The Wolf Princess’s Gambit

I push the inhibitor into my vein. The liquid is silver — like liquid moonlight. Three seconds later, I can no longer smell werewolves. Three minutes later, I become a human.

The gates of Silvermoon Academy open before me. I bend down to lock my bicycle. “Did you hear? Two transfer students today. New Moonbridge kids walking right into the trap—” A hand holding coffee. A high heel stepping exactly where I’m about to put my foot. Coffee pours all over me. A scream explodes.

“Are you freaking blind?” The blonde girl gets close to me. She sniffs the air around me. “Chelsea, look.

Director Nielsen said one of the transfer students today is the daughter of a human cleaner.” She pokes at my Tshirt. “That’s you, right?” “No, it‘s not.” I get shoved hard.

A passing girl catches me. Brakes screech. A black SUV stops. A girl steps out — sharpdressed, oversized sunglasses hiding half her face. “Emily Nash.

Transfer student.” She takes off her sunglasses. “My dad is the cousin of Council Chairman Nash.” The blonde girl laughs. “There are only two transfer students today.

What about your father?” “He’s dead.” “Oh.

So you ARE the cleaner’s daughter.” She steps closer. “Know your place, lowerclass.” The laughter stings. “We have class.” The girl who caught me earlier lowers her head. “Mrs.

Weimar’s class doesn’t allow tardiness —” The blonde girl shoves her. “Abigail. Human girl. No one asked you to speak.” Abigail stumbles. Her textbooks hit the ground.

I crouch down to pick them up. “You’re helping her?” The blonde girl grabs my wrist. “First — I am not the cleaner’s daughter. Second — You know nothing about who I am.

And third —” —SLAP— My face stings.

I lift my head and look into her eyes. “You’ll regret messing with me.” She laughs out loud. “You’ll regret coming to Silvermoon Academy, Moonbridge freak.”

Abigail lowers her voice. “You shouldn’t have helped me. Chelsea is the werewolf princess of the Darkmoon family. Zoe is her sidekick.

No one dares to go against them.” “I know.” “Then why —” “Does 'no one dares' makes it right?” The bell rings. Mrs.

Pamela walks into the classroom. “Today we’re talking about the origin of the Moonbridge Project.

Thirty years ago, the Silvermoon Alpha King founded the Moonbridge Project, admitting one hundred human students every year.

This is a hand of friendship extended by werewolves to humankind.” Emily raises her hand. “What do you think about the negative rumors spreading online about the Moonbridge Project?” “The Moonbridge Project may have some —” “Some discrimination?” Emily finishes the sentence. “Some areas that need adjustment.” (Mrs.

Pamela) “Like what?” (Emily) “Like — human students should not question the teaching methods of werewolf teachers.” Chelsea’s voice cuts through from the front row.

In Ancient Werewolf Language. “What?” Emily looks completely lost. “Like — werewolf students should not deliberately use Ancient Werewolf Language to isolate human classmates.” Chelsea glares at me.

Abigail whispers, “What did she say?” My grandfather’s voice echoes in my head: As a human. Find proof. This is your heir’s trial. I lower my eyes. “Ancient Werewolf Language.

I don’t understand it.” Chelsea’s lips smile. Her eyes don’t. “Ms. Conner, if you can’t understand Ancient Werewolf Language, I suggest you transfer schools.” I lift my head. Calm.

Steady. “I’ll learn.” But not the language. Your secrets and conspiracy. That‘s what I came for.

Dorm assignments. Werewolf students live in the main tower — floortoceiling windows, private bathrooms.

Human students live in the basement — water dripping from the ceiling, the smell of mold in the air. “Helen Conner.” The dorm manager reads my name. “A converted storage room.” “Wait.” Zoe leans against the wall. “Isn‘t Conner the cleaner’s daughter?

She should live in the cleaner‘s dorm — with her own kind.” Laughter. The dorm manager’s eyelid twitches. “Miss Zoe is right.

The cleaner’s dorm is outside campus, next to the Forbidden Forest. An extra twentyminute walk.” I don’t argue. I grab my backpack and turn toward the east exit.

Zoe‘s voice floats after me. “Let’s see how long she lasts.” My phone buzzes. Campus forum.

Pinned post: 【Full Moon Festival Eve Alert: After moonrise tonight, werewolf students may roam the campus freely】 Top comment: “Full Moon Festival night = hunting season.

Twelve humans got clawed last year.” Abigail catches up to me. The old scar on her arm turns pale in the setting sun. “Tonight is the eve of the Full Moon.

Tomorrow night is the Moonlight Hunt.

You have to hide —” The intercom crackles: “All human students must return to their dorms immediately.” The footsteps in the hallway grow heavier. Denser.

Around the corner, Zoe leans against the wall. A baseball bat in her hand. Raised. Aimed at my knees. “Well, well. Two humans.

Heading back to your dorm?” Her pupils turn gold. “I can walk you there.”