HALFBLOOD LUNA

7

I forged ahead, reading more of the highlighted sentences. My eyes landed on one that made my breath hitch.

📔"A SECRET HE NEVER TOLD ME, HE WAS A VAMPIRE"📔

I froze. Who was a vampire? My father? But I never saw him or knew anything about him. Every time I asked Grandpa, he always changed the topic. My thoughts swirled in confusion, but I couldn’t stop reading. I turned to the next page, and another highlighted sentence stared back at me.

📔"HE LIVES ON STILL. HE NEVER DIES. HE IS WAITING, WAITING FOR OUR DAUGHTER."📔

The words echoed through my mind. Waiting for… me?? I whispered to myself. I… I have no idea what this means.

Just then, I heard a knock. “Dinner’s ready, Lyra,” Grandpa Maddox called out.

“I’m coming,” I replied quickly, packing up the box and placing it back beneath the floorboard. I opened the door and made my way to the dining table.

As we sat to eat, I couldn’t stop thinking about what I had read. “Vampire.” “Our daughter.” Those words haunted me.

Grandpa noticed. “What’s wrong, my dear?” he asked. I looked up at him.

“You haven’t even taken a bite from your food yet. Is the food really bad?” he asked again.

“No, no, Pa. The food smells delicious. I just… I…” I muttered, stabbing my fork into the plate.

“What is it, Lyra?” Grandpa asked, his voice soft and soothing.

“It’s just that… I saw a journal in Mom’s box, and I saw some highlighted sentences. Pa, who was the vampire that Mom knew? Was it my father? Is it…? Pa, I don’t know what’s happening,” I blurted out before I could even think.

Grandpa froze, the word vampire hanging in the air. He inhaled sharply, but then his shoulders relaxed.

“It’s time, Lyra,” he said. “You must know the truth.”

I tilted my head. “Truth? What truth, Pa?” I asked curiously.

He looked me in the eyes. “The truth about your father.”

---

CRESCENT FANG ACADEMY

Days passed at the academy, and everyone slowly adjusted to their new Alpha. Caleb had recovered and was back on his feet, but he was no longer the proud, feared leader they once knew. He was now just a shadow of himself—stripped of his glory, mocked and discarded by the same people who once cheered for him.

They whispered, sneered, laughed. And at the front of them all was Vanessa.

She made it her daily mission to humiliate him. One day, Caleb had worked up the courage to speak to her. To apologize maybe—or to talk—anything to feel less alone.

But before he could even finish his sentence, Vanessa slapped him hard across the face. The sound echoed. He held his cheek, stunned.

She laughed. “Pathetic,” she said, turning her back on him as Tanya and Ria cackled behind her.

As they walked away, I noticed Ria glancing over her shoulder. Her expression faltered just for a second. There was pity in her eyes… and something else. Something I couldn’t quite read. But before I could grasp it, she turned away and followed the others.

Caleb stood frozen.

Meanwhile, Vanessa clung to Alpha Kade like a vine desperate for sunlight. She draped herself over him, smiling too brightly, laughing too loud. It was obvious—she wanted him. Craved his attention. His power.

But Kade barely spared her a glance. His thoughts were elsewhere—haunted by the image of me, the girl who ran from him with tears in her eyes.

No matter how many wolves he sent searching, no matter how many tracks he followed, I was just… gone. And the more he failed to find me, the more unsettled he became.

---

TRAINING GROUNDS

The sun blazed high above the academy as we gathered on the dusty training field. Each of us stood in pairs, gripping our staffs tightly, feet firm and eyes sharp—just as Alpha Kade had commanded.

This wasn’t just sparring. Today marked the beginning of real training.

Vanessa stood across from Tanya, her eyes like a hawk watching its prey. Caleb was paired with Ria, who held her ground with quiet strength.

A sharp whistle sliced through the air. The signal to begin.

Chaos broke out immediately. Sticks clashed, grunts filled the air, and feet thundered against the ground.

Vanessa moved like a seasoned warrior. Every move of hers was calculated and vicious. Her form was flawless. I saw Kade’s eyes flick toward her—his face unreadable.

Vanessa noticed.

Fired up by his attention, she charged at Tanya with everything she had. Her staff spun like a blade, and with one vicious swing, she struck Tanya in the head.

Tanya crumpled to the ground with a cry of pain.

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Vanessa stood tall, victorious. She tossed her hair back, sweat on her brow, and cast a smug glance toward Kade.

He smirked, but his gaze drifted back to the rest of the field.

All around, students were falling—some limping, others triumphant.

“I didn’t expect to see this much energy today,” Kade murmured to Dax, who stood at his side.

In another corner, Caleb and Ria fought fiercely.

Caleb fought with everything he had, desperate to prove himself. Desperate to win back what he’d lost. He struck hard—landing a blow to Ria’s side. She gasped and fell, her staff clattering to the dirt.

She looked up, expecting him to help her. But he didn’t even glance at her. He just walked past, cold and silent.

Suddenly, the gates burst open with a loud creak.

All movement stopped. Every head turned. Even Kade’s.

A single figure stepped forward.

She was slender, young, and graceful. Her long hair flowed behind her and her large blue eyes shimmered as they scanned the field.

She walked with the elegance of royalty, then came to a stop beside Alpha Kade.

Gasps spread through the students. Vanessa leaned forward, her lips slightly parted.

Kade raised his hand. “Everyone, gather together.”

We all stepped forward, forming a half-circle around them.

“This,” Kade said, resting his hand gently on the girl’s shoulder, “is Rivena. Our new transfer student.”