The bell rings three times — sharp, echoing, and unfamiliar. It's the signal for an emergency meeting. Whispers ripple through the corridors of Eclipse Prowess Institute as teachers hurry toward the east wing. The news has spread like wildfire — the Headmistress has called for an immediate council session.
Inside the conference hall, the air is thick with tension. A long wooden table stretches across the room, covered with scrolls, reports, and the faint scent of wolfsbane oil. Sitting at the head is the headmistress. Her sharp eyes glance from one member to another.
To her right sits her Deputy, Helen. She is known for her strict discipline. Beside her is Master Reign, the senior Alpha Trainer, folding his muscular arms, expression unreadable. Across the table is Advisor Grayson, the Lycan representative from the royal supervision board, observes quietly. At the end sits Mr. Collins, head of Student Affairs, nervously shuffling papers.
Orla clears her throat. "You all know why we're here."
Helena nods. "The accusation against the human girl. Mia Ashford."
"She's been accused of using forbidden powers," Collins adds quickly. "The claim is that she summoned light from her palm during the rogue attack."
Reign frowns. "A human using moon energy? Impossible. Unless she carries a wolf's mark, or witchcraft."
Oral's gaze sharpens. "That's precisely what we're trying to confirm."
Graydon leans back, his voice calm but grave. "If the child truly carries a mark, it's not a matter of school discipline. It becomes a royal concern."
Helena folds her hands. "Whether royal or not, the fact remains — the other students are afraid. Some believe she's dangerous."
"But she hasn't harmed anyone," Collins argues softly. "Her record is clean. She's shy, quiet, and obedient."
"Rumors can do more damage than claws," Reign grumbles. "If we allow unrest to grow, we risk chaos."
Orla exhales, tapping her pen. "So what do we do? Expulsion? Investigation? Silence?"
A moment of heavy silence fills the room.
Helena speaks first. "Expelling her might be too harsh. If she is innocent, we'll be blamed for injustice."
Reign counters, "And if she's guilty, keeping her here could endanger others."
All eyes turn to Graydon. The Lycan Advisor narrows his eyes. "Suspend her," he says firmly. "Temporarily. Until this matter is investigated. She is neither condemned nor cleared."
Orla nods slowly, thoughtful. "A neutral path."
Helena agrees. "Yes. If she's innocent, she'll be restored. If not, the Council will take further steps."
The headmistress closes the file and straightens. "Then it's settled. Mia Ashford will be suspended until further notice. She will leave the campus immediately."
She glances toward the door. "Mr. Collins, call the guards. And prepare an announcement. The students deserve transparency."
"Yes, Headmistress." He bows and hurries out.
Orla watches him go, then murmurs, "May the Moon guide us. I hope we haven't made a mistake."
The courtyard fills with restless energy. Every student gathers under the morning sun as the emergency assembly bell tolls across the campus. The flags of the institute flutter in the breeze, and faint murmurs echo between the marble columns.
Mia stands among them, small and tense, clutching her bag tightly. Her heart pounds. Why are we here? What's going on?
Beside her, Eliose chews her lip nervously, refusing to meet her eyes. Rachel, on the other hand, stands a few steps away with a carefully painted expression of pity — but the satisfaction in her eyes is sharp as glass.
Students whisper.
"It's about the human girl."
"I told you, she's not normal."
"They said she glowed like moonfire!"
"Humans shouldn't be here anyway."
Mia's throat burns. She tries to swallow her fear, eyes darting toward the stage where the school authorities now stand. The Headmistress raises her hand. The noise dies instantly.
"My dear students," she begins, her voice calm but heavy, "this assembly was called in light of serious concerns. One of our students has been accused of practices forbidden by our laws."
A ripple of gasps moves through the crowd.
Orla continues, "We do not judge hastily, nor do we ignore danger. After discussion with the disciplinary board, we have chosen a neutral course of action."
Mia's stomach twists. Something inside her whispers — It's you.
Orla looks straight at her. "Mia Ashford."
The world blurs. The whispers turn to shouts.
"It's her!"
"I knew it!"
"Witch!"
"Traitor!"
Mia takes a trembling step forward, her eyes wide. "H–Headmistress?" Her voice breaks.
Oral's face is unreadable. "You are hereby suspended from Eclipse Prowess Institute, pending further investigation into the accusations against you."
It feels like the ground disappears. Mia's knees weaken. A sharp ache floods her chest. Her hands tremble around her bag strap. "Suspended…?" she whispers.
"You will return home," Orla adds gently, "until the investigation is complete. This decision protects both you and your peers."
Some students scoff. Others turn away. A few — very few — look genuinely sorry.
Mia's vision blurs. Eliose looks down, silent tears on her lashes. Rachel turns slightly, whispering to someone behind her, "Told you. She was never one of us."
The murmurs sting worse than claws.
Mia swallows hard, forcing her chin up. She bows slightly. "Yes, Headmistress." Her voice cracks.
And then she walks away — slowly, painfully, through rows of staring eyes and cold whispers. Each step feels heavier than the last. Her heart pounds against her ribs. Just don't cry. Not here. Don't let them see.
Behind her, the assembly breaks into chaotic chatter, but she doesn't hear any of it. Her ears ring. Her world feels quiet, lonely, and cruel.
Inside the Lycan dorm, Leon sits on the edge of his bed, elbows on his knees, eyes fixed on the floor. His chest feels tight. The air feels different. Off. Like something precious has been taken away.
Xavier growls inside. Where is she?
Leon presses a hand to his chest. "Why does it feel so… empty?"
There was a soft knock before the door creaks open.
