10

Hiddleston High is an all-male paranormal institution where different supernatural creatures exist. Attending this academy were werewolves, vampires, witches, mermaids, orcs, elves, werecats, werebears, serpents and even heretics.

Nestled in a secluded valley, only chosen and intelligent male successors of elite nobles who were at least 15 years old went to this academy. There, they are taught how to harness their powers, become warriors and the like. Hiddleston High provides a haven for them to develop their innate abilities, hone their skills, and become formidable warriors.

It was also known, though, that crown princes started the academy quite early, at either age 5 or 10, depending on their parents. That's because the work of a king is not an easy job; there's a lot behind the scenes, a heavy cross they must carry from the moment they assume kingship. Hence, it was important to start school in Hiddleston High early enough.

As the son of the formidable Beta of the Ocean Howl Pack, Theodore's admission was all but certain.

Our Alpha's son had also been enrolled there years ago, and Theodore, being his future beta, was due to attend, and that was where my mom, Eliza Anderson, was taking my younger brother. Might I add, Theo's my stepbrother.

In this world, the mate bond is rare, but my mum and my biological dad were fated mates, but he died during a trip we took on vacation. My mom mourned him for years, then she found Teslo, my stepdad and fell in love with him.

And Theo was the product of their love. I remember carrying him for the first time and watching him cutely cooing. I vowed there and then that I would protect him forever.

But now, knowing my brother was leaving in a few hours, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. I was proud of my brother for taking this significant step, but a part of me was sad to see him go. We had grown close over the years, and I would miss his mischievous grin and his pranks.

Hiddleston High was more than just a school – it was a hub for supernatural creatures to learn, grow, and thrive. The faculty comprised experienced mentors, each with their own unique power, who guided students in mastering their powers and developing the necessary skills for survival in a world filled with magic and mystery.

"Oh, Mommy, do you really have to go?" I asked, disheartenedly. I stood by the door as I watched my mother hurriedly pack a number of beautiful and high-end clothes into a small suitcase.

"Baby, it's only going to be for a few days, plus, you know your brother needs to get enrolled as soon as possible. He needs the lessons to be a good warrior of the Pack someday," my mom said as if I didn't know their purpose for going. She went ahead to pack her shoes and wristwatches into another suitcase.

Then she packed her books and other stuff like her lip gloss, and all the other things ladies use to get pretty. She literally packed half her wardrobe, almost as if she were more excited than my brother himself. 

It was truly a 'few days.' I rolled my eyes at the thought.

"Be on your best behaviour, baby. Don't make things difficult for my husband," she said,and then gave me a playful wink, to which I rolled my eyes again.

She was already done with packing when she came to me by the door. "Mom?" I called her, making her halt in her footsteps.

"What is it, honey?" She asked as she turned to face me.

"My phone!" I asked, gazing into her brown eyes.

"I knew it! I was wondering when I became important to you that you would want to pack with me," she said as if she had just discovered a huge secret.

With a raised brow, I disputed, "But I wasn't pretending, Mom!"

She sighed at my response.

"Your phone has been confiscated, and you won't be getting it back until I arrive." She declared, making me slump my shoulders in disappointment.

She had seized the phone just because she found out I had lost my virginity to Pedro, my ex-boyfriend, which I regret, by the way. It was beautiful at the time, and all but remembering the scum had cheated on me made me sorry but anyway...

"You need to up your training skills. Your phone will just be a distraction," my mom said, distracting me from my thoughts. "Oh, I forgot!" she said as she went around the room looking for God knows what.

"And who told you my skills are bad?" I asked, my irritation rising. She went from searching the closet to her drawers.

"Who else? Drè, your personal trainer," she replied, still searching.

"Mom, I can't spend the entire holiday without a phone. And besides, I'm twenty-one, I'm old enough to do that kind of stuff," I raged, my anger finally exploding.

"Found it!" She exclaimed as she lifted it up.

It was her favourite novel she was currently reading, "Ghosts Book", that she found in one of the drawers. She started reading the series a few days ago, and ever since then, she has never gone anywhere without the book. It was something about supernatural creatures or something, I couldn't care less.

"You need to be more advanced and tougher with your training, and you really have to watch your tone with me, young lady," she warned as she walked past me and went outside to meet my younger brother,r who was outside with Dad.

"I need you to be on your best behaviour and protect your mom first should any matter of urgency take place," he said as my mom and I approached them by the car.

Thinking about it now, I would actually be alone in the massive mansion along with my stepdad. He was a formidable presence in our household and the Pack as a whole. Tall and muscular, with piercing blue eyes and a commanding aura, he exuded authority and strength.

