What's Dead May Never Die

Arrival

Leah's POV

The letter felt heavy in my hands. I stared at the gold-embossed emblem on the envelope and my name written in perfect cursive beneath it. "Congratulations, Leah Stone. You've been accepted to Crescent Grove Academy." It was like some sort of joke. No one in my family had ever gotten into a school like this. My dad made sure to remind me of that whenever he could.

I stood in the kitchen, feeling the sting of his words even though he wasn't there at the moment. The bruises on my arm from yesterday's "lesson" still ached, as I remember the feeling of his hands colliding with my body after finding out about my application to Crescent grove. A tear slipped down my face as I whipped it away I'd learned not to show any pain. Weakness only made things worse. The only thing that got me through the days was knowing I'd be leaving soon. Crescent Grove was my way out, my chance at something better.

But when I stepped through the gates of Crescent Grove, something was different. There was this energy—something alive in the air that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up it felt thick and sticky. The place was beautiful, sprawling green lawns, grand stone buildings that looked like they came from another century. But it felt... off, somehow. Like it was hiding something beneath its perfect surface.

The other students didn't seem to notice. They were already in their cliques, laughing, talking, blending into this world I felt I didn't belong in. It was like everyone here was part of some grand story, and I was the unwanted extra. It scared me wondering how I would fit in everyone here wore nice clothes and pretty makeup and were already friends how would I ever fit in.

Then, I saw him...

He stood across the courtyard, surrounded by a group of guys who looked like they ran the place. Jocks.. the bullies of every school He was tall, with dark hair that looked like it always fell just right, and these piercing blue eyes that made me feel like he could see through me. For a split second, our eyes met. I felt... something. I didn't know what it was, but it was strong. Like a pull. I knew he felt it too I could feel it but I couldn't let it be shown I thought to myself maybe I should look away.

But then he looked away, his lips curling into a sneer as his friends laughed. Great. Another jerk. I was used to guys like him. They acted tough, thought they could break you just by ignoring you or mocking you. Well, I wasn't going to let some random guy ruin my first day, I'm finally free or at least for until the weekend. Everyone stayed on campus but was sent home on the weekends.

I turned away and focused on finding my way around the place, trying to push that strange feeling down.

Ethan's POV

She looked lost. Not the kind of lost like she didn't know where she was going—more like she didn't belong here. But there was something about her, something in the way she stood in the middle of the courtyard, her eyes darting around like she was trying to make sense of everything. I couldn't stop staring at her, even though I knew I shouldn't I'm Ethan nox plus if my girlfriend seen ... well that's something else.

"Who's the new girl?" Greg's voice snapped me out of it. I shrugged, not wanting to give anything away.

"No idea," I said trying to play it cool. Realizing I looked too long.

Greg and the others laughed, making some snide comments about her clothes, about how she looked out of place. I knew they'd tear her apart if I didn't. That's how things worked here. I had a reputation to keep. But why did it feel wrong this time? But it didn't matter ... I can't show any weakness.

"She looks like a charity case," I said, the words coming out harsher than I intended. I saw her glance over at us and then turn away, her face hardening. Good. She wouldn't expect anything from me now.

But I couldn't shake that feeling, the one that hit me when I first saw her. Like something deep inside me knew her. And that wasn't possible. I would've remembered if we'd met before. But there it was maybe I'm just in the mood He thinks to himself.

I felt the wolf stir inside me, restless and agitated, which was weird. This girl wasn't a threat. She was just... a girl. Right?

"Hey, you good?" Greg elbowed me, grinning like he knew something. "You're acting weird, bro."

"I'm fine," I snapped, too quickly. "Let's just go." But as we walked away, I couldn't help but glance back at her.

Whoever she was, wasn't going to leave my mind anytime soon.