"Welcome to Lunar Magic 101," Professor Lee said, standing at the front of the classroom. "You may remember from the Sorting Ceremony that I am Professor Mindi Lee. And I know what you're probably thinking: werewolves can do magic? Well… you can."
Her gaze swept across the room.
"Before we begin, I'd like to share a little about myself. I have an interesting path to becoming a werewolf, one that makes me uniquely suited to teach this course. Before I was a werewolf, I was a witch. I was bitten by a wolf, and the rest is history. Now I'm here to help you awaken your magical abilities."
She perched on the edge of her desk, studying us carefully.
"You might believe you're not capable of Lunar Magic, but you are. All werewolves are. We call this course Lunar Magic because your abilities are strongest during a full moon, but once you learn to harness your power, you'll be able to perform magic at any time. It's simply a matter of focusing your energy into the magic you wish to create."
She paused, letting that sink in.
"We're going to begin with Levitation. Place an object on the desk in front of you, anything. A pencil. Your phone."
I pulled a small notepad from my backpack and set it down in front of me.
"Now," Professor Lee continued, "forget the world around you. Forget your boyfriend. Forget the argument you're having with your best friend."
I exhaled slowly, pushing thoughts of Theo, and the rest of the Darken, out of my mind.
"Feel your energy," she instructed. "From the tips of your fingers down to your toes. Feel it vibrating inside you. Inhale deeply and truly allow yourself to sense it."
I did.
And she was right.
I could feel it.
A tingling warmth hummed beneath my skin, as if something electric flowed through my veins. It wasn't painful. It was powerful. Alive.
"Now focus that energy on the object before you," Professor Lee said softly. "Will it into the air. And whisper to yourself, 'Light as a feather, stiff as a board.'"
I recognized the chant from the human world. Maddie and I had tried it at a sleepover once. Nothing had happened.
Maybe because none of us had been werewolves.
Fixing my eyes on the notepad, I gathered that buzzing energy inside me and whispered, "Light as a feather, stiff as a board."
Instantly, the notepad lifted.
Not just a little.
It shot upward, at least six feet above my desk.
A few students gasped.
"Excellent! Keep it there," Professor Lee said quickly as she approached me. "Maintain your focus. Don't release your energy. Continue the chant."
"Light as a feather, stiff as a board," I repeated, my pulse racing.
The notepad kept rising.
Higher.
Higher.
Until it smacked against the ceiling with a soft thud before falling back down and landing on the floor.
Silence filled the room.
"Wow," Professor Lee breathed, her almond-shaped eyes wide. "I have never had a student lift an object that high on their first attempt. You are very special, Raven. I have a feeling we're going to awaken many powers within you." A slow smile curved her lips. "I'm excited for the challenge."
She moved on, circulating around the classroom.
I glanced at the other students. Some objects hovered a few feet above desks. Others barely trembled. A few hadn't moved at all.
My heart pounded.
Was she right?
Was I actually special?
For the first time since arriving at Werewolf Academy, a different thought took root inside me.
Maybe… just maybe… I was stronger than I realized.
As I sat down for Werewolves and Dark Magic, Vince slid into the seat beside me.
"Yes! Another class together," he said brightly.
I smiled. "Thank God. I hate not knowing anyone."
"Same." He pulled out his notebook, then glanced sideways at me. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Is there something going on between you and the Darken?"
I blinked. "Is it that obvious?"
"I overheard people talking in one of my classes. Apparently, half the school thinks you're one of them."
"One of them?" I echoed.
For a split second, I thought he meant romantically. Which… fair. Theo and I hadn't exactly been subtle. People didn't just make out on kitchen counters and in solariums for fun.
"Well," Vince clarified, "everyone thinks you joined their pack."
I let out a short laugh. "No. I did not join their pack. They didn't even ask me. I don't know where people come up with this stuff."
He shrugged. "Probably because you seem close. Not that I blame you." He grinned. "They're ridiculously gorgeous. I'd be all over that."
I tilted my head. "So, you're gay?"
He smirked. "Bi. There's technically no such thing as a fully gay werewolf. It's in our nature to reproduce, it's primal. Even though I'm drawn to guys, like, ninety percent of the time, there are moments when the urge to impregnate a girl hits out of nowhere. The other ninety percent? The thought weirds me out."
I stared at him. "Do all werewolf guys have that urge?"
"As far as I know."
"Huh."
Did Theo feel that way? Not that I wanted to have his baby. I was barely eighteen. But if that instinct was so strong, why had he been the one to pull away?
Everything about him was confusing.
"Werewolf guys are somehow even more complicated than human guys," I muttered.
"Preach." Vince rolled his eyes. "Anyway, brace yourself. This class is going to be hell."
"Why?"
"I just had Professor Wickburn. She's the biggest..."
The door opened.
Professor Wickburn swept in with perfect timing, heels clicking sharply against the floor. She placed her bag on the desk and turned toward us.
We were the only two students there.
"Raven, may I speak with you in my office before class?"
My stomach dropped. "Um… sure."
I shot Vince a look as I stood, silently blaming him for jinxing me.
Professor Wickburn led me across the hall into her office and shut the door behind us.
"Raven," she began gently, "I want to tell you how deeply sorry I am about your parents. I was a very close friend of theirs."
That caught me off guard. "Thank you."
It still felt surreal, learning how many people had known my parents in ways I never had.
"If you need anything at all, my door is always open."
"I appreciate that."
She folded her hands neatly. "There is something else."
Here it was.
"I noticed you had breakfast with the Darken this morning."
"Yes."
"I'm not sure you're aware, but it's not advisable for a student to become… close… with a professor." Her eyes held mine. "I would strongly advise against being seen publicly with them. Better yet, I would advise not being involved with them at all."
There it was.
The edge beneath the sweetness.
"Headmaster Black is aware of my involvement," I said evenly. "They're the ones who brought me here."
"So I've heard." She tilted her head slightly. "But their duty is done. You're here now. You're safe." A pause. "I would hate for anyone to get into trouble because of… entanglements with Theo." Another pause. "Or any of the others."
This wasn't about school policy.
This was about Theo.
Was she warning me, or staking a claim?
I wasn't naïve. Professor Caroline Wickburn was stunning. Tall, elegant, icy blue eyes and flawless skin. She looked like she belonged on a magazine cover.
Standing in front of her, I felt painfully ordinary. Human.
But my body still craved Theo in a way I couldn't explain. The withdrawal had returned full force, making me restless and sharp-edged.
And Theo wasn't exactly powerless in this situation. If he didn't want me, he wouldn't be kissing me.
"Is that all?" I asked carefully. "May I return to class?"
Her smile didn't reach her eyes. "Yes. That's all."
I walked back across the hall, my thoughts spiraling.
Caroline Wickburn was, without question, one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen.
And me?
I was just… average.
What if Theo wanted her too?