High Moon Academy

Chapter 7 - POV Charlie - Mister Creepy

I feel like I can still see the packhouse in my rearview mirror. My mother held my father, the boys, and Sarah waving goodbye, and my sister, a little too enthralled at her phone but waving without looking up. I’m going to assume she's talking to Jeremy, probably consoling him and letting him know I have finally left the premises.

‘Ah, yes, I’m going to miss unnerving Jeremy.’ I said more so to myself.

‘You know he could be her mate, you should be a tad nicer. I hope our mate has a bit more fight in him than Jeremy does.’ Oh yes, did I mention that, unlike me, Iris thinks having our mate will complete us? She's actually hoping to find him instantly when we arrive. I get it, a wolf needs their mate, they feel like something is missing without their other half. I on the other hand, feel like I’m about to get everything I’ve ever wanted with some hard work. Therefore, a mate is not on my priority list.

‘Oh, come on, having our mate with us will only make us stronger. You know it.’ I rolled my eyes once more and I feel Iris retreat to the back of my mind with her, I know what I’m talking about. I just ignore her for a bit as I know not having her mate bothers her and I don’t want to argue. I just keep driving.

I’ve been driving for over two hours and I started to see the signs for Wet Mountain Valley. I continue on the winding roads, and I have to admit this place is gorgeous. There seem to be unlimited trees, and the water is gorgeous around here. I can feel Iris perk up in the back of my mind at the notion of running through this new uncharted area. Exploring all it has to offer, we are about an hour away from the academy, and- I start to feel like I’m being watched. How can that be I’m in a car.

‘I feel it too, Charlie, I don’t think we are alone.’ Iris’s uneasiness brings me to high alert. I’m hoping it's just someone from the academy keeping an eye on newcomers. I can’t be too sure. Better safe than sorry. I speed up to try and get to the academy faster. If this means causing me harm, I don’t want to be alone if they aren't alone.

As I race towards the academy, I see a couple of blurs outside my window on either side. I’m being chased by wolves, the smell that is coming into my car now, rotten eggs, I know I’m being pursued by rogues. I can pick up on at least four wolves running beside the car, barring their teeth at me. I stepped on the gas and speeded off. Wolves are fast, but not Audi fast. I see them in the rearview, but as I look ahead again I’m forced to swerve as a big rogue wolf is directly in my path.

I missed the big wolf but I had to slow down so much that I knew I needed to get out and fight.

‘I’m ready Charlie, we can do this, let me have shared control’ Most wolves can’t share control with their wolves once in wolf form. It's usually either or, but with Iris, we’ve always been able to share control over our form. It makes us deadly and strong. I let out a massive howl to alert anyone close by that there are rogue wolves, also hoping the academy is close enough to hear my plea if this goes wrong.

The first wolf launched at us, We ducked and rolled and managed to reach around and bite them on their hind legs hard. I could feel their blood rush into my mouth. They howled out in pain and snapped at me. We turned to face each other and they growled at me. I returned the growl and we launched at each other again. They managed to bite my shoulder lightly. This gave me the opportunity to bite their other leg and, with everything, I had throw them over the cliff on the other side of the road. I saw the look of fear in their eyes and they realized they weren’t surviving this encounter. I had no time to relish my defeat of the enemy as I knew the others were nearing.

‘One down, at least four to go, Iris, we got this’

‘Damn right we do. Let's do this Charlie’

As the other four wolves are racing toward us, I’m suddenly aware of something else in the trees. It’s watching us, I can make out its eyes, glowing red. What’s it waiting for? Why are they watching me? In the distance, I heard more howls getting closer. The wolves approaching suddenly begin to retreat and the red eyes have vanished. From behind me, pack wolves appear, the leader transforms and immediately announces themselves.

“I am Terrance Willow, I am head of security for High Moon academy. We heard your cry and came running. The rogues have been more daring lately, but we never expected them to attack a student. I’m sorry. Are you alright?” I can see by the look on Terrance that he was telling the truth. Why are rogues circling the academy anyway and what were those red eyes? So many questions, but can I trust Terrance with my findings? Perhaps I’ll keep that to myself for now.

“Thank you for coming to help me. I did manage to throw one off the cliff. I don’t think they could survive that. There were four other rogues attacking, but as you came howling in they retreated.” I can see the look of worry on Terrance's face that so many wolves were sent to attack. He looks at his men. They dispersed and took off in different directions. I’m sure they are off to track the wolves in question.

“You are safe now. Would you like me to accompany you to the academy?”

“No, I’m fine now thank you. I'll carry on myself, feel free to join your men.” He smiled, understanding that I knew he sent his men to track them and bid me farewell.

‘Well, Iris, wasn’t this a warm welcome for a first day, five rogues and a mister super creepy in the woods? I’d say we are in for quite a year. No wonder people leave the academy twice as strong as they enter.’

‘It’s definitely going to be an interesting two years love.’

With that, I walked back to our car and grabbed an extra set of clothes I had in my purse in the front seat. Quickly pull over my shirt and pull on my pants. Note to self, do not let Damon or Patty know of this encounter or they’ll be pulling me from the academy before I even get there.