18

When I arrived at the apartment, I noticed I wasn’t alone. There were some pink suitcases on the floor. Okay, apparently someone else is living here now. Great, that’s just what I needed.

“Hello?” I closed the door behind me.

“Who is it?” A petite, attractive redhead appeared in my line of sight.

“Sorry, I didn’t know this apartment was already occupied,” I apologized.

“Oh, are you one of the former tenants? I was told I could stay here while the previous tenants returned.”

“Don’t worry, it will just be for tonight,” I half-smiled.

“Alright, anyway, your room is here. I’m staying in the one at the back.” She smiled. “I’m Cat, by the way.”

“Carolina,” I said. “Well, I’m going to bed now since I’m a bit tired.”

“Alright, have a good night,” she said.

“Thanks, same to you.” I passed by her in search of my old room. It was just as we had left it. Once inside and with the door closed, I took off my clothes and got into the shower. I needed to wash away the smell and taste of that man.

After a long shower, tears in the shower, resentments, and so on, I put on some pajamas I had left behind in the bathroom and went to bed.

---

The next morning, after saying goodbye to Cat, I drove to Kayler’s house. I was now ready to talk and confront him. Maybe it’s the blue moon and the problem that will have to rise. That’s why he’s tense and doesn’t know how to act. But I’m in the same boat. Yes, it’s true that I haven’t told him about the man who’s been calling me to avoid worrying him, plus I don’t want to add another burden. But I’m not going to a bar to drink with another guy, and if it were Rafael, I’d be in the same or worse situation.

Upon arriving at the house, I noticed another car there. I didn’t recognize it, so I assumed it belonged to one of the pack members. I got out of the car and was about to knock on the door, but my hand was left in the air as Kayler opened the door at that moment. It was as if he was waiting for me. I felt a pang in my chest seeing him. His hair falling over his forehead and his smile made me weak.

And I don’t want that right now.

“Carolina, you’re back,” he said.

“I told you I would be,” I mumbled.

“Come here.” He hugged me tightly, as if he never wanted to let go. I barely hugged him back.

“Who is here?” I asked as we pulled apart.

“Come in, let me show you.” He took my arm and led me to the living room. There was an older woman dressed in a knee-length black dress. The lady had white hair and a face full of wrinkles.

“Carolina, this is Sara McCorney, the director of the Evan McCorney Academy. Academy?”

“Hello,” I greeted somewhat awkwardly. The woman seemed intimidating.

“Hello, Carolina. Kayler has told me a lot about you,” she approached. “I want you to know that we would be quite happy to have you with us since from what I’ve seen, you’re still struggling with being a werewolf.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I looked at them in confusion.

“Sit down, dear,” the lady motioned for me to sit with her. “The Evan McCorney Academy was founded by him. As the name suggests, Evan was the first to notice that new werewolves, witches, vampires, and other entities didn’t have guidance in their early years of practice. They would lose control and cause chaos in the streets. That’s why the school was founded, so that new and about-to-be ascended beings could go there and learn to control what’s happening to them. It’s simple. I thought Kayler had told you about us since he was one of our students. And brilliant, by the way.”

A school for werewolves.

And here I thought I knew everything.

“But I’m going to university,” I said.

“Don’t worry, you can still come. You’ll just have to miss two weeks for now. The first weeks are critical. After that, it’s fine.” She smiled.

“Ah, no, I don’t know…” I confessed.

“Carolina, I’ve been thinking about it and I believe going to the academy would be best. I’ve realized I need to go because this new change coming to me is making me make many mistakes, and I don’t want to. Especially not with you. And you,” she continued, “I know you don’t know what to do as a werewolf either. We need help.”

“And where is it?” I wanted to know.

I couldn’t believe I was considering it.

“Classes start in two weeks. You have enough time to take your exams early at the university and let them know you’ll be absent for the next few weeks.”

“I asked where it is,” I looked at them. They glanced at each other.

“It’s in a place far from here, yes, but don’t worry, you won’t be alone,” she winked. “I know you know more than one person there,” she gave a knowing smile.

I frowned at what she said since I didn’t know if I would recognize anyone there.

“This year will be full of surprises. I know that.” She stood up. “I’ll see you in two weeks, guys.” She headed for the door. “Oh, and Carolina, that guy who’s been bothering you, believe me, he won’t do it again.” And she left through the door.

What guy who’s bothering me? I didn’t understand anything.

Kayler sat in front of me and took my hands, caressing them.

“Are we okay?” he asked, with doubt and some fear in his eyes.

“Kayler, about yesterday…” I looked down.

“Carolina, you heard Sara. We’re both not handling this the way we should. The blue moon will be in a month, I don’t know, it could be later, it’s very uncertain. I need to be prepared for what’s coming. And I know you need to be too. Otherwise, we’ll keep making mistakes. Please.”

I was supposed to be angry with him and confront him. But he’s right, we’re not okay, we’re acting wrongly, and we need help. Otherwise, maybe we won’t last much longer together. And I don’t want to be apart from him.

“Alright,” I nodded. “We’ll go. I need to do things right.” I took a deep breath. “We need to do them right.”

He smiled.

“That means you forgive me,” he confirmed.

I scanned him with my gaze, and my conscience says, “Seriously, will you still doubt this guy after everything you’ve been through?” And in his eyes, I only see sincerity.

“Yes, Kayler, how could I not?” I took his face and stroked a lock of hair. “Just don’t do it again. Please.”

“I promise,” he smiled and kissed me. “Thank you.”

“We need to get everything in order at the university so we can go,” I remembered. “I’ll go talk to the director now.” He smiled and took out his cellphone. “Alright.”

I don’t know if what I did was right or wrong, I just know that in two weeks, I’ll be going to a school with more werewolves, girls, and so on. But there’s one thing that doesn’t add up—did she mention vampires and witches? So how do they all coexist there?