"Leon?" a deep voice says. "You alive in there?"
Leon looks up. Standing at the doorway is Raul, a tall, broad-shouldered son of Alpha Drennor of Silver Peak Pack. His gray eyes study Leon with quiet concern.
Leon exhales. "You."
Raul steps inside, shutting the door with his foot. "You look like someone stole your moonstone." He smirks slightly. "Don't tell me the great Lycan Prince is sulking."
Leon didn't answer him.
Raul raises a brow. "You sure? Because the air around you feels like a storm cloud. And, uh—" he hesitates "—there's something weird. You're… restless."
Leon lifts his head. "What do you mean?"
"Yeah. The energy in the halls dropped suddenly. Like someone took the warmth out of the room." Raul crosses his arms. "What happened?"
Leon hesitates. Raul is the only person he can call a friend, so telling may not be a bad idea.
"Mia." He finally said.
Raul frowns. "The human girl?"
Leon's eyes darken. "Yes."
Raul blinks. "She was just suspended some minutes ago."
"Suspended?" Leon says sharply. "For what?"
Raul whistles softly. "For witchcraft practice, allegedly."
"This is Rachel's doing."
Leon's jaw tightens. "I was there. She didn't do that."
Raul studies him quietly. "Okay, now what are you going to do."
Leon glares at the floor. He stands suddenly, energy crackling around him.
Raul steps back slightly as Leon's aura flares gold. "Careful, Leon. You're still healing.
Leon growls low. "I will deal with them."
Raul sighs. "Then go. You're the prince. If anyone can undo this, it's you."
Leon strides toward the door, determination burning in his eyes. "They'll fix this. Now."
The Headmistress's office is quiet when the door bursts open.
"Prince Leon!" Orla gasps, standing immediately. "What—"
"You'll lift her suspension," he says coldly.
Helena and Collins rise to their feet, startled. "Your Highness, please—"
"She's innocent," Leon cuts in, voice sharp. "She didn't summon forbidden magic. She used moonlight — the same force that protects all Lycans. She saved me."
Orla blinks, confused. "Saved you?"
Leon's golden eyes flash. "We were attacked outside the northern wall. Rogues. She stood between me and death. If that's witchcraft, then I'll face the punishment with her."
Helena stammers, "But… the witness—"
"Call her," Leon commands. "Rachel Voss."
Moments later, Rachel enters, pale and trembling, with Eliose at her side. She stops when she sees Leon's burning eyes.
Leon steps forward slowly. "Say it again, Rachel. Tell the Headmistress what you saw."
Rachel's lips quiver. "I—I saw light—"
"Light that shielded me," Leon finishes. "Not cursed me. You lied."
Rachel stammers, "I didn't— I only—"
"Enough." His voice deepens, filled with power. "You nearly destroyed a life with your tongue. If there's someone to be punished, that should be you. You called the rogues here didn't you?" She was quite.
"Speak the truth, now."
Eliose grips Rachel's arm, whispering, "Stop lying, Rachel. Please."
Rachel's shoulders shake. "I'm sorry," she whispers finally. "I was wrong. I thought— I thought she used magic. I didn't mean—"
Orla slams her hand on the desk. "A false accusation is a grave offense, and what did I hear about you calling rogues. That is a serious offense, and you must be punished for both offenses.
Rachel bursts into tears. "I'm sorry, Headmistress!"
Leon's expression hardens. "If you ever target her again, Rachel, I will personally ensure you face the royal tribunal. Do you understand me?"
She nods frantically, sobbing.
Orla exhales deeply. "Prince Leon… I'll reverse the decision. I'll summon Mia first thing tomorrow."
"Good." He turns to leave, voice softening slightly. "She doesn't deserve this."
As he walks out, his chest still feels heavy. The damage is done. Her scent is gone from the halls. Xavier growls in protest, restless.
The sun hangs low when Mia reaches home. Her shoes scrape the cobblestones. Her hands clutch her bag like a lifeline. Tears sting her eyes, but she refuses to break down on the street.
When she finally sees the small cottage, she stops. Her mother stands at the doorway, eyes widening. "Mia?"
Mia's lips tremble. "Mom…"
Laura rushes forward, arms wrapping around her. "What happened? Why are you home? You're supposed to be—"
"They suspended me," Mia whispers. The words cut like glass. "They think I'm… dangerous."
Laura's breath catches. Her hands tighten around her daughter. "Oh, my baby…"
Mia hides her face against her shoulder, tears finally breaking free. "I didn't do anything, Mom i swear. I don't even know what happened. I just— I wanted to protect him—"
"Shh." Laura strokes her hair, blinking back her own tears. "It's okay. We'll fix this."
Later that night, Mia sits by the window, knees pulled to her chest. The moonlight spills across her face. Her crescent mark glows faintly through her thin nightgown, shimmering softly.
She stares up at the sky, voice breaking. "Why does it hurt so much? It's not even about the school. I don't care if they believe me or not. I just… I can't stop thinking about him."
Her eyes glisten. "He told me to stay away. He said the kiss was a mistake. Then why can't I stop feeling like something's missing now that he's gone?"
Her tears fall freely. "What's happening to me…? Am I falling for him?"
The mark pulses once, glowing brighter. A faint wind brushes her hair, though the window is closed.
Down the hall, Laura stands in the doorway, hand over her mouth. Her eyes glisten with fear and sorrow.
She whispers to herself, voice trembling, "It's starting. I prayed this day would never come."
She looks at her daughter — the last remnant of a forgotten bloodline.
Her voice breaks. "Not again…"