The Girl with Sapphire Eyes

Chapter 2 - First Day Jitters.

Lyra's POV

The week passed in a blur of packing, shopping for the dreaded school uniforms, and trying to avoid Claudia and Vanessa as much as possible. Before I knew it, Monday morning arrived way too quickly.

I stood in front of the full-length mirror in my new bedroom, scowling at my reflection. The Moonlight Academy uniform felt like a costume—navy blue pleated skirt that fell just above my knees, crisp white button-up shirt, navy blazer with the school's silver crescent moon emblem on the chest pocket, and a silver and blue striped tie. Knee-high white socks and shiny black loafers completed the look.

"Ridiculous," I muttered, tugging at the skirt. The outfit screamed "proper young lady," something I'd never been and had no interest in becoming.

Worst of all was the brown wig Claudia had insisted I wear, the fake strands itching against my scalp. My natural silver hair was tucked carefully underneath, hidden away like a shameful secret.

A sharp knock at my door was followed immediately by Vanessa barging in without waiting for my response.

"Are you ready yet? Dad says we're leaving in ten minutes." She paused, looking me up and down with a critical eye. "Well, at least you clean up okay. Though your posture is terrible."

I bit back a retort, knowing it would only lead to another argument. Vanessa, of course, looked perfect in her uniform—the skirt hemmed just a touch shorter than allowed, her blonde hair styled in loose waves, subtle makeup enhancing her already pretty features.

"I'll be down in a minute," I said, turning away from her.

Vanessa lingered in the doorway. "Remember what Mom said. Don't embarrass us. And definitely don't try making friends with people above your station."

"Right, because I'm so eager to join the popular crowd," I rolled my eyes.

"Just stay out of my way," Vanessa warned before bouncing off.

I grabbed my new leather messenger bag and slung it over my shoulder, taking one last look around my room. We'd moved into this new house just three days ago—closer to the palace and Moonlight Academy, as my father had said. The house was larger, fancier, fitting his new position, but it still didn't feel like home. I already missed the forest behind our old place, where I could shift and run freely.

With a resigned sigh, I headed downstairs to where my father and Claudia were waiting in the entrance hall. Vanessa stood beside them, checking her reflection in a compact mirror.

"Finally," Claudia said, looking me over with narrowed eyes. She reached out to straighten my tie, her fingers unnecessarily rough against my throat. "Remember, back straight, smile politely, speak only when spoken to."

"Yes, Claudia," I said flatly.

My father checked his watch. "We should go. I have a meeting with His Majesty at nine."

The drive to Moonlight Academy took fifteen minutes, during which Claudia continued to pepper us with reminders about proper behavior. I tuned her out, staring out the window at the perfect streets of the royal district. Everything here was clean and perfect—much like the wolves who lived here.

When we arrived at the school, I couldn't help but stare. Moonlight Academy looked more like a castle than a school, with its stone walls, tall towers, and huge grounds. Students in identical uniforms streamed through the fancy iron gates, chatting and laughing.

"Impressive, isn't it?" my father remarked, perhaps the first real attempt at conversation he'd made with me in weeks.

"It's... big," I replied, unable to sound excited.

He sighed. "Lyra, please try to make the best of this. It's an opportunity many would kill for."

"I know, Dad. I'll try."

We pulled up to the front entrance, where a stern-looking woman in a charcoal suit waited.

"That's Headmistress Winters," Claudia whispered. "Remember your manners."

We got out of the car, and my father stepped forward to greet the headmistress. "Alpha Stone, a pleasure to meet you," she said, shaking his hand. "And these must be your daughters."

"Yes, this is Vanessa and Lyra. They're very excited to join Moonlight Academy," my father said, placing a hand on each of our shoulders.

I forced a smile, feeling the weight of the headmistress's judging gaze. She was a Beta wolf, but her presence was commanding nonetheless.

"Welcome, girls. We expect great things from the daughters of the king's new advisor." Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "Alpha Stone, I'll ensure they're settled in. I believe His Majesty is expecting you."

My father nodded. "Yes, thank you." He turned to us. "I'll see you both at home this evening."

Claudia gave us each a quick hug—tender for Vanessa, stiff for me—and whispered in my ear, "Don't forget what we discussed."

With that, they left us with the headmistress.

"Now then, girls. I'll show you to my office where you'll receive your schedules and student handbooks. Then I'll assign senior students to show you around." She turned sharply and began walking, her heels clicking against the marble floor.

We followed her through the grand entrance hall, drawing curious stares from passing students. I kept my head down, but Vanessa practically glowed under the attention, especially from the male students.

