Moonlit Awakening

tared at Professor Moonclaw, the woman's words echoing in he

r voice barely above a whisper, but the slight twitch i

ed students with... unique challenges." The confusion in his voice made it clear he didn't unders

he addressed Maya's parents, "would you mind if we spoke with Maya priv

frowned. "I

he scientific part-needed answers, even if those answers defied every

st the counter while Professor Moonclaw remained stan

night," the professor

htened. "That'

nt. "Your bedroom probably looks like a tornado hit it. Dest

e was confirm

oonclaw continued. "The victim of a werewolf bite

ya protested weakly, her scientific mind r

al color Maya had seen in her own reflection. He raised his hand, and

th training, you'll be able to control which parts change and when-outside of the full moon, of cours

, her legs suddenly unable to

d you. Last night was just the beginning. Each full moon will trigger a complete transformation, but strong emotions-fear, anger, even intense

a chill through M

ted students. Your parents will be told you've received a special scholarship due to your academic achievements and the unique... psychological effec

asked, though she alre

arder underneath. "That's not an option, Ms. Bennett. Unco

nte

For now, understand this: Moonlit Academy is not merely an opportunity; it

expect me to walk awa

life as you knew it ended the moment you were bitten, Ms. Ben

-

s Professor Moonclaw wove a compelling narrative about psychological trauma, PTSD from the attack, and Moonlit Aca

r explained smoothly. "Our academy can provide resources

o suddenly-" he

ndow for intervention," Professor Moonclaw countered.

fe's warm assurances about the academy's exceptional record. They were being manipulated, she realized-an

campus before making a de

amilies only, during designated weekends," Professor Moonclaw replied. "However, I can leave you with our brochures

ticularly after a private conversation with the headmaster over the phone-a conversation that left her father l

e to bring into her new one. Textbooks? Would a werewolf school even teach normal subjects? Photos of friends sh

thoughts. Her mother entered,

hday," she said, sitting beside Maya on the

silver pendant-an intricately carved cr

would protect you from the darkness." She laughed softly. "I always t

ot so sure," Maya

beautiful daughter is facing something difficult, and if t

inst her skin. "Thanks, Mom." Then, because she couldn't help herself:

, looking for the logical inconsistency." She kissed Maya's forehead. "Th

a thought, but she forc

-

hugging her parents goodbye while Professor Moonclaw and

e settled," her mother in

l-we're just a phone call away," her fat

hat she was becoming or where she was really going. But she nodded

wn, Maya fought back tears. "Where exactly is this acade

. "Remote enough to allow students the freedom to transform without

envelope. "Your student handbook and orientation materials. I suggest y

d "Moonlit Academy: Tradition, Control, Excellence." The first page

ng family. Violation of this rule results in immediat

ncil for judgment' mean?" Maya

at followed wa

ling people who break the

ing an entire species from exposure and extinction. The human world is not ready

nxiety. The handbook outlined a rigid class structure among werewolves: the Bloodline werewolves-t

ke up less than twenty percent

plained, meeting her eyes briefly in the rearview mirror

s I turned?

One that Headmaster Blackwood is most interested in

wild country. After several hours, they turned onto a narrow road that wound through dense forest. No s

Maya's reaction. "They alert the security team of any a

only be described as a castle. Gray stone towers reached skyward, while ivy-covered walls surrounded a central courtyard

fe announced as they pulled up to the

g she knew-everything she was-had changed in the space of a few days. Science, logic, reason-

g to one certainty: she would understand this. No matter how strange or terrifying this new reality might be, she would a

find a way to regain

main building, his posture radiating the casual confidence of privilege. When his eyes-a star

, "that is Lucas Gray, heir to one of our oldest Bloodline

?" Maya

first transformations," the professor explained

"volunteered" was a significant overstatement. Her suspicion was confirmed when he stopp

ltured voice dripping with barely concealed

lt Maya's new life would be vanished. She lifte

oolly. "But I do have standards for

be... interesting." He gestured toward the main building. "Headmaster Blackwood is wait

n her-anger, yes, but something else too. Something wild and defiant that re

ticipation beneath her fear. Lucas Gray clearly expected her to fail.