as perfect as Nikolai.

Snap out of it, Elena!

I managed a weak nod and a small, fake smile.

“I’m fine.” I muttered, even though my knees begged to differ. Thankfully, I was putting on a pair of Jean trousers, so he couldn’t catch on to my lie.

He offered a small, disarming smile, then turned his head slightly to the side to face the others. 

“Haven’t you all had your fun?” His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried a weight that made the onlookers shuffle awkwardly and disperse.  

From the way he had handled the situation, I figured he was probably an important figure in the academy that everyone respected. Well, lucky me.

“Thank you.” I whispered.

Another voice joined us, this one feminine. 

“Honestly, people here can be such jerks.”  

I looked up to see a girl hurrying to us now. Her hair was a cascade of fiery red curls and her green eyes held so much concern as she kneeled beside the guy and picked a notebook, then handed it to me. 

“Don’t let them get to you. They’re all just bored and spoiled.” She said to me while offering me a caring smile. “I can see that you’re new. If you need someone to sit with at lunch, you can find us. You look like you’ll make a nice friend.”

I felt my heart warm at their kindness. I had never had anyone stand up for me before like they did. Or even want to be friends with me.

“Here.” The guy stacked the rest of my books neatly and held them out. 

“Thanks.” I said again with another small, grateful smile. 

“I’m Ronan Bloodmoon.” He said, rising to his feet and extending a hand to help me up.  

I hesitated for only a moment before taking it. His grip was firm but careful, and he pulled me to my feet with ease.  

“And I’m Celeste.” The girl added, getting up to her feet too. “We’re siblings.”  

They were siblings. Oh wow. I guessed kindness was a thing that ran through their blood then.  

“And I’m Elena.” I said to them with a small smile. “Just Elena.”

“Not just Elena.” Celeste said with a small chuckle. “You are Elena, the new Luna of the pack and Lycan Queen of the entire realm. Everyone literally knows you now, babes.”

Yeah. But not for a good cause. 

And then, I froze and my eyes widened slightly. 

Bloodmoon.

There was literally just one bloodline that bore the name ‘Bloodmoon’ in the entire realm.

“Are you guys… are you guys in any way related to Alpha Hayes Bloodmoon? Alpha of FrostClaw pack?”

Ronan nodded his head, a small smile crossing his lips.

“Guess our surname really is more famous than we are.”

I blinked, my pupils dilating. 

They were the rogue children of Alpha Hayes Bloodmoon? 

I felt my heart thumping loudly in my chest. 

Nikolai surely wouldn’t take it lightly with me when he found out that I had just made friends with FrostClaw pack’s rogue heirs.  

FrostClaw. The sworn enemy of our pack.