HEIRS: THE PRINCESS AND THE HUNTER

Chapter 2 - Apartment 512

Aurora D’Angelo / Isla Smith

After two long celebrations with every single member of my family, including all the sons and daughters of my parents' friends, and every eligible bachelor in the supernatural realm, certainly my father was trying one last futile attempt to keep me on this side of the bridge. One last awkward car ride from the castle to the only portal that connected the human realm to the supernatural world, I was finally before the portal that would lead me to my destiny.

Daddy was silent most of the ride. Marcus kept rambling about his upcoming football match, while Mom held my dad's hand in hers, knowingly, trying to reassure him that letting me go was the right decision. In my books, it was the ONLY decision.

My heart pounded, my hands felt clammy, and my entire body knew that I would be heading for the adventure of a lifetime. This was it, the day I started a new life, as Isla Smith… the day I would get to be a normal kid, without the weight of the last name, without the weight of the crown.

I gave my brother one last hug. I kissed my mother's cheek and made a promise to call her frequently, and when I stood before my father, he squared his shoulders, looked at me in the eye, and sighed. “No matter what… I love you,” he said, and I bit my lips, holding in the tears. “Here,” he said, and placed a black card in my hand.

“This is your choice, and I will support you every step of the way. I might not understand why, nor would it have been my choice, but I respect you enough to trust you,” he said, and I nodded, while a silent tear slipped out.

He slowly wiped it out and smiled. “I'll always be here, your safety net…” he said, and I gasped.

“Daddy,” I mumbled and rushed into his arms… for the last time, feeling the undeniable safety his embrace always provided.

“This is it,” I said, and he nodded.

“You already have the address of the dorm, you will have three other roommates, part of the program.” Mom said, and I nodded.

“As soon as you cross the portal, you are Isla Smith,” Mom repeated, and I smiled. I knew she was trying to go over all the points in a rush, trying to make me remember how important it was to keep my bloodline concealed.

“Your schedule and your classes are already programmed,” Mom said, and I nodded.

“And…” she took a deep breath. “Don't forget to have fun,” she said, and my father chuckled.

“Not too much fun,” he said, and then Marcus laughed,

“Go wild, sister…” he joked, and my father playfully slapped the back of his head.

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

I waved again and crossed the portal. On the other hand, I was greeted by some human guards, who scanned my permits and allowed me entrance. I walked out of the portal-port and smiled. The human realm was chaotic, and it was… for lack of a better word, different.

I called a yellow cab, and they stopped. I asked them to take me to my dorm, and after settling all my bags in the narrow trunk, the driver took me to Carhill Residence Hall, my new home for the next four years.

He stopped before a brick building. It looked old, and the movement of people unloading boxes, luggage, and carrying things around told me I had been taken to the right address. I smiled, paid, and he unloaded my stuff on the sidewalk.

“Hey, do you need a hand?” A petite blonde with a bright smile said,

“I guess I will be living here, in Apartment 512, Room A,” I said, reading the information pamphlet.

“Wow… I am 512, room C… We are roommates,” she said. “Oh, by the way, I am Melody,” she beamed, and I nodded.

“Isla…” I said, extending my hand, and she smiled.

“Let me help you carry your stuff in,” she said, and picked up one of my suitcases in one hand and a box. I picked up my second suitcase and a couple of bags and followed her.

We took the elevator to the fifth floor, she rounded the corner, and the second door to the left was 512. She took a key out and opened the door. “Here,” she said, placing the box on the table.

“Isla… Room A,” she said, handing me an envelope with my name on it. I opened it, and inside the envelope were a set of keys and the apartment rules.

“Thanks,” I said, and she smiled.

“No one said anything, but this side of the building is for the exchange students…” she said, and I nodded.

“We are not supposed to say it out loud, but I am a witch…” she said, and I smiled.

“I am a hybrid, Lycan-Angel,” I said, and she nodded.

“I am wearing a concealing charm, if you need one, let me know,” she winked, and honestly, I thought she was so cool, unafraid…

“Get settled,” she said, and I smiled. She had a very refreshing personality, and for the king's daughter, the one who only hung out with her cousins, because the rest of the world considered her a weirdo, having a potential friend felt amazing.

The room was basic, and I didn't come prepared to put up many decorations around it. I couldn't put up my family photos. It would be weird for me to have pictures of the best-known royal family of every realm — mine.

I left my bags, suitcases, and box inside the room and walked out to the common area. The main door rattled, and a caramel-skinned woman with green eyes walked in. She was gorgeous. “Hey,” I smiled, and she nodded. She didn't smile, but she was not hostile. Perhaps the circumstances overwhelmed her.

“I am Isla,” I said, and she took a deep breath; it was as if socializing cost her tremendously.

“I am Arline,” she said, “I am in Room B…” she said, and I did exactly what Melody had done with me: I handed her her envelope, and she gave me a nod. Without any more words, she moved into her room, locking the door after her.

That didn't go as well as I had envisioned. Melody walked back into the room. She looked at me and smiled. “What is wrong?” she said,

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

“Where is she?” Melody asked,

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

Arline opened the door, “Hey, I am Melody, your roommate in room C,” she said, and Arline nodded.

“Arline Boar,” she said,

“I am a witch, and she is a hybrid,” Melody said, and I held my breath. I saw something in Arline's posture relax, and she nodded.

“I am… a were-bear…” she said, and I raised my eyebrows. “There are very few of us," she said, and I nodded.

“I have heard,” I said, and she looked over Melody's shoulder and smiled.

“Sorry if I came across as rude… I am just not used to all of this…” she sighed, and I smiled.

“I guess none of us…” I chuckled, and she nodded.

“s**t, I need to call my father… well, adoptive father…” she smiled. Boar, the last name… right, our bears were very protective of their community, they were few and scarce… I bet Arlo Boar adopted her.

I decided to shoot my mother a text, just in case. Melody settled in the living room, and Arline went back to her room to unpack. I should do the same, but I wanted to explore, to see the world.

I was about to prepare to go out when the door opened, and a redhead walked in. “Hi. I was assigned to Room D,” she said, and Melody quickly took care of the welcome committee…

“I am Melody, she is Isla, and in room B is Arline,” Melody said, and I smiled.

“I am Sage…” she smiled.

“Are all of you supernaturals?” Sage asked, and I nodded. She sighed, “Good…” she said with relief. “I am a fire dragon,” she said, and I smiled.

“Hybrid, Angel-Lycan,” I lifted my hand,

“A witch,” Melody said, “And Arline is a werebear,” Melody said, and Sage smiled.

“Well, I hear there were only a few supernaturals admitted to the program,” she said, and I nodded. “Then it is us against the world, right?” she said, and I smiled.

“It is us against the world,” I said. Arline walked out and smiled…

“Are we having a roommate bonding moment?” she asked, and Melody.

“Not without you,” she said, and laughed.

“Good,” she smiled, feeling a bit more comfortable around us.

“How about we go out to have roommate dinner, and maybe explore the night scene?” she said, and Melody clapped.

“Oh, the shy ones are always the worst,” she joked, and we all laughed. I guess this is what this is all about. Making friends, experiencing life, live a little.