CHAPTER 44: YOU’RE NOW OFFICIALLY A STUDENT OF ELITE LYCAN ACADEMY.

"I’m Golden. You gave me that name."

"What?!" Victoria shrieked before she could even think. Her entire body froze, then instinct took over. She stumbled back in shock only to trip and fall hard onto her buttocks, her eyes wide with disbelief.

The man standing before her didn’t even flinch. Instead, he sighed dramatically, his arms folding over his bare chest as though this was all beneath him.

"What’s wrong?" he asked with exaggerated calm. "Although, between you and me, that name is lame. How could you stick me with such a terrible name? Was it because of my golden eyes? Seriously? I deserve better. Give me a proper name...something worthy."

Then, without warning, he stepped forward and extended a hand to her. "Now get off the ground," he added flatly. "My hand’s going numb here, and I don’t have the whole day, young lady."

Victoria blinked, her gaze dropping involuntarily and immediately snapping away. His sleeping dragon hung casually between his legs, and the fact that he stood there so shamelessly only made her heart pound faster.

"H.. How can you be Golden?" she stammered, slowly pushing herself up from the ground without accepting his hand. "How could you be the cat? This makes no sense."

"Point of correction, young lady," he said, his tone clipped and condescending. "I’m not a cat. You saw how adorable I looked, and you just decided I was one. That’s a disgrace to my entire existence."

He let out a scoff, then added, "I’m a werewolf. Just like you. But I don’t fall into your basic definition of a werewolf, I’m not just normal. I’m a spirit werewolf, one of the last of my kind. And although I never signed up to be anybody’s guardian angel, I’ve chosen to be yours."

His golden eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "Though to be honest, I’m already starting to regret that decision."

"Huh?! You?" Victoria exclaimed, placing both hands on her waist as she let out an incredulous laugh. "You’re really telling me you’re Golden?"

"I told you not to call me that awful name again," he muttered, dragging his hand down his face with exasperation. "Anyway....watch this."

Before she could say another word, his body shone with a burst of ethereal light. In the blink of an eye, he shifted into the elegant white cat she had known, his golden eyes still glowing.

Then, just as quickly, he shifted back into the naked man, his transformation sending another wave of shock and terror crashing through Victoria’s system.

With a startled cry, she stumbled back and fell to the floor once more.

"I was waiting for the perfect opportunity to reveal myself to you anyway," the man said with ease, as though the situation wasn’t utterly insane. "And that time is now, since you’re going to the academy. We’re both going, sweetheart. I can’t leave you alone in the hands of danger."

He smiled warmly, flashing two deep dimples that added an unfair charm to his already mesmerizing features. His voice, though playful, carried a strange protective weight.

"Anyway, enough with the shocked expression," he added, brushing imaginary dust off his bare chest. "You should be happy."

Victoria swallowed hard, her eyes still locked on him as he paraded around like her room was his personal stage. Is he really this shameless?

"Can you just put some clothes on?" she asked finally, her gaze shifting to the side in embarrassment, trying her best not to stare at his... everything. "Please?"

"I don’t get dressed," he replied smoothly, sounding proud of it. "I love being this way. Nature was meant to be admired, you know."

Bang!

The bedroom door burst open, making Victoria jump. In walked Mirabel, her expression filled with surprise and disbelief.

"You’re back home?" she asked, her brows raised. "Father and Mother said you returned yesterday morning. And now you’ve been admitted into the academy?"

Oh, you hoped Auren would’ve claimed me already, didn’t you? Victoria thought to herself, a smirk tugging at her lips.

"Yes, I’m back, sister," she said aloud, raising an eyebrow. "Is something wrong?"

But Victoria’s mind wasn’t fully on the conversation...her attention remained on the naked man still lounging casually in her room. Wait... she doesn’t see him?

"That idiot can’t see me. Relax," the man’s voice echoed in her mind, calm and amused. "In fact, nobody can see me. Only you."

"Congratulations, sister," Mirabel said, stepping closer to take Victoria’s hand with a bright, plastered-on smile. "I’m so happy for you. You should get dressed. There are still a few tasks to complete at the school."

