Chapter 4

"Dad, please don't call him that," I begged. My dad always called people strange things. He used the word "encyclopedia" to describe Simon more than half the time.

I used to dress up as a fairy for Halloween when I was a kid. It had been a while, but my father did not forget that, until now, he call me that.

"Don't be afraid, little fairy. I won't make you look bad. Simon, please look after my daughter and her friend well. Don't worry about that other one too much."

"Uncle Shaun!" Gabriella, my cousin, came over and looked just like the spoiled brat she was. She was 5'3" tall and had layers cut into her blonde hair. She has big, sea-foam green eyes, a nose that points up, and a mouth that looks like a heart.

We got along well, but that was mostly because I didn't pay attention to her tricks. Since our dads were brothers, she felt like she could do anything she wanted. Most of the time, her dad gave in. I didn't want her to come with us, but she made me. Luckily, I had Sofia to help me deal with her annoying ways.

My dad said, "Just kidding, princess," but she wasn't.

"Goodbye, Uncle Shaun and Aunt Lydia. She said with a laugh, "I'll make sure Jacky keeps her nose clean."

Sophia jumped out of the SUV to tell my parents goodbye.

"Don't miss me too much while I am gone," she told them. "I know that without me, this place won't be the same."

After my parents gave her hugs and kisses, she got back into the SUV. After saying our final goodbyes, we got into the SUVs and drove to the airport. Again, here we are.

Even though part of me wants what the Moon Goddess said to be true. I began to have second thoughts. Maybe what my mom said was right, and I'm just getting my dreams and real life mixed up. I was sure I could feel dirt on my feet. Also, that smell was very strong. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

I'll keep my eyes on the prize for now. I need to get married. If it's my mate, even better.

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We had a lot of space and privacy on the private plane. While everyone else spread out, I sat between Sofia and Simon.

Sofia bit her fingernail and asked, "How long is the flight again?"

I don't like it when she does that. She is 18 years old, stands 5 feet 5 inches tall, and has long, dark brown hair. Her eyes are a dark chocolate color, and her nose and lips are thin and wrinkly. I thought she was pretty on the outside and on the inside. She had on a light pink sundress and brown sandals with straps.

"It's been six hours, so please stop biting your nails," I told her as I looked at her disgustedly.

"I hate being bored. She put her hand down and said, "Let's watch a movie."

"In a minute," I said. "Simon, can you tell us more about how we keep our security?" I asked with hope. "I mean, can I go to school with few people watching?"

Simon told everyone to pay attention. "From now on, Jacky will be called Diana Winters until the end of our trip. No matter what, no one is to tell who she really is. Rachel, Warren, and Lucas will have to act like new students and go to all of their classes with the princess. In Alpha's absence, the rest of you will report to the Gamma for guard posts around the school. The Alpha will also put his own warriors around the school to make it look like an attack is coming.

Rachel was twenty-one, but she looked like she was only sixteen. At six feet, she was quite tall. Her short, red hair is cut in a pixie style with bangs. She has green eyes that are soft and a big mouth. She has been my guard for the past three years. I put my life in her hands.

Warren and Lucas were twins who turned 19 at the same time. They were my newest guards, but I know the students will like them.

They were both six feet and two inches tall, and their red hair was styled in a messy quiff. Both of them were very handsome, with warm brown eyes, sharp noses, and full lips.

"Simon, what are you going to do?" I asked.

"Of course, I'll go to class with you," Simon said with a smile. "For now, that's all. "Go back to doing what you were doing."

"Movie time?" Sofia asked.

"Just a minute. Simon, do you think anyone else could pretend to be a student?" I asked, looking at Simon.

"There are a few, but I don't think it's necessary," said Simon. "It's best to not have too many people following you around."

Even though I'd like to think I've got everything under control, I was really nervous. This was the last time I tried to meet someone. If my dream was true, this was also where I would meet my future husband or wife. In a month, I'll be eighteen, and my wolf would either be coming in or going out. I also didn't understand how that worked.

"Simon, what is a mate? How do you know if you have one?" I asked

"A what? A mate? "Those no longer exist," Simon said, looking confused. "The Moon Goddess got rid of them a thousand years ago. No one knows how to really spot one.

I did read somewhere that they smelled good and that their touch was like fireworks, whatever that means. Since there isn't much written about them, all we can do is guess. I mean, it was 200 years ago, so I guess we could find a book if we found an old library or something. Why do you ask?"

"What are you guys talking about over here?" Gabriella asked, sauntering over."There are a lot of stories about them online. Even though they are made up, I'm sure there is some truth in there. I'll text you some sites."

"Thanks, Gabriella. Do you want to come to a movie with us?" I moved over to make room and asked. She was sitting between Sofia and me while we argued about which movie to watch.

We chose a rom-com starring Drew Barrymore, and I fell asleep during it.

I woke up just as the plane touched down. We got our bags and got off the plane. It took about an hour to get to the Shadow Moon pack. We got there just after 8 p.m., and former Alpha Lucien and Luna Star Murphy were there to greet us. Before her son got married, she was still called Luna. It was said that he was engaged.

"My name is Luna Start, and this is Alpha Lucien. Happy to meet everyone. How's your trip?"

As she asked, Luna Star gave each of us a warm hug. She had short brown hair and was about five feet four inches tall. She looked friendly.

Alpha Lucien moves toward the warriors and starts talking to them. "Your sleeping quarters are in the back of the pack house. It's impossible to miss. Our Gamma will be there to meet you." Our soldiers are very well-trained, and I was proud to watch them file out.

Simon walked up to Alpha Lucien and shook his hand. Before we went on a tour of the pack house with Luna Star, he told us about each of us. It was a very big building with at least five floors. My room and the rooms of the rest of my group were on the third floor. That was actually good news, since my title would have put me on the fourth floor, where the Alphas slept. Alpha Lucien and Luna Star each had their own house on pack grounds.