Chapter2
1247 Words
Chapter 2
My father taught me how to fight. He says whether male or female, learning to defend oneself was important.
And I couldn't be more grateful for that.
I elbowed the man, and in that moment of distraction I grabbed his arm, kicked the knife free, and caught it just before it hit the floor. Immediately I pointed it at him.
“Who are you?”
“I should be asking you that.” He growled, stepping closer. I kept the blade to his face, ready to cut if he moved.
“How dare you? You must be out of your mind.” His voice was bold. A black strand of hair fell across one side of his face. His eyes were a golden brown, and his skin was so smooth I wondered what it would feel like to touch it.
“How dare you enter the north wing? You must die.” He said.
He was handsome, yes. But arrogant too.
“You’ll be the one punished by the time I inform the Alpha about an intruder with a knife.”
He laughed, sharp and surprised. “You must be out of your mind.” He bellowed.
“I was only looking for the restroom.” I snapped.
“And does this place look like a restroom to you?” He shot me a glare.
I tightened my guard and followed his gaze to the sky. The sun was coming up. He stepped forward, then staggered back, clutching his face as if struck with sudden pain. One hand covered his face while he sunk into the shadow and screamed.
I dropped the knife and rushed to him. “Are you okay?”
“Do not come closer.” He screamed, and raised his head.
I gasped. My stomach dropped. The Alpha.
With his hand covering half his face, I recognized him immediately as the Alpha.
“Get out.” He yelled. “Out.”
I shrieked and ran, not bothering to meet Lydia.
I stopped a cab and went straight home.
Father wasn't back yet. I rushed to the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water, and drank nearly half of it. Then I wiped my mouth.
Could this be the reason why the Alpha hardly ever stepped out and always wore a mask? I breathed heavily, trying to steady myself.
When Father returned that evening, I couldn't tell him about the encounter. I had no idea how he would react, and he didn’t look pleased; whatever happened at the meeting had gone wrong.
“I have no idea why Elder Gideon keeps insisting on a fight with the neighboring pack,” Father groaned. “We could just give them what they want and there would be peace.” He sighed.
I handed him a cup of water. He took it and drank a little.
“Elder Gideon — the principal of Moonlight High?” I asked.
Father nodded.
Elder Gideon is one of the elders in the pack. He comes after Elder Kael and is in charge of our pack’s war strategy. He’s also the principal of Moonlight High. He’s quite influential.
“Enough about the meeting. How did it go at the palace?” Father finally asked, turning to me.
I settled into the cushion and let the memory of the Alpha replay in my head.
“It went well.” I lied. “The Alpha wasn’t well, so we couldn’t meet him.”
Father cringed. “Don’t tell me it started again,” he said with a tired sigh.
“What started?” I asked.
He only shook his head. “You should go to sleep now.” He smiled, forcing it.
I nodded. Father never liked to talk about the Alpha’s family. I sighed, and wondered what was wrong with him.
Thinking back to the incident at the pack house. Could the Alpha be allergic to the sun? He screamed the moment he stepped into it. No doubt something was very wrong.
I turned the other way in bed, but sleep wouldn’t come.
A loud thud from the sitting room jolted me. I sat up and opened my door. It was late — what could have made that sound?
I switched on my torch and crept into the sitting room. “Father, are you awake?” I called. No answer.
I moved closer and switched on the light. My breath froze. Father lay on the floor in a pool of blood.
“Father!” I screamed and rushed to him.
My legs trembled as I bent down. Tears stung my eyes, and my hand shook to touch him.
“Father.” I muttered.
He coughed violently. Relief hit me — he was alive.
“I’ll get the pack doctor.” I stood, but he gripped my leg.
He struggled to speak. “Moon…light…high,” he whispered. I didn’t understand him clearly.
“What are you saying, Father?” My voice cracked.
“You need to…” he gasped, fighting for breath. “You need to go to Moonlight High.”
Moonlight High? I stared at him.
“Father, what are you saying?”
He didn’t move anymore. His eyes stayed fixed on me.
“Father.” I shook my head in disbelief. “Father!” I screamed, tears streaming down my face.
On his chest was the claw mark of the wolf that had killed him. It didn’t look like they’d fought. Everyone knew Father was skilled at fighting. Who would dare to kill him?
A sudden loud bang on the front door made me jump. Heavy footsteps and shouting followed.
“Open up! The Alpha asks us to bring your daughter!”
“The Alpha?” My heart hammered. Why would he want to see me? Could it be…? My eyes widened.
I moved fast. The guards were nearly breaking the door down. I looked once at Father’s still body, then began packing what I could. Tears blurred my vision. On a nearby chair I saw an envelope — the same kind Father had received in the morning.
I had no time. I grabbed the envelope and slipped out the back. I ran without looking back. Father’s last words — Moonlight High — looped in my head. But that school was for males only. And I had no idea what he had meant.
I stopped and ducked into an inn. I tossed coins to the owner without caring if it was more than required. I locked the door behind me and sank into a spare room. At least I wouldn’t be found here right away.
My heart beat increased as I finally opened the envelope. I read the paper with shaking hands. Tears fell.
Father had been murdered.
And the killer was linked to Moonlight High. The only name that came to mind was Elder Gideon.
No way I could bring him down alone. I need to get closer to him and find evidence, and the only way was to enroll in Moonlight High myself.
I grabbed scissors from the dresser and looked at my reflection. Dry tear lines streaked my cheeks. My pale face stared back.
I took a deep breath, gripped a bundle of hair, and began to cut. I clipped until it reached just below my ears.
“I swear, Father,” I whispered, my voice steady with fury. “No matter what it takes, I’ll find your killer.”
I clenched the envelope in my other hand.
- Writer
