Chapter 132 Wolf Princess Arrives
POV: Luna
Morning came too soon.
I'd barely slept after discovering the sigil. Every time I closed my eyes, I felt it pulsing. Calling to something.
Nova and I headed to breakfast early, hoping to catch Sienna before the morning assembly.
We found her in the library, already buried in books.
"Sienna, I need your help," I said, showing her my wrist.
Her eyes widened. "When did that appear?"
"Last night. After a weird dream about the seal."
She pulled out her notebook and started sketching the sigil. "This is old magic. Really old. Give me a few hours to research."
"I don't think we have a few hours."
"Why not?"
Before I could answer, the assembly bells rang.
"Come on," Nova said. "The Headmaster's announcement. We can't miss it."
We hurried to the Great Hall.
The entire student body was already gathering. Faculty lined the walls, their expressions serious.
The Headmaster stood at the front, waiting for silence.
When everyone was settled, he began.
"Welcome back to Silverwood Academy. I trust you all had restful summers."
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the hall.
"This year brings new challenges. New responsibilities. And new students." He paused. "One student in particular requires special introduction."
The hall doors opened.
A girl walked in, and the entire room went silent.
She was beautiful. Stunning, even. Long silver hair that seemed to shimmer. Violet eyes that missed nothing. She moved with a grace that spoke of centuries of breeding and training.
And she radiated power. Not like Eclipse power, but something equally strong. Royal power.
"This is Princess Selene Moonshadow," the Headmaster announced. "Heir to the Northern Wolf Kingdom. She will be attending Silverwood this year for her protection and education."
Whispers exploded across the hall.
A princess. An actual wolf princess.
Selene's eyes scanned the room, assessing everyone.
When her gaze landed on me, she stopped.
Our eyes met, and I felt something. A pull. Similar to the pack bonds but different. Stronger.
The sigil on my wrist burned.
"Miss Luna Eclipse," the Headmaster continued. "Please step forward."
Oh no.
I walked to the front, hyper-aware of everyone staring.
"Luna, you have been chosen to serve as Princess Selene's guide and protector during her time at Silverwood."
"I'm sorry, what?"
"Your Eclipse abilities and proven track record make you the ideal candidate."
"I didn't volunteer for this."
"Nevertheless, it is your responsibility. The Council has spoken."
I looked at Selene. She raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by my discomfort.
"Do you accept this duty?" the Headmaster asked.
I wanted to say no. Wanted to refuse.
But the way everyone was watching. The way the Headmaster was looking at me. I knew I didn't have a choice.
"Yes," I said through gritted teeth. "I accept."
"Excellent. Princess Selene, this is Luna Eclipse. She will ensure your safety and help you navigate life at Silverwood."
Selene stepped forward and extended her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Eclipse."
Her voice was cultured. Refined. Every word perfectly enunciated.
I shook her hand. The moment our skin touched, the sigil flared bright.
Both of us gasped and pulled back.
Selene looked at her own wrist. An identical wolf sigil glowed there.
"Interesting," she murmured.
The Headmaster dismissed the assembly. Students scattered, already gossiping about the princess.
Selene turned to me. "It seems we're connected, Miss Eclipse. How fortunate."
"Fortunate isn't the word I'd use."
"No? What word would you prefer?"
"Complicated."
She laughed. It was a light, musical sound that somehow managed to sound condescending. "Everything worth doing is complicated. Don't you think?"
Before I could respond, my friends appeared.
Nova stared at Selene with open curiosity. "You're really a princess?"
"Last time I checked."
"That's so cool. Do you have a crown? A castle?"
"Several of each."
Aria stepped forward, more businesslike. "Your Highness, we're Luna's pack. If you need anything—"
"I need my protector to be competent. Can you guarantee that?"
Aria's eyes narrowed. "Luna's the most competent person here. You're lucky to have her."
"We'll see."
The tension was thick enough to cut.
"Okay," I said. "Maybe we should show you to your room? Get you settled?"
"Lead the way, Miss Eclipse."
We walked through campus, Selene taking in everything with those assessing violet eyes.
"This place is smaller than I expected," she said.
"It's a school, not a palace."
"Clearly."
Nova leaned close to me. "Is she always this rude?"
"I have excellent hearing," Selene said without turning around.
Nova flushed. "Sorry, Your Highness."
"Princess is fine. Or Selene, if you prove yourself worthy of familiarity."
"Worthy?" I asked. "This isn't a test."
"Everything is a test, Miss Eclipse. Surely you know that."
We reached the guest wing, where a suite had been prepared for her.
It was nicer than any student room I'd ever seen. Spacious. Luxurious. Fit for royalty.
"This will do," Selene said, inspecting the room. "For now."
"Great. Glad you approve." I turned to leave.
"Where are you going?"
"To class. Some of us have schedules."
"As do I. You're to accompany me to all my classes. Part of your protection duties."
