HEIRS: THE PRINCESS AND THE HUNTER

Chapter 2 - Apartment 512

Aurora D'Angelo / Isla Smith

Two days of celebrations.

Two days of saying goodbye to every member of my family.

Every aunt.

Every uncle.

Every cousin.

Every child of my parents' friends.

Even every eligible bachelor in the supernatural kingdom.

Dad insisted it was tradition.

I knew better.

It was one last desperate attempt to convince me to stay.

Dad was silent most of the ride.

Marcus kept rambling about his upcoming football match.

Mom held Dad's hand, silently reassuring him that letting me go was the right decision.

In my mind, that was the only option.

My heart pounded.

My palms were damp.

Every nerve in my body knew there was no turning back.

A new life awaited me.

I was leaving Aurora D’Angelo behind to start a new life as someone else.

Isla Smith.

Finally, the opportunity to live like a normal kid.

Without the weight of the legacy.

Without the weight of the crown.

One last hug for Marcus, my brother.

I was going to miss his annoying ass, that was for sure.

Mom cupped my face.

"Call me every day."

"Every other day," Dad corrected.

She ignored him.

"Every day."

One heartbeat.

I met his eyes.

The tears welled in his eyes.

A knot tightened around my throat.

No words came out.

“No matter what…

I love you,” he managed to choke out.

I had promised myself that I wouldn't cry.

It felt inevitable.

“Here,” he opened his arms.

I didn’t hesitate.

I stepped into his embrace.

Dad wrapped his arms around my frame. I buried my face into his chest.

Then, he whispered.

“This is your choice, and I trust you.”

I looked up.

His eyes met mine.

“I’ll be here, always.” He promised.

My chest warmed up.

Letting go of him felt harder than crossing worlds.

“This is it,” I said,

“You already have all you need.

You’ll be staying with three other girls. Also, part of the program.”

Mom was more excited than I was.

Goddess, I loved them to pieces, but the urge to do this was completely irrational. I just hope that she will guide me in the right direction.

The portal shimmered before us.

I waved at my family one last time.

One step.

That was all it would take.

One step...

...and Aurora D'Angelo would disappear.

Isla Smith would take her place.

My arrival was chaotic.

Nothing close to what I had been used to.

People bumped into one another.

Security shouted instructions.

Nobody cared who I was.

It was...

strangely freeing.

No royal pass.

No diplomatic exemptions.

Ironically, I enjoyed every bit of it.

My lips curled up; this was a new beginning.

I flagged a yellow cab.

Finally, I was on my way to a new life.

He stopped before a brick building.

It was old.

“Carhill Residence Hall,” I read the brass sign above the door.

Over it, a banner.

“Welcome to Blackwood University.”

My lips stretched.

I was finally here.

The mayhem of moving day at its best.

People rushing in and out.

Parents holding boxes.

Girls shrieking, reuniting with their old roommates.

Excitement.

“Hey, do you need a hand?” A petite blonde with a bright smile talked to me.

I looked at my bags sitting at the curb, and I nodded.

“I guess,” I smiled. “I mean, if you don’t mind.”

“Which dorm?” she looked at me.

“Room 512-A.” I read the file I had been handed in advance.

“We are roommates. I am 512-C,” she beamed.

I noticed she had been here for several hours because she navigated the corridors with ease.

She opened the rundown door that held the golden 512.

I set my bag by the door.

“I’m Isla.” I extended my hand to go for a handshake, but instead she went for a hug

“I’m Melody. We are going to be…besties.” She made me laugh.

The apartment was simple.

White walls, a rundown living room, a small dining room, and a functional kitchen in the middle. Two hallways opened up, each one with a door in front of the other.

“A is that way.” Melody pointed out.

I took my key and opened the bedroom door.

Considering the main areas, the bedroom didn’t disappoint.

Empty walls, a queen bed, a nightstand, a desk and chair.

Another room led to a modest bathroom and closet.

At least, I was not sharing.

It was not much.

I had a lavish lifestyle back home,

And somehow,

This felt better.

I carried my bags into my bedroom and started unpacking.

The closet was small.

Half of my stuff didn’t fit.

I made a mental note to go to a*****e and buy at least a chest with drawers for extra storage.

For now, this was good.

I took a deep breath.

I had made my very first friend.

Not a cousin.

Not the son or daughter of my parents’ friends.

No, one of my own.

I couldn’t help but smile.

This experience was refreshing.

I left my door open.

When I was putting the finishing touches on my room... I saw another girl standing outside the door right across from mine.

My roommate from room B.

She was tall, lean, with caramel skin.

Exotic.

I walked toward my door.

“Hey,” I greeted her.

She gave me a silent nod.

Her features were soft, but she didn’t sport a smile.

Serious, but not hostile.