"I understand, and I will, Dad," Theo responded earnestly, his voice tinged with confidence.

"Take care of yourself, babe. I love you," my mommy said cheekily to her husband.

"I love you, too, babe. Take care of our son," he said to her, planting his lips on hers briefly.

My mom's cheeks turned crimson, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy build within me. They acted as if they were in their own little world, and Theo and I were practically invisible.

Shameless couple! Look at them kissing so passionately, did they think this was their bedroom?

"You guys need a room," I commented, with arms folded.

"Helloooo. We are literally standing here, guys. Have some shame, please," Theo complained, distracting them. Thankfully, I wasn't the only one who found them disgusting.

"Take care of yourself, baby girl," my mom said to me as her husband opened the car door through which she entered. I ignored her and waved and hugged Theo instead.

"I'm gonna miss you, big sis," he said emotionally, patting my hair. Well, this younger brother of mine was taller than I, even though I was the senior. Sigh.

"Me too. Take care of yourself, Sis," he said, then entered the passenger seat of the white Porsche.

"Bye, sweetie," my mom said, and it took all the self-control in me not to show her my middle finger. These pet names were really infuriating.

I wasn't a child anymore, for crying out loud. If she needs to pamper anybody, it may as well be my fifteen-year-old brother. She wouldn't dare, though. Theo always had a poker face all the time that made him look unapproachable to others, except to me, of course. So she wouldn't dare treat him the way she treated me.

The car cruised along the highway; my stepdad and I stood rooted there as the car receded into the distance until it finally vanished from sight.

He then turned sideways, and I could see he was looking at me from my peripheral vision. I turned to meet his gaze.

"You need to go back inside. It's not safe out here." His thick voice rang out in my ears, breaking the silence.

I nodded, then went back inside. Entering back into the city, I caught sight of the servants bustling about, preparing for the upcoming full moon gathering.

In the scorching desert city of Ashwood, the sun beat down relentlessly, casting a golden glow over the bustling streets. Everybody had something to do, even my stepdad, who was the second in command, was always busy and seemingly never had time to rest.

I wandered through the activities that were going on before finally making my way into the mansion. I had never been as nervous as I was right now. It was just me and my stepdad, of all people, in the mansion.

I was always jumpy and nervous whenever he was around; I had always harboured feelings for him. He was this dominant man who exuded an aura of masculinity.

He was commanding when he needed to be and always had this stoic expression on his face. He had the perfect physique.

With big muscles, a broad chest and six packs underneath those clothes, he looked like a refined aristocrat from magazines who could pass off as a model, only that the regular frown on his face would probably fail him.

But aside from that, he was perfect.

I needed a distraction, and it was definitely not joining the Pack members to prepare for the gathering tonight.

I wandered through the empty halls of the massive mansion, feeling like a ghost haunting her own home. Then an idea entered my head. Since my mom was out for a while and Teslo was up and about doing Beta duty stuff, I may as well go find my phone upstairs, in their room.

I pushed open the door and slipped inside, my eyes darting to and fro, scanning the room for the familiar belonging I was after.

I was rummaging through drawers and closets when I heard the sound of running water and halted immediately. Dad must have left his duties to take a shower.

I shrugged and then continued my search; I was going to be very quick. I'd also heard Mom complain to him that he takes longer than her when showering, and he never denied it. So, as long as I was quick enough and got my phone from wherever my mom had hidden it, I could sneak out of here on time, like nothing happened.

Lost in my search, I didn't notice when the water stopped and the bathroom door creaked open.

"My! That shower was very much needed."

A masculine and familiar voice crept to my ears, and I froze in my spot, my eyes widening in disbelief.

I slowly turned around, thinking of a million excuses that I could give to him regarding why I was in his matrimonial room. But what my gaze met was not what I imagined, not in the next hundred years.

Teslo, my stepdad, had emerged from the bathroom, stark naked, with a small towel with which he dried his hair.

His eyes locked onto mine with a mixture of surprise and something else... something that made my heart race.

I froze, my mind racing with thoughts I couldn't quite process.

'Dad's... Dad's naked... wearing nothing before me?! I'm actually seeing him in all his majestic glory! Why isn't he wearing a towel or robe? Why is he mother-naked?! Why... ' I thought frantically.

"Ahhhh!" I screamed as I scurried away. I slammed the door shut behind me as I couldn't believe what my innocent eyes just saw.

What the actual fuck was that?! I exclaimed loudly in my head.