Werewolf Academy : Moon Cursed (Book 2)

A deafening crash rips my attention from the history book sprawled across my lap. My head snaps toward the foot of Ariah’s bed, my heart inside my stomach. There, in the middle of discarded clothes and old notebooks, lies a shattered vase of daisies. Pale petals scatter across the floor while water seeps between the floorboards, tracing slow, snaking lines as if deciding where to go. The faint smell of damp earth fills the room, mingling with the musty scent of laundry and the ever-present aroma of coffee grounds from Ariah’s corner.

I toss the book aside and slide off the bed, my feet barely making a sound on the floor. As I inch closer to the mess of crushed glass and wilting flowers, something moves in the recess of my vision. Before I can react, a shirt whips through the air, grazing my cheek with the softest brush.

A startled yelp escapes my lips, and I stumble backward, my heart lurching in my chest. Instinctively, I raise my hands, palms outward, shielding myself from whatever might come next. My eyes dart around the room as my breath quickens, an uneasy feeling settling in my gut.

In the far corner, within the shadows formed from large furniture, a figure flickers—it’s there for a few seconds, and then it’s gone again. It’s like a faulty lightbulb sparking to life for a split second.

I freeze, my pulse thudding in my ears.

The shape reforms, wavering, arms flailing in wild, frantic motions.

It’s Sally.

Our eyes lock—hers wide and urgent—before she vanishes, dissolving into the dim light. As my mind struggles to catch up with what I saw, the room suddenly becomes much colder.

“Sally?” Hesitant, I inch toward where I saw her a moment ago. “Uh—hello?”

Before I can get another word out, a heavy object sails past my head, missing me by an inch. It crashes against the wall, sending a shower of dust and plaster into the air. My heart leaps into my throat.

“Sally, stop!” I shout, my voice trembling more than I’d appreciate. But the ghost doesn’t listen. A book from the nearby desk hurtles toward me next, and I duck, my knees buckling as it thuds against the wooden floor behind me.

What the freak? Sally’s never been this aggressive before.

She’s never been aggressive, period.

“Come on!” I plead, trying to reason with her, though I know it’s pointless. Another object—a framed picture—shakes on the shelf before it flies toward me. This time, I don’t wait for it to miss. Abandoning any hope of calming her, I bolt for the door, my history homework neglected on my bed.

I fling the door open and dash into the hallway, the sound of more objects crashing behind me. My pulse races, my mind spinning, trying to comprehend why Sally would attack me. As I turn the corner, my shoe catches on the edge of the rug, and I scarcely manage to keep myself from face-planting on the floor.

I glance up in time to catch the horrified expression on Nate’s face as I slam into him.

“Whoa!” Nate exclaims, his arm hooking around my waist to steady me, but the tray of smoothies in his other hand tilts sideways.

“No—no—no!” I cry, but it’s too late. The smoothies slip out of the carton, flipping slowly before splattering onto the floor between us. The bright pink and green liquid spreads in a thick, clumpy pool, covering our shoes.

I pull back, flustered and out of breath. “Nate! I’m—sorry, I—”

He looks down at the mess with amusement, then up at me, eyebrows raised. “Well, that’s one way to make an entrance. You okay there, or is Ariah in one of her moods again?”

I let out a shaky laugh, wiping hair from my face. “Nope. Not Ariah this time.”

Nate’s smile falters, his eyes zeroing in on my shaking hand. “Wait, what happened? You look like you’ve seen—uh, well, a ghost.”

“Well…Yeah.”

“Uh, oh. One we know already or a new one?” he peeks past me.

“I don’t even know how to explain it,” I say, glancing nervously back at the room, “but I think Sally just tried to kill me.”

Nate’s eyes widen, his playful expression dropping. “Sally? What do you mean she’s tried to kill you?”

“Uh—” I suck in a deep breath before explaining, “Well, she started going all poltergeist on me. The room’s a mess.”

“What?” He sidles closer. “Why on earth would she do something like that?”

“That’s exactly what I’m trying to figure out.” I lean in, lowering my voice. “Something’s not right, Nate. She’s never done anything like this before.”

