Chapter 2
That afternoon, the mythology classroom smelled of pine and incense.
"The Silver Moon Oath is perhaps the oldest form of binding in European folklore," the professor explained, his voice resonating through the room. "Once sworn, blood remains connected forever. Historically, it served both as protection... and control."
I scribbled notes frantically, captivated by the description of ancient werewolf and their rituals.
Behind me, I heard paper rustling and quiet laughter.
"Look at the mongrel taking notes," Amber whispered loudly enough for me to hear. "Trying to learn her heritage from a textbook."
More snickers followed. I gripped my pen tighter, focusing on the professor's words.
After class, I gathered my notebook only to watch in horror as Amber "accidentally" knocked an open inkwell across my notes and jacket.
"Oh dear," she smirked, her friends forming a barrier between us and other students. "Just a reminder of where rogue belong. No amount of Grayson's attention will change your bloodline."
The blue-black ink spread like poison across my carefully written notes.
"Don't bother with your little crush on Dominic," she added. "He only collects new pets until he gets bored. Then you'll learn what a real nightmare feels like."
The library at midnight was a different creature altogether—breathing with shadows, whispering with secrets.
I slipped past the velvet rope separating the restricted section, flashlight beam dancing across titles I could barely pronounce.
During today's lecture, the professor briefly touched on the Silver Moon and the Blood Oath, but I'm left craving a deeper dive into these intriguing concepts.
My fingers found a heavy tome titled "Lineages of the Ancient Houses."
I traced to a family tree with the Grayson line prominently intertwined. Dominic's name appeared at the bottom, beside a symbol I recognized from his signet ring.
My heartbeat accelerated suddenly, skin flushing hot then cold. Through the high windows, moonlight pooled around me like liquid silver.
"Curiosity is a dangerous quality, especially on a full moon night."
I slammed the book shut, spinning to find Dominic standing between bookshelves, shadows playing across his face.
"How did you find me?" I whispered.
He moved closer, moonlight catching in his eyes. "You feel it, don't you? The moon's call?"
My hands trembled. "I don't know what you're talking about."
He asked, "Since arriving at Silvercrest, haven't you noticed changes? Heightened senses? Restlessness during certain phases of the moon?"
I swallowed hard.
"That's your nature awakening, Morgan." His voice softened. "I can help you understand it, but you must trust me."
The dining hall buzzed with lunchtime conversation that abruptly dimmed when Dominic guided me toward the central table—territory I knew belonged exclusively to student council members and legacy students.
"What are you doing?" I hissed as stares followed us.
"Making a statement," he replied calmly, pulling out a chair for me. "About your place here."
Throughout the meal, he introduced me to family names and traditions, speaking of bloodlines and alliances with the casualness of discussing weather.
I was listening to his explanation of the upcoming moon ceremony when Tyler Matthews approached, flanked by two seniors.
"Hey, mutt," he sneered, loud enough for nearby tables to hear. "You smell like you were picked up from a shelter. Since when does the Grayson family adopt strays?"
Rage rose in me like a physical force. My hands shook uncontrollably, vision blurring red at the edges. I stood abruptly, knocking over my tray.
Dominic was between us instantly, his back straight, voice dropping to a dangerous register. "Enough, Tyler. Unless you want to face consequences alone during the next full moon."
Tyler's face paled as he backed away.
"What did that mean?" I asked when they left. "About the full moon?"
Dominic's expression remained unreadable. "There are things you need to see. Tonight."
We passed through a hidden tunnel behind the science building, emerging into a secluded garden where silver-blue flowers glowed under moonlight. The air smelled sweet and mysterious, almost intoxicating.
"The Moonshadow Garden," Dominic explained. "Only certain students know of its existence."
As I approached the flowers, they seemed to pulse brighter. Dominic watched with undisguised interest.
"These flowers only bloom for those with specific bloodlines," he explained, touching a blossom that brightened at my approach. "They sense purity of heritage. See how they respond to you?"
At the garden's center stood an ancient stone altar, its surface carved with symbols matching those from the book I'd found.
"You're not ordinary, Morgan. You never were." His voice dropped lower. "You're a werewolf—a dormant one, waiting for the Alpha bloodline to awaken."
I stepped back. "That's impossible. I'm just a normal rogue."
"Blood doesn't lie." He cupped my face gently. "Your keen senses, your intuition, your restlessness during full moons... all signs."
Standing on the ancient stone altar, I felt the moonlight like a physical touch against my skin. The silver-blue flowers pulsed in rhythm with my heartbeat.
"I can hear everything," I whispered, overwhelmed by the symphony of night sounds—heartbeats from distant dormitories, owl wings cutting through air, even the subtle movement of earth beneath roots.
"The first awakening is always intense," Dominic said, standing close. "But without protection, it becomes dangerous."
I asked, "Is this why you approached me? Because I'm... potentially an Alpha?"
His fingers traced my cheek. "Initially, responsibility. Now, it's more. You're different, Morgan, beyond just your bloodline."
When his lips met mine, electricity seemed to arc between us. His scent enveloped me—pine forests, midnight air, something primal and ancient.
Through half-closed eyes, I thought I saw blue-silver light flash in his gaze, but the sensation of his mouth against mine drove all other thoughts away.
Returning along the forest path, dizziness hit me suddenly. I stumbled, catching myself against a tree as pain lanced through my fingers. Looking down, I saw my nails lengthening, sharpening to points.
"What's happening?" I gasped, curling into myself as unfamiliar sensations rippled through my body.
Dominic knelt beside me. "Signs of your first transformation. Without guidance, it can be deadly."
I clutched at the ground, feeling bones shift beneath my skin. "Make it stop!"
He took my trembling hands. "The Silver Moon Blood Pact can protect you, Morgan. As your mentor, I'll teach you to control the change, understand your gifts. No one will hurt you or treat you as a monster."
"What's the cost?" I managed through gritted teeth.
Something flickered in his eyes. "Only loyalty and trust. I'll become your guardian, and you'll become my... responsibility."
I asked, "And if I refuse?"
His expression softened, but something calculated lurked beneath. "Then I cannot protect you from what comes next."
