Chapter 98 ~Déjà vu~
EPILOGUE
(Fiona's POV)
“I promise, Mom, I'm going to make everything right.”
These were the words I whispered to myself as I stared at her for what would probably be the last time for a while.
Today was the day I would go to Wintercrest. The day my life would change… forever.
I felt her hand twitch slightly. Or maybe I imagined it.
Dad was standing by the doorway. I could hear his soft breathing.
He walked up to me and held my shoulders firmly.
“I… I'm going to miss you both.” I whispered—more to myself than anyone else.
“I know,” he said, his voice cracking.
Words were simply not enough for this moment. I was leaving everything I knew to go somewhere new. Somewhere challenging.
I was going to Wintercrest broken, but I had a strong feeling I would return better—whole.
I braced myself and got up.
Dad looked at me and I could see his eyes glinting with unshed tears. He tucked a little parcel in my hand.
“Don't open it here,” he said. “Open it when you arrive at Wintercrest.”
I nodded and gave him a final hug. “Take care of her.”
“Always.”
We walked to the porch and Dad watched as I arranged the rest of my things in the trunk.
As I drove off, I could still see him standing on the front lawn watching my car disappear into the horizon. I knew he had a lot to say… but didn't know how to.
I kept glancing at the map in my hands. I had gotten it from the library at Silvereign, not realising how useful it would be. It contained the location of Wintercrest Academy with an X marking the spot.
Based on my estimation, the drive to Wintercrest would take about a full day’s journey. It terrified and intrigued me.
I wasn't sure what to expect or what to do when I got there. But in the trance, the moon goddess had instructed me to show my moon crest when I got there.
Ironically, the moon crest had been glowing and burning lately. I couldn't understand what that meant.
I continued the drive, my eyes furrowed in concentration. It was only the crack of dawn and I still had a long way ahead of me.
–-----
The hours bled into each other and I was famished and drowsy but I kept on.
A short glance at the watch on my wrist told me the time was 8pm. Soon, it would be nightfall.
I pulled up to the spot that was supposed to house the academy but to my surprise, it led to a waterfall.
Everywhere was so cold and icy.
It felt confusing. I looked around, hoping that by some miracle, the building would appear but I was faced with nothing.
Going back to the trunk, I retrieved my boxes, determined to find my way. It was either that or go back. And the latter was impossible now.
I came to a halt when I noticed something that looked like a thick bed of vines.
I tried to walk past it but to my surprise, it wouldn’t budge.
I carefully looked for a way to pass, convinced that this was the entranceway to Wintercrest.
I saw a brick that protruded from the wall. It looked quite different from the others.
Taking a deep breath, I pressed it with all my strength, and initially nothing happened.
But then it seemed like the ground was shaking.
It felt like an earthquake.
But the entrance was still not opening.
That was when I realized that the noise was, in fact, coming from my back.
I turned to see that the waterfall had formed a loop in the middle… something that looked like an entrance to another realm.
My mouth fell open.
Slowly, I dragged my boxes along and when I got to the loop, I placed my hand on it—my eyes squeezed shut shut—and was sucked into another realm.
When I opened my eyes, I was met by a massive gate.
It weighed almost twenty times the weight of a normal gate.
My heart sank to my belly as I stood there, confused.
Suddenly, I heard a creak and an odd-looking man walked out. He had a stoic expression and a strong build.
“Who are you?” He looked at me quizzically.
“I'm Fiona Hepburn.” I tried to keep my voice level, but my heart was hammering in my chest. “I'm looking for Wintercrest Academy.”
The man studied me for a bit, before he finally spoke again. “This is Wintercrest Academy. Do you come bearing news?”
“N-no,” I stuttered. “I'm a student of Wintercrest.”
“And where is your admission letter?”
“I don't have it,” I said, my voice low.
I didn't realize I was supposed to have a letter.
“Well, to be a student of Wintercrest, you must first be specially invited by the Principal,” he said. “Only unique supernaturals are allowed into the academy.”
I remembered the moon goddess’ instruction.
I raised my hand, showing the man the moon crest etched into my skin. “I have this mark.”
His pupils dilated, his eyes widening in shock.
But quickly, he recovered.
Without saying another word, he walked back into the gate.
I sighed softly, wondering if I'd done something wrong.
But suddenly, the gates opened again and I walked in.
“Look for Lunaris College. The first building there is the principal’s. Ask for Principal Winston.”
“Thank you.” I breathed a sigh of relief as I walked in.
The place was majestic. Like something out of a dream.
I gasped softly.
But soon, I realized I had a strong pull here. It seemed like I had been here before or seen it somewhere.
It felt like déjà vu. But stronger.
I didn't have time to ponder it because soon, I was faced with a large banner with ‘Lunaris Academy’ written boldly across it.
I took in a deep breath and knocked.
There was no response.
It would be well past midnight now, so that did not come as a surprise.
Everywhere was deathly quiet.
I knocked again. This time, louder.
Suddenly, the door flung open and I squinted as sudden light flooded out.
“Who are you?” A thick voice asked. Male… very dominant.
“I'm Fiona,” I said. “I came looking for Principal Winston.”
By now, my eyes had adjusted to the light.
I froze in shock.
But not because of the incredibly good-looking man who stood by the door. No. But by the silver-haired woman who approached from the stairs of Lunaris Academy.
And it clicked all of a sudden… why Wintercrest felt so familiar. I'd seen it in my dream… that day.
And the silver-haired lady was here.
Standing in front of me.
Her lips pulled in a knowing smile, and her eyes told me she held secrets that would take years to uncover.
I staggered backward, shocked to my core.
But she was unfazed.
She held out her hand for a handshake. “Miss Hepburn, I've been expecting you.”
Author’s Note
Hi, my loves ❤️
Thank you so much for reading Mated to the Hockey Star: My Fake Contract.
This story is part of a bigger journey. It was originally planned as a trilogy:
Mated to the Hockey Star: My Fake Contract
Mated to the Hockey Star: Wintercrest Academy
Mated to the Hockey Star: Tribrid Awakening
But instead of splitting it into separate books, I’ll be continuing everything in one complete story right here.
So don’t worry—the journey isn’t over yet. More is coming. ❤️