The sun rose early over Moonstone, spilling pale gold across the town square. A crisp spring morning stretched beneath a cloudless sky, soft breezes carrying the faint scent of blooming jasmine and the distant hum of awakening streets. Flags fluttered atop polished poles, their fabric catching the light as citizens gathered like a sea of expectant faces, pressing close around a makeshift stage set up beside the old town hall.
Posters bearing a silver-haired man with sharp eyes and a steady smile were plastered on every lamppost and storefront, the emblem of his campaign: Dr. Sebastian Thorne, Alpha of the powerful Thorne family, seeking to reshape the city's fractured future.
A low murmur rippled through the crowd as Sebastian stepped onto the podium. His tailored dark suit was sharp and simple, his stature commanding without arrogance. As he raised a hand, the noise hushed instantly, every eye fixed on him, every ear eager for his voice.
"Good morning, Moonstone," Sebastian began, his voice deep and measured, carrying over the square like a steady drumbeat. "Today marks a turning point, not only for this city but for the generations to come. We stand at the edge of a new era, a time when fear can no longer dictate our choices."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle.
"For centuries, Moonstone was a battleground, a place where blood was spilled between humans and those others, the werewolves, hunted as monsters or hunters in turn. The old legacy is one of distrust, shadows, and sorrow. But that legacy ends now."
The crowd stirred, a flicker of hope shining in some faces, skepticism in others.
"I am Dr. Sebastian Thorne, Alpha of the Thorne family, and I stand before you as a man committed to peace, not just the absence of war, but a peace built on strength, on unity, and yes, on control. Because without control, chaos prevails."
His eyes swept the crowd, firm and unyielding.
"Some say this is impossible. That werewolves and humans cannot coexist. I say they've been fighting for too long because no one had the courage to lead them into the light. I will write a new legacy for Moonstone, a legacy where our children, regardless of blood, walk freely without fear. But make no mistake, peace requires order."
He shifted his tone slightly, sharp and cutting.
"To those who would cling to old grudges, Alexander Farren, promising more of the same endless conflict, and Lucia Sutton, whose only ambition seems fit for the courtroom, not leadership. I say this: Moonstone deserves better."
The crowd erupted into applause, some cheers ringing out louder than others, the divisions of the city's soul clear in the fractured sound.
Sebastian smiled, letting the applause wash over him before nodding respectfully to the journalists waiting near the front of the stage.
The questions came fast.
"Dr. Thorne, how do you plan to balance the interests of humans and werewolves without alienating either side?"
Sebastian's answer was calm and polished.
"By listening to all voices, by enforcing laws that protect every citizen equally, and by holding accountable those who break the peace. This city is not about one group or the other, it's about all of us."
A reporter pressed on, "What about the rumors of secret deals with the Thorne family and the city council?"
He met the gaze evenly. "Rumors are the tools of those afraid of progress. Transparency will be key in my administration. The people of Moonstone deserve honesty, not whispers."
Another question: "The recent surge in supernatural incidents, do you plan to increase security or take another approach?"
Sebastian's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Security is vital, but so is understanding. Fear only feeds division. It's time to build bridges, not walls."
"What are your thoughts on the recent backlash from your controversial decision to reveal that you are not only a werewolf but an alpha of your pack as well?"
Sebastian seemed to think for a while before clearing his throat, "People will say whatever they want to say in social media. But as for me, I believe honesty is key. When the citizens accept me as their mayor, they will fully knowing what I am"
As the last question was answered, Sebastian stepped down from the podium amid a buzz of conversation. The morning sun caught the gleam in his eyes as he moved toward the adjacent building, the old city hall annex, its stately facade a silent witness to Moonstone's complex history.
Inside the quiet, wood-paneled corridor, Elizabeth waited. Her presence was calm but intense, the contrast of warmth and steel that few dared approach except the Alpha himself.
Sebastian's face softened when their eyes met. They embraced quickly, the kiss brief but charged with unspoken understanding.
"You handled the mess," he said quietly, stepping back but keeping her hand in his.
Elizabeth nodded. "It was messy. The family... it didn't go clean. The signs are too obvious now. There's a nosy detective sniffing around."
