Chapter 006
1488 Words
Nocturne Academy. Supernatural teenagers at this academy struggle to manage their emotions. My father created four schools, including this one. The purpose of this place is to help us feel like we belong where we fit in. The school's ability to make everyone feel they belong relies on how each person understands “normal” in the context of supernatural beings. Me? Just like my father, nobody here understands who I am. While I remain a mystery to everyone here, they still fear my presence. Fear is evident in their eyes while their scent reveals their terror. It’s the same every time.
As I move through the corridor I search among the people for my twin Svitlana. My father asked to pick me up from school but I chose to avoid him after our fight last night and allowed Svitlana to manage it. She has consistently managed everything for us especially when Dad becomes difficult.
As I open my locker I become aware that everyone around keeps their distance from me. They’re still scared after last year. They know who I am. Everyone around me knows that I have royal blood as the King's daughter. They avoid insulting me since they lack protection when I am alone. I notice one of them looking at me with nervousness and respond with a cold stare. The way they’re scared of me strikes me as amusing.
I chew on my green apple-flavored gum and tune out the surrounding whispers. My eyes land on Svitlana’s locker where a stack of letters protrudes. Looks like she’s as popular as always. I find myself unable to suppress a smirk when I think about it.
Svitlana is everything I’m not. Everyone treats me like a monster to avoid but they gather around her. She’s beautiful and charming, and everyone loves her. Guys never stop competing for the perfect “good girl’s” attention. But they forget one thing: She maintains a nasty sister in her family. You don’t mess with her.
I banish the thought from my mind by concentrating on my phone. I check the chat. Nothing. He hasn’t sent me any messages in the last five days. Well, I’m not texting either. I shut my locker and reviewed my schedule.
“Double training,” I mutter to myself. I’m cool with that. My academic performance has always been strong, but physical training stands out as my favorite activity because I love martial arts, weapons training, and sports. That’s my thing.
I assumed I would be expelled because of last year’s incident. News spread throughout the community that I might quit my school. Through his influence, my father secured my spot here. They claim our new trainer is a powerful Alpha, but I refuse to accept the rumors. I know my strength. Only a few Alphas possess the strength necessary to challenge me.
Suddenly, I catch a familiar scent. Summer.
I spin around and feel my heartbeat accelerate. The man from the cottage appears before me. He looks incredibly attractive wearing white pants and a pale blue shirt. I instantly remember the man who frequented the club. They must be related.
As he introduces himself, he says, “Kateryna Ivchenko” with a slight smirk.
I pause briefly before I recall his name.
He introduced himself as Bohdan, but why is he here? He doesn’t look like a student.
I should have recognized you from your name earlier. Forgive me,” he says with a shrug. “Allow me to introduce myself properly. Bohdan Arkadiy. I’m the new science professor.”
“Nice to meet you,” I respond with a forced casual tone while my mind fixates on the club encounter. What is going on here?
“How about lunch together? Would you happen to show me around as a student after we go for lunch?
I hear myself responding "Sure," although I don’t understand why I accepted.
With a grin I cannot overlook, he says, “I’ll see you at twelve.”
He departs, leaving a powerful aura behind, and I become curious about why this dominant Alpha has chosen to teach here. Then it hits me.
Bohdan Arkadiy.
Arkadiy.
The Alpha family name belonging to the Teni Vovkiv Pack is Arkadiy. The dominant Alpha of that family is someone my father despises. I discover that Bohdan has an identical twin.
A twin.
My kiss was for Bohdan Arkadiy's other twin brother.
I’ve made a huge mistake this time.
A person collides with me, which pulls me back to reality.
“He’s so hot…” someone whispers.
“Ugh, I’m jealous. He talked to her…” Another one adds.
Another person comments that she is the king’s daughter, but I choose to ignore them. My tension escapes their notice because they are too occupied with gossip.
A voice calls out, "Kat!" and I turn in time to see Svitlana coming toward me quickly. She wears a chiffon dress over which she has put a small jacket while her long hair is styled into a ponytail. As soon as she reaches me, she throws her arms around me tightly.
I squeeze her close while I take in her gentle fragrance.
“Did you miss me?” I joke as she steps back from me.
“I missed you,” she smiles, but her eyes reveal her worry.
“Just one week has passed,” I joke to her.
She asks about Malevolen with a softer tone in her voice now.
“She’s good. My fatigue got the better of me, so I didn’t sneak Malevolen into school today.” I whisper.
While Svitlana laughs I notice that her worry hasn’t gone away. “You okay? You look… distracted.”
“I’m fine,” I assure her. I have been thinking about how to enjoy this school year.
As she opens her locker, a pile of letters tumbles out. She turns red while she quickly scans the surroundings to pick up the letters. Her flustered appearance makes me smile involuntarily.
She shakes her head at my laughter when she says, “Sky…” “You’re impossible.”
I watch her, amused. She’s cute when she’s embarrassed.
Once all the letters are gathered, she looks at me. “I won’t be around for lunch. I’ve got tutoring.”
“Perfect! “Let’s go for an all-you-can-eat barbecue at Yulia’s after school—I’ll pay for it!” I propose.
She says, "Sounds great," while she rushes toward her locker.
I make my way to the changing rooms and place my bag down on a bench. I quickly remove my leather pants and corset top without listening to the girls nearby. They discuss their newest rumors, but it doesn’t capture my attention.
I switch into my workout clothes, consisting of a black tank top, sports bra, leggings, and sneakers, before going out to start warming up. My heart races when I see him again.
Zhenya. The one I almost killed last year. I lock eyes with him, and the entire world falls silent for a brief moment. His brown hair falls over his eyes, yet he swiftly averts his gaze. It’s like nothing ever happened between us.
I work to dismiss the stress so I can concentrate on our workout. When the bell signals the end of the period, everyone begins to head toward the gym floor.
“I heard Kozak quit,” someone says.
“We’ve got a new instructor. My sister ran into him this morning," someone says while some of the girls giggle.
“Oh, I bet he’s hot.”
Another girl laughs as she comments, "Daria will be the first one to approach him."
Daria tells them to "shut up," but her enjoyment of the attention shows on her face.
The door opens, and everyone goes silent. I stand up, which gives me a view above the girls’ heads. And then I see him.
The definition of “good looking” emerges from his muscular arms and broad chest displayed through a tight white T-shirt alongside perfectly fitting grey sweatpants. His glance at the group captures my eyes. I instantly know he identifies me when he looks my way.
Oh no.
Our new gym teacher turns out to be the guy from the club. The guy from the club.
He greets me with “Good morning” while his grin sends my heart into a sprint. “I’m replacing Kozak. I am Dmytro Arkadiy, and I will serve as your new instructor.
His presence captures the attention of all the girls, but I find myself unable to tear my gaze away from him. I feel his eyes on me and understand he has not forgotten our encounter from last night. He attempts to conceal it, yet his accelerated heart rate betrays his feelings to me.
I chew gum to regain my composure. I predict this year will be full of interesting events.
- Writer
