My Vampire Mate

CHAPTER 8: THE FOREST HOWL CALLING YOU

The howl came again that night. Louder.

I was in the North Tower library with Veleric. He had books piled around us — old books, dust, titles like _Baldini Bloodline: Ancient Elementorists_ and _Court War 200 Years Ago: The Disappearance_.

"Bornrovio Baldini was not just any Elementorist," Veleric said, reading, his red eyes glowing in candlelight. "He was advisor to my great-grandfather, King Blade. He could control all four elements, but water was his strongest. Like you."

I touched my hands — still faint blue glow since morning training.

"And his wife?" I asked.

Veleric flipped a page. The portrait was faded — a woman with sky-blue hair like mine, deep blue eyes, wearing a crown of blue lilies.

"Her name was... erased," Veleric said, frowning. "Someone erased her name from royal records. But she was an Elementorist too. Wind, it says. That's why you might have wind too."

Before I could answer, the howl came again. _AWOOOO._

This time Veleric heard it too. He stood up fast.

"That is not a wolf from American Court. That is a forest wolf. Old forest. Behind Training Ground 3."

"Is it calling me? Like in training this morning?" I whispered.

Veleric looked at me, worried. "Bornrovio's power... animals react to it. Elementorists can talk to forest. But you never learned because you were raised in City Hall Academy as human. We should tell Professor Vlad and Dean Francis Moncho tomorrow."

"No," I said quickly. "If we tell Dean Moncho, he will lock Training Ground 3. I want to know what it wants."

Veleric stared at me, then smiled — proud, possessive.

"You are brave, strawberries. Like your father Bornrovio. He went into forest alone too, during Court War."

He took his black jacket and put it around me again. "We go together. I am your mate. If forest is dangerous, I protect you. If it calls you, I let you answer."

We left the North Tower through the secret back door that only royalty knows — Veleric showed me — which leads directly to forest edge. Cold night, winter roses, stars.

The forest behind Vamp Prestige Academia was dark, tall trees, blue lilies growing wild everywhere. I never noticed blue lilies grow wild here.

The howl came again, closer. Then we saw it.

A white wolf. Huge, silver-white fur, blue eyes like mine, sitting in the middle of blue lilies, looking at me.

It didn't attack. It bowed its head to me.

"Vanessa," Veleric whispered, shocked. "That is a Moon Wolf. They only bow to Ancient Blood. Bornrovio's blood."

The wolf walked to me, slow, gentle, and nuzzled my hand. The second it touched me, my blue glow got brighter. Water floated up from the ground, even though I didn't try.

"She knows you," Veleric whispered. "Daughter of Bornrovio."

The wolf turned, looked at forest deeper, then back at me, like "follow me."

"Should we follow?" I asked.

Veleric took my hand. "Together. But if anything happens, I teleport us back to Room 96 instantly. Promise."

We followed the Moon Wolf deeper into forest. Blue lilies got thicker. Then we saw it — a small hut, hidden, covered in vines. On the door, carved: B.

"B for Baldini," I whispered, tears coming.

Inside, there was a bed, a table, and on the table — a letter, covered in dust, but preserved by magic. Addressed: _To my daughter, Vanessa._

My hands shook. Veleric picked it up and gave it to me.

I opened it.

_My dearest Vanessa, if you are reading this, you are alive and your power woke up. I, Bornrovio Baldini, had to hide you as human in City Hall Academy to protect you from Court War. Your mother, Elara Windborne, died protecting you. I am still alive, hidden in Northern Court, but I cannot come back until King Vladimir forgives me for leaving. Find me. The Moon Wolf will guide you when you are ready. Your father, Bornrovio._

I cried. Veleric held me, cold arms, safe, in his jacket, water floating around us from my tears.

"Your father is alive," Veleric whispered, kissing my hair, not explicit, just reverent. "Bornrovio is alive. In Northern Court."

The Moon Wolf howled, soft, like confirming.

And from behind us, in the forest darkness, another howl answered — but this one was not white. It was black, angry, and it sounded like Winter's family crest wolf.

Someone was watching us.

*END OF CHAPTER 8*