"You can't be serious."
"I'm always serious about my safety."
I looked at my friends for help. They all shrugged sympathetically.
"Fine," I said. "What's your first class?"
"Combat training. With instructor Cole, I believe?"
Of course. Of course her first class was with my boyfriend.
"Follow me," I said.
We headed to the training grounds. Cole was already there, setting up equipment.
He saw me and smiled. Then he saw Selene and his expression became more guarded.
"Your Highness," he said, bowing slightly. "Welcome to Silverwood."
"Thank you, Instructor Cole. I look forward to your lessons."
"Luna's told me a lot about you."
"Has she? How nice." Selene looked at me. "You didn't mention you were involved with the combat instructor."
"It didn't seem relevant."
"Everything is relevant when it comes to protection detail."
Class started. Other students filed in, all staring at the princess.
Cole began with warmups. Selene participated without complaint, moving with that same fluid grace.
She was good. Really good.
When it came time for sparring, Cole paired students off.
"Princess Selene, you'll spar with Luna. I want to assess both your skill levels."
Great. Just great.
We moved to the center of the training area.
"Shall we make this interesting?" Selene asked.
"What did you have in mind?"
"If you win, I'll stop calling you Miss Eclipse. If I win, you have to tell me everything about your Eclipse abilities."
"That's not exactly a fair trade."
"Life rarely is."
Before I could respond, she attacked.
She was fast. Incredibly fast.
I barely blocked her first strike. Then her second. By the third, I was on the defensive.
The other students stopped to watch.
Selene's fighting style was beautiful. Precise. Every movement calculated.
But I had Eclipse power and pack bonds.
I reached for just a thread of power. Enough to match her speed.
The fight evened out.
We danced around each other, trading blows that neither of us landed.
"Better," Selene said. "But you're holding back."
"So are you."
"True."
We both surged forward at once.
The impact was spectacular. A burst of silver light that sent both of us flying backward.
I landed hard, the breath knocked from my lungs.
Selene was already on her feet, looking annoyed. "What was that?"
"I don't know. Maybe it's the sigils?"
She looked at her wrist. The wolf mark was glowing brighter than before.
"This is problematic," she said.
"You think?"
Cole helped me up. "You both okay?"
"Fine," I said. "Just confused."
He looked at our matching sigils. "We should report this to the Headmaster."
"Agreed," Selene said.
After class, we went straight to the Headmaster's office.
He examined our marks carefully. "This is ancient bonding magic. I've only read about it in texts."
"What does it mean?" I asked.
"It means you're connected. Spiritually. Magically. Your fates are intertwined."
"Can we break it?"
"I wouldn't recommend trying. Breaking such a bond could kill you both."
Fantastic.
"There's more," the Headmaster said. "Princess Selene, would you care to explain why you're really here?"
Selene's expression became guarded. "I'm here for education."
"And?"
She sighed. "And protection. There have been threats. Multiple assassination attempts over the past year."
"From who?" I asked.
"Rival packs who want control of the Northern Kingdom. Rogue mages seeking royal power. Take your pick."
"And you didn't think to mention this before I became your bodyguard?"
"You didn't ask."
The Headmaster cleared his throat. "Luna, I know this is a burden. But the Council believes you're the only one capable of protecting the Princess. Your Eclipse power, your experience with threats like Malachar. You're uniquely qualified."
"What if I can't do it? What if someone gets hurt?"
"Then you'll deal with it. Like you always do."
I wanted to argue. But he was right.
Like it or not, this was my responsibility now.
We left his office in tense silence.
"I'm sorry," Selene said eventually. "I know this isn't what you wanted."
"No. It's not."
"For what it's worth, I didn't ask for this either. Being sent away for protection. Having my life controlled by fear."
I looked at her and saw something I hadn't before. Vulnerability. Fear hiding behind that haughty exterior.
She was just a girl. Scared and alone. Trying to survive.
Like me.
"Okay," I said. "We're stuck together. We might as well try to get along."
She smiled. A real smile this time. "I'd like that."
We walked back toward the dorms.
But halfway there, my wolf senses picked up something.
Movement in the forest. Shadows that shouldn't be there.
I stopped and turned.
"What is it?" Selene asked.
"We're being watched."
I focused my vision and saw them. Figures in the trees. At least three. Maybe more.
They were watching Selene with clear intent.
"Get behind me," I said.
"I can fight."
"I know. But it's my job to protect you. So please, just this once, listen."
She hesitated, then stepped behind me.
The figures didn't move. Didn't attack.
They were just watching. Waiting.
For me to falter.
For Selene to be vulnerable.
For their chance to strike.
I shifted partially, claws extending.
Through the pack bonds, I alerted my friends. Danger. Now.
The figures melted back into the forest.
Gone. But not far.
They'd be back.
And when they came, I'd be ready.