“Not right, huh? Well, that’s unsurprising. I’m a disco-dancing octopus in a top hat if anything goes smoothly at this point.” He shifts, sighing. “Alright. Tell me everything. But first, let’s get out of this hallway before someone slips on these smoothies and blames me for it.”

I roll my eyes, half grinning. “Thanks for that.”

“Facts, queen.” Nate inches around the smoothie mess, shaking his head in mock dismay. “Come on, let’s hit the cafeteria. I was planning on dropping by for a chat anyway. Ariah is well—somewhere in a dark corner contemplating someone’s demise. And Celeste claims she’s tied up helping Halle with some extra schoolwork again. So, I guess it’s just us two.”

I follow him, still somewhat rattled by Sally’s outburst but grateful for the distraction. “You really want more smoothies after that?” I ask, glancing at the streaks of pink staining the hallway floor.

He grins a little too cheerfully. “Of course! What kind of friend would I be if I left you smoothie-less? Besides, we’ve got bigger things to talk about—like Ariah.” He leans closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Have you seen the skirt she’s wearing today?”

I frown. “No. Why?”

Nate huffs, his eyes wide. “She’s gone all dark! And I mean black leather, fishnets, the whole deal. It’s like she woke up and decided to channel her inner bat queen.” He continues, “I mean, I’m all for a style switch-up. Goth outfits are lit, but this is… weird. For her. I mean, we’re talking about a girl who’s all into kawaii stuff. Or, used to be, at least.”

“Yeah, she’s been acting very unlike the Ariah we know,” I admit, frowning as I think back. “I honestly don’t think it’s because she’s a hybrid now. Something’s off with her. I don’t know what or how to point it out.”

“Yeah, no kidding,” Nate says as we turn the corner toward the cafeteria. “Has she tried to bite you again? Or is she keeping the blood cravings under control?”

The question sends an involuntary chill down my spine. “No biting recently, thank goodness. But I don’t know if that means she’s got things handled or if she’s only hiding it better.” I hesitate, lowering my voice as we pass a group of first-years chattering about some new social event. “Whatever’s happening with her, it’s more than her appearance. You’ve noticed, right? She’s been… distant. Edgy.”

Nate nods, his easygoing attitude faltering. “Yeah, I’ve noticed. I can only hope it’s not tied to all the other weird stuff going on around here. Ghosts acting up, strange vibes—but seriously, what even was that with Sally back there?”

I sigh, rubbing my temples. “I don’t know, Nate. It’s as if everything around here is getting weirder by the minute, and I’m starting to think it’s all connected. I just don’t know how yet.”

We reach the cafeteria doors, and Nate pulls one open in a dramatic succession. “Well, first things first—smoothies. Then we can try and figure out what’s up with Ariah and why a ghost wants you to join her in the afterlife.”

I laugh, stepping inside. “Right. Smoothies first. Conspiracies later.”

Nate and I grab our smoothies from the counter as the hum of conversation fills the cafeteria. I take a long sip, the cool sweetness calming my nerves, but it’s short-lived.

“Uh-oh,” Nate mutters under his breath.

I follow his gaze to see Valerie zeroing in on us like a buzzard onto a pile of guts. She rises from her table, leaving behind her ever-present entourage, and stalks toward us with that too-perfect stride. Her icy eyes are sharp, glinting with that familiar look of superiority. I brace myself as she approaches.

“Well, well, well,” she sneers, her voice dripping with venom. “Look who’s slumming it in the cafeteria. Hailey, I’ve been meaning to have a little chat.” Her smile is anything but friendly as she stands a little too close for comfort.

I swallow hard but keep my face neutral. “Valerie, if you want something, just say it.”

Her lips curl into a smirk. “Oh, I’m onto you. Do you and Celeste really think you can waltz around here as if you’re untouchable? Think again.” She crosses her arms, tilting her head in simulated curiosity. “How’s that little spat between her and Daddy dearest going for her unruly behavior, by the way? Last I heard, she still hasn’t learned her place. Too bad for you—you both just painted bigger targets on your backs.”

A sharp pang of anger rises inside me, but I bite my tongue. This is what she wants—for me to snap. I refuse to give her the satisfaction. “We’re fine, thanks for asking,” I say, keeping my tone flat.

Valerie’s gaze narrows. “Hmm, sure. Cute outfit, by the way, Hailey. Very… ‘just rolled out of bed and gave up’ chic.” Her entourage lets out a collective snicker from across the room.

