Chapter 1 A terrible first impression
A new beginning.
That was all Cleo Gilbert wanted.
She tightened her grip on the straps of her backpack as she stood before the towering gates of Silver Claw Academy. The campus looked more like a royal castle than a school, with towering stone buildings, neatly trimmed gardens, and students dressed in elegant black-and-silver uniforms walking confidently across the grounds.
"This is really happening," she whispered to herself with a nervous smile.
Being accepted into such a prestigious boarding school felt like a dream. She had spent years working hard, hoping for an opportunity that could change her future
And she recently just learned about the truth ....
Her biological mother had died while giving birth to her. Her father, broken by grief and trapped in addiction, was unable to care for a newborn. One cold night, he left her at the entrance of an orphanage, hoping someone else could give her the life he never could.
He never returned.
Fortunately, an average human couple adopted Cleo when she was only two years old. They weren't wealthy, but they loved her with everything they had. They taught her kindness, honesty, and perseverance.
To Cleo, they were her real family.
She had no idea there was another truth waiting to find her.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped onto the academy grounds.
"This is your fresh start," she reminded herself.
Lost in thought, Cleo hurried down one of the busy hallways while reading the map she had been given at the entrance.
"Oh no... where's Classroom 3A?"
Without looking ahead, she turned a corner.
Crash!
A bottle of water slipped from her hand.
Cold water splashed across someone's spotless white shirt.
The hallway instantly fell silent.
Cleo froze.
"Oh my goodness!" she gasped.
Standing before her was the most handsome boy she had ever seen.
He was tall, with messy black hair, piercing silver-gray eyes, and perfectly sculpted features that looked almost unreal. Even soaked, he carried himself with effortless confidence.
For a moment...
She forgot to breathe.
His sharp jawline.
His intense eyes.
The way sunlight caught the droplets on his dark hair...
She found herself staring far longer than she should have.
His eyebrows slowly furrowed.
"Are you done?" he asked coldly.
His deep voice snapped Cleo back to reality.
"I... I'm so sorry!" she blurted, quickly grabbing tissues from her bag. "It was an accident. I wasn't looking where I was going."
He looked down at his ruined shirt before meeting her eyes again.
"You should watch where you're going."
His icy tone sent a chill through her body.
"I really didn't mean—"
"Move."
Just one word.
Cold.
Sharp.
Heartless.
Embarrassed beyond words, Cleo lowered her head.
"I'm sorry..."
She hurried away before she could make things worse.
As she disappeared around the corner, she placed a hand over her racing heart.
"Please," she whispered to herself, "let that be the last time I ever see him."
She had no idea fate had other plans.
---
A few minutes later, Cleo finally located Classroom 3A.
She took a deep breath before knocking softly.
"Come in," a woman's voice answered.
The classroom instantly turned toward her.
Standing at the front was a graceful woman with long auburn hair and kind eyes.
"You must be our transfer student," the teacher said with a warm smile. "Welcome."
Cleo smiled nervously.
"Thank you, ma'am."
"Would you like to introduce yourself?"
She nodded.
"My name is Cleo Gilbert. I'm seventeen years old, and I'm happy to be here. I hope we can all get along."
A few students smiled politely.
Others simply stared.
The teacher clapped once.
"Wonderful. Everyone, please make Miss Gilbert feel welcome."
She scanned the room for an empty seat.
"There is one available..." the teacher said, pointing toward the back of the classroom.
"...next to Devon."
Cleo followed the direction of her finger.
Her smile disappeared.
Her eyes widened.
"No..."
Sitting at the back of the class was the same boy whose shirt she had soaked only minutes earlier.
He was now wearing another perfectly ironed uniform shirt, leaning lazily against his chair with an unreadable expression.
Their eyes met.
His jaw tightened.
A slow, humorless smirk crossed his face.
Cleo's stomach dropped.
Of all the empty seats in the academy...
Why did it have to be beside him?
Trying to stay calm, she walked toward the desk with shaky legs.
The classroom felt strangely silent, as though everyone was waiting for something to happen.
As soon as she sat down, Devon leaned slightly closer.
His voice was low enough that only she could hear.
"So..."
He glanced at the faint water stain still visible on the sleeve of his blazer.
"The clumsy girl from the hallway is my seatmate."
Cleo forced an awkward smile.
"I already apologized."
"You did."
His silver eyes narrowed.
"But that doesn't mean I've forgiven you."
Before Cleo could respond, the teacher began the lesson.
She opened her notebook, pretending to pay attention.
But she couldn't shake the strange feeling that sitting beside Devon Blackwood was about to change her life forever.
Outside the classroom window, thick gray clouds slowly drifted across the sky, covering the morning sun.
Somewhere deep within the academy grounds...
A wolf sniffed ... the air smelled like something it's been after for years .....
