The Girl with Sapphire Eyes

Lyra's POV The sound of my father's heavy footsteps echoed through our big house as he walked toward my room. I could tell it was him—his determined walk was unmistakable. I quickly shifted back to my human form, my silver hair falling down my back as I grabbed a book from my nightstand and pretended to read. I had been practicing my shifts again, something I did whenever I was alone. A firm knock at the door. "Lyra," my father called. "I need to speak with you." "Come in," I replied, setting the book aside. The door opened and my father entered, his face showing the serious look he always wore these days. Gone was the man who used to smile and play with me before my mother died. Now, at forty-five, Alpha Garrett Stone looked always tired, the duties of his position weighing heavily on his shoulders. "Lyra," he began, standing awkwardly by the door rather than coming to sit beside me. "I have news." I sat up straighter, my blue eyes meeting his amber ones. "What is it, Dad?" "I've been offered a position in King William's royal court," he announced, a hint of pride showing through his usual serious manner. "It's a big honor, one that our family cannot refuse." "That's... great," I said, genuinely happy for him even though we didn't get along well. "Congratulations." He nodded, then cleared his throat. "This means changes for all of us. We'll be moving closer to the royal palace, and you and Vanessa will be attending Moonlight Academy starting next week." I froze. "Moonlight Academy? The fancy school for noble wolves?" "Yes. As a royal advisor, my children are expected to attend the kingdom's finest school." I shook my head. "Dad, no. I'm perfectly fine at Westridge High. I have my routine, my—" "This isn't a request, Lyra," he interrupted firmly. "This is how it must be. The royal family has certain expectations, and we will meet them." The door behind him opened wider as my stepmother Claudia and stepsister Vanessa appeared, obviously having been listening in. "Did I hear correctly?" Vanessa asked, her eyes wide with excitement. "We're going to Moonlight Academy? Where the princes attend?" My father turned to them. "Yes, I was just telling Lyra. You'll both start next Monday." Vanessa squealed with delight, while Claudia beamed proudly at her daughter before shooting me a quick look of disgust that my father didn't catch. "This is amazing!" Vanessa gushed. "I can't believe we'll be going to school with the royal family!" "It's a great opportunity," my father agreed. "And I expect both of you to behave properly. Our family's reputation is at stake." I stood up, my hands clenched at my sides. "Dad, please. I don't want to go to some stuck-up prep school." "Lyra," he warned, his voice taking on the deeper tone that signaled his Alpha authority. "This matter is decided. I won't hear any more objections." I bit my lip, knowing that tone well enough to understand further argument was pointless. Still, I couldn't help but add, "What about my training?" My father's eyebrows furrowed. "What training?" "My... martial arts," I said quickly, careful not to reveal my secret training with shifting forms. "I've been practicing for years." "You can continue your hobbies within reason, but your education comes first," he said dismissively. "I expect you both to do well in school and make good connections. The people you meet at Moonlight Academy could determine your futures." Vanessa nodded eagerly. "I've heard the princes are absolutely gorgeous. Maybe one of them will notice me!" My father smiled slightly at her enthusiasm. "Remember, they're royalty. Be respectful." "Of course, Garrett," Claudia said, placing a delicate hand on his arm. "We'll make sure the girls represent our family well." Her sweet voice hid the sharp look she directed at me when my father glanced away. "Good. Now, I have calls to make to finalize the arrangements." He turned back to me with a sigh. "Lyra, please don't make this difficult. It's a new chapter for our family." I wanted to argue more, but the tiredness in his eyes stopped me. "Fine," I gave in. "I'll go." He nodded, seemingly relieved that I'd agreed so easily. "Thank you. Now, if you'll excuse me." With that, he left the room, leaving me alone with Claudia and Vanessa. The change was immediate. The moment my father's footsteps faded down the hallway, Claudia's sweet act vanished. "Well, look at this unexpected development," she said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness as she stepped further into my room. "Little Lyra at Moonlight Academy. How... amusing." Vanessa smirked, folding her arms across her chest. "You'll be completely out of place there. Those wolves are from the finest bloodlines in the kingdom." "Unlike some," Claudia added, eyeing my silver hair with disgust. "We'll need to make sure you wear the wig consistently. Your strange hair would make people ask too many questions." I touched my hair self-consciously. I'd been forced to wear a brown wig in public since Claudia came into our lives, claiming