CHAPTER FIVE

It was a road full of debris and dust. I was moving back and forth, left and right as I was sitting on a roller coaster, "Don't they have smooth roads to the academy?" I asked, looking out of the window. The dust had almost blocked the view. 

     He chuckled at the obvious incredulity in my tone, "The road is under repair, child. Sorry for the inconvenience." He said, reminding me of Mr Morris. After landing the plane, It had been more than an hour to us driving. The road wasn't full of debris. Now I didn't expect to see a smooth ride.

      "That's not your fault. I hope it will end soon." I clenched the handle to stop the fall every time it moved.

      "Only twenty minutes more," He said. 

      I sighed nodding my head instantly. I was expecting a mansion with a lot of guards from his expensive suit and the payment I was getting for my job. Now, I was wondering. How would he have arranged the money for my sister's education and my mother's health?

  I'm not being cruel to this old man, right? 

     My mind was only telling me one thing that I wasn't making any mistakes. I could handle the criminals, I could handle a little girl too. But the difference was I had to do my job staying among shifters. I was really unable to comprehend. Why did Mr Morris and Wolfe want me to study here? I couldn't deny it as it was an essential part of the contract I had signed.

     A vulnerable human surrounded by shifters! I'm anxious.

     It sounds weird but cool at the same time. Donovan is also a shifter. But I doubt Mr Morris. He can't be one of them. I couldn't ask him before leaving. Hoping to meet him soon. 

     The push I felt brought me out of my thoughts. The driver pulled over the car in front of a giant iron gate. The gate was guarded by eight muscular and bully men. They were handsome as they weren't guards but a part of a gym where they worked as models to advertise the gym. So they could inspire people to join it. 

     "Good to see you again, Mr Wolfe." The tallest one with dark grey eyes greeted him, with a slight bow of his head. His shoulders were broader than I had ever seen.

     "How are you, Henry?" Mr Wolfe smiled at him. 

     One of them with the broadest shoulders carried my bag and Mr Wolfe's suitcase inside the Academy. 

     "Are they shifters, too?" I asked Donovan, whispering, getting a step closer, almost running behind him. I was wondering. They were all looking so handsome, strong and young. I swallowed as I felt all gazes on me, "Have they heard me?" Immediately, I looked away.

     "Yes," Donovan smirked. I swallowed again, "They can hear you and smell you from a distance." He replied, walking through the iron gate.

     I looked at them with big eyes and a shocked expression. They returned the gaze but in a friendly way. I inhaled sharply and followed him. Smell! "I have read some werewolves books." I blurted out.

     "I would make certain. You read the right one." I drifted his eyes around, pausing, "Sisily would like to meet you," He said. A soft smile crawled over his face at the mention of his granddaughter.

     This was the end of the question-answer section, I guess. Silently, I walked behind him. The lawn was so vast and many students were gathered out in the lawn, soaking sunlight. It was slightly chilled in the atmosphere. The sun had just risen to the horizon. The fresh-cut grass was dotted with various kinds of flowers. I inhaled deeply, the woods and plants' scent. Amazing!

     "Of course," I answered, holding myself from rubbing my hands together. It wasn't that cold. The sun was feeling good against my skin. 

     We passed through the five-storey building. I could see students piled in and out hurriedly. All the buildings were looking similar to me. It was going to be hard. 

   I don't remember the last day. I stepped into the school.

     Mr Wolfe cleared my doubt as he gestured at the building. I glanced up. The letters were carved over the entrance. Shadow Academy! I could feel all strangers' eyes on me, but I didn't turn to find the gazers. 

     'Shifters! They don't look different from us. They look gorgeous, beautiful, prettiest, words are few to describe their looks.'

     I glanced at Donovan's back. Was he kidding me, testing my ability of tolerance? 

     "You will get the map of the academy." My head jerked back at him. 

     "Okay," I whispered as I was aware shifters could hear me from the distance. We passed through another door. The smell was so enticing. The kitchen! I didn't need an introduction. 

          I won't forget this door.

     "The girls' dormitory, " He said, grabbing my attention one more time. 

     I was going to stay here. I could hope. They would accept a human among them.

     Of course! I won't be the only person here. I know one, Sisily!

     "Do you live here?" I asked him. 

     Smiling, he shook his head. He gestured to me to follow him. I sprinted behind him. I was feeling protected walking behind him. They could be dangerous.

After walking for ten minutes, we reached a colony. The houses looked beautiful and expensive. I could bet. He stayed in one of the houses. I would call it a white mansion colony. I could see only two colours, white and green in all shades. It had a calming feel in the air, fresh-cut grass, and a lot of flower plants in the pots. 

      He stopped in front of the third house, "There! She is." His face was more relaxed than I'd ever seen. 

      A small girl, laughing, jumping on her feet, with a cute oval face, electric blue eyes, blonde hair approached us on her tiny feet, "Grandpa! Grandpa!" She began to shout with her every step toward him, "I missed you, Grandpa." She embraced his legs. 

      Donovan chuckled and bent down. Easily, he picked her up, "How are you, Ily." He asked her in a soft voice. I didn't notice before, Donovan's eyes were electric blue, too. 

     I wandered my gaze around and I froze. When I beheld a big black wolf. It was scary. I scurried closer to Donovan and Sisily, hoping they would save me in case it thought to attack me as I was new here. I couldn't peel my eyes off of him. He lifted his head and sniffed the air. 

     I wanted to run inside and lock the door. A deep voice inside me was ensuring me, the creature wouldn't hurt me. The beast ran away in the woods. I sighed deeply. I was confirmed. I should be frightened.

     "She's your teacher, Sisily." Donovan said, smiling down at her. 

     I turned to her and smiled at her. Gosh! She's so cute.

     "Hello, Miss." Sisily hugged my legs. 

     I squatted down, holding her small shoulders. I embraced her. She reminded me of the small version of my sister, "Hi, so good to finally meet you," 

     The sound of her giggle vanished the fear of seeing a wolf and him, hurting me. I pulled back, "I'll show you my dolls. You can play with them, too. But you can't take them home with you." Her eyes sought the reactions of her demand. 

     I shot her a smile, feeling slightly cheered to see her excitement. She was holding my hand when I pulled myself on my feet, "I'm your teacher. But we can manage." I smiled down at her.

    She jumped on her feet, cheerfully and looked at her grandpa.