ave, she felt as if a part of her was dying inside. She wanted to run after him, to beg him to reconsi

her tears. She felt as if everyone in the school was staring at her, judging her, wonder

back. She ran until she found herself deep in the woods, far away from the prying eyes of her classmates

beneath her as she moved. She felt so alone, so lost. She didn't understand why Calix ha

dy aching from the fall and the tears that had been shed. It was dark now. She glanced up, searching for the m

tless students before her. The trees loomed over her, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers, as if they too were re

dim light spilling out from the windows. Lireal's heart sank. She knew her aunt would be worried about her

e approached, her expression a

ked softly, reaching out to touch her shoulder. The gestur

elmed to speak, simply nod

l give you another mate." Her aunt's voice was soft, reassuring, but Li

snapped inside Lireal. "I want to g

dear?" her aunt asked

e steady despite the pain in her chest. "I want to use the m

are asking for this? Is it because of the re

, she saw her uncle and Willow in the living room, watching television. Willow and her uncle laughed. "Oh, look! If

inst the pain. She had made up her mind. She was

herself in her

rds of encouragement and support. But Lireal didn't respond. She didn't want to talk to

croll of boarding school websites. Every knock on the door, every phone call, she ignor

esitated, then reluctantly placed her phone down and open

," she said, "

walked over to the bed and sat down beside her. She patted the spo

o know that I am so sorry for what happened," she said. "I should have seen

t. "You didn't know what they were really like." She looked down at her lap, avoiding eye contact w

w that you're not alone. You'll always have a family here, no matter what." She p

I've agreed to send y

ad snapped

smiled, "but on

eful for a moment there. "What's the con

rmination. "The expenses, the arrangements, all of it. I want y

m just your step-sister's daug

squeezed Lireal's hand, her grip strong and reassuring. "Now, about this elite boarding school. I've found the perfect place. It's

a beat. "Really?" she

e the arrangements. You'll leave in a few weeks, once everything is ready. I wan

e had joined the pack began to lift. She looked at her aunt in di

. I know you're going to do amazing things." She paused, her gaze turning serious. "But

aid in her bed that night, the thought of starting over

n a prestigious boarding school Blackwood Academy for girls. Lireal was feeling a mixture of excitement and fear. What if the new s

oor to see Willow walking towards her house. When they were face to face, Willow smirked.

, surprisingly managing to push past despite Willow's strength. Hea

ink you're better than me. I found my mate, but he didn't want me. What about you?" She taunted, "The moon doesn't even want to g

ched. Just as Willow raised her hand to sla

to his side, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. "Calix

x said, handing her a bag.

om Calix. She quickly glanced at Lireal, then

ed towards her, now towering over her at an impressive 6

, all she felt was hatred and anger towards him. She ignored him and continued carrying her suitcase to Aunt Nova's car.

down the freeway. The skyscrapers of the city towered around

nt Nova asked gently,

She felt Aunt Nova's kind smile, but inside Lireal's stomach fluttered with anxious nerves. Would Bl

ou," said Aun

didn't even get to say goodbye to her uncle because he ignored her, and there was the whole al

ng her how much she would miss her. "I'm really going to mi

e, wondering how her new life

d out the window nervously. "What will Blackwood be li

ere she belonged? Or would it be more of the same loneli

at the same time. The buildings were tall and majestic, each one seeming to tell a story of its own. Sh

olors, a sign that fall was on its way. She gazed out the window, taking in the sights of the quaint town, with its cozy cafes

iver removed her suitcase from the trunk, he waved her goodbye before leaving. As she rolled her suitcase towards the

tress Abigail Ashcroft." The elderly woman extended her hand, gi

meet you" said

r you, please follow me" she said to Lireal, leading her through the grand hallway. The walls were adorned with paintings of famous alu

er whilst she sat at her desk. "So Lireal, your aunt tell

lap in shame "I-I h

o be ashamed" assu

have their wolves excep

ryone gets it at different times!" she admitted "Any

oing to help m

aid "Now, here is your timetable and lessons star

istress and walked outsi

s he started moving and L

beautiful with antique furniture and floral wallpaper, there was a bunk bed on the far wall with t

ge, she had long black hair and was wearing a traditional Japanese kimono. "Ohayou, I'm Mai

aditional Japanese clothing?" She asked politely. Mai blushed slightly and nodded. "Yes, it's called a kimono. I'm from Japan, and my

ed. Lireal looked at her with understanding eyes. "Maybe it's because we're both special in our own ways." She offered, try

She said, trying to sound more confident than she felt. They talked for a while about their families, their lives back home,