New Beginning

I'm standing in a bright, completely different world. Barefoot, I see unfamiliar things moving all around. I flinch as one passes by quickly, and I press myself against Father's side.

"This is the human world?" Mother asks.

"It seems it is. It's different from ours. Strange things," Father says, turning in a slow circle.

"That's a car," we hear someone say, and we whip our heads in that direction. Three men stand beside the strange thing.

One of them crosses the road and walks to us. "You must be the savior," he says, giving a small bow. "I'm the head of the council, Adrien Sage. Welcome to the human world, Chosen One. Your family’s house and cars has been prepared. You’ll attend Angeles Academy and begin your training here. We’ll teach you everything you need to know about living among humans. Please, come." He gestures toward the car.

I look at him, then turn to my family. My parents nod. I don't know if I can trust them, but I follow him and get in the car.

After two weeks of mastering everything I need to know to fit in with humans, I stare at my reflection, already dressed for school.

"Rory Anne!" I hear Mom's voice from downstairs. My wolf's ears, of course, catch it even through the closed door. I sigh and whisper to my reflection, "You can do this. How hard is it to talk to humans? The council is filled with humans, and training has been going well with them." I grab my bag and leave.

I walk down the stairs and sit on the kitchen stool. Mom slides a plate of pancakes in front of me. I love human food. We don't eat as much meat here as we did in the Shadow world. We don't hunt here.

Everything in the human world looks and feels normal.

"You remember the rules," Mom starts.

I nod as I chew. "Blend in."

"And?"

"Don't trust humans. They are not your friends."

"Good. Now eat up and get going. It's your first day." She taps the counter.

After breakfast, I get into the car. My driver works for the council, though he's lower rank. His name is Jamie. He is my first friend here. I don't trust him because he is human, but I need him.

In the car, he points out places along the way, and I press my forehead to the window to take them all in. Then we pass through a gate. The building is large, and I see many humans walking about, talking, and laughing.

"We're here," he says, parking the car. "Good luck, Chosen One."

"It's Rory Anne." I roll my eyes. "I've told you that about a million times."

"And still I choose to call you Chosen One." He grins at me.

So annoying. I get out of the car, shut the door a little harder, and walk into the building. I ask a few students where the principal's office is. They point me down the hall, and I finally stop in front of a door. I take a deep breath and knock.

"Come on in," a woman says.

I open the door and step inside. She is excited to see me, and she jumps up from her chair. "It's nice to finally meet you, Miss Rory Anne Spears. I've been expecting you since last week, since they submitted your application."

"I had to blend in." I force a small smile.

"Ah, I heard you came all the way from New York."

New York? Was that what they put in my information? The council said they'd give me a new identity.

"Please, come and have a seat." I go and sit down. "If you need anything, please find my office." She opens her drawer, pulls out a file, then slides it across the desk to me. "Your locker number and the combination are in there. Your classes to attend are also there. It will be difficult since you came in the middle of the term, but with the right people by your side, you'll do just fine."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Principal Rosie."

I stand up and nod. "Principal Rosie."

"I'll send someone to give you a tour. She is our best student. You'll like her."

I close the door behind me, then find my locker. When I see it, I spin the dial through the combination and flip it open. Suddenly, I smell three scents. I turn around and see a girl with long black hair and thin lips. She looks sassy, chin lifted. Beside her are two girls: one has a short black bob, and the other has long, curly red hair.

Are these the people the principal sent?

"So, you're the new girl everyone's talking about. You caused quite a stir on your first day. That got my attention, and I don't usually pay attention to people." She reaches out her hand to me. "I'm Brianne Spokeman."

I hesitate, then shake it.

"She is the school captain of the cheerleaders. And the daughter of—"

Brianne cuts her off. "You don't have to make her fear me on her first day, Judy." She turns to me. "This is Judy," she says, nodding to the red-haired girl, then points to the other. "And this is my stepsister, Katlyn."

"Hi. Nice to meet you," Katlyn says, offering a shy wave.

"And what are you three doing?" I hear a voice and catch a different scent. Then, as they part, I see a gorgeous, tall girl with long, wavy brunette hair.

"What do you think we're doing, Lynn?" Brianne snaps, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

Lynn walks up to me and smiles. "Don't put no mind to them. The principal assigned me to give you a tour. Welcome to Angeles Academy, Rory Anne Spears. I'm Lynn Cyrus."

"Thank you."

The three girls walk away, Brianne glancing back over her shoulder. I don’t think I like her.

"And don't bother with them. They are a nuisance."

Suddenly, banging and cheers erupt down the hallway. I turn and see a group of boys celebrating around their lockers.

My eyes settle on one of them in particular.

His laughter fades when our gazes meet. He doesn’t look away, and neither do I.

“Who is that?” I ask Lynn, unable to tear my eyes from him.

“Chase Parker,” she says. “He just won the captaincy of his hockey team. He’s also Brianne’s boyfriend, which means he’s off-limits.”