Luna Aria

V. Princess

Aria's POV:

My mom is a doctor who often works the night shift. She loves helping others. So, she became a doctor. Dad is somewhat like mom, where he enjoys assisting people.

Unlike mom, he does not like helping anyone else other than humans or hunters. He works within the human government, ensuring they get equal rights.

Dad doesn’t hate other creatures, but he doesn’t particularly like them either. No one blames him for his behavior; after all, he has a perfectly good reason why.

After I finished my dinner, I decided to take a quick shower before studying. Just kidding, I don’t study. It’s high school. I went through it several times. I’m pretty sure I’ll be fine. I won’t pass with flying colors, but I’ll pass. Go average!

Finally, I finish my hot steamy shower, just in case I go to hell. That’s right. I’m practicing for hell. Hopefully, it’s burning hot down there, not cold.

I grabbed the towel and wrapped it around myself. Extending a hand, I wiped off the fog and stared at my reflection. Exhaling a breath I’ve been holding in, I continue staring at myself. My eyes went down towards the area underneath my right breast, fingers tracing along with the darkened ink.

Let’s try to make this life better than the previous ones.

My parents will have a cow if they ever find out what I did on my thirteenth birthday.

I slip on my blue bunny pajamas and walk into the living room with a towel wrapped around my hair.

I stopped when I saw a tall man leaning against the backyard window. He pushed his dirty blonde hair back, revealing a pair of light brown eyes.

"Uh, hi?” I said. He turned towards me, and a smile appeared on my face. I walked over to him and hugged him.

“I miss you,” he mumbled.

“I miss you too, Tom.”

Tom let me go and gave me a huge smile. I haven’t seen Tom since I was twelve. Why is he here now?

“You are wondering why I am here now, aren’t you?”

I nodded and dried my hair again.

“Before we start talking, aren’t you going to offer me some coffee, tea, or something? After all, I am a guest.”

I snorted, “Yeah, an unwanted guest.”

He raised an eyebrow at me, “And why is that?”

I rolled my eyes, “Whenever you come. You always bring some bad news.”

The corner of his lips tilted down into a frown. “That’s not true.”

“That’s so true!”

“Not.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“It’s true! You only see me when you have bad news!”

“That’s not true!”

“Oh yeah? When was the last time you bought good news?” I used the quotation mark with my fingers.

He opened and closed his mouth several times, attempting to say something.

“That’s what I thought. Moving on, what’s the bad news?”

Hesitantly, he smiles, “Can’t I get some water or tea first? It’s been a long ride.”

I let out a deep breath as I started walking into the kitchen. I gesture at Tom to come into the kitchen with me. I grabbed a teapot, tea leaves, and two small cups. I scooped two spoonfuls of leaves into the pot using a small spoon and poured in hot water. Inhaling the soothing scent of Jasmine tea, my nerves calm. I grabbed the teapot and two cups towards the table. Setting it down, I poured out the yellowish liquid.

“I’m pretty sure you heard the latest news,” Tom said. He blows on his hot tea.

I shake my head. I haven’t been into the supernatural world news lately.

"The council decided to invite some humans into Were-High School,” he continued.

Were-High School is the most abundant wolf pack school in America, consisting of roughly 2500 students. The councils were formed by the legendary five to ensure each species gets equal rights. There are two individuals from each species representing them.

Currently, only three out of the legendary five are active. No one knew what happened to the other two. Some say they are in hiding. Others say they are dead.

“Continue,” I waved my hand at him.

“They decided to choose five humans and five hunters to attend Were-High School. They want to make a school where every species can coexist slowly.”

“And why Were High School? Why not that blood-sucking academy in the east?”

There is a school for vampires, ahem, excuse me. I meant the academy. They don’t like calling it a high school. Stuck up, bitches.

“Just like you say, blood-sucking academy. They believe it’s too dangerous for humans to go to a school filled with vampires. And if you’re wondering why they didn’t choose Bennu, it’s because of those tricky witches. They can make the students disappear without us noticing,” he said.

Three years ago, they decided to send several students to Bennu, and all of them disappeared. The council tried to figure out what happened, but they couldn’t find any leads.

“Why only humans and hunters, though? Why not the other creatures?”

Tom lets out a breath while scratching his head.” The council initially wanted only humans since they thought that having other creatures with power would instantly cause a war.”

“Initially only wanted humans? Where do the hunters come in?”

“As you know, the hunters and humans are extremely close. The hunters refuse to let humans enter a werewolf school alone without protection,” he said.

The hunters and humans are incredibly close, primarily since they fought with humans throughout the war.

“And what does that have to do with me?” I ask.

He ran his hand through his hair. Oh crap. “Well, you see. My daughter Chelsea had been chosen as one of the hunters to go to Were-High School.”

I grabbed my cup, “And?”

“I was wondering if you would enroll yourself as a human to go to Were-High School to make sure she is alright.”

I let out a long sigh and sip the tea. As much as I like Chelsea, Kim, and Tom, I didn’t like them that much.

I set the cup down, “Tom. You know I like you and your family, but I don’t think I can do it.”

Tom nodded. He knows that once I decide on something, I won’t change my mind.

“If you decided to change your mind. Please, tell me.” He stood up and walked towards the door. He stops and turns around, “It’s just...Chelsea is young. She is only a child. And you helped me when-”

“You know what I hate most about mortals?”

He closes his mouth.

“What I hate the most about mortals is that they can’t seem to be satisfied with what they have. How they’re always asking for more.”

Tom’s jaw clutches, “My apologies.”

When the front door closes, I grab a bag of chocolate and turn on Everything that Comes Before.

The longer time stretches, the more I curl myself into a ball. “Please, come home soon.”

Before I knew it, I fell asleep. When I opened my eyes, an older man was carrying me in his arms. The stubble on his face manifested, light brown eyes gazing forward earnestly. I held his white button-up shirt, “Daddy?”

“How are you, princess?”

“I’m good but sleepy.” I yawn again.

“I’m sorry, but my meeting ran later than usual. I know how you don’t like staying at home alone.” He opens my bedroom door.

Everyone in my family knows I don’t like sleeping alone. I used to sleep with my other older sister, Amia, but she isn’t here anymore. When Amia left, I started screaming in my sleep.

We didn’t realize I was doing something like that until mom came home early a year ago and caught me screaming in my bedroom. She physically broke the door down. I didn’t know I was doing something like that, but according to everyone, I was doing it at night when no one was home.

The doctors and therapists say it’s because of trauma.

My family repeatedly said it wasn’t my fault because Amia ran to the forest all the time to play. Sadly, this time, she ran too deep into the black forest.

Dad laid me down in bed and tucked me in, laying a gentle kiss on my forehead. “Call me if you need anything. I’ll be right downstairs.”

“Good night, daddy,” I replied.

“Sweet dreams, princess.”