The headmistress's office was as intimidating as the woman herself—dark wood, leather-bound books, and portraits of previous headmasters and headmistresses watching from the walls.

"Sit," she instructed, gesturing to two chairs facing her desk. She pulled two folders from a drawer and handed one to each of us. "Your schedules, maps of the school, and the student handbook detailing our rules and expectations. I suggest you read them thoroughly."

She looked at us over her reading glasses. "Moonlight Academy has educated the elite of the Sapphire Kingdom for over two hundred years. Our graduates include royalty, pack leaders, and the most influential wolves in our society. We maintain the highest standards of academic excellence and social behavior."

I resisted the urge to fidget under her gaze.

"Now, I've assigned two of our senior prefects to act as your guides for the week." She pressed a button on her desk. "Please send them in."

The door opened to reveal two students—a boy and a girl, both wearing prefect badges on their blazers.

"This is Oliver Hayes and Sophia Blackwood, our head prefects," the headmistress introduced. "Oliver, you'll be helping Miss Lyra. Sophia, you'll guide Miss Vanessa."

Oliver was tall with sandy brown hair and warm hazel eyes. He smiled politely at me, and I nodded in return.

"I'll leave you in their capable hands," Headmistress Winters said dismissively. "You may go."

We left her office, and once the door closed behind us, Sophia immediately linked arms with Vanessa.

"I've heard so much about you already! Your father's appointment is all anyone can talk about," she gushed. "Come on, we have Calculus first period, and I want to introduce you to everyone before class starts."

Vanessa shot me a smug look before allowing Sophia to lead her away, already chatting like old friends.

"So," Oliver said, turning to me with a friendly smile. "Lyra, right? What's your first class?"

I looked at my schedule. "Um, Advanced Biology with Dr. Thornton."

"Perfect, that's on the way to my first class. I'll show you there." He gestured for me to follow him.

As we walked through the crowded hallways, Oliver pointed out important locations—the library, cafeteria, gymnasium, and various departments.

"So, your father is the new royal advisor," he commented. "That must be exciting."

I shrugged. "I guess."

"Not thrilled about the transfer?"

"Is it that obvious?"

He laughed. "A little. Don't worry, though. Moonlight Academy isn't as stuffy as it seems at first glance. Well, some parts are, but you'll find your place."

"Thanks, but I'm not really looking to 'find my place.' I just want to get through the next two years and graduate."

Oliver raised an eyebrow. "Fair enough. But fair warning—this school has a way of pulling you in whether you want it to or not."

We rounded a corner and nearly crashed into a group of students. I stumbled back, but Oliver steadied me with a hand on my arm.

"Whoa, sorry about that," he said to the group, before his expression shifted to one of respect. "Your Highnesses."

My heart skipped a beat as I realized who stood before us—the twin princes of the Sapphire Kingdom, Zander and Eric Nightshade. They were even more striking in person than the occasional glimpses I'd seen on television or in magazines. Both tall and athletic, with the same sharp features and dark hair, though Zander's was cut shorter, more severe than Eric's slightly longer, messy style.

But it was their eyes that caught my attention—piercing blue, almost identical in shade to my own. A rare color among werewolves, usually found only in those with royal bloodlines.

"No harm done, Hayes," the one I recognized as Eric said with an easy smile. Then his eyes shifted to me, curiosity evident. "Who's your friend?"

"This is Lyra Stone, Your Highness. She's new—her father is Garrett Stone, His Majesty's new advisor."

Both princes looked at me with interest, Zander's gaze more intense and calculating than his brother's. I fought the urge to shrink back, instead straightening my spine and meeting their eyes directly.

"Welcome to Moonlight Academy, Miss Stone," Zander said formally. "I trust Hayes is showing you everything you need to know."

"Yes, Your Highness," I replied, the title feeling awkward on my tongue.

A blonde girl who'd been standing slightly behind Zander stepped forward, looping her arm through his possessively. She was stunningly beautiful, with flawless skin and full lips curved into what was supposed to be a welcoming smile but didn't reach her cold green eyes.

"So you're Garrett Stone's daughter," she said, her voice sweet. "I'm Alissa Montgomery. I'm sure we'll be great friends."

Something in her tone told me the opposite was true, but I nodded politely. "Nice to meet you."

Eric's expression shifted subtly as Alissa spoke, a barely noticeable tightening around his eyes. "We should get to class," he said, glancing at his watch. "The bell's about to ring."

"Of course," Oliver agreed. "We were just heading to Dr. Thornton's biology class."

"Biology? That's my class too," Eric said, his smile returning. "I'll walk with you."

Alissa's eyes narrowed slightly. "Zander, we should go. We have history on the other side of the building."

