Chapter 75

Anila’s POV

Harley was sweet and stayed by my side as we walked into Principal Rapport’s office. Despite how emotional I was and the fact that I couldn’t seem to stop crying, even as Harley drew circles with the palm of his hand on my lower back. But as soon as I stepped into Principal Rapport's office and saw all the incredible plants that surrounded the area, I felt my body relaxing.

I knew they were freshly watered already because water dripped from the pretty green leaves, and everything looked so lifelike.

Principal Rapport motioned for his seats in front of his desk while he took a seat as well. Harley kept his hand on me as we both sat and then he moved his hand from my back to my upper leg, continuing the small circles. It was like he knew his touch calmed me and I really appreciated that.

I gave him an appreciative smile through my tears.

Principal Rapport grabbed a box of tissues and pushed them toward me. Harley grabbed a couple and handed them to me.

“Thanks,” I said, blowing my nose and then wiping my eyes.

“I’m sorry that you had to find out about this war in the way that you did, Anila,” Principal Rapport began to say, and I could hear the sincerity in his voice. “They came to me and told me they were called away immediately. They were going to sit you down and speak with you once they were done informing me. I knew this war was going to happen sooner or later; as soon as I knew Edmond Richards was being ruled as the new Alpha King, I knew hell was going to break loose. It’s a shame really.”

“What’s so wrong with him? I don’t understand,” I said, as more tears filled my eyes.

“He’s a cruel man who wanted each creature to live in separate units. He doesn’t believe that bears and wolves should live in Harmony. That goes for other creatures as well. He wants complete dictatorship over wolves, leaving others out in the dust.”

I gasped and looked at Harley for confirmation of what Principal Rapport was saying. Harley looked grim, but he nodded in response.

“He’s not a good guy, Anila. He encouraged the war with the dragons,” Harley explained.

“What?” I asked in a harsh whisper, covering my mouth with my hands. “Are you serious?”

They both nodded.

“He worked closely with the former Dragon King and convinced him that using his dragons for this war was the best route. He wanted the dragons to take out any creature that wasn’t a wolf,” Harley continued to explain.

My heart fell deep into my stomach; I was suddenly feeling very sick, and I thought for a moment that I was going to pass out.

“What does he have against other shifters?” I found myself asking, my voice coming out breathy and unfamiliar.

“He thinks they are weak,” Principal Rapport was the one who answered. “That they aren’t worth his time and protection. They use our resources, and they don’t contribute to the greater good. He finds them to be a waste of time and energy. I’m not sure how he became the new Alpha King, but if he’s not stopped, he will destroy our nation. Not to mention get our school shut down.”

I cringed at the thought; what would happen if this school got shut down? Would I have to return home to Claire? I certainly didn’t want to return to my old life and continue being the prisoner of my stepmother and stepsister.

I winced at the very thought of it. Harley squeezed my leg as if he could read my thoughts and when my eyes met his, I saw the determination in his gaze.

“It’s going to be fine because we aren’t going to let that happen,” he assured me. “Right now, this battle is only for wolves. But if it escalates, then the bears will intervene if necessary. If the war ends and Edmond still stands, there’s a 2-month grace period where any shifter can battle him to the death for the throne. We aren’t going to let Edmond rule Stardust Valley and destroy everything we had worked so hard to protect.”

I nodded, believing every word he was saying. I felt a little calmer, but I still didn’t like the idea of Xaden and Zach fighting in this war. I didn’t want anything to happen to them.

“We are still a way away before we have to worry about any of that stuff,” Principal Rapport assured me. “But that’s not what I wanted to speak with you about.”

I nodded, wiping the remaining tears from my eyes.

“What did you want to talk about?” I asked, almost afraid of what he was going to say next.

“I know you already heard about the upcoming challenges. They are almost two months away and they will determine your ranking around not just the school, but all of Stardust Valley as well.”

My mouth fell open from this information.

“All of Stardust Valley?” I asked, shocked.

Principal Rapport nodded.

“It would make you a powerful figure, someone that others look up to. These challenges are not easy, and they are not for the weak. We only allow bears, wolves, and sorcerers to partake in them because they are the strongest of all beings in Stardust Valley. You can only participate in these challenges twice and the goal is to get into the top 4 category. Of course, number 1 is always the best.”

“You can only take the challenges twice?” I asked, looking at Harley and then back at Principal Rapport. I was very confused because I hadn’t heard of the challenges in this kind of way.

“Yes. They can’t be retaken until another two years have passed though,” Principal Rapport confirmed. “And they aren’t usually offered until you reach your 3(rd) year. But even then, most will wait until their 4(th) or 5(th) year to participate. If you get through the first couple of tests during the challenges, you could still make a pretty decent name for yourself, even if you don’t get in the top 4, so many will participate just for a little recognition and to showcase their talents.”

My head was whirling with this information.

“The challenges are held every year, the third month of the year,” he continued. “Most practice their whole lives for these challenges, so by the time they sign up, they are more than ready to participate. If you make it into the top 4, you will be in the top student slot. But that won’t knock the other two students down. They will remain the top students as well but in a different year. Once a student graduates, their top student spot will go into the hall of fame to make room for future top students.”

“Also, the challenges are televised so every creature around the world will be watching,” Harley added, making my heart leap into my chest.

I stared at him in shock.

“What?” I gasped.

“Everyone would be watching?”

I didn’t like attention in that kind of way, and I wasn’t sure what to do with any of this information.

“Why are you telling me all of this?” I finally asked, turning my attention back to Principal Rapport.

Principal Rapport folded his hands together and leaned forward in his seat as he studied me.

“Because out of all my years of teaching and being the principal at this school, I had never had a student quite like you,” he informed me. “You are an exceptionally quick learner, and you are able to master multiple spells at once. I’ve spoken to all of your professors, and they are all equally impressed with your skills, Miss Montgomery.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“They are?” I asked, my voice sounding raw and strained as I spoke.

“Yes, they are,” Principal Rapport confirmed.

“You should see her lift weights,” Harley said proudly with a grin. “She can easily bench twice as much as anyone in that class.”

“Professor Tilly had said the same thing,” Principal Rapport surprised me by saying, a smile playing on his lips. “That’s very impressive indeed. Tell me, Anila, you’ve received your spirit animal recently, right?”

“Yes, sir,” I said, biting my lower lip.

“And what is your animal? I should probably update the database now that we know for sure.”

I looked at Harley like I needed his permission to answer him. He gave me an encouraging smile and squeezed my leg again. I took a deep breath and looked back at Principal Rapport who was waiting patiently for me to answer.

“I’m a wolf,” I said softly. Principal Rapport’s eyes raised as he looked between Harley and me and then he nodded thoughtfully.

“Okay then,” he said as he started to type on his computer.

I cleared my throat.

“But I’m also a bear.”

His fingers paused typing and he looked at me, surprise evident on his face.

“Are you telling me you are wolf and bear?” He asked.

I nodded hesitantly.

“Yes, sir,” I answered. “I am both.”

He looked at me in wonder and then he looked at Harley for confirmation; Harley nodded, and Principal Rapport's eyes widened as he looked at me.

“Could it be true….” He whispered; I was unsure if he was talking to me or to himself though. “Could the moon goddess really have sent us a new queen?”