The Wolfless Luna

7 - Just Another Day

“Remember your research papers on a species of your choice is due tomorrow.” Professor Wilder exclaimed loudly to the class.

She then turned away from the students to clean the blackboard, dismissing them. Clare slowly packed her things away as students left the lecture hall, wondering what she was going to do for her research paper.

Doing the paper on werewolves would be an easy mark but considering Professor Wilder’s personality, she’d probably mark those papers much stricter.

As she was putting her textbook away, someone hit into her, making her drop the book onto the floor. Clare turned to glare at the smirking culprit, sighing at the immaturity.

You’d think as adults they’d stop bullying people like they did in high school. Clare thought to herself, picking up her textbook.

As she did, Clare noticed it was opened to a page about the fairy courts. She was surprised that it only had one page on them considering the courts had three species – Fae, Pixies and Elves.

Then again, no one had seen anyone from the courts in the last two hundred years so it wouldn’t have made much sense for them to go over it in their biology classes.

Still, she was curious about them. Maybe…

Clare finished packing her things and headed towards the front of the lecture hall where Professor Wilder was packing up her things. She went over to her.

“Professor Wilder?” Clare said nervously, trying not to tremble as the powerful aura her professor was giving off.

Professor Wilder looked up at her and smiled warmly at her. “Clare? What can I do for you, dear?”

“Well, I was thinking of doing my paper on one of the fairy courts, maybe the Fae, but noticed there wasn’t much information on them…” Clare explained.

She wasn’t sure what was compelling her to do this but for some unknown reason she wanted to do research on the courts. Call it curiosity, but Clare was intrigued by them.

“Hmm… We don’t really focus on them because they’re not… relevant I guess.” Professor Wilder explained. “Sure, they’re an important part of our society but with the probability of you ever meeting one, there isn’t really any point to learning about them past the basic stuff.”

“Oh…” Clare murmured in disappointment.

“Still, I’m sure they’ll be an interesting topic to read about.” Professor Wilder grinned. “I’ll give you a pass to the academy archives since it’s the only place that’s bound to have the information you’re looking for.”

She quickly grabbed a note and pen, scribbling something on it before she handed it back to Clare.

“Take this and give it to Ms. Fredian.” Professor Wilder said. “It’ll give you access to the archives for a few hours. That should be enough time?”

“Yes, thank you.” Clare replied, taking the note from her professor.

Her professor nodded and Clare hurried off to the library. Once she was inside the large dome building, Clare headed straight to the front desk where Ms. Fredian sat, reading a book.

“Hi.” Clare greeted the middle-aged looking woman. “I’d like to request access to the academy archives.”

She placed the note Professor Wilder had written for her on the desk, Ms Fredian gazing at it through her glasses.

“Hand.” Ms. Fredian muttered, holding out a clawed hand.

Clare placed her left hand on Ms. Fredian’s one and the woman quickly used her other to paint a runic mark on Clare’s hand. She let go of Clare’s hand once the runic mark was complete.

“You have five hours to access the archives. Exactly five hours.” Ms. Fredian stated, going back to her book. “Afterwards the ward will boot you out.”

Clare thanked the witch before heading off to the archives which were underground. There was a stairway in the back where you could access the underground part of the library.

When she entered the archives, the smell of musty old books filled her nose. She smiled with joy knowing she was going to be alone for the next few hours, enjoying researching and reading.

After spending the next few hours in the archives, trying to find as much information about the fairy courts as possible, Clare made her way back upstairs before the ward booted her out. She was a little upset about leaving but she also had to do the write up of her paper.

Clare soon left the library and made her way to the academy’s front entrance when suddenly something exploded in her face.

She coughed and gagged as smoke filled her vision and nose, unable to see the cause of it. She waved her hands around to get rid of the smoke, finding herself standing in a magic circle. There were some students a few meters away, giggling in her direction.

Clare sighed in frustration.

All she wanted was a normal, peaceful life. And yet here she was getting pranked on by other students. Clare wanted to know why they hated her so much despite her only being there for three days.

Suddenly her eyes spotted Maria, the girl that had bullied her on her first day, grinning at her. Clare knew that she was the one behind the prank, even if she wasn’t directly involved.

Still, she hadn’t come near Clare. Hopefully, that meant Maria would get bored and she could go back to her peaceful life.

***

Clare officially hated her new life.

All she wanted was a peaceful school life with no drama or bullying but it seemed trouble loved following her everywhere. The students of the academy kept bullying her and playing pranks, wanting to make her ashamed of her status.

Still, she was surprised Maria hadn't done anything yet. At least not directly. Clare didn't like it, suspecting Maria had something up her sleeve, but she had other things to worry about.

Like finding a job…

"Clare, can you say back for a second please." Her professor suddenly called out as she was leaving the lecture hall.

"Is something the matter, Professor Harris?" Clare asked, her mind trying to figure out what she had done wrong.

"No, no." Professor Harris shook his head, somehow understanding what she was thinking. "I wanted to ask if you could tutor a student of mine that's failing... It's a paid offer."

Clare' eyes widened at the words. She could be paid to tutor people at the academy?! Finally, the universe was helping her.

"Sounds interesting." Clare said, trying to act indifferent. "Who's the student?"

"Me." A male voice said suddenly.

Clare turned to the voice and her body went still. Just her luck that the guy she was trying to avoid was the failing student.

“The name’s Xavier Wilder.” The male werewolf said, holding out a hand. “I really hope you can tutor me.”