Chapter 12: Academy Mother
Starlight blinked, momentarily caught off guard that the young woman already knew her name. Then it clicked. The reporters had been shouting, "Miss Dawson! Miss Dawson!" every other second since she’d stepped out of the van. If the young lady had been standing nearby the whole time, she had undoubtedly heard it from them. Besides, Starlight was the last Lunar Lottery winner to arrive. It wasn’t exactly difficult to figure out who she was.
"Thank you." Starlight gave a small nod, her tone polite before she hesitated. "And... if you don’t mind me asking, who are you?"
Her tone remained courteous despite the unmistakable caution beneath it. The young woman standing before her was still a werewolf, and if life had taught Starlight anything, it was never to trust one or let her guard down around them. Even if they appeared friendly, in her experience, that only made them more dangerous.
The girl didn’t seem the least bit offended by her obvious caution. If anything, she looked as though she’d expected it. "I’m Ezabel," she introduced herself. "Your assigned Academy Mother."
Academy Mother? What the hell was that supposed to mean?
Did she look like she didn’t already have a mother? Starlight eyed the young woman suspiciously, unable to hide the skepticism creeping into her expression.
"As your Academy Mother, I’ve been assigned to take you under my wing," Ezabel continued patiently, seemingly unfazed by Starlight’s reaction. "My responsibilities include providing guidance, protection, and mentorship throughout your time at the Academy. That also includes escorting you to your dorm." Her gaze drifted to the backpack slung over Starlight’s shoulder.
The practiced smile on her face tightened ever so slightly as she took in its modest size.
"Is that all you brought with you?"
Starlight caught the brief flicker of surprise in her eyes, and for the first time since arriving, she felt self-conscious. She hadn’t given much thought to how little she’d packed, but this was Asterion Academy, a place reserved for the children of influential families and the Lunar Lottery winners. Most students probably arrived with expensive luggage and enough belongings to fill an entire room.
Even so, that didn’t give this stranger the right to look at her as though she were somehow lacking simply because she didn’t own much.
As a matter of fact, she refused to let a werewolf make her feel ashamed of what she had. And what was all that nonsense about taking her under her wing? Since when did werewolves grow wings? Protection? Guidance? The last creatures on earth she’d ever trust with either were werewolves.
Starlight straightened her shoulders and met Ezabel’s gaze without flinching. "You’re right. That’s all I came with," she replied evenly, the corners of her lips flattening into a thin line. "Do you have a problem with that?"
Ezabel blinked, clearly taken aback by the sharpness of her response. She quickly raised both hands in a placating gesture, her expression turning apologetic.
"No need to be so defensive," she said gently. "I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. It’s just that... we’re used to students arriving with considerably more luggage."
Starlight said nothing for a moment but maintained her guarded expression. "Well, I’m not most students," she replied, her voice calm, though the edge of caution remained unmistakable.
Ezabel tilted her head slightly. "Would you like me to help carry your backpack for you?"
Starlight tightened her grip on the strap and shook her head. "I’m good. I can manage."
"Very well, then." Ezabel smiled faintly before turning toward the stone pathway. "Follow me. I’ll take you to your dorm. You’ve been assigned to Eclipse House." With that, she set off at an unhurried pace, her crimson skirt swaying gently with each step.
Starlight lingered for a moment, watching the young woman with undisguised suspicion before reluctantly falling into step behind her.
Students moved around the campus in every direction, some hurrying toward lecture halls with tablets tucked beneath their arms, others chatting in small groups or lounging beneath the shade of towering trees. Quite a few glanced curiously at Starlight as she passed, their whispers following in her wake, but she couldn’t have cared less. She kept her attention fixed ahead, refusing to acknowledge the stares.
The Asterion Academy uniform was strikingly elegant. The girls wore crisp white long-sleeved shirts tucked neatly into deep crimson pleated skirts that fell to mid-thigh, the rich fabric swaying with every step. Fine silver stripes were woven into the pleats, catching the light whenever they moved. Some paired the uniform with white pantyhose, while others wore knee-high socks. The boys wore tailored crimson trousers accented with thin silver stripes running along the outer seams, matching the detailing on the girls’ skirts, along with the same crisp shirts. Both boys and girls wore crimson ties, the Academy’s emblem embroidered prominently near the lower tip. Every shirt featured a neatly tailored breast pocket trimmed with a narrow crimson border, with a polished silver name tag fastened neatly above it. The immaculate tailoring and refined design radiated prestige and discipline, giving every student an air of effortless sophistication.
Starlight found herself wondering if the Academy’s signature crimson-and-white colors were the reason Ezabel had been wearing a white shirt and crimson skirt, even though hers was a different design from the students’ uniforms. She had never imagined she’d find herself attending a place like this. And to think she’d eventually be wearing a uniform like theirs...the crimson skirt would probably match her red hair perfectly. It was almost as though the uniform had been designed with her in mind.
What the hell am I thinking?
The thought hit her so abruptly she stopped herself from frowning.
She hadn’t even settled in, and she was already imagining herself wearing the uniform. What happened to reminding herself she didn’t belong here? Had she forgotten that she wasn’t supposed to be here in the first place? She should be looking for a way to escape this place, not daydreaming about what she’d look like dressed as one of them.
Before she could dwell on the thought any longer, Ezabel led her through the academy’s main building. The moment Starlight stepped inside, her breath caught.
The interior was even more breathtaking than the exterior. A vast marble foyer stretched before her, its polished ivory floor reflecting the light pouring through enormous crystal windows that rose several stories high. Elegant crimson banners bearing a silver wolf crest hung between towering pillars, while sweeping staircases curved gracefully toward the upper levels. Crystal chandeliers glittered overhead, casting warm light across carved stone walls adorned with portraits and intricate reliefs that spoke of centuries of history. At the center of the grand foyer stood a massive statue of a crimson wolf carved from polished stone, its imposing figure frozen in a powerful stance. Its sharp eyes seemed to watch over the entire hall, its fangs slightly bared and its body radiating the same authority and pride that surrounded the academy itself. Starlight couldn’t help but stare at it. Even a statue felt like it was reminding everyone who truly ruled this world.
It was impressive, undeniably beautiful, but it also carried the same overwhelming presence she had always associated with werewolves. Students crossed the enormous hall in every direction, their footsteps echoing softly against the gleaming floor.
Starlight couldn’t believe a school like this actually existed. The sheer grandeur left her gaping like a country girl seeing a palace for the first time. Movement ahead drew her attention. A brown-haired girl, who wore the sort of smug expression usually found on people convinced they were better than everyone else, was walking straight toward her. Assuming she simply wanted to pass, Starlight instinctively stepped aside to give her room. To her surprise, the girl shifted in the exact same direction, blocking her path.
Frowning, Starlight stepped to the opposite side. Again, the girl mirrored her movement.
Before Starlight could move again, the girl suddenly slammed her shoulder into her.
The impact jolted through Starlight’s body, but instead of stumbling as the girl had clearly expected, she barely moved. The result surprised even her. This was a werewolf they were talking about. How had she not been knocked off balance by someone like her? Could it be that years of carrying heavy loads and working physically demanding jobs had given her far better balance and stability than her slender frame suggested?
The girl’s eyes widened in obvious surprise.
"Hey!" Starlight snapped, rubbing her shoulder as she glared at the stranger. "What the fuck is your problem? I was obviously trying to get out of your way, but it seems your eyesight is worse than your attitude."
Her raised voice caught Ezabel’s attention. She came to an abrupt stop and turned around, her expression shifting slightly as she looked back toward the commotion.
xxx
Check the comment section to see what Starlight looks like in her uniform.