Chapter 6 Anomaly Among Wolves

"Are you guys on drugs?"

I backed away from Zach and the men standing in front of the room. My body was shaking, and I was absolutely terrified. What would they do to me if they...

No! I don't want to imagine the worst! Even without negative thoughts, the worst could still happen!

"What do you mean 'she's ready,' Zach? She looks like a lost squirrel who doesn't know a rock from a peanut!"

Oh, shut up, old man!

"Dad, let me explain!" Zach, usually as cold as a double-door fridge, now looked visibly panicked. "Just give her a chance!"

"I'm sorry, Zach. If she keeps acting like this, we will have no choice but to fire her."

What?! You mean just wipe me off the face of the earth?! Who do you think you are, deciding who lives or dies?!

"Hey, you can't do that! It's against the law!" I half screamed. "My Mom will come looking for me! The police will hunt you down!"

Their faces remained cold, almost too flat. Did they not hear my threat? Or maybe... maybe they are above the law?

The young man named Genesis cautiously approached me and extended his hand. Although his father shouted angrily, Genesis completely ignored him.

"Hey, don't panic. Everything will be fine. Here, hold my hand. We're not going to hurt you," he said quietly.

I whimpered and shook my head. "No...! Stay away from me!"

Suddenly, Zach slapped Genesis' hand away. And in the blink of an eye-faster than I could see-Zach wrapped his arms around my waist. He held me in his embrace.

"I'll take care of Bernice. I'll take full responsibility for her!" Zach declared.

Take responsibility? What does that even mean?

"All right. You get one chance. If she causes trouble, she won't be the only one who has to face the consequences," Zach's father's eyes glowed yellow for a second, "You will too, Zachary."

"Okay, Dad."

Then Zach half dragged me out of the room. I had no choice but to follow him. We hurried through the hallway with high ceilings and chandeliers, and... it was long and winding.

Where was Zach taking me?

We stopped at the very last door at the end of the hall. Obviously, we weren't going through the wall.

"Get some rest. This is your temporary room before we go to the academy tomorrow," Zach said.

"Academy? What kind of academy?"

"You'll see."

He practically pushed me inside, and before he left, he gave me another order:

"Lock the door. Don't open it for anyone but me."

That order sent shivers down my spine. It felt like Zach had just claimed dominion over my body and soul.

But really? If not Zach, who else could protect me in a place like this? I wouldn't make it out of this mansion without being torn to pieces.

He said "werewolves," didn't he?

I want to return to my Mom's arms, even if she treats me like a child. It is a thousand times safer to be with her. I should have stayed at home.

Now I'm mixed up with some occult freaks who think they're half-animal.

Why is this happening to me?

*

Thank God nothing terrible happened. Zach brought me some food and a change of clothes. He just said I'd be transferred to the academy soon. He said tomorrow, but it turned out to be a few days.

That's when I realized I was a prisoner here. But I locked myself in. It's like I'm a prisoner by consent. Why didn't I think this through?

This morning was different. Zach took me out because we're going to the academy today, where the new school year begins.

"Is this academy like a school?" I asked.

"Yes, a school for werewolves."

I've had enough of this joke. A werewolf school? What do they teach, howling?

I had no idea what to expect when Zach said "academy."

"When we get there, you'll be given a uniform and put up in a dormitory," Zach added.

Uniform? Dorms? Okay, cool.

We walked out to the porch, and I saw the same guy from a few days ago, Genesis, and his annoying father. Yeah, the one who treated me like garbage.

What are they doing here?

"Watch out for Genesis, Zach. Don't let him fall in with the wrong crowd. You're the only one I trust," his father said, giving me a quick look.

Ugh, I guess Genesis is going, too. And obviously his father is afraid of him getting close to me.

I'll keep that in mind. Not that I want to get close to him, either.

"I'm counting on you, Zach," he added.

Zach nodded and opened the back door of the van for me.

Am I supposed to sit in the back like some kind of pet?