"Tasks?" Victoria asked, one brow lifting.

"Yes. The school’s signing process," Mirabel explained, releasing her hand. "I’m going to take my bath now. I heard some new students are also joining today, including scholarship winners. It’s going to be such a fun day. I’m thrilled!"

With that, she turned around and walked into the bathroom, her soft humming trailing behind her.

As soon as the door shut, the man let out a loud scoff.

"That two-faced idiot," he said, clearly amused. "She deserves an Oscar for that performance."

He burst into laughter, but Victoria wasn’t impressed. She simply folded her arms and stared at him.

"Anyway, give me a proper name already," he continued. "That Golden nonsense just won’t do."

"I can’t think of a name right now," Victoria muttered, rolling her eyes. "Also again, can you please get dressed?"

He sighed dramatically. "I already told you, I don’t wear clothes. So stop wasting your breath."

Victoria groaned in frustration and turned away.

"Fine then," he said with a smirk. "If you won’t name me, I’ll do it myself. Just call me...."

"Leo." Victoria interrupted, her voice soft but certain. "I’ll call you Leo. Since you’re some kind of guardian angel... it fits."

The man blinked, then slowly grinned. His golden pupils shimmered with excitement.

"Oh yeah... I accept that," he said, clearly pleased. "Leo it is."

He stretched again, then added, "I’ll be heading into your locket now so you can get dressed in peace. I’ll reappear once we get to the academy. I have some things to handle in the spirit realm too."

He winked. "Take care, cutie."

And with that, he shifted into the familiar white wolf form...not cat and disappeared into the locket resting over Victoria’s chest.

****

Victoria exhaled, finally alone, and quickly got dressed. She pulled on a pair of baggy jeans and white sneakers, then tucked her green sports polo shirt neatly into the waistband. After slinging a small school bag over her shoulder, she dragged her suitcase out of the room.

Just outside, she was greeted by Callum and Theo, both looking sharp and ready for the day.

"You look beautiful," Callum said warmly as he stepped forward and took the suitcase from her hands.

"Thank you, brother," Victoria replied with a soft smile, slipping into the car with her two older siblings sitting on either side.

"We’re not waiting for Mirabel?" she asked casually. "She’s still in the bathroom."

"Oh, she’ll meet us at the academy," Theo answered, glancing at his watch. "She never gets ready on time and we can’t wait for her."

And with that, the chauffeur started the engine, and the sleek black car pulled away from the estate.

**

Soon, the vehicle rolled into the massive grounds of Elite Lycan Academy, passing towering gates and perfectly trimmed hedges. The moment the car parked and Victoria stepped out as well as her brothers, heads turned. Eyes followed her as well as whispers stirred.

Everyone noticed her, this elegant stranger with poise in her step and mystery in her gaze. A new beauty. A werewolf no one recognized.

"Let’s get you to the principal’s office first," Theo said, walking beside her. "Then we’ll take you to your classroom."

Victoria nodded, and together, the siblings entered the school building.

Inside the principal’s office, Miss Ameera sat behind her desk, poised in a fitted black office suit. She looked up, a warm and knowing smile on her face.

I didn’t know she’s the principal. No wonder she acts all high and mighty. Victoria thought to herself all while she was managing to suppress a laugh.

"Welcome to Elite Lycan Academy, Victoria. You made it," Miss Ameera said, her voice confident and professional.

"Thank you, Miss Ameera," Victoria replied with a polite nod and took her seat as invited.

The documents were handled quickly. Victoria signed her name, received her official ID card, and a neat name tag clipped.

"You’re now officially a student of Elite Lycan Academy," Miss Ameera announced. "Congratulations again. I look forward to your performance. And yeah make your way to your classroom and meet your classmates."

Victoria stood, exchanging a firm handshake with the principal.

"Thank you, ma’am," she said with poise, then turned and walked out of the office.

As the door closed behind her, her soft smile faded. In its place, a small, knowing smirk curved her lips.

Let the real game begin.