She Was Never Just A Girl

CHAPTER 001

SELENE'S POINT OF VIEW

My heart was doing backflips as I crossed the busy courtyard of Silverpine Academy, hauling two suitcases behind me.

I had dreamed about this place for years.

Now, I was really here.

Everything I’d worked for, all the hours I spent preparing, had finally led me to this moment. I was ready to become one of the best shifters out there. Nothing could mess this up for me.

"Watch it, three eyes!"

Something slammed into me out of nowhere.

I hit the pavement hard, both suitcases crashing beside me.

My glasses flew off my face.

Panic hit fast.

No, no, no.

I dropped to my knees and started searching the ground with my hands, eyes squinting through the blur.

They had to be close. They had to be.

Those glasses were everything. I’d worn them since I was a kid. They weren’t just lenses. They kept the dark stuff out—visions, nightmares… all the weird things that haunted me when they weren’t on.

My fingers brushed the cold metal frame.

Yes!

I shoved them back on, my breath shaking.

Through the clearing blur, I caught the back of a guy walking away. He was laughing with his group.

Jerk.

“A total jerk,” I muttered, and I wasn’t alone. My wolf, Astrid, echoed it inside me.

One guy in a blue hoodie slowed down. His head turned toward me.

His eyes met mine.

Then, just like that, he turned around and jogged back.

I froze as he stopped in front of me.

“You good?”

I nodded, still on the ground.

“Yeah… thanks.”

He bent down, grabbed both my bags, and stood up straight again, holding one out for me.

I took his hand and pulled myself up.

Wow.

His eyes were this warm honey brown, and his blond hair had this soft golden glow in the light.

“Sorry about him,” he said. “The Crown Heir’s having a mood. Happens more than you'd think.”

My brows pulled together.

“The Crown Heir?”

He paused like he wasn’t sure he should explain.

“The Ly—eh, never mind,” he said quickly. “First day?”

“Yeah.”

He smirked.

“You only say yes?”

“Ye—I mean, no!”

He laughed, and I felt my cheeks heat up.

“I’m Elias. Student council.”

“Selene.”

He glanced sideways at me, then gave me a look that lasted a bit too long. Like he was studying me.

“Let me guess,” he said, “eighteen, came from a tiny pack, maybe an Alpha’s niece or something, healer program?”

My jaw dropped.

“How—how did you—”

“You’ve got the vibe.”

He didn’t know how close he’d hit.

I was from the Edelweiss Pack, barely known outside our region. My uncle, Alpha Roland, had raised me after my parents were killed in a rogue attack when I was eight.

He tried, I guess. But being raised by a man who didn’t know what to do with a little girl? Not exactly the warmest childhood.

His Luna, Greta, meant well, but we never clicked. And don’t even get me started on Marcel.

He was my cousin. My so-called “brother.”

We grew up together, but he couldn’t stand me. Still couldn’t.

He was a sophomore here. When he found out I was coming to Silverpine Academy, his only words were—

“Don’t embarrass me, freak.”

Yeah. Family.

“They’d be proud of you,” Elias said out of nowhere.

My throat felt tight.

“They are,” I replied, voice low.

He started walking, still carrying my bags. I hurried to catch up, my legs way shorter than his.

“You heading to grab your keys?”

“Yeah.”

“Still stuck on one-word answers, huh?”

I gave a small laugh.

He grinned and slowed down a little so I could keep pace.

We passed a group of girls near one of the trees.

The moment they saw Elias, it was chaos.

They lit up, whispering, waving, even one blowing a kiss.

He nodded at a few of them casually.

“I’m guessing you’re pretty popular?”

“Eh,” he shrugged. “Comes with the job.”

And the face.

We made it to the main hall.

The inside was stunning—tall glass windows, a grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling, and floors so shiny I could see my reflection.

I stopped walking and just took it in.

“Wow.”

Elias smiled.

“There’s the desk. You’ll get your keys there.”

He set my bags down and held out his hand again.

“Nice meeting you, Selene. Hope you enjoy your first year.”

I took his hand, feeling the warmth in his touch.

“Thanks.”

His eyes flicked down to our hands, still holding. I quickly pulled away, clearing my throat.

“Thank you… for helping.”

“Just doing my job.”

A loud voice rang out.

“Elias! Let’s go!”

I looked past him.

A guy leaned against a pillar, back turned.

I recognized the voice.

The same one who’d shoved me.

The one who called me three eyes.

Elias didn’t even hesitate. He gave me a small nod and jogged over to join the group.

I took a deep breath and stepped up to the desk.

The woman behind it looked bored out of her mind.

“Next!”

“Oh—me!” I said quickly, dragging my suitcases forward.

“Name, class, and major,” she barked.

“Selene Hastings, freshman… healer program?”

She hummed and rifled through a stack of keys.

I tried to fill the silence.

“I’m really honored to be part of the two hundred students this year. My mom actually went here and I’ve wanted to—”

The woman didn’t let me finish.

She tossed a keyring toward me.

“Lunar Hall. Second building, second floor, room one zero two. Next!”

I barely caught the keys.

Rude much?

Someone shoved past me, and I stumbled again but managed not to fall this time.

I pushed my bags out of the hall and followed the directions.

The second floor was packed with noise.

Students moving in. Laughter. Talking. Doors slamming open and shut.

I tried not to get overwhelmed, but my head was spinning.

Where was room one zero two?

“Hey! What room?”

I turned.

A woman stood behind me, squinting at my face.

Then her eyes went wide.

Liliane?”

I blinked.

“Who?”

She stepped back, shaking her head.

“Sorry! You just look like someone I used to know.”

“It’s okay.”

“I’m Esther, the Resident Director for this dorm.” She peeked at my key tag. “Ah, room one zero two. You’re just down the hall.”

“Thanks,” I said with a relieved smile.

Dragging my bags again, I walked slowly down the hall.

My stomach was all twisted up.

Roommates.

Were they nice?

Would they like me?

Would I like them?

Back home, I never really had close friends. Not real ones. People just… tolerated me.

I found the door.

Room one zero two.

Here goes nothing.

I turned the key and pushed the door open.

Two girls looked up right away.

They stopped talking the second they saw me.

One had bubblegum-pink hair, and the other had long dark curls.

Their outfits screamed expensive. Like, fancy-pack rich.

“Am I interrupting?”

The pink-haired girl rushed over.

“Nope! I’m Livia, and that’s Noelle. Wait—are you her?”

I blinked.

“Her?”

“Our fourth roommate! Are you… Elira? The Lycan Heir’s ex?”

“Who?”

“Soren’s ex! I heard she flunked and had to retake freshman year. You’re her, right?”

I stared.

My mouth opened.

Then closed.

What?

Who in the world was Soren?

And why did they think I was his ex?

Was someone about to walk through this door who actually was?

Or was something else going on here entirely?

And if I wasn’t Elira…

Then who was supposed to be?

Why did I look like her?

AUTHOR POV

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