Chapter 2 Arriving at Moonlight Shine Pack

ALICE

As I stepped into the living room, confusion engulfed me. I spotted an unfamiliar man among my family, his presence unsettling. Their expressions, a mix of concern and discomfort, made me uneasy.

I approached them with determined steps, scanning their faces for answers. "What's going on?" I asked, my voice trembling with urgency. I turned to my mother, seeking clarity. "And who is this man, Mom?"

My mother took my hand, her eyes filled with tears. "Alice, I'm so sorry. I didn't expect this to happen," she said, her words heavy with confusion and despair.

"What do you mean, Mom?" I asked, fear and disbelief coloring my voice.

"Alice," Mom's voice quivered, tears streaming down her cheeks. "He's Mr. Rollen from Moonlight Shine Village. He's here to take you with him. You'll be living there from now on."

Her words left me stunned, unable to comprehend the sudden urgency of the situation. "Yes, honey, what your mom said is true. We're deeply sorry to have to leave you," my dad explained, wrapping me in a tight embrace.

"No! I won't leave you! I don't want to go with a man I've never met before," I protested, clinging to my dad as I cast a wary glance at the stranger.

"Honey, you need to go with him. You may not understand it now, but you will soon," Mom gently caressed my cheeks. Unable to hold back my tears, I bowed my head, feeling as though my heart was being pierced by a needle in that moment.

"Hello, Alice. I'm Mr. Jack Rollen, a professor at Moonlight Shine Academy," he introduced himself with a grave tone. "I apologize for the suddenness of my arrival and for the urgency of my request. Your time here in the human world has come to an end." His words weighed heavily on my mind, leaving me feeling confused.

"What are you talking about?" I stammered, my voice trembling as I faced him.

"Since now, you go back to your real world," he said solemnly.

"Real world? Are you insane?" I exclaimed, turning to my parents for clarification. But they remained silent, their faces etched with sadness.

"My world is here! What are you talking about?" I insisted, refusing to believe his words.

"Come go with me, and you will understand," he added in a calm voice.

"No, you can explain it to me here. I will not go with you," I yelled back.

"We have no time. We need to go now," he insisted.

"Mom, Dad, please convince him that I don't want to go with him," I pleaded, turning to them. But Mom shook her head, as if she couldn't do anything for me now.

After a couple of minutes, our attention turned to Rem, who was carrying my belongings. Additionally, my feelings worsened; it was becoming apparent that this situation was no longer a joke.

"Mr. and Mrs. William, we need to go now," the man said in a serious tone as he attempted to grab my hand.

"No! Don't touch me! I said I will never go with you!" I yelled, tears streaming down my cheeks.

"Mom, please," I implored, my voice wavering with desperation. "I can't go with him. You're all I have." With trembling hands, I clung to her, the fear of separation gripping my heart.

My heart sank as I watched my mother brush aside my pleas. "Please, Mom," I begged, hoping she would hear me out. But instead, she pushed me away with a force that stung.

"Leave! Don't ever come back here! You're no longer a part of this family," she declared, her words cutting through me like a knife. Tears streamed down her cheeks, a painful reminder of the rift that had torn us apart.

Standing before them, my body trembled with uncertainty. "Let's go," Mr. Rollen's firm grip pulled me towards the door, and in that moment, it felt as though I lacked the strength to resist him. Despite my silent pleas for them to intervene, my parents remained silent, their eyes fixed on me with a mixture of sadness and resignation. I wished desperately for them to chase after me, to refuse to let me go, but to my dismay, they made no move to stop Mr. Rollen. With a heavy heart, I realized that this time, they had truly let me go.

As Mr. Rollen secured my luggage in his car, he swiftly climbed into the driver's seat and ignited the engine. Throughout the ride, a profound silence hung heavy in the air. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions; disbelief, sorrow, and longing intertwined within me. It was surreal to fathom that I had indeed left my family behind.

The weight of the situation bore down on me, sapping my strength and leaving me feeling utterly vulnerable. Every fiber of my being yearned to turn back, to return to the embrace of my loved ones. Yet, despite this longing, my resolve wavered under the weight of my mother's words, which echoed relentlessly in my mind.

At this moment, I found myself uncertain of where my journey would lead. "Just take a nap; we have a long ride ahead," Mr. Rollen suggested, noticing my quiet demeanor. Despite the myriad of questions swirling in my mind, it felt as though my mouth refused to utter them. Confusion clouded my thoughts, and my heart ached with an inexplicable pain. Perhaps he was right; perhaps a nap would offer respite from the overwhelming stress that consumed me.

An hour later, I awoke to the sight of large pine trees, realizing we were in the middle of nowhere. "Um, pardon me, Mr. Rollen, where are we going exactly?" I questioned, my voice tinged with worry.

"We're heading north, to our place," he replied seriously, his focus remaining on the road ahead.

After a couple of minutes of silence, I gathered the courage to address him. "Mr. Rollen, who are you? And why did you take me so urgently?" I asked, my tone serious.

"I'm a werewolf, just like you," he responded gravely. His words seemed to render me speechless, as if my mouth couldn't bring itself to open.

As the revelation of my cursed fate flooded my mind, Mr. Rollen's voice broke through the chaos, "Don't bother your thoughts about it, you will understand soon." he said, his tone calm yet firm, as if he understood the whirlwind of emotions raging inside me.

In an attempt to quell the disquieting thoughts swirling in my mind, I turned my attention to the quaint village surrounding us. Its charm was undeniable, each meticulously crafted house standing in perfect harmony with its neighbors. As we traversed the cobblestone streets, my gaze was drawn to the array of shops and a modest three-story mall, each offering a glimpse into the daily lives of the village inhabitants. Yet, it was the imposing mansion nestled at the heart of the village that truly captured my imagination, its grandeur akin to that of a regal palace.

Pulling up in front of a sprawling maroon building reminiscent of a medieval fortress, Mr. Rollen's warm smile broke through the tension that had settled between us. "We've arrived," he announced with a touch of excitement, prompting me to hurriedly exit the car. Eager to assist, I offered, "Let me help you, Mr. Rollen," as he made his way to the trunk to retrieve our luggage. Together, we made our way towards the academy.

"Moonlight Shine Academy," I murmured, halting in my tracks as my eyes fell upon the words etched beneath a majestic wolf statue guarding the entrance. Tentatively, I reached out to touch the statue, a strange sensation tingling through my fingertips. A shiver ran down my spine as I quickly withdrew my hand, a sense of unease settling over me like a heavy cloak.

"Alice, is there something wrong ?" Mr. Rollen's voice broke through my reverie, his concern evident as he gestured towards the academy's entrance. With a forced smile, I replied, "Nothing, Mr. Rollen. Let's proceed inside," masking the trepidation that gnawed at my insides at the sight of the academy's emblem.

As we made our way through the halls of the Moonlight Shine Academy, I couldn't shake the feeling of excitement mingled with trepidation. It was as if each step brought me closer to uncovering the mysteries that lay hidden within these ancient walls, waiting to be unveiled.