Chapter 3 WOLF ACADEMY

"Bye, Mom. Bye, Dad!" I waved excitedly, standing beside Ma on the staircase. Dad stood near the car, arms folded, visibly impatient.

"Time... We don't have time, dear," he said, tapping his wristwatch.

I hopped into the private car and-voom-Dad was already behind the wheel. The road stretched smoothly ahead, the sky wide and inviting.

Somewhere along the ride, it happened-I transformed. My wolf tongue lolled in the cool breeze, ears perked, tail flicking behind me. Abigail was thrilled, running freely inside me as Dad sped along. The wind and earth welcomed us back like a long-lost daughter.

"Rowena... come on," Dad called, his voice calm but firm.

I got the message. "Okay, Pa," I said with a sigh, shifting back into my human form.

"Yay! Finally, we're free again!" Abigail howled with joy in my mind. Her tail swished excitedly, and I felt her relief deep in my chest.

Moonstone carried a scent unlike anywhere else-pine, fresh soil, and ancient magic. I inhaled deeply. My life was about to change again-forever.

"That's Maxin's home! Dad, can I say hi?" I asked, excitement sparkling across my face.

"You must be really happy, dear," he said with a small grin.

"Of course, Dad! I missed Moonstone. It's my home. It's where I belong." I smiled as I looked out at the familiar rooftops and trees. This was the place where I'd grown up. Dad, Mom, my friends-we were happy here. No masks, no hiding. Here, we were wolves, and we were free.

"It's me, Rowena," I said gently after knocking on the door. A familiar voice answered-Maxin's mom.

"Hey, dear..." she stammered as she opened the door. "It's been so long. Maxin and the others haven't stopped talking about you. They missed you, sweetie."

"But where are they?" I asked, curiosity tugging at me.

"They're in school," she replied. Then, after a pause, she added, "Maxin's... not quite the same since you left. The night howls changed him."

"Okay. Tell them I came by," I said with a wave.

"Hey honey, I'll drop you at Mama Lupa's," Dad said, changing course.

Mama Lupa-my grandmother, Dad's mom-is both sweet and fierce. Everyone in the park adores her. One night, under a full moon, she hosted a massive feast. Guests from every pack gathered around her overflowing table-rice soup, chicken, wine, drinks... the works.

"Thank you all for honoring my invitation," Grandma announced. "It's a blessing to see the park united."

She was celebrating the 30th anniversary of discovering her wolf self. Before that, she'd lived a normal human life. Her father, a wolf; her mother, a human. After he died when she was five, she was raised by human relatives in London, unaware of her wolf blood until she met my grandfather-her mate. He brought her home to the wild. He's still alive, strong and loyal, always by her side.

"Mama Lupa!" I screamed, dropping my box as I raced into her arms.

"Be careful, Rowena," Dad warned, muttering, "These kids..." as he picked up my box.

"Rowena, you've grown into a beautiful young woman," Mama said, smiling warmly.

"Thank you, Mama," I replied, cheeks glowing.

"Hey there, grumpy!" Mama teased Dad.

"Hi, Mom," he replied with a little wave.

Dad carried my box inside as I chatted with Mama Lupa. I told her everything-especially about the humans and how much I disliked them. As expected, she gave me the usual wisdom about tolerance. But later, she leaned in and whispered how proud she was of how I'd handled that Ella girl. That's probably why we get along so well.

Papa sat quietly on the sofa shaped like a lounging wolf, eyes fixed on the TV-his favorite channel. He didn't even notice me until I blocked the screen.

"Peach!" he called, using the nickname he gave me. "How are you?" He stretched out his arms.

"I missed you, Papa," I said, hugging him tight.

"I missed you too, Peach," he chuckled. "What the hell is this guy playing?" Papa suddenly yelled at the screen. Classic him-always too fired up over golf.

"Come on in," Mama said, leading us upstairs. Dad would spend the night, while I settled in until school resumed next week.

---

"Come in," I said, responding to the gentle knock on my door. I had just settled in from the journey.

"Hey, sweetheart. How are you?" Mama Lupa asked, sitting on the edge of my bed.

"Mama Lupa," I said softly, a smile tugging at my lips.

"How have you been coping?"

"I've been fine... although those humans!" I growled, fists clenched.

"Shhh... don't be like that. You know, my Pa was human and he was... kind. Everyone loved him. Not all humans are the same-"

"Blend in, understand them, blah blah blah..." I interrupted, rolling my eyes. I'd heard this lecture a dozen times.

"Hey, don't do that," she scolded playfully, tapping my shoulder.

"Mama!" I giggled, rubbing the spot.

"Just get some sleep. You have a long day ahead," she said, kissing my forehead.

---

Before lying down, I paused. Moonlight streaked across the floorboards. Something felt... off. Not just warm, but watchful.

"You know she's not safe here," Mama Lupa whispered later that night outside Dad's room.

"I know, Ma. But things went bad. Her name back home is now... in quotes-'The Devil's Daughter.' I tried enrolling her elsewhere, but no school would take her. They say she's dangerous."

"Still, she must remain hidden. Her life is at stake here in Moonstone," Mama warned.

---

"AHHHHHHHH!" a scream shattered the silence from the living room-raw, loud, and filled with pain.

"What was that?" Mama gasped, turning sharply toward the stairs.