The Hidden Prodigy of Yankee Academy

I had spent my entire life in the quiet, sterile halls of the rogue orphanage run by the State of Goth. This was where orphaned rogue wolves were taken and kept for the sake of the peace treaty. Rogues usually created problems, so the local government preferred to keep us tracked and out of trouble. But today, I finally smelled something off. Something that made my wolf, Lila, prickle and grow fussy, like we were about to be dragged to a party whether we wanted to or not. “Happy birthday, Callista. I have good news and bad news for you. Which one would you like to hear first?” Mrs. Mayers, the orphanage head, asked, flashing a smile I knew all too well. I recognized that smile. It always comes before something unpleasant. Like the year we couldn’t afford turkey for Thanksgiving and had to settle for chicken. “The bad news?” I replied cautiously, a tight knot forming in my chest. I could see a strange gleam in her eyes. It must have been very pleasant news for her. Tto finally send me away and out of her sight. “You’re moving to your family soon. No more hustle and bustle from this old orphanage, child.” My jaw dropped. “What? I… I have a family?” She nodded. “So… so… I’m not a rogue?” “Technically, yes.” I smiled. So I wasn’t a rogue. That was relieving. I had never imagined leaving this place and wandering alone as a pre-adult wolf once I turned eighteen. “But there’s more bad news,” Mrs. Mayers added, furrowing her brows as she studied me. “What now?” My mind raced as I struggled to process the weight of her words. What could possibly be worse than having nobody for the past seventeen years of my life? “It’s your uncle. And there’s something off about him. You need to be careful.” “And the good news?” I managed to ask, trying to steady my shaking hands. “Well, you’ve inherited a beautiful mansion outside the city!” she said, her eyes brightening with excitement I hadn’t seen in years. “Wait, really?” “Yes! Your uncle will explain everything later.” Just as she finished speaking, a car honked in the distance. My heart skipped a beat. A car. Here? It was the first time I’d ever heard a car come anywhere near the orphanage. The sound reverberated in my chest, a sharp contrast to the silence I had lived with all my life. “Callista, right?” A man approached. Fat, thick mustache, no smile. His gaze swept over me, and something about him struck me immediately… he looked like me. He smelled different, like an old wolf with no real connection to me. But then again, who would ever be connected to a rogue like me? I didn’t know where I came from or why I ended up here. All I knew was that I was a rogue, without parents or relatives. That was why I ended up here without anyone searching for me. Unless… I was some long-lost child from one of those cheap soap dramas Mrs. Mayers loved watching every Sunday morning. “Uncle?” I asked, unsure whether the word truly fit. “Yes, uh-hum. You really look like my daughter,” he said, his voice laced with something I couldn’t quite place. A smirk, perhaps. But something colder lingered beneath it. “She turned seventeen today. Won’t you say happy birthday to her?” Mrs. Mayers suggested, her voice light but hollow. My so-called uncle stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized me. A chill crept up my spine, as if he were examining something beyond my appearance. My pulse quickened. I could feel his thoughts brushing the edges of mine, distorted whispers I couldn’t understand. “We need to cut your hair,” he said, the words heavy with finality. “Excuse me?” My voice rose before I could stop it. My stomach twisted. What kind of uncle was this? Shouldn’t family feel safe? “I’ll explain later. Mrs. Mayers, my lawyer will take care of the paperwork.” Before I could protest, a man in a sharp suit appeared, a black briefcase at his side. He had to be the lawyer. The moment he stepped forward, everyone seemed to hold their breath. So much so that even Lila didn’t dare complain. “He’ll handle the documents. I need to take Callista immediately.” Without another word, my uncle grabbed my arm, his grip unyielding. He practically dragged me out of the orphanage, my feet stumbling as I struggled to keep up. The door slammed shut behind me, cutting off Mrs. Mayers’ distant voice. I barely had time to process what was happening before I was shoved into a sleek black car. The door clicked shut, sealing me inside. I didn’t even have time to say goodbye. To Mrs. Mayers, to my friend, or to Lucky, the dog who had been my best friend since I was six. “Where are we going, Uncle?” “Your home. Or… what used to be your home.” Confusion spiraled through my mind, but I stayed silent. I didn’t even know what to ask. I had no choice but to follow. We drove in silence for what felt like forever, the car moving faster as the world outside grew unfamiliar. Finally, it stopped in front of a massive mansion. I had never seen it before, yet it felt like a place I had known all my life. Cold, distant, looming. “This is your mother’s house, Callista. But it could be mine.” “How?” I whispered, fear slipping into my voice. “Your mother owed me a lot of money.” “Really? How would I know?” “Would you have known this property was yours? I’m just being a good uncle and showing you the truth.” I clenched my fists as anger surged inside me. I knew nothing about my family’s legacy, and he had no intention of making me feel safe. “Your mother was once a renowned healer,” he continued. “She could heal the most excruciating wounds with a single touch. But when she died, the legacy turned into a curse … and debt.” “You’re lying!” I snapped. “I’m not. But we can discuss it later.” “How?” “You’ll disguise yourself as your cousin, Alina, and take her place at the academy.” “What? I don’t even know Alina! How can I disguise myself as her? Wouldn’t that be illegal?” “It’s not when it’s discreet. You’ll learn about Alina tomorrow. Just remember. If you become Alina, the house stays in your family. Fail, and you’ll lose everything.” Panic rose again, choking me. Alina—my cousin? “She’s the golden child of the Russell family. Beautiful. Popular. A healer prodigy.” A cold rush of dread settled in my stomach. “Why should I become Alina?” “She’s sick and can’t attend the academy. But she’s expected to prove herself worthy of the Jackson family.” “The Jackson family?” “Viper Jackson. Heir to the most powerful pack in the country. He and Alina were meant to unite their bloodlines.” “What does this have to do with me?” “She can’t be there. But you will.” “I can’t pretend to be her.” “You’ll do it,” he said calmly. “Or you’ll lose everything.” The world collapsed into a swirling vortex of confusion and dread. I had no choice. Pathetic, right? But the craziest things were only just beginning.