CHAPTER THREE

Chloe POV 

The reception area wasn’t quiet.

Voices carried in from the hallway in uneven waves—laughter, footsteps, lockers slamming shut somewhere down the corridor. Students passed by the glass doors in quick movement, like I was watching everything from the wrong side of something.

I sank further into the chair, shifting until the edge stopped digging into my back. It didn’t help.

My gaze drifted to the clock above the desk.

Still early, too slow.

I exhaled through my nose, dragging my eyes away before I could start counting seconds. The receptionist didn’t look up, just kept typing like none of this was unusual. Like people sat here every day, waiting to be processed into whatever this place was supposed to be.

I huffed quietly under my breath. 

Don't even get me started on how I had to endure whatever Marcus was saying, a bigger mystery might be how his voice even managed to pierce through my headphones.

He kept on blabbing on how, what was that word again?

‘Different’ Blackridge academy was.

Well if this was different they were doing a good job at being normal. I shifted in my seat, crossing my arms tighter.

Right.

Because saying it enough times makes it true.

My eyes flicked back to the hallway. A group of students walked past, talking like they actually belonged here, like this place made sense to them. One of them laughed, loud and easy.

They looked at me– quick and then gone, their voices lowered to murmurs. What's that about?

Everything about this place felt… put together. Too put together. Like it had rules I hadn’t learned yet.

And somehow, I was already expected to fit into it.

I leaned forward slightly, resting my elbows on my knees, staring at the polished floor.

This was stupid, the whole thing.

The college. Marcus trying too hard to make it sound like something it wasn’t.

My jaw tightened.

I didn’t ask for any of this.

A sharp burst of laughter echoed from the hallway again, followed by the quick rhythm of footsteps passing the door.

Two students passed by, their glances– sharp, then gone. Like they saw something they never should've laid eyes upon. Second time now.

Then finally, the receptionist glanced towards me, I adjusted my position ready for her to call me, she focused back on her computer.

I breathed heavily through my mouth, leaning my head backwards on the chair. Sweat slid down from my head, my finger nails pressed into my palm.

The tapping of my feet matched the rhythm of the clock ticking. My mind drifted to yesterday, the boys.

They've changed, something about them definitely did, something I can't explain. They way they looked at me, like I was a meal to be savored… especially Jace.

They've grown too.My heart couldn't stay steady when they were around, they weren't the boys I remembered. Good.

Their eyes, Asher’s sweet voice, Kai’s presence and Jace's lips. Snap out of it Chloe!

I jerked up, my attention turned back to the receptionist. I stood, my feet moved towards the receptionist.

“Uhmm.” I stuttered the moment she glanced up, her gaze turned sharply to a glare.

“Sorry, I've been waiting for quite some time. I just need to know the location of my room...” 

“You're not the first to wait, I'll attend to you shortly.” 

She cut me off, she really cut me off. Our eyes met, my hands curled into a fist staring at her chewing her gum like it owed her.

“I kind of …” The rest of my sentence died in my throat as her fingers came down on the keyboard with a loud, deliberate rhythm. The sound filled the space between us, drowning me out completely.

“In a hurry.” I managed only three words out until she pressed it again. Each strike landed louder than it should have, like a reminder that I wasn’t the priority here.

A smile formed at the corner of her lips. Bitch.

I pressed my palm to the table, sliding my accepted letter to her face.

“I really need to check it… now.” She sluggishly collected it from my hands.

Without even looking, she said.

“Oh honey, you're still gonna wait…” Her voice dies the moment she looks at my letter.

She glanced back at me, eyes like she needed further confirmation.

“Blackwell?... You're Alpha Marcus’s daughter?” She stuttered.

Alpha? What's that? Like a title?... Whatever.

Everything about this place’s weird enough.

I nod. Not exactly his daughter but better than the other option, at least for now. 

“I'm so sorry, miss.” She glanced down at the letter again. “Miss Chloe, I apologize for the delay.” Her voice– calmer, no. Frightened.

My eyes widened, what's with the sudden humility.

She gently typed the keyword, her eyes scanning through the computer.

She looked up at me, hesitant to speak.

“There's no suitable rooms available.” I let out a frustrated sigh.

“But, I've made some reservations for you at the Blackwell estate. You can stay there for the time being.”

Blackwell estate? 

Oh I get it now, Marcus must be some kind of benefactor or sponsor. No wonder she suddenly got humble.

“One of the students will show you to the estate.” A girl steps forward,not too taller than me, glasses and brown hair, wearing a wide smile. 

She stretches her hand.

“Hi, I'm Stacy.” She says in a chirpy tone, quite the mood.

I smiled back, collecting her shake.

“C'mon let's go, it's getting late.” She led me away, I glanced back at the receptionist. She looked away immediately like meeting my gaze was a crime.

“So, are you looking at joining any clubs?” Stacy asked.

“Club?” I replied.

“Yeah, you know. Like the drama club, research or debate society.” 

“Oh.” I shake my head.

“I don't really know yet.” 

She nods back in approval.

“Well if you're looking to join, I'm inviting you to my science and research…” Her voice fades into the background as my attention shifts to the environment.

The air carried a mix of sweat, old paper, and something faintly chemical—the unmistakable scent of a school in motion.

“So, what does this school look like when it's not night?” She glances at me.

“You can only imagine…” She continues speaking and I barely pay any attention.

The distance between us and the school buildings grew more apart and we were still walking. Quite the estate huh.

Suddenly she stops.

“We're here.” She breathed.

The house comes to view, light shines in a single room, the rest of the house is covered in darkness. A chill crawled up my spine.

“Well,” Stacy chuckled stiffly.

“Good luck and… don't die.” Then she leaves, right before I could speak. 

What's wrong with everyone around her, ‘good luck’? ‘don’t die’?  

I shook off those thoughts and walked towards the house. I wonder who my housemates are gonna be.

A twig snapped behind my back, I turned and saw nothing but darkness.

Maybe a rabbit. I continue towards the house, the hairs on my skin stand up. The feeling of eyes, multiple. On me, my steps quickens, my pulse alongside it.

The door felt further than usual, another twig snapped. I don't look back, I just continue walking until– finally, I reach the door.

I turn back to the woods but I see nothing still, I push and the door opens. Actually opens 

I shut it behind me, my heartbeat finally slowing down. What in the world was that? And who doesn't shut their door? Even though it helped but still…

I looked up and my mouth dropped open. Two familiar faces stared right back at me.

Kai and Asher. Someone slid from under a car, holding a screw driver… Jace.

Oh my God, they're my housemates.

“Hey guys.” I grinned stiffly, cursing under my breath.