Whatever. I climbed in. There were seats, sure, but I could already feel the gap. This was worse than my old life.

Zach and Genesis sat in the front row, and the driver started the engine.

Genesis looked at me but didn't say anything. But I could feel him watching me. Like he had eyes in the back of his head or something.

The van pulled away from the mansion.

Oh, here we go... Let's see how bad this "academy" really is.

*

The journey was long. I kept falling asleep, waking up, and dozing off again, and it felt endless.

Finally, the road narrowed-smooth and straight. Pines lined both sides.

Then we started to climb, and I saw it: a tall, gray fortress in the distance, flags fluttering from its towers.

Was that a castle?

A mixture of nerves, curiosity, and awe stirred in me.

This was the Academy? A medieval castle that looked way cooler than any high school?

It was like a secluded fortress for acolyte students. Totally exclusive.

The big wooden gates opened when we arrived.

The castle was massive!

Three stories high in a U-shape, with a central building and two wings.

Luxury cars were parked outside. Teenagers our age mingled with their parents.

For a "werewolf cult," this was super elite and well organized.

We parked, and I followed Zach, trailing behind him like a quiet puppy.

"Ugh..." Genesis stretched and untucked his shirt, messing up his slicked-back hair. "It's about time."

"Remember, your father left you in my care," Zach growled. "Behave, Genesis."

"Well, you're not my dad!" Genesis chuckled.

Then he suddenly turned to me, his eyes intense. I instinctively backed away.

"Bernice?" Genesis stepped closer. "Welcome to the Academy."

He grabbed my chin, and without warning, Genesis kissed my lips!

I gasped and pushed him away.

"Genesis!!" Zach snapped.

"I like her. She smells good," Genesis grinned. "I'm going to mark you, Bernice. Just wait!"

Mark me? What does that mean?!

Genesis disappeared in a flash. I blinked in disbelief. It wasn't just his speed; I was shocked that he had stolen my first kiss!

That was awful!

"Are you okay?" Zach looked at me, his cheeks slightly flushed. This could be as embarrassing for him as it was for me.

I shook my head and tried not to cry. "No..."

"You'll get used to-"

"He stole my first kiss!" I squealed, cutting him off. "Why would he do that? I barely know him!"

Zach looked stunned and embarrassed.

"Just... come with me, okay?"

And then what? A bowl of ice cream? Candy to mend my crushed soul?

What is it with these werewolves and their whole deal?!

Fighting back tears, I followed Zach into the academy's main building.

Every student we passed stared, some nodding politely at Zach.

Was he some kind of honor student here?

Then what was he doing at my school back then?

"Where are we going?" I asked as we walked down a long, classic hallway lit by glowing lamps.

"To meet the dormitory director," Zach replied.

We turned into the left wing and climbed a wide staircase to the second floor.

A plaque reading "Dorm Head" was on the first door. Zach walked in and motioned for me to follow.

A woman with white hair in a bun sat behind a desk, typing away. An open book sat nearby.

She glanced at us. "Zachary, welcome," she nodded.

"I'm here with Bernice, Luna Hester."

"Oh, the unranked girl?"

Unranked? What does that mean?

"She's not a Luna candidate, not even an Omega. I wouldn't even say Hybrid. She's... an anomaly," the woman, Luna Hester, sighed.

"Where am I supposed to put her?"

"The Committee has approved her. That means she has the right to attend the academy. Where she goes is your decision, Luna Hester."

Zach looked at me, but I couldn't tell what his look meant.

Luna Hester sighed deeply as if she had been handed a heavy burden.

"Then I'll put her in Sigma. I don't want any complaints."

"Thank you, Luna Hester ."

Zach nodded and motioned for me to leave. As we walked, I grabbed his arm. Zach turned, his eyes cold.

"Bernice, I told you... Don't touch me." He huffed. "What is it now?"

"Zach? What did she mean about calling me an anomaly?"