my natural silver hair was "unnatural" and "attention-seeking." "I don't care what people think," I said, lifting my chin defiantly. Claudia's expression hardened. "But I do. And your father does, even if he doesn't say it." She stepped closer. "This position means everything to him. Don't you dare embarrass us." "I won't embarrass anyone," I shot back. "I'll go to the stupid school and keep to myself, just like always." Vanessa laughed cruelly. "Oh, keeping to yourself won't be an option. Everyone will be watching the new girls who arrived with the king's new advisor. And when they see how pathetic you are in that uniform skirt—" "Enough, Vanessa," Claudia interrupted, though her smile showed she enjoyed her daughter's words. "Lyra understands what's expected of her, don't you, dear?" I glared at them both but remained silent. "The wig stays on at all times," Claudia continued, reaching out to touch my hair. I flinched away. "And you'll need to learn some proper manners. The way you act like a boy won't be acceptable." "And stay away from Prince Zander," Vanessa warned, her eyes narrowing. "Everyone knows he's practically engaged to Alissa Montgomery. She's the most popular girl at Moonlight Academy, and if you get in her way..." "I have no interest in either of the princes," I assured her, rolling my eyes. "Good," Claudia said. "Because girls like you don't end up with boys like them." She glanced around my room with disapproval. "We'll need to get you the school uniform. Girls wear skirts there, you know. Can't have you showing up looking like... this." She gestured vaguely at my worn jeans and simple t-shirt. "Whatever," I muttered, wanting nothing more than for them to leave. "I mean it, Lyra," Claudia said, her voice hardening. "One toe out of line, one hint of your... abnormalities, and I'll make sure your father sends you to boarding school overseas. Do you understand?" I met her gaze, refusing to be intimidated despite the knot in my stomach. "Perfectly." "Excellent." She turned to leave, then paused. "Oh, and we're having dinner with the Blackwoods tonight to celebrate your father's appointment. Wear something decent, and for Moon's sake, put on your wig." With that, she and Vanessa left, closing the door behind them. The moment they were gone, I collapsed onto my bed, staring up at the ceiling. Moonlight Academy. The thought alone made me want to howl in frustration. I'd been perfectly content at my current school, where I could blend into the background, where no one paid enough attention to notice my occasional slips. But now? I'd be surrounded by the elite of werewolf society, including the royal family. How was I supposed to keep my secret in an environment like that? My entire life, I'd hidden the fact that I could shift into more than just a wolf. It wasn't normal, even for werewolves. Our kind had one form—our wolf. But I had discovered at a young age that I could shift into other animals as well. Bears, eagles, even smaller creatures like foxes and raccoons. Only my mother had known, and she had warned me never to reveal this ability to anyone, not even my father. "They wouldn't understand," she had told me when I was just five years old. "They might fear what they don't understand. Promise me you'll keep this between us." I had promised, and even after she died the following year, I kept that promise. For twelve years, I'd trained in secret, deep in the forest behind our property, where I'd built an obstacle course to practice with my various forms. Now I was being thrust into the spotlight, into a world where every mistake would be watched closely, where my secret would be in constant danger of being discovered. And to make matters worse, I'd have to wear a skirt as part of the school uniform—something that would make my tomboy self deeply uncomfortable and my physical training much more difficult to continue. I rolled onto my stomach and buried my face in my pillow, letting out a muffled scream of frustration. Then I sat up, wiping my eyes. No more feeling sorry for myself. I needed a plan. I glanced at my window, which offered a view of the thick forest behind our house. I needed to clear my head, to run free one last time before my life changed forever. Standing up, I stripped off my clothes and concentrated, feeling the familiar warmth spread through my body as I shifted. But not into my wolf form—that wouldn't be enough today. Instead, I felt my body lengthening, silver fur sprouting across my skin, my face stretching into a muzzle as I took on the form of a large silver timber wolf, slightly larger than my natural werewolf form. I padded silently to the window, nudged it open with my nose, and leaped out into the afternoon air. I landed gracefully on the soft grass below and took off running toward the forest, my powerful legs carrying me quickly toward the freedom I craved. For now, at least, I could still be myself. For now, I could still be free. And maybe, just maybe, I could find a way to survive Moonlight Academy without losing myself completely.