Chapter 2 Night Stone College
Bailey headed out and did light exercise for a while. However, she felt her chest ache and stopped to give herself a break.
Her mind was swirling with thoughts.
There was much to process from the visit with the Alpha General.
"Iris!" Bailey called out as she saw her seated at the table. The girl sat down.
"Be careful," Iris said.
"Careful of what?" Bailey asked.
"Last night."
Iris looked very serious.
"I know the Alpha General. Why was he acting so weird when I told him my name?"
Iris looked away.
"I don’t want you getting involved with him."
"Why?"
"They’re never giving anything without wanting something in return."
Bailey furrowed her brow. "So what does he want from me?"
Her phone buzzed.
NIGHT STONE COLLEGE
Bailey’s heart leaped.
She opened it, eyes widening.
An official offer to attend Night Stone College with a full scholarship - organised by the Alpha General.
She sat there for a few seconds, processing the information.
It was one of the most prestigious schools in Atlantica. She had always dreamed of attending there. However, the tuition costs were far beyond her budget.
Now, she had the chance she had almost forgotten about.
"Look at this mum!" she said, showing Iris the email.
Iris looked at the screen. Her face became grim.
"You can’t take this."
"What?" Bailey asked.
"I want you to decline."
"But it’s a full scholarship!"I don't care."
Bailey gaped at her foster mother.
"Why would I decline something I’ve worked so hard for?"
"It’s a trap!" Iris snapped. "He has bad intentions. He’s hiding something. I don’t know what but you need to stay away from him."
Bailey looked at the email.
She thought about how odd he had acted when asking her about her parents. She also remembered how awkward the silence had been between him and Iris.
Maybe something was going on.
But she wouldn’t give up her future.
"You can’t say he has bad intentions just because you won’t tell me anything," she said.
Iris gritted her teeth.
"Some things are best left unknown."
"But how am I supposed to understand what’s going on?"Bailey, stop asking questions!"Just answer one question. If he’s so dangerous, then why were you with him last night?"
Bailey instantly regretted saying that.
Iris became completely still.
She stood up and slapped her.
Bailey’s head whipped to the side.
For a moment she was speechless. Slowly, she brought her hand up to her cheek.
"Don’t you talk to me like that!" Iris yelled.
"I was just asking-"
"After all I’ve done for you this is how you thank me?"
Tears welled up in her eyes.
She wanted to say she didn’t mean to offend her, but no words came out.
"Just do what ever you want. Take the scholarship and leave. Don’t come running to me when everything goes wrong."
Iris stormed up the stairs.
Bailey sat there, staring at her untouched breakfast.
She had hoped for years that Iris would start to treat her like her own daughter. However, every argument reminded her that their relationship was very delicate.
However, she couldn’t turn down the chance.
The school had a special program for humans to attend with the werewolves and other supernatural beings. They encourage teamwork between the communities, however not everyone is happy with this.
Although she may stand out due to being human, she was willing to take on the challenge.
For once she wanted to make her own choice.
By the evening she had packed her things. She stood outside Iris’ room, waiting for her to come out. However, there was no reply.
With a heavy heart, she headed downstairs and wrote a letter.
"I’m sorry for talking to you like that. I have to follow my dreams and find out what I can do with my life. Don’t worry about me. Hopefully you’ll understand one day."
She folded it up and placed it on the table.
She grabbed her bags and headed out.
The next morning she got onto the bus to the airport. She checked her bag to ensure her inhaler was in there. She sat down.
It was roughly a two hour drive to Atlantica.
As soon as she arrived her eyes widened. The buildings were huge and the humans and supernatural beings were walking around freely.
Some werewolves were proudly showing off their wolf ears and tails. Others preferred to hide within the human population.
Bailey watched everything with fascination.
She had read about Atlantica but it was completely different seeing it.
She changed buses and headed towards Night Stone College.
It was a beautiful sight, with huge iron gates and amazing stone buildings with stunning gardens.
Students were bustling around the entrance. Some had come with their families and others were catching up with old friends.
Bailey stepped off the bus. Her eyes widened at the huge campus.
She had made it!
She was adjusting her bags when a young man approached. He was tall with brown hair in a neat ponytail. His wolf ears were sticking up and his tail was swaying lazily.
A few students moved out of the way.
He approached the group of new students.
"Welcome to Night Stone College. My name is Lysander and I will be your tour guide. Please stay with the group and listen to the rules of our campus."
His voice was calm but his face was emotionless.
Bailey was entranced.
He was undeniably handsome but his cold attitude made him unapproachable.
A group of girls behind her were gossiping.
"Oh my god! It’s Lysander! One of the famous quadruplets!"
"I can’t believe we’re actually seeing him!"
"He’s even more handsome than I thought!"
Bailey looked at him.
He was one of four brothers.
Interesting.
He looked around the group before his eyes landed on her.
"You’re the human scholarship student?"
Bailey straightened.
"Yes. I’m Bailey Brooke."
He looked at her for a moment.
"You’re the scholarship student."
Something was odd about the way he said that.
"Is there a problem?" she asked.
"No. Do you know the rules of this institution?" His face stayed the same.
Bailey furrowed her brows slightly.
"I’m here to study. I can follow rules."
A small sad smile formed on his lips.
"We shall see."
He turned around and led the students through the courtyard.
Bailey gripped her bags tighter and followed.
She had barely arrived and her tour guide already had a problem with her.
Throughout the tour, Lysander showed them around the lecture halls, library, dining area and student accommodation. He explained that the humans and supernatural beings attend the same classes and they expect everyone to respect each other.
The college has strict rules regarding discrimination, bullying and threatening others with their supernatural abilities.
Bailey listened carefully, taking note of everything.
She wanted to make a good impression. Even though her guide was trying to make it hard.
As they approached the main building, Lysander looked back.
"Don’t get lost, Bailey Brooke."
"I won’t."
"Good. I don’t want to waste my day searching for you."
A few students laughed.
Bailey blushed but refused to let him get to her.
She had travelled all this way to study. She wasn’t going to let a rude tour guide spoil her first day.
As they entered the building, Bailey looked around one last time at the beautiful campus.
She had hoped for a fresh start.
However, with the Alpha Generals mysterious interest, Iris odd warning and Lysander’s odd attitude she was beginning to wonder if Night Stone College would be as friendly as she thought.
She gripped her bag tighter.
No matter what, she was going to find her place.
