The head maid blinked, looking puzzled. "A cat? No, young lady. I've been standing outside your door since dawn. If even an ant had passed, I would have seen it."
Victoria froze. "No cat?" she echoed softly. Her heart gave a nervous flutter. "Now I'm really going crazy…"
"Please, let's head to the car," the maid said, voice tinged with urgency. "The Alphas said you can have breakfast at the academy."
"Oh. Right. Lead the way," Victoria replied, swallowing hard and forcing herself to follow.
What is happening to me? First the missing jewelry, and now a disappearing cat? she thought, but she shoved the questions aside. Focus on your brother first. Everything else can wait.
Outside, a sleek black car waited at the front of the Ashford mansion. The chauffeur stepped forward and opened the door with practiced ease.
Victoria stepped inside.
"Good morning, little sister," Theo greeted her brightly, grinning from ear to ear. "Did you enjoy your first night here?"
"Yes, Theo," Victoria replied with a soft smile, though her mind still swam with unanswered questions. "It was the first time I've ever slept on something so soft."
"Well then, just get used to it," Lucian chimed in from the front passenger seat, turning slightly to glance back at her. "Your life's about to change forever. From now on, your brothers and parents will make sure you never lack anything. Just name it.. whatever you need, it'll be yours."
Victoria offered a quiet nod, then asked, "Where's Mirabel?"
Mirabel, after all, usually traveled with her brothers to the academy.
"Oh, don't mind her," Theo replied casually. "She took another car and left early the moment she found out you were coming with us. She's being childish, that's all. Just ignore her....she'll come around eventually."
Victoria said nothing, but inwardly she sighed.
Of course she left early… she's the only one who's showing her true attitude.
To be honest, aside from the mate ceremony and the whole 'finding your destined partner' thing, there's not much fun about the Elite Lycan Academy. Just a bunch of spoiled brats living like royalty and acting like they own the world. The only real competition is over who becomes Alpha of which territory. Victoria thought as she leaned her head against the window with a heavy sigh.
In the seat beside her, Callum appeared to be napping, his head tilted back, arms crossed over his chest. A sword and a gun rested securely at his waist.
Just as she turned her gaze away from him, his voice cut through the quiet.
"I hope you brought the weapon box with you," Callum said, eyes still closed.
"Huh?" Victoria blinked in confusion.
"You should always have at least one weapon on you," he said firmly. "You're heading into the academy now. I know you don't really understand what that means yet, but you will. I'll protect you today, little sister but from now on, always carry your dagger. If any bastard tries something, don't hesitate."
Victoria swallowed hard, her fingers curling in her lap. "Yes, brother," she said quietly.
"Ouuu, that was such a protective big brother moment," Theo teased with a chuckle. "Anyway, I may not be a sword master like Callum, but I can brew a potion that'll make someone drop dead in seconds if they mess with you. So don't worry....you're covered."
He grinned and then looked toward the chauffeur. "Let's go."
With that, the engine purred to life, and the car rolled smoothly down the driveway.
The journey to the Elite Lycan Academy felt like it was dragging on forever. Outside the car window, rain had begun to pour heavily without the slightest warning.
Victoria pressed her palm against the glass, wiping away the condensation and streaks of rainfall in an attempt to glimpse the world beyond. Her purple eyes scanned the drenched scenery, the silhouettes of buildings blurring. Though the virus had already made its appearance in the world, it hadn't reached catastrophic levels...at least, not yet. There were still people walking about, their faces hidden behind protective masks, going about their lives in ignorance or denial.
There has to be another way, Victoria thought, her fingers curling slightly against the glass. Another way besides my death.
Her jaw tightened at the bitter thought. The people who had purchased her hadn't used her blood to save humanity like she'd been told. No....her blood had become their personal treasure, a selfish luxury used to treat only themselves. They were not saviors; they were parasites.
Now, she was on her way to the academy, supposedly to meet her elder brother. But what if… what if the true heirs of the academy...the ones who had bought her....she meet them too? She didn't know what they looked like, but somehow, she had a feeling she'd recognize them. Monsters often wore masks, but their eyes always gave them away.
"We've arrived, young masters!" the chauffeur announced, his voice slicing through Victoria's troubled thoughts.
The sleek black car slowed as it drove past high walls into the heart of a vast, majestic building. The academy towered above them, a masterpiece of glass and whitewashed stone, gleaming despite the rain. Students...Alphas, Betas, and Omegas alike moved through the campus grounds with ease and familiarity. The air was thick with power and expensive colognes, their pheromones intermingling in a dizzying haze.
Victoria, despite being an Omega, could still distinguish the alluring scents swirling around her. Some were intoxicating, others vaguely threatening.
The car finally came to a stop in the parking lot. Without hesitation, the chauffeur stepped out and opened the rear door, prompting Victoria and her three brothers to exit.
"Welcome to the prestigious Elite Lycan Academy, dear sister," Theo said dramatically, his voice laced with mock grandeur. "Just stay close to me, alright? The students here are insane. Every last one of them is from an influential family, and they all enjoy one thing....preying on the weak. You don't want to get tangled in their drama on your first visit. Let's make this quick."
He reached out and took Victoria's hand. His touch was warm, but the gesture startled her. A sudden jolt of electricity seemed to pass through her skin, racing down her spine and settling uneasily in her gut.