Blood Rose Academy

Blood Rose Academy is a school for gifted wolves—a sanctuary where no humans lurk, and our talents remain hidden from the world. Any wolf with a gift is eligible to attend. Wolves from across the globe walk these halls—Alpha heirs, Beta heirs, even royal heirs. I am Kairo Lilith Rose, the only daughter of the Alpha of the Blood Diamond Pack—one of the most feared Alphas in America—and granddaughter of Klaus Rose, founder of Rose Academy. The first girl born into the Alpha family in centuries, they call me the Snow Wolf. I can manipulate ice in every form imaginable, wield mental and physical protection shields, heal, jump between locations, and harness chakra. And if that weren’t enough, I’m one of four quadruplets. My brothers—Zen, Zayvier, and Zander—each command an element: Zen bends fire, Zayvier bends air, and Zander shapes the ground beneath our feet. They, too, are chakra users. My parents founded Blood Rose Academy before we were even born, inspired, they say, by the Moon Goddess herself. My father rarely appears at the school, but my mother, Catalina, serves as headmistress. She oversees every student while still making time for her children, guiding our pack as Luna. I admire her strength, her will, and her power. My mother hails from the Opal Stream Pack, and my aunt, Katherine Diamond—the Luna of the Blood Moon Pack—is equally extraordinary. I strive to follow in their footsteps. Ten Years Old “Kairo, what is Energy Flow?” I look up from my desk to answer. “It’s the energy we use to enhance our abilities.” “Very good—” The bell cuts off my teacher. “Class dismissed. The headmistress has called an important meeting, so enjoy the rest of the day.” I grab my bag and head out. “Hey, Kairo.” I turn to see Noah, messing with his hair. “Hey, Noah.” He’s the prince of the American wolves and, since kindergarten, something like my friend. “Since school’s out, want to hang out?” I sigh. “I have combat training with my father—” “I can come along! I don’t mind watching,” he interrupts eagerly. I shrug. “Don’t you have training?” “Aww, I do,” he pouts. “Well, guess we can’t hang out then. See you tomorrow.” “I’ll be here.” Noah dashes off, waving. I wave back, then bump into a familiar scent—my brother Zen, running. I hear my other brothers racing to the car, each hoping for the front seat. I don’t care much and settle into the back. But as I step outside, heat surges through me, my bones grinding painfully. I scream. The school’s front doors swing open, and my father appears. I see Zen and Zayvier on the ground, but Zander is missing. My father meets my gaze. “Your brothers are shifting, and they’ll be fine. You will be too. Look at me.” Another wave of pain hits; it feels as if my bones are cracking one by one. I scream again. My father lifts my face so our eyes lock. “Kai, we don’t have time to go to the cellars. We have to face this. Don’t fight it—embrace it. Let your wolf come forward.” I nod. He releases me, and I focus on my breathing, tuning out the pain. Slowly, the bone-cracking fades. I open my eyes. Sunlight pours in as my father holds the door open. He smiles. “Welcome, sweetheart.” Everything is brighter. My senses sharpen. I see three wolves in the clearing—my brothers: a sandy-red wolf, a brown wolf, and a dusty-white wolf. I glance at my father for reassurance; he nods. I rise, looking at my own paws—I’m a dark blue wolf. My brothers growl, and we bolt into the woods behind the academy. Dirt flies under our paws, wind rushes through our fur. Freedom. Power. Pure exhilaration. This is the life I was born for.