"Right," Zander nodded, then addressed me once more. "Enjoy your first day, Miss Stone."

As they turned to leave, I noticed Zander giving his brother a questioning look, which Eric pointedly ignored.

"Shall we?" Eric gestured down the hallway.

Oliver glanced between us, then shrugged. "I'll leave you in the prince's capable hands, then. Your Highness, perhaps you could introduce Lyra to the Biology teacher?"

"Absolutely," Eric agreed.

"Thanks for the tour," I said to Oliver, who gave me a reassuring smile before leaving.

And just like that, I found myself walking to class with Prince Eric Nightshade, very aware of the curious and envious stares from students we passed.

"So, Garrett Stone's daughter," Eric said conversationally. "I didn't realize he had two daughters."

"Step-sisters, actually," I corrected. "Vanessa is his stepdaughter. I'm his biological daughter."

"Ah, I see. And how are you finding the royal district so far? Quite different from...?"

"Silver Creek," I supplied. "It's a small town about an hour from here. And yes, very different. Everything here is so..."

"Pretentious?" he offered with a grin.

I couldn't help but laugh. "I was going to say 'formal,' but yes, that too."

"Well, you're not wrong. The royal district can be suffocating sometimes." There was something genuine in his tone that surprised me. "Though I suppose I shouldn't be saying that to someone I just met."

"Your secret's safe with me, Your Highness."

"Please, call me Eric. At least when we're not around people like Alissa who'd have a fit about protocol."

We reached the biology classroom, and Eric paused at the door. "Word of advice—Dr. Thornton loves to call on new students, so be prepared."

"Thanks for the warning."

He smiled, and for a moment, I felt a strange flutter in my chest. Then I reminded myself that he was a prince, and I was nobody—a girl with secrets that could get her kicked out or worse if discovered.

The classroom was large and well-equipped, with lab stations instead of traditional desks. Most seats were already taken, students chatting among themselves as they waited for the teacher.

"Dr. Thornton," Eric called, approaching an older man arranging slides at the front desk. "We have a new student."

The teacher looked up, adjusting his glasses. "Ah, yes. Miss Stone, correct?"

I nodded, surprised he knew my name.

"Welcome to Advanced Biology. I've reviewed your transcripts from your previous school. Quite impressive." He gestured to an empty lab station. "You can take that seat there."

I thanked him and made my way to the spot, aware of Eric taking a seat at the station behind mine. A moment later, a girl with curly red hair slid onto the stool beside me.

"Hi, I'm Mia," she whispered as Dr. Thornton began calling roll. "You picked a good day to start—we're beginning dissections today."

"Lyra," I replied. "And great, nothing like cutting up dead things to start the week."

Mia giggled, then quickly composed herself as Dr. Thornton called her name. After roll call, he launched into a lecture about comparative anatomy, and I found myself genuinely interested despite my earlier resistance to anything related to this school.

Halfway through class, while we were examining specimens, I felt a tickle at the back of my mind—a gentle probing that I recognized as someone attempting to establish a pack link. I instinctively strengthened my mental barriers, a trick my mother had taught me to protect my thoughts.

I glanced around carefully and caught Eric watching me with a curious expression. Had he tried to link with me? And if so, why?

The rest of the class passed without incident, and when the bell rang, I gathered my things quickly, intending to find my next class before anyone could engage me in conversation.

"What's your next class?" Mia asked, falling into step beside me.

I checked my schedule. "History with Mr. Blackwood."

"Oh, me too! We can walk together."

I hesitated, torn between my plan to keep to myself and the genuine friendliness in Mia's voice.

"Come on," she urged. "I promise I don't bite. Well, not during school hours anyway."

That startled a laugh out of me. "Alright, lead the way."

As we left the classroom, I felt eyes on me and turned to find Eric still watching me with that same curious expression. When our eyes met, he smiled and gave a small nod before being surrounded by a group of his friends.

"Wow, you've already caught Prince Eric's attention," Mia remarked. "That's a record for a new student."

"It's nothing. He was just being polite."

Mia raised an eyebrow. "Eric is known for being friendly, but that looked like more than politeness. Be careful, though. Where Eric goes, Zander follows, and where Zander goes..."

"Alissa," I finished for her.

"Exactly. And trust me, you don't want to be on her bad side."

"Too late," I muttered. "I think I already am."

Mia patted my arm sympathetically. "Welcome to Moonlight Academy, where the politics are as vicious as a full moon territorial dispute."

As we walked to our next class, I couldn't shake the feeling that my plan to blend in and stay unnoticed had already failed spectacularly. And it wasn't even lunchtime yet.