Perhaps she felt as out of place as I was feeling.

“I am Isla,” I said, introducing myself.

I didn't have a chirpy personality like Melody, but I was trying.

She turned around. “I am Arline,” she finally smiled.

“Nice meeting you,” I said,

“I’m going to settle… I’ll see you around,” Arline said.

Immediately, I understood.

She needed her space.

An introvert.

I decided to sit in the common areas.

There was one more girl to meet, and I was done in my room.

Melody joined me.

Her eyes met mine. “What is wrong?” she said,

“Another roommate arrived,” I mumbled, and she nodded.

“Where is she?” Melody asked,

“Room B,” I sighed.

. “But I think she wants her space,” I was finishing the words when Melody knocked on her door.

“Don’t worry, not everyone gets adapted easily,” she smirked.

“But I have on good authority that we will become best friends… all four of us.” Her smile glowed.

“Really?” I looked at her with amusement.

“Let’s say I have a keen sixth sense predicting the future.” She winked.

In the supernatural world, only witches or seers were the ones able to predict the future. Uncle Grecco was a seer, and he always spoke in riddles.

Melody was as direct as they came.

Talking to Melody was easy.

We could have spent the whole evening rambling about nonsense.

And I bet we would have,

When Arline’s door opened, and she strolled into the common areas, and sat with us.

“Sorry if I came across as rude.” She fumbled with her fingers.

“I’m just not good at socializing.”

“No worries, that’s what friends are for, right?” Melody chirped.

I nodded.

Arline looked at us and gave us a solemn nod.

The company was easy.

Then, a knock on the door.

“The last member of our tribe,” Melody clapped.

She rushed to open the door.

At the door was a tall redhead bombshell.

Deep green olive eyes, freckles across her nose.

“I have always loved to make an entrance,” she smirked,

Arline stood up.

“I am Arline,” she greeted the newcomer.

“Isla, and Melody,” I said, pointing at myself and at the blonde.

“Sage.” She gave us a bright smile.

“Room D, I guess.”

“Right over there, in front of mine, Melody pointed at the hallway, and the redhead strolled confidently in that direction.

She didn’t waste time.

Dropped her bags and walked right out.

“So, are we going to hit the clubs or are we going to stay here like grannies?” She beamed.

I laughed.

Arline shifted uncomfortably on her seat.

“I don’t know. Are we?”

I looked around.

Melody’s smile glowed.

The glow was familiar, not supernatural, but not entirely human.

I registered it, but didn’t say a thing.

“So, what are we waiting for? We should get ready.” Sage stood up and headed to her room.

“I guess we are going out,” I mumbled,

But Arline grunted. It was a deep sound.

Not quite ordinary.

Maybe it was a reaction, so I decided to brush it off.

“One hour!” Melody yelled.

We rushed to get ready.

I was in for whatever we were doing tonight.

An hour later, we started walking out of our bedrooms.

Sage looked like a fiery supermodel.

“Wow, you look amazing,” I complimented her.

“I know, I’m on fire.” Her eyes shifted.

Wait a minute.

The glow on Melody’s smile.

The growl of Arline,

And the shift in her eyes.

We waited for the rest.

“So, what’s the plan?”

“Roomie dinner and then Heaven,” Sage said,

“Heaven?” I looked at her.

“The hottest club around campus.” She beamed.

Arline walked out.

She looked hot and modest.

Her tall frame commanded attention.

Melody walked after her.

Those two couldn’t be more different.

And somehow each one was a true beauty in their own right.

“Alright, let’s go,” I said,

“Wait, before we leave.” Melody stopped us.

“What?” Arline looked at her with a bored expression.

“I’ve got you something.” Melody handed us some bracelets.

I wore mine, and I could feel the magic.

“Are you a witch?” I mumbled

She winked. “What gave me away?”

“The bracelets.” I lifted my wrist.

“I have always wanted to have a witch friend.” Sage’s eyes flashed red. Just how Uncle Cadmus’s eyes flash.

“Fire Dragon,” I pointed at her.

“Observant,” she smirked.

“You growled,” I looked at Arline.

“Lycan?” I asked.

She shook her head.

“Shifter…” I was trying to guess.

“Werebear.” She mumbled.

Now her solitude and the awkward social skills made sense.

“How about you?” Sage asked.

“Supernatural?”

“Yes.” I paused.

“Still figuring that out,” I added.

“Don’t worry, Hun… That’s what college is for.” Melody said in a sympathetic voice.

“Alright, let’s conquer this night,” Sage said,

We giggled.

And together, with a silent pact of looking after each other, we walked out of the dorm.

This was the first time I was out without security or family members around.

For the first time in my life, I was completely free.

Ironically...

Freedom began the moment I stopped being Aurora D'Angelo.

Tonight, I was only Isla Smith.