DELONIX [COMPLETED]

Chapter 10 : ' The fuck ?'

I stood before the grand doors of the academy's main hall, my mind filled with a jumble of emotions—confusion, guilt, and determination. The weight of the secret my dear brother and his wife had kept for years now hung heavy in the air. Despite our plans to protect my beloved niece, here we were, exposed and vulnerable.

Taking a deep breath, I pondered the situation. Fate had brought us together under strange circumstances, and seeing my beautiful May, after a decade apart stirred up a whirlwind of feelings. Despite our estrangement, I could still see her elegance and grace, a reflection of where she came from.

In her eyes, I sensed hesitance, a reluctance to face me. Truth be told, I wasn't prepared either. The knowledge that she could have fallen into the hands of lycans and dark creatures shook me to my core. We needed to reconnect, to confront the darkness that had touched our lives.

Memories of our separation flooded my mind. I deserved any anger she might direct at me. I had been a coward, unable to explain our parting properly. The dangers of my world were too great for her innocent soul, so I had kept her away, shielding her from the shadows. But it pained me deeply.

Red, what an unconventional name. My brother and his wife had always been unique, so it shouldn't have surprised me. Yet, Red's resemblance to them, in both appearance and character, was striking. Her looks came from her mother, Lydia, but her fierce attitude was unmistakably from Big Bro.

Oh, how I missed them. Anger rose within me, fueled by the knowledge of their tragic demise at the hands of demons. And to think that Red had witnessed it all. The details remained hazy in her memory, and I longed to uncover the truth. But for now, I lacked the evidence, the knowledge to piece together her lost past. I had been a lousy uncle and an even worse brother.

Guilt gnawed at me, but I pushed those thoughts aside. Now wasn't the time for self-pity. I needed to focus on protecting Red from the prying eyes within the academy's walls.

I had taken precautions, keeping her in a safe place. Today marked the beginning of a new semester, and the orientation for new students was being held here. It would attract attention, and with Red still carrying the scent of her human origins, it posed a potential danger.

Taking a deep breath, I opened the big doors and stepped into the quiet hall. The noise of my entrance made everyone look at me. Whispers and rumors filled the air, making me the center of attention.

As I walked in, all eyes were on me. People looked curious, judgmental, and interested. The principal's voice, talking about rules, became background noise. It felt like everyone was holding their breath, waiting to see what I would do next.

I walked forward carefully, trying to look confident even though I was nervous inside. The moment felt heavy, like everyone expected something from me. Students watched closely, and I could hear them whispering around me. But I kept my focus, determined to handle all the attention.

As I moved through the hall, it felt alive with excitement. Students were chatting and buzzing with energy. The principal's voice echoed, but it all seemed routine to me.

Finally, I reached the door to the front of the hall and pushed it open. All eyes turned to me, full of curiosity and judgment. Whispers spread through the crowd as I walked forward.

The students, some barely awake, others pretending to listen, looked at me with surprise. The trolls, watching over the hall, kept a close eye on everyone. It felt like the principal was always watching, invading our privacy.

I walked forward, trying to keep my cool despite the stares burning into me. Whispers and rumors trailed after me, like a shadow I couldn't shake. It was a weight I'd grown used to, but it still nagged at me.

Just as I neared the guardians' table, a voice called out my name, slicing through the murmurs. It was Elder Verla, his smirk telling me he had something up his sleeve.

"Jayden, you're rather late," he declared, and I gritted my teeth. I knew he was going to make this harder than it needed to be.

"Sorry, Elder Verla," I muttered, not really feeling apologetic. His grin widened, like he was relishing this.

"Ah, right," he said, as if remembering something important. I hoped he'd forget, but no such luck.

"The principal wants you to give a welcome speech to the new students," he announced, looking far too entertained. It caught me off guard. She hadn't mentioned a speech before.

Panic surged through me. Public speaking wasn't my forte, and now I had to do it in front of everyone. But there was no backing out. The students were clapping, expecting me to say something.

Before I knew it, I was on stage, the spotlight glaring down on me, intensifying the pressure. Sweat beaded on my forehead as I struggled to find the right words.

"Um... I'm not exactly sure what to say," I confessed, and the crowd chuckled, breaking the tension.

"But I can promise that everyone here will be safe and have the chance to find themselves. It's an honor to be here for the new students," I managed, surprising even myself. It might have been simple, but the students seemed to appreciate it, clapping enthusiastically.

I stood there, taken aback by the sudden applause. It was a surprise, something I hadn't seen coming. But before I could even process it, a loud bang echoed, breaking the moment.

The principal's voice boomed, ordering everyone to stay put as she rushed to the source of the noise. I followed, curious about what was happening.

As I neared the front, I saw the elders, usually calm, looking rattled. The principal was in charge, directing the guardians and teachers.

In the middle of it all was Red, my niece, clutching something broken. She looked scared but relieved, searching the room for someone she knew. When our eyes met, we shared a silent understanding.

The elders demanded answers from her, but her voice was lost in the chaos. They wanted to know who she was and why she was here, but she struggled to explain.

I wanted to speak up for her, but the crowd held me back. I could only watch as she stood there, feeling lost and exposed.

Today was just fucked up.

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We finally get Uncle J POV 😅

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