Sebastian's brow furrowed. "Don't tell me... Joe Hawkings?"
She gave a faint smile. "Dangerous man. But I'm on it. I'll divert his attention, maybe send him chasing shadows with one of the other families."
He squeezed her hand. "Good. This city's future depends on it."
Elizabeth's eyes darkened. "The prime target is already in motion. Adam Greene."
Sebastian's grip tightened just slightly.
Elizabeth leaned in closer, her voice a low promise. "We'll finish this. One way or another."
Meanwhile, Adam sat in the hard plastic chair of the reception office, fingers drumming nervously on his jeans. Regret gnawed at him, sharp and bitter.
He was late, the clock on the wall glared 9:05 AM, an hour past the official start of classes. The cold morning sun streamed through the tall windows, spotlighting the polished floors and pristine hallways of Moonstone Academy, but the gleaming beauty of the place did nothing to soothe his nerves.
If anything, it only reminded him how out of place he felt.
His eyes traced the sprawling campus outside the window: ornate red brick buildings framed by manicured lawns, fountains sparkling under the cloudless sky, and groups of students already mingling in tidy uniforms. Coming early, he realized, wouldn't have saved him. Without a guide, the place was a labyrinth.
The memory flashed unbidden, Austin, his dad, grinning behind the wheel as the car sped away. "Try not to get lost, Adam!" Austin teased loudly before the car peeled off with a screech. Adam had barely waved before the awkwardness of the moment hit him like a punch to the gut. He wasn't just starting a new school, he was stepping into a world that felt like it wasn't meant for him.
He blinked away the memory and straightened his back as the office door swung open. A woman stepped in, her expression crisp but not unkind. "Adam? I'm Ms. Carlise, the school secretary. Welcome to Moonstone Academy."
Her voice was friendly yet professional, the tone of someone who'd done this a thousand times. "I'll be your first point of contact today. Let me give you a quick rundown." She handed him a folder with the school logo embossed on the front.
"Moonstone Academy is a prestigious institution with high academic standards," she began, gesturing to the folder. "We expect punctuality, discipline, and respect. You'll be assigned a student guide who'll help you navigate the school, attend classes, and find your dorm room. Attendance is mandatory for all classes today."
Adam nodded, scanning the packet as she continued. "At the end of the day, you'll be called into the administrative office to sign your official acceptance form. That's when you'll receive your uniform, textbooks, and all other necessary materials. Boarding begins the next day immediately."
Ms. Carlise paused, her eyes sharp but not unwelcoming. "Any questions so far?"
Adam swallowed, feeling the weight of the day settle over him. "No, I think I got it."
"Good," she smiled. "Here's your class schedule and the locations. If you get lost, don't hesitate to ask."
She stepped aside, motioning to the hallway. Adam took a deep breath, opened the folder, and began to memorize the labyrinthine route through Moonstone's halls. Then, as if fate itself conspired against him, he took a wrong turn almost immediately.
Before long, Adam found himself wandering near the middle school wing, clearly out of place. He hadn't been this lost since London.
"Excuse me!" a voice called out, cool but not unkind.
Adam turned to see a tall woman approaching, her stride purposeful. She was dressed impeccably in a dark blazer and skirt, her sharp eyes scrutinizing him for a moment.
"I'm Madam Bellhart, the principal. And you are?"
Adam's cheeks burned. "Adam."
"What's a high school student doing wandering the middle school halls?" she asked, arching a perfectly shaped brow.
"Uh, I'm new," Adam admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "I think I'm lost."
The principal's lips twitched into a brief, almost warm smile. "I see. Well, come with me. I'll show you where you need to be."
The walk to the biology classroom was brisk and silent. Madam Bellhart's presence was commanding, tall, elegant, with an air of quiet authority that made Adam feel simultaneously reassured and scrutinized. He noticed how other students seemed to instinctively give her space, heads lowering subtly as she passed.
By the time Adam finally reached the classroom — after Madam Bellhart's patient redirecting and a good dose of internal self-loathing, he was already thirty minutes late.
