Chapter 145 Ripples Under the New Moon
Wynter‘s POV
I woke to cool sheets and an empty bed, my hand reaching instinctively for Chase before my eyes opened. The space beside me still held his warmth, but he was gone.
My phone buzzed. Three messages from Chase:
Chase: Buried alive in paperwork. Send help. Or coffee. Preferably both.
Chase: Actually, just send you. That would fix everything.
Chase: Kael is a taskmaster. At least I'm not corrupt AND stressed.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’ve really got it rough, huh?” I teased, sending him a wave of sympathy through the Bond.
His response came immediately.
That's my Alpha, I thought, smiling as I got ready for class.
---
Morning lectures passed in a blur. Through the Bond, I felt Chase's frustration—drowning in budget reports while Seraphina Ashcroft and her friends hovered too close.
By afternoon, I needed to see him. Not because I doubted him, but because I needed the reassurance of his presence.
I didn't need to ask where he was. Closing my eyes, I reached through the Bond, following the connection like a golden thread—third floor, administrative building, conference room.
He was exactly where I sensed: buried in paperwork, surrounded by Student Council members—mostly girls. Seraphina leaned over his shoulder, another brought coffee, a third found reasons to touch his arm while pointing at documents.
Through the Bond, I felt his irritation.
Then his head snapped up, eyes finding mine through the glass door. Exhaustion faded, replaced by warmth.
He was on his feet immediately, chair scraping back. "Excuse me. I need a break."
"But Lord Sterling—" Seraphina protested.
"Thirty minutes." He was already moving toward me, reaching for my hand. "I'll be back."
He pulled me away, ignoring Seraphina’s voice: "Well, I suppose even Lord Sterling needs his... diversions."
Through the Bond, Chase’s fury spiked.
Don't, I sent quickly. She's not worth it.
He pulled me into an alcove, hands framing my face. "I hate that people feel entitled to judge you."
"I know. But getting angry won’t change their minds." I covered his hands with mine. "Only time will do that. Time, and me proving I belong here."
"You already belong here," he said.
"Maybe to you. But to everyone else?" I hesitated. "I need to prove it to myself, Chase. I need to know I earned this, not just because of the Bond."
Understanding flooded the Bond. He pulled me close. "Then prove it. Show them what you’re capable of."
"I’m going to," I said, determination solidifying. "I’m going to learn what it actually means to be Luna. Professor Ashwood teaches Pack Management—I’m going to audit her class."
Through the Bond, I felt his pride. That's my girl.
---
The next morning, I woke with renewed purpose. But as I walked toward the lecture hall, the Academy speakers crackled to life.
"Attention all students. Mandatory assembly in the Grand Hall in fifteen minutes. All classes suspended. This is not optional."
Confused murmurs rose around me. Through the Bond, Chase's confusion matched mine—Kael hadn’t mentioned any announcement yesterday.
We found each other in the crowd flowing toward the Grand Hall, his hand finding mine automatically. Jax appeared at my other side, Rosalie and Connor just behind.
"This feels wrong," Jax murmured. "Mandatory assemblies in the middle of a normal day?"
The Grand Hall was packed. We found seats as Headmaster Kael took the stage.
"Thank you for gathering on short notice," Kael began. "Moonshadow Academy occasionally accepts transfer students under exceptional circumstances. We have received such a request from a student of exceptional background and ability."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Mid-semester transfers were almost unheard of.
"The student comes from a distinguished Emerald Valley family," Kael continued. "She has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and leadership potential. I expect all students to welcome her with the respect and courtesy Moonshadow Academy is known for."
"But why transfer mid-semester?" someone called out.
"That is a private matter," Kael said firmly. "The student will be joining us beginning today."
The hall erupted in speculation as the assembly ended. We moved with the crowd toward the dining hall, theories flying.
"Emerald Valley family, mid-semester transfer," Chase said quietly. "The timing is suspicious."
"You think it's connected to the alliance?" I asked.
The path to the dining hall took us through the central courtyard. Autumn sun warmed my face as we walked, Chase's hand in mine, surrounded by friends.
Then I saw her.
She stood near the fountain, and the sight made me stop so abruptly Rosalie nearly crashed into my back.
The girl was beautiful—long dark hair catching sunlight, throwing back shades of mahogany and gold. Her uniform fit perfectly, emphasizing curves while maintaining propriety. Flawless porcelain skin, delicate features, and striking amber eyes that seemed to glow.
