Chapter 6 Episode 6

"You're withdrawing her from school?" Sarah shouted, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Billy gave a solemn nod. "It's for her own good," he muttered.

"But"

"No, Mum, he's right." Iridessa stepped in, her voice steady but laced with sadness. "I think leaving RPC is a good idea."

"Why, baby?" Sarah's voice cracked.

"Can't you see it? I don't belong there... I don't even know if I belong here." Iridessa's eyes welled with tears. "I'm not sure if I'm even human... I'm a monster," she cried, then turned and ran up the stairs.

Sarah collapsed to the floor, sobbing as her heart shattered into pieces. Billy let out a deep sigh and walked over, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"I think it's time we told her the truth."

"The truth?" Sarah snapped, wiping her tears. "You mean tell her she's not our child?"

"She needs to be with her kind, Sarah... and you know it."

"But we might never see her again!" Sarah cried out, clutching his hand tightly.

Billy looked into her eyes and whispered, "Remember what the strange woman said..."

Sarah hesitated, then slowly nodded.

"Let go," she whispered with a bittersweet smile, squeezing his hand as they both stood and headed upstairs to Iridessa's room.

*****

"What was that sound?" Sarah whispered, cautiously stepping down the hallway. Billy followed closely behind.

"Baby!" she gasped, rushing to Iridessa who was curled up on the floor, her hands trembling over her lap.

"She was here," Iridessa whispered, scanning the room in fear.

"Who was here?" Sarah asked gently.

"The strange woman with piercing blue eyes... she told me everything," Iridessa stammered, her voice barely audible. She threw her arms around Sarah, and tears rolled down both their cheeks. "Thank you for everything, but I have to leave... before I put you all in danger."

"Where are you going?" Sarah asked as she pulled back from the hug.

"Where my kind are," Iridessa said, wiping her tears as she stood up. "I need to start packing."

"Can we come with you?" Sarah asked softly.

Iridessa smiled sadly, opened her closet, and silently began pulling out her boxes. Sarah and Billy quietly stepped out of the room, their hearts heavy with grief.

"A new life, new place, new identity... my life's completely messed up," Iridessa muttered, folding her clothes with trembling hands.

******

By morning, Iridessa let out a long sigh as she dragged her suitcase out of the room. She turned and wrapped her arms around her parents.

"I'm going to miss you both," she whispered, tears running down her cheeks.

"Come visit soon," Sarah choked out, holding her tighter.

Iridessa gave a nod, broke the hug, and stepped toward the door.

"The pendant will guide me," she said, placing a hand over the crystal hanging from her neck. She turned, gave one last wave to Billy and Sarah, and walked out,without looking back.

Billy held Sarah close. "She'll be fine," he whispered.

*****

NIGHTSHADE ACADEMY

Zyair groaned as his phone buzzed, interrupting the girl currently on her knees before him.

He picked up the call, irritation clear in his voice. "What do you want?"

"Hey, dickhead!" Alex's voice came from the other end, sharp and annoyed. "I've been trying to mind-link you for the past ten minutes!"

"Well, I'm a little busy. Or did you forget that I have a life?" Zyair muttered, clearly not in the mood.

"Let me guess. You're screwing one of your random girls again," Alex snapped.

"Exactly. And you called at the worst time," Zyair said, his tone cold.

"Are you serious right now? The masters have been waiting for you at the boundary!"

"For what?" Zyair muttered, already growing bored of the conversation.

"For the arrival of the new student!"

"You're already there. Why should I come? I have more important things to do," he scoffed, then ended the call.

He turned to the girl beside him, now pouting.

"Come here, baby," she whispered seductively.

"Here!" Zyair flung a wad of cash at her. "Be gone before I get back," he muttered, walking into the bathroom.

"So full of himself," she hissed, grabbing the money and slipping out the door.

*****

"Where's the prince?" Mistress Mimi snapped, eyes narrowing at Alex.

"I... I apologize on his behalf," Alex stammered, bowing.

"I asked for his location, not your apologies," she replied sharply.

Master Eric finally broke the tension. "You may go," he said quietly. Alex bowed and left.

Mistress Mimi watched him disappear before turning back to Master Eric. "I swear, the goddess may have made a mistake choosing him to be Alpha."

"Mimi!" Master Eric's tone turned stern as he stepped closer. "Watch your words. The night has ears, and we do not speak that way about the goddess."

She scoffed. "She chose the youngest son... the careless one."

"He was born with Alpha blood," Master Eric said firmly. "That's enough."

Just then, he stiffened, sniffing the air. "I feel a presence..."

A flash of lightning cracked across the sky, followed by roaring wind. Then, a girl appeared in the middle of the courtyard, breathing heavily.

"Where am I?" Iridessa asked, eyes wide.

"Welcome to Nightshade Institute," a deep voice said from behind.

Iridessa spun around, surprised to see the voice belonged to a woman.

"I'm Mistress Mimi," she introduced.

"Mistress? Not principal? Or even head of school?" Iridessa muttered under her breath.

"We've been expecting you, Your Highness," Master Eric said with a bow.

"Your Highness?" Iridessa blinked. "No, no. That's not me. I'm Iridessa Billy. Well... I was." She sighed. "You must be confusing me with someone else."

Mistress Mimi smiled faintly. "The ways of the goddess are never wrong. Come."

Iridessa followed them, glancing around in awe. Nightshade was enormous, almost like a kingdom hidden within the woods. There were modern facilities everywhere: swimming pools, a grand dining hall, sports grounds, and more.

"Wow... it's amazing," she whispered. "Feels like Royal Prime College."

"Glad you like it, Your Highness."

"It's Miss Billy... or Iridessa. Not Your Highness," she said, clearly irritated.

After ten minutes of walking, they reached a door with a plaque that read "Superior Liam." A tall, grey-haired man stood as they entered.

"Welcome to Nightshade Institute, Your Highness."

"Seriously? Not again," Iridessa groaned. "Please, just call me Iridessa."

"Mind your tone," Mistress Mimi snapped.

"That's enough, Mimi," Master Liam said sternly. He turned to Iridessa with a kind smile. "Here, we answer to masters and mistresses. You'll get used to it."

Iridessa gave a small nod.

"That's if she even lasts," Mistress Mimi chuckled.

"Mimi!" Master Eric gasped. Iridessa felt a lump rise in her throat.

"Here," Master Eric said, handing her a map. "This will guide you to your dorm."

"If your roommates are friendly, they'll show you around the rest of the campus," Mistress Mimi added with a smirk.

"Thanks... masters," Iridessa muttered and bowed. She glared at Mistress Mimi and walked out, dragging her suitcase.

Once she left, Mistress Mimi turned to the others. "Do you really think she's the lost princess of the Blue water Pack?"

"I believe she is," Master Liam said with a sly grin.

"Her wolf is weak. I can barely sense any abilities."

"What are you saying?" Master Liam asked, stepping closer and pinning her against the wall.

"I'm saying... the goddess might have made a mistake."

"A mistake about what?" came a cold voice from behind.