Where stars collide

A new city

Chapter 2:A new city

Isa's pov

Why do I have to go? "How does this help our mission?” I grumbled, slinging my duffel bag over one shoulder. “Why can’t the prophecy just say who we need to find? It’s like we’re stuck in some eternal scavenger hunt through every hellhole imaginable.”

“Calm down, Isa,” Damian says, already leaning casually against the door frame in his usual black leather pants and jacket, looking every bit the perfect bad boy. He flashes me a smirk, clearly amused. “You’re so dramatic.”

I glared at him. “Dramatic? You think it’s fun running around blind, chasing someone we’ve never met? How many cities are we going to burn through before the Alpha gets tired of this game?”

“It’s not a game,” he replies, voice low but steady. “You know what happens if we fail.”

I do. And it’s not a future I want to think about. But that doesn’t stop the bitterness from bubbling up. “It’s not our fault. None of this is. So why are we the ones being punished for Dad’s mistakes?”

“Enough,” Damian snaps, his grin fading for once. “We don’t question the Alpha. You know that.”

He’s right, of course. The Alpha’s word is law. Disobedience isn’t an option—not after what happened to Father. Still, the resentment clings to me like a shadow.

I toss my bag onto the bed and pull out a pair of tight pants and a loose shirt. Practical, easy to get around in. That’ll have to do.

“That’s what you’re wearing for your first day of school?” Damian arches an eyebrow, shaking his head in mock disapproval. “C’mon, put some effort in. First impressions matter.”

I shot him a look. “We’re not here to make friends, Damian. It’s a mission, not a fashion show. Not everyone feels the need to look like they walked off a magazine cover.”

He shrugs, grinning again. “Suit yourself. I’m just saying, people will notice.”

“Good,” I snapped. “Maybe they’ll stay out of my way.”

Ignoring him, I grabbed my book bag and headed for the door. My dark hair gliding against my back, and for a moment, thinking for the hundredth time about cutting it off. The heat here was unbearable, and it would at least save me one headache—unlike this mission.”

The Alpha sent us here to find someone, but he never said who. Just that they were important, that they would change the course of… everything. It didn’t make sense. Nothing about this mission did. All we had was a prophecy, one Father died trying to decipher.

“The lost one will carry the key,

Through their blood, the Alpha sees.

But beware the price, for those who stray,

Will burn before the dawning day.”

What key? Whose blood? Every time I tried to make sense of it, my head started pounding. And now, instead of getting answers, I had to blend in at some human high school. Like that was going to solve anything. It was bad enough we'd hopped from city to city looking for the one who would fulfill the prophecy. Sometimes I think it's just the Alphas' way of punishing us for our dads' mistakes. Why would a prophecy of the great Wolf clan speak of a mere human? The monks at the monastery insist it's a human girl. And when we find her, we're to bring her back with us. Back to our great clan.

Damian watched me, still lounging by the door. “Seriously, though. You look like you just rolled out of bed. Do something about that.” He gestures vaguely at my outfit with a dramatic wave of his hand.

“I told you,” I said, shoving past him. “We’re not here to impress anyone. And stop laughing like an i***t. You’re going to blow our cover before we even start.”

But he doesn’t stop. He chuckles loudly, the sound echoing through the almost empty apartment. It’s almost reassuring how unaffected he seems by all of this. Almost.

“Don’t sweat it, sis. I’m the beauty of the family. Just stay close, and you’ll be fine.” He grabs his keys, laughing again.

I rolled my eyes, walking outside to the cracked asphalt street. The air smelled like garbage and stale beer—a fitting backdrop for this new “home” the Alpha deemed suitable for “lying low.” I hate this place already.

Damian pats the back of his bike. “Come on, let’s get moving.”

I stop dead in my tracks. “I’m not getting on that thing. Couldn’t they have given us a car or something? You know, something normal?”

“Your car comes tomorrow,” he says with a grin. “Until then, my ‘sweet ride’ is all we’ve got.” He pats the seat affectionately, as if his old bike is something to be proud of.

Grudgingly, I swung my leg over, keeping as much distance as possible between us. The leather of his jacket creaks under my grip as the bike jerks forward, almost throwing me off. I clutch his shoulder before I topple onto the street.

“Relax,” he says over his shoulder, his voice softer this time. “You’re going to be fine.”

I didn’t reply. I don’t believe him. Will I ever be fine? A part of me died the day dad's body was found. I'd never be fine . The roar of the engine drowns out the uneasy thoughts swirling in my mind as the city blurs around us.

Starlet Academy loomed ahead, its sleek gates and pristine facade a stark contrast to the broken-down neighborhood we just left.

“The lost one will carry the key.”

I bite the inside of my cheek. Fine? Yeah, right.