Chapter 7 The Principal’s Call

Kathy's POV

Later that day the summons came, polite but impossible to ignore. Principal’s office. I stared at it for a long minute before shoving my phone into my pocket and heading over, nerves twisting low in my stomach the whole walk.

I knocked once, light and hesitant, then pushed the door open when the voice inside called out.

Principal Wolffur sat behind a heavy wooden desk, smiling from ear to ear like I was the best surprise of his week. “Kathy Moonfall. Come in, come in. Have a seat.”

I slipped into the chair across from him, bag sliding off my shoulder onto the floor. The office smelled faintly of old books and coffee. He leaned forward, still grinning wide.

“Comfortable? Can I get you anything? Water? Something to eat?”

“I’m fine,” I said, managing a small smile. “Really. Thank you.”

He nodded, folding his hands on the desk. “Good, good. Listen, your mother gave us very clear instructions when she enrolled you. She wanted us to take excellent care of you. Make sure you settled in properly.”

He paused, eyes warm but serious. “Your father, though… Alpha Aiden was a bit more insistent. He wants us working with you. Helping you awaken that wolf of yours. We all know how special you are, Kathy. The bloodline, the expectations. We’ll do everything we can.”

I shifted in the seat, unsure what to say. The words felt heavy, like they carried years of other people’s hopes. “I appreciate that. I just… I don’t know if there’s anything anyone can do if it hasn’t happened yet.”

Principal Wolffur leaned back, still smiling but his tone turned thoughtful. “Oh, we’ve seen cases like this before. Sometimes the wolf is just waiting for the right trigger. Your mother’s story is proof enough. She came here thinking she was nothing special, and look what happened. Three alphas, a destiny no one saw coming. You carry that same blood, Kathy. Stronger even, some say. We’ll start with some private sessions if you’re open to it. Nothing invasive. Just… guided meditations, exposure to certain energies around campus. Your father specifically asked that we not give up easily.”

I swallowed, fingers twisting the strap of my bag. “My dad really said that?”

“He did,” the principal chuckled softly. “Alpha Aiden Moonfall doesn’t do half measures when it comes to family. He told me himself, ‘Make her feel it. Whatever it takes, just don’t let her think she’s broken.’ Your mother was gentler about it, but she agreed. They both want you to thrive here, not just survive.”

A small laugh escaped me, nervous and short. “That sounds like them. Mom always says give it time. Dad just wants to charge in and fix everything. Sometimes I think he believes yelling at the problem loud enough will make my wolf show up.”

Principal Wolffur laughed with me, the sound rich and easy. “That does sound like Alpha Aiden. He was the same back in his day. Always pushing. But your mother balanced him out. She reminded us that forcing things can make them hide deeper. Still, he was very clear when he called last week. ‘Don’t let her feel invisible,’ he said. ‘She’s got more inside her than she knows.’”

I looked down at my hands for a second. “It’s weird hearing you talk about them like that. Like you actually know them. To me they’re just… Mom and Dad. Mom writing when she’s stressed, Dad pretending he doesn’t worry but checking on me every five minutes.”

“They were quite the trio here, you know,” he continued, voice softening. “Your mother arrived so quiet, trying to disappear into the background. Then those three boys noticed her and everything changed. The whole campus felt it. Bonds like that don’t happen every generation. Your father especially was protective from the start. He still is. That’s why he insisted we keep a close eye. Not just on your classes, but on how you’re feeling. Any strange dreams? Unusual sensations? Even small things can be signs.”

I hesitated, then shook my head. “Nothing really. Just… normal stuff. Feeling out of place mostly. Like everyone else has something I’m missing.”

“That’s exactly why we’re here,” he said gently, leaning forward again. “Mooncrest has its ways. The grounds themselves hold old magic. Being around certain people can spark things too. You’ve already met a few students, I hear. Sometimes connections do what classes can’t. Sparks, pulls, moments that don’t make sense at first. Those can be the key.”

I felt my cheeks warm a little. “Yeah, a couple. It’s… a lot to take in. Everything feels bigger here. Louder inside my head.”

“Perfectly normal,” he reassured me, nodding like he’d heard it all before. “Give it time, but don’t close yourself off either. Your parents trust us to help guide you. If there’s anything you need, any support, you come straight to me. No hesitation.”

Before he could say more, a sharp knock cut through the room.

Principal Wolffur straightened. “Come in.”

The door opened and my stomach did a weird flip.

Riven walked in, hoodie up, hands tucked away. He stopped short when he saw me, dark eyes widening just a fraction in surprise. Then he looked away fast, like the sight of me burned.

“Mr. Nightfang,” the principal said smoothly. “Perfect timing. Please, take the chair beside Kathy.”

Riven hesitated half a second before dropping into the seat next to me. He kept his gaze straight ahead, not glancing my way once. The air between us felt thick, charged with that same strange pull I couldn’t name.

Close enough that I caught the faint scent of pine and something sharper. My fingers tightened on the edge of the chair.

Principal Wolffur smiled again, warm and knowing. “I’ll get back to you in just a moment, Kathy. Give me a few minutes with Riven here.”

I stood up quickly, nodding. “Of course.”

My legs carried me out faster than I meant. The door clicked shut behind me and I stopped just a few steps away, heart still beating too loud. I couldn’t hear what the principal was saying, the wood too thick, voices too muffled. But there was a narrow glass panel in the door. I leaned in a little, telling myself it was nothing, just curiosity.

Through the glass I saw Riven. He sat there looking completely uninterested, hands buried deep in his hoodie pockets, posture loose like none of this touched him. His face stayed blank, eyes distant.

I couldn’t help it. I stared.

“Hey, Kathy.”

A voice came up behind me, sharp, sudden and I jerked hard, spinning around…