Before I can retort, Nate steps forward, a wicked grin spreading across his face. “Wow, Valerie, I had no idea you were keeping up with Hailey’s wardrobe. Should we be expecting a fashion blog from you soon? ‘How to dress like you were born into wealth but burdened by the tragedy of existence?’ Oh, wait, sorry, you’ve already mastered that look.”

A ripple of laughter spreads through the nearby tables. I catch a couple of heads turning toward us, curious expressions blooming across their faces.

Valerie flushes, her cheeks going beet red, and for a second, she looks seconds away from exploding. Her lips twitch, trying to form a comeback, but nothing comes. Instead, she glares at Nate, then at me, before spinning on her heel with a huff.

“You’re going to regret that,” she snaps over her shoulder as she storms off, her entourage falling in behind her like a flock of obedient shadows.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding and glanced at Nate. He’s grinning like the Cheshire cat, completely unfazed. “Great comeback,” I say, shaking my head with a smirk.

“What can I say? Someone’s gotta put her in her place,” he says, raising his smoothie in a toast. “Besides, I live for these kind of moments.”

“Yeah, well, thanks,” I reply. “You’d think she’d be bored of my existence by now… Ugh. Anyway, I think that verbal punch should keep her away for a while.”

“Yeah, the best, most epic punch ever landed in the history of punches,” Nate chuckles. “And, the most deserved. Hails, it’s because Valerie can’t get over the fact that Elijah chose you. That you’re better, kinder, and prettier than her. And after all this time, you’d think she’d move on. Accept it. But nooo.”

“Well, she’s not going to let it go anytime soon,” I say, watching her retreating figure.

Nate grins, tipping his smoothie toward me. “She’s like a pop-up ad with no close button—annoying, relentless, and refusing to leave.”

Nate and I are still chuckling about Valerie’s dramatic exit when I feel familiar arms slip around my waist from behind. Before I can turn, Elijah plants a soft kiss on my cheek, his presence warm and more than welcome. I lean back against him, his scent—something woodsy and familiar—instantly soothing.

But our moment is short-lived. “No public displays of affection, Mr. Ledger!” a sharp voice scolds from across the cafeteria. I look up to see Mrs. Haverly, one of the strictest teachers at the academy, giving us a disapproving glare.

“Right, sorry!” Elijah calls out with a sheepish grin, but as soon as she walks past, he, Nate, and I break into stifled laughter.

“Making out? Really? She makes it sound as if we’re corrupting the school,” Elijah says, shaking his head. He loosens his hold on me but keeps an arm draped over my shoulder.

“She’s just jealous,” Nate teases, sipping his smoothie. “Anyway, you two lovebirds got busted.”

Elijah chuckles but stops after a few seconds and turns serious. “Hailey, I need to talk to you. It’s important.” His tone shifts and I can sense the weight of his words. My smile falters as I look up at him, concern creeping in.

Before I can respond, Nate butts in, his expression no longer playful. “Oh, speaking of important, Elijah—you might wanna know. Your sister, Sally? She just tried to kill Hailey.”

Elijah freezes, his whole body tensing beside me. He stares at Nate, his jaw clenched. “What?” His voice is quiet but hard, laced with disbelief and—is that anger I pick up?

I glance at Nate, unsure how to explain. “I—I don’t know why,” I stammer. “She just started attacking me out of nowhere. She’s never acted like that before. I tried talking to her, but… nothing.”

Elijah’s grip tightens slightly around me, his face paling. “Sally’s never… She’s always been—”

“I know,” I cut in gently. “That’s why it doesn’t make sense. Something’s wrong with her, Elijah.”

Elijah’s expression darkens, and I can tell he’s trying to process it all.

“She’s never been violent. Not even close,” Elijah says, shaking his head in skepticism. His gaze shifts to me; his concern is evident. “Are you okay? Did she hurt you?”

“No, I’m fine.” I peer up at him. “You wanted to talk?”

“Yeah.” His eyes sweep over to where Valerie sits. She lifts a hand, a saccharine sweet smile plastering across her mug, and gives a small wave. Elijah releases a defeated sigh. “You’re not going to like it.”