Back to the present

SIX YEARS LATER

LORRY SPRINGSTONE'S / KELLY THOMPSON'S POV

Wow, time really does fly! Here I am at twenty-five years old, after six amazing years in Liverpool, away from my family and the whole werewolf scene. Believe it or not, I’ve settled in quite nicely—I even run a school! A human school, no less. Can you believe it? And yes, I’m still a werewolf.

It’s funny; no one really cares where I came from or what I look like. All they see is who I am today. Here, I’m known as Miss Lorry Springstone, the director of one of Liverpool’s top medical schools.

Along with my two best friends, Leila and Dora Woods—who, by the way, are twin sisters—we do our best to keep this school at the forefront of medical education. I handle the administration, but I often jump in to help them out with their biology and kinetics classes.

When I first arrived in Liverpool, I got admitted into the public university’s medical science program quite easily, thanks to the advanced knowledge I gained at the South pack's school. As a werewolf, my skills and senses are way more developed than the average human, so everything here often feels like child’s play to me.

About two years ago, I defended my biomedical science thesis and was thrilled to receive top marks from the jury, ultimately earning my PhD. Almost immediately after graduating, I was offered the position of director here at this wonderful school.

In short, that’s been my life for the past six years, leaving behind the stressful existence of Kelly Thompson, the once Luna Queen.

If there’s one thing I regret from my old life, it’s my son, Eden Bentley, my pride and joy. I’ve missed all his birthdays. This spring, he’ll be turning six, and I won’t be able to whisper, “Happy birthday, honey, mom loves you,” to him at the South pack’s castle.

It hurts—like, really hurts—being away from your only child for so long. I had to leave my flesh and blood behind under dire circumstances, just to save my own skin.

"I, Jason Bentley, of the..." Ugh, I can’t even finish that sentence. Just thinking about it gives me a headache, and then I can’t concentrate on anything for the rest of the day.

From what I hear, even though he has no interest in pack matters anymore, Jason is still leading the South pack with that blonde bimbo, Betty Nord, who’s now his wife and the Luna Queen. They've had two adorable little girls, and apparently, it brings Jason joy to see them bonding with Eden, their half-brother.

But sometimes I hear Eden feels sad because he misses me so much since Jason kicked me out of the castle after that poisonous pill incident.

People have been spreading lies that the late Alpha King Don Bentley—may he rest in peace—was fortunate Betty was visiting the castle the day I “poisoned” him. Rumor has it she was a nursing student and happened to have a healing potion in her bag that she quickly gave him, easing his pain.

Apparently, the old king was so thankful that he wished he’d let Jason marry her sooner instead of forcing him to pair up with a chubby, smelly werewolf like me. Oh, poor Kelly!

*******

THE SUMMER HAS BEGUN

It’s break time at the medical school in Liverpool, and I’m in my office when the twin sisters, Leila and Dora Woods, walk in carrying three cups of coffee, a giant chocolate cake, and a fantasy magazine that’s all the rage around here. They hand me a steaming cup of coffee and a slice of cake. Then Dora starts chatting about the magazine's cover.

"Check out that sexy, muscular werewolf promoting the big annual festival for these wild creatures. I wish I could go!" says Dora.

"Come on, Dora! They don’t even exist. It’s Greek mythology. Do you really think there’s a grand festival happening? Not a chance, it’s all just fantasy storytelling," Leila teases.

I can’t help but chuckle at how clueless humans can be about the werewolf world—especially since I’m one of them, even if I’m currently wolfless.

"Leila, you really don’t believe in werewolves? You’d better start, or I might just change your mind right here," I say, trying to inject a little fear while playfully unbuttoning my shirt as if about to reveal my true nature.

But then I remember Shelly, who died long ago to protect me. So, I stop, and Leila just rolls her eyes, calling my antics pure craziness.

"Are you serious? You’re buying into fairy tales too now, Lorry? Come on!" she laughs.

Dora joins in with laughter, and just then, a mysterious, handsome man knocks on my office door. He’s tall, well-built, and dressed in a sharply tailored suit, which makes us all stop in our tracks, captivated.

"Excuse me, ladies, but I’m here to meet the director of the school, Miss Lorry Springstone," he announces.

I’m taken aback—this stylish guy is here for me! I sneak a glance at Leila and Dora, noticing some jealousy creeping into their expressions, even though they’re trying to hide it.

"Please, come in!" I say, trying to sound as professional as I can.

I’m the director, and we’re at work. I can't let this guy throw me off balance. He walks over to my desk and takes a seat after I invite him.

Then, to my surprise—and my friends' disappointment—he asks to speak with me privately. Leila and Dora don’t need to be asked twice; they dash out as the school bell rings, signaling the end of break.

"Oh, Lorry, we really need to go. We each have one last class before heading home," Dora says as she quickly packs up the leftover cake and empty coffee cups.

"See you later!" she adds before hurrying out, with Leila trailing behind, still glancing at the attractive visitor.

Now it's just me and the mysterious man, who introduces himself as Tom Braxton. He tells me he’s a messenger from a king in a faraway land looking for a doctor for his soon-to-be six-year-old son who's unwell. He insists the king is willing to pay one gold bar—or even two—if I can help.

That pay is triple what I make at the school here in Liverpool. I’m intrigued. Although I'm not unhappy with my salary, I definitely could use more for some personal aspirations. Plus, I’ve always had a soft spot for anything involving royalty. The temptation to say yes is overwhelming. After all, I was once a Luna Queen, right?

"Mr. Braxton, thank you for your generous offer—it means a lot. But I'm afraid I have to decline for personal reasons. I hope you understand!"