But it wasn't just her beauty. It was the way she carried herself—confident, poised, a small smile suggesting she knew exactly how much attention she drew.
She turned, amber gaze sweeping our group.
When she looked at Chase, she offered a polite nod—acknowledgment between equals.
When she looked at me, something cold slithered down my spine. Assessment, judgment, finding me wanting. Her smile didn't waver, but something shifted in her eyes.
Through the Bond, I felt Chase’s reaction—polite interest, nothing more.
Then her gaze landed on Connor.
And everything changed.
Connor had been walking beside Rosalie, relaxed and content. But the moment those amber eyes found him, he went absolutely still.
Not a natural pause. This was visceral, involuntary. His whole body locked up mid-step, muscles rigid. His breathing changed—suddenly uneven, like he'd forgotten how to breathe.
"Connor?" Rosalie’s voice was concerned. "Are you okay?"
But Connor didn't answer. He couldn't tear his gaze away, eyes locked on the girl with an intensity that made me uncomfortable.
The girl's reaction was equally strange, though more controlled. Her confident smile faltered for a fraction of a second. Something flickered in those amber eyes—surprise? Recognition? Her hand moved to her chest, fingers splaying over her heart.
Then she recovered. The smile returned, wider and more practiced.
Through the Bond, Chase’s confusion spiked. What just happened?
I don't know, I sent back, watching Connor.
"Do you know her?" Jax asked Connor quietly.
Connor shook his head slowly, uncertain. "I... no. I don't think so. But there's something..."
He couldn't finish, swallowing hard.
The girl began moving toward us, every step measured and graceful. Chase shifted slightly, putting himself between me and the stranger.
She stopped a few feet away. When she spoke, her voice was honey-smooth with a refined Emerald Valley accent.
"I'm sorry if I startled you. I'm still getting used to the campus. Everything here is so much larger than my previous school."
"You're the transfer student," Chase said, polite but with Alpha authority. "Welcome to Moonshadow Academy."
"Thank you. You must be Lord Sterling." She smiled at him, then glanced at me. "And you're his mate, I assume? Wynter Vaughn?"
The way she said my name—polite, but with a slight emphasis—set my teeth on edge.
"I am," I said steadily. "And you are?"
"Evangeline Thorne."
Several sharp intakes of breath around us. The Thorne name carried weight in Emerald Valley.
"Thorne?" Rosalie repeated. "As in Captain Thorne?"
"My uncle," Evangeline confirmed. "He helped arrange my transfer. Family connections can be useful."
Through the Bond, Chase’s mind worked, recognizing political implications.
But Connor still hadn't spoken. He stood frozen, eyes fixed on Evangeline with disturbing intensity. His hand holding Rosalie's had gone slack.
Evangeline's gaze drifted back to Connor. For a moment, I saw something raw in her eyes. Not calculation, but confusion and curiosity that seemed to surprise her.
"I don't believe we've been introduced," she said to Connor, her tone softer. "I'm Evangeline."
Connor struggled to form words. When he finally spoke, his voice was hoarse. "Connor. Connor Blackwood."
"Blackwood," she repeated, testing the name. "That's a Silvermoon family, isn't it?"
"Yes." Connor seemed to remember Rosalie beside him. He blinked, color returning to his face. "This is Rosalie. My girlfriend."
The word "girlfriend" seemed to cost him something. Evangeline's smile tightened at the edges.
"How lovely," Evangeline said, perfectly pleasant even as her eyes went cold. "It's always nice to see young love flourishing."
The words sounded like a challenge.
"Well," Evangeline said after a pause, "I should let you get to lunch. I'm sure we'll be seeing quite a bit of each other." Her gaze lingered on Connor one last time. "I look forward to getting to know all of you better."
She turned and walked away, graceful and unhurried, leaving Connor frozen like he'd been struck by lightning.
For a long moment, nobody spoke.
Finally, Rosalie found her voice. "Connor? What was that?"
Connor blinked, looking down at Rosalie with confusion and distress. "I don't know. I saw her, and I just... I don't know."
"You were staring at her," Rosalie said, hurt beneath the words. "Like you'd seen a ghost."
Connor sighed. “I honestly have no idea what’s up with me. Let’s just go," he said.
He gave Rosalie’s cheek a quick, reassuring pinch. “Really, it’s nothing."