The Forest girl : Luna

Chapter2: The Wolf King

The headmistress's office felt oppressive, every creak of the wooden floors echoing in my mind. She cleared her throat. "These gentlemen are from an agency," she announced, her voice stern but intrigued. "They have a few questions for you about an investigation."

I stood frozen, my mind replaying the shock of seeing the man from the church. There were several men in the room, all with an air of authority. One of them stepped forward, gesturing for me to follow him to a nearby meeting room. My nerves were a tangled mess, but there was a strange comfort in the gentle demeanor of the man leading me, even though the one who had saved me from the forest remained cold and distant, never meeting my eyes.

Inside the meeting room, they asked me to sit. The tension was palpable, and they all surrounded me, like predators circling prey. The man who had saved me, with his striking presence and a steely gaze, finally spoke. "Do you remember me, Maddie?" His voice was firm, a hint of something unspoken behind it.

"You... you're the guy from the forest," I stammered, my voice cracking under the pressure of the situation. "The one who saved me."

He nodded, his expression unchanged. "My name is Edward," he said, "lead investigator of our division, or as some call me, 'The Boss.'" He introduced his team: Christopher, a tall man with a hawk-like sharpness in his eyes, and Joel, whose easy smile belied a hidden intensity. Edward explained that they had been monitoring me since I arrived in Boston, the words heavy with implications I couldn't fully grasp.

"You want to join us," he continued, his tone softened but his expression unreadable, "since you have nothing left to lose."

The words stung, and anger flared. "Did you... did you have something to do with Lucia's death?" I blurted out, my voice shaking.

Edward's jaw tightened. "No," he replied, his voice cold. "We had nothing to do with that tragedy. But when I said you lost everything, I meant your mother... and your father." His eyes bored into mine, and the confusion must have shown on my face. He added, "We have access to everything. Consider it a perk—or a curse—of the job."

He handed me a sleek black card. "If you're serious, meet us at this address. We'll explain everything. But this life isn't for the faint-hearted." His words hung in the air, a challenge wrapped in mystery.

I stumbled back to my class, my mind racing. I tried calling my father, desperate for reassurance, but he ignored the call, sending a curt text: Busy. Don't call. The hollow feeling in my chest deepened, and I realized how alone I truly was.

That evening, I found myself standing outside an old, crumbling building. Clutching the card, I dialed Edward's number. He answered immediately. "So, you're here," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Welcome to our world. Wait there, and I'll bring you in."

A sleek Bugatti Chiron pulled up moments later, and Edward stepped out. His face remained unreadable as he opened the door for me. I slipped inside, the luxury of the car at odds with the bleakness of my situation. "Where are we going?" I asked, my voice steadier than I felt.

"To our headquarters in Boston," Edward replied. "There's something you need to understand before you decide if you really want this." He explained there would be a series of grueling tests, each one designed to push me beyond my limits.

"A test?" I echoed, alarmed. He gave a small, rare smile. "Don't worry," he reassured. "I'll teach you everything you need to know, and you'll train with the best. It won't be easy. It'll take six months, and there's a very real chance of failure—or worse."

We arrived at an unassuming building, but beneath it lay an intricate, heavily guarded network of rooms and corridors. The underground HQ was like a hidden fortress, buzzing with controlled chaos. "What kind of agency is this?" I whispered, taking it all in.

"A private investigative organization," Edward explained. "We work for the elite. No outside laws govern us, but internal rules are strict, and failure isn't an option."

He handed me a thick packet detailing the tests and rules. My heart raced as I skimmed through it:

Theoretical Examination: In-depth analysis of criminal psychology, logic puzzles, and ethical dilemmas. Not just traditional questions, but real-time case studies where Maddie must identify suspects, motives, and escape routes under pressure.

Theoretical Examination: In-depth analysis of criminal psychology, logic puzzles, and ethical dilemmas. Not just traditional questions, but real-time case studies where Maddie must identify suspects, motives, and escape routes under pressure.

Combat Trials: A dynamic, multi-phase challenge that includes:

Self-Defense: Facing multiple attackers, disarming opponents, and adapting to unexpected combat scenarios.Stealth Combat: Using shadows, environment, and misdirection to avoid detection and neutralize targets.

High-Speed Maneuvering: Not only traditional driving, but also high-stakes simulations, like getting a VIP safely out of a city under attack or performing a getaway in off-road conditions.

Cyber Infiltration: A blend of hacking and digital warfare. Maddie needs to breach a mock security system, decrypt codes, and defend against a simulated cyberattack. Maybe she even has to track down a "virtual ghost" in real-time.

Crisis Decision-Making: A live scenario where Maddie must lead a small team through a rapidly evolving disaster. It tests leadership, resourcefulness, and how she handles split-second decisions that could mean life or death.

Each section was a nightmare waiting to happen. Edward introduced me to the other members of his elite team. "Christopher will handle your weapons training, Joel will prepare you for critical driving situations, Dean is our tech genius, and Camille will hone your combat strategy." He paused, his eyes locked on mine. "And I'll teach you everything else."

He explained the agency's divisions: Wolves, Lions, Bees, Spiders, and others. Each one had a specific focus, but his description of the Wolves captivated me. "If you join us as a Luna," he said, "you'll command respect and authority, and one day, you may even lead a pack of your own." The idea was intoxicating, and I made up my mind. I was going to be a Luna, no matter what.

Training was grueling, pushing me beyond what I thought I was capable of. My body ached, but I discovered a strength I never knew I had. Surprisingly, I excelled in combat and strategy, and the team became my new family. Still, I kept it all hidden from my brother and aunt, intending to reveal everything when the time was right.

Graduation loomed, but my final test was a nightmare: surviving in the ocean, surrounded by sharks. Edward's voice was steady as he explained. "We all bear scars from it," he said, rolling up his sleeve to reveal a jagged white line. "Pain is part of the process."

That night, he showed me a shark tooth he had used as a weapon during his trial. "You'll need this," he said, handing it to me. His touch lingered, and for a moment, I felt something unspoken pass between us.

The next morning, adrenaline coursed through my veins as we were ferried to the middle of the ocean. The goal was clear: rescue captives chained beneath the waves. As we prepared to dive, rivalries came to a head. Two girls from my batch attacked me, but our fight was interrupted by the sudden appearance of sharks.

The three of us, once enemies, found ourselves fighting together to survive. Blood stained the water as participants were torn apart, their screams echoing through the waves. The violence was overwhelming, but the shark tooth Edward had given me became my weapon. I stabbed the beast that bit me, breaking free and dragging the captives to safety.

The moment I made it back to the boat, my vision blurred, and I collapsed. I remembered Edward's arms around me, carrying me to safety. When I woke in the hospital, he was there, his face drawn with worry. "You made it," he said softly. "You're one of us now."

My brother and aunt rushed in, relieved but furious. I tried to explain everything, but Satish's expression darkened when he heard Edward's name. Their hatred ran deep, rooted in a past I barely understood.

But before we could reconcile, I received a call. The words shattered everything I had built, leaving my world splintered once again.