The moment he opened the tall, oak-trimmed door, the entire class turned toward him. Time didn't freeze, but it definitely slowed, just enough for him to feel the weight of every gaze like a spotlight aimed straight at the frayed threads of his confidence.
"Ah," the teacher said, peering at him over thick-rimmed glasses with mild annoyance, "our missing student has decided to join us. Name?"
Adam straightened awkwardly. "Uh... Adam. Adam Greene."
There was a moment of silence. The teacher scribbled something on a clipboard before gesturing vaguely toward the back of the room. "Find an empty seat. Quietly."
Murmurs broke out as he shuffled his way through the rows of pristinely polished desks. The classroom was sleek and expensive-looking, not in a loud, flashy way, but with a kind of cold elegance that made him feel like he'd stepped onto a luxury cruise ship rather than into a school. Polished hardwood floors. Deep navy-blue curtains hanging tall from massive windows that flooded the room with soft morning light. Each student's desk had a personal screen embedded in the surface, like something out of a private tech lab.
There were actual plants, real, living ones, lining the walls. It even smelled good in here. Subtle pine and citrus, the kind of scent you'd expect in a wealthy family's summer cabin.
Adam swallowed his intimidation and moved quickly, finally spotting an empty desk at the very back. He slipped into it and froze the moment he looked to his right.
She was beautiful. No... unreal. The girl seated beside him didn't even glance his way, her snow-white hair cascading like silk down her back, contrasting sharply with the pristine red-and-white school uniform. Her skin was porcelain-smooth, and her lashes were thick, brushing against her cheeks as she focused on her notes. She looked like she'd been carved from moonlight, serene, quiet, and untouchable.
Adam stared for a second longer than he should have. Then, realizing how weird that probably looked, he cleared his throat softly.
"Hey," he whispered. "Sorry, I'm new. I'm Adam."
No response. Just the soft rustling of her turning a page.
He chuckled nervously, trying again. "I, uh, didn't catch your name... if that's alright."
This time, she turned just slightly, enough for one grey eye, ocean-deep and unreadable, to flick toward him. It wasn't a warm glance. Not even curious. Just sharp and detached, like someone glancing at a bug on a window.
But there was a pause. Something subtle flashed behind her expression, recognition? Deja vu? He wasn't sure.
Then she turned back toward the front and continued taking notes as if he didn't exist.
Right... cool. Adam sank into his seat, already mentally kicking himself. He didn't even know her name, and somehow, he'd already ruined it. Classic.
The class rolled on. The teacher, whose nameplate on the board read Mr. Delaney seemed too preoccupied with the lesson to care about Adam's late arrival.
He was already deep into the topic of human biological evolution, his voice bouncing between terms like "homologous structures" and "molecular clocks."
Adam blinked, scanning the room. Everyone was keeping up. Everyone except him. His desk had no books, no notes, and the built-in screen on his desk was locked out with a message that read: No student credentials registered.
Of course. Of course it was.
He let out a sigh and leaned back, glancing again at the girl beside him. Her notes were perfectly aligned, handwriting immaculate. Maybe...
"Sorry," he whispered, just low enough not to interrupt. "Could I just know what page we're on? I'll be quiet, I swear. I just don't want to get behind on the—"
"Mr. Greene."
The voice snapped like a whip across the room. Mr. Delaney stood near the board, arms crossed.
Adam winced. Slowly, he sat up straighter.
"Is the material unclear, or are you just feeling sociable today?"
"No, sir. I was just—"
"Then perhaps you can save the whispers for recess. This is biology theory, not coffee hour."
Adam's face flushed. He nodded quickly, shrinking in his seat. "Yes, sir. Sorry, sir."
Mr. Delaney held his stare for a moment longer before turning back to the board. "As I was saying, the phylogenetic tree—"
Adam didn't hear the rest. His ears were still burning, and the eyes around him felt like daggers. Next to him, the white-haired girl remained perfectly still, not even a smirk betraying her reaction.
If anything, she seemed annoyed too. Maybe even more than he was.
When the bell finally rang, Adam exhaled relief. The class buzzed to life with noise and movement. Students began filing out, chatting and laughing, but the girl beside him moved with quiet, graceful purpose. She stood, gathered her things in one fluid motion, and walked out without a word or a glance back.
People naturally stepped aside as she passed, like leaves blown by a breeze.
Adam remained seated for a moment longer, buried in silent humiliation and silent fascination.
Who the hell is she?
He had no idea what the next class was, or where it was. But he knew one thing for sure.
He needed to know who that girl was. Adam hastily gathered his things and stepped into the bustling corridors.
Students streamed past, many clad in the academy's distinctive uniform, red velvet sweater vests or blazers, white shirts, and red ties. The boys wore gray trousers, the girls, thigh-length checkered skirts. Adam stood out sharply in his plain home clothes, the odd one out in a sea of polished conformity.
He found a quiet corner and tried to steady his racing thoughts. His assigned guide was supposed to meet him by now, but there was no sign.
Deciding not to wander more, Adam started heading back toward the administrative offices. The hall stretched long and crowded, voices humming with chatter.
Suddenly, a firm grip grabbed his shoulder from behind. Adam spun around, heart leaping.
A bulky guy loomed over him, muscles taut beneath a worn leather jacket, eyes blazing with barely contained fury.
"Back off," the man growled, voice low and dangerous. "Stop hitting on my girl."
Adam blinked, confused and alarmed. "What? No— I wasn't—"
The man cut him off, stepping closer, his breath hot and voice dropping to a threatening whisper. "Don't lie to me, newbie. I see the way you look at her."
Adam swallowed hard, trying to keep his voice steady. "It's a misunderstanding. I'm not trying to cause trouble."
The corridor seemed to close in around them as nearby students sensed the brewing storm and instinctively stepped back, forming a loose circle.
Harris's fingers curled into a fist, his body tense, ready to strike.
Before Adam could brace for impact, a sharp voice sliced through the tension.
"Enough, Harris."
From the edge of the crowd stepped a lean figure — Bryce Farren. His ash-blonde hair was perfectly tousled, eyes sharp and calculating. His expression was calm but carried an unmistakable edge of authority.
Bryce didn't move like someone who wanted to fight; he moved like someone who already owned the room.
"Walk away," Bryce said, voice quiet but firm, with the weight of an unspoken warning.
Harris scoffed, lips curling into a sneer. "Or what? You're going to stop me, little brother?"
Bryce's lips twitched into a cold smile. "I don't need to stop you, Harris. You've already lost."
Adam watched, puzzled, as Bryce's gaze flicked to the crowd, then back to Harris.
Bryce took a step closer, lowering his voice just enough so only Harris could hear. "You want to throw a punch here? This entire hall is crawling with teachers and security cameras. You think the school will let you get away with that? Suspension, expulsion, maybe even police involvement. And what about the Farren name? You want to drag the family into this mess?"
Harris hesitated, his jaw tightening.
Bryce's tone shifted to something almost conspiratorial. "You're angry, I get it. But trust me, starting a fight here won't help. It'll only make things worse for you."
The crowd held its breath.
Bryce took a small step back, hands raised in a mock gesture of peace.
"If you want to protect Luna, fine. But don't make a fool of yourself. Keep your temper in check, and maybe one day you'll be worth her attention."
Harris's scowl deepened, but the fight drained from his posture.
"Whatever, Bryce," he muttered, casting a last glare at Adam. "This isn't over."
He stalked away, shoulders stiff but defeated for now.
Bryce turned to Adam with a faint smirk, shaking his head. "I'm Bryce Farren."
Adam's eyes widened. "Farren… like the politician?"
Bryce chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Guilty. And you are?"
"Adam."
"Wait, are you the one who bumped into Luna?"
Adam nodded, remembering the snow-haired girl from class.
"She's… not the easiest to approach," Bryce said, a flicker of jealousy darkening his voice.
Adam swallowed, feeling the weight of that statement.
Bryce clapped him on the shoulder. "Come on, let me show you around before you get lost again."
As they started walking, Adam's mind lingered on Luna, mysterious, distant, and yet somehow magnetic.