Nightmares at Everglade Falls

1. Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Gabriel

I’m in Owen’s dorm, which is basically like my second home at this point.

We’ve been friends forever, and even though I shouldn’t be in the vampire houses, Owen’s making an exception.

We met on the first week of school and immediately got along. He is not the kind of friend my parents would encourage, but he is the only one who gets the pressure that comes from familial responsibilities.

It does not matter to them that he comes from one of the school’s founding families. He is a vampire. I am a wolf. We should not be interacting.

I have disregarded that rule for years, and now we’re in our third year of school. Just one more year, and we’ll be out of here. But I’m dreading it because I know what comes next for me. I’ll have to take over as alpha. It’s just the way things are when you’re a wolf.

Owen looks at me, eyebrow raised. “Did you unpack yet?”

I shrug. “Nah, I’ll do it later.”

He nods, understanding. Owen knows me well enough not to push. Instead, he asks me about my summer holiday.

I touch the scar on my cheek, remembering. “It was fine,” I reply, keeping it vague.

Owen knows there’s more to that story, but he doesn’t press. Instead, he tells me about his holiday or lack thereof. “I’m just happy we’re almost done with school,” he says, and I nod in agreement.

Just then, there’s a knock on the door. A first-year vampire walks in, wearing the House Glade emblem on his charcoal gray blazer. It’s a vampire fang, a stark contrast to my own deep midnight blue blazer, which bears the House Nightshade emblem—a wolf’s paw print.

“What is it, Haden?” Owen asks.

“Sorry, but the principal sent me,” Haden replies, pointing at me. “She needs to see you immediately.”

“Me?” Owen asks incredulously.

“No!” Haden says, shaking his head. “Gabriel. She said I had to take you back to her office when I found you.”

I groan, and Owen laughs. “What trouble have you gotten into already?” he teases.

I roll my eyes. “We can talk later,” I tell him before following Haden out of the dorms.

I stroll through the school grounds, taking in the sight of students milling about. I haven’t spotted anyone from House Lacroix yet. Either they’re fashionably late or still stuck in their house, fussing over decorations or parking drama.

A few people greet me with a casual “hey,” but nobody dares to ask about the scar on my cheek. It’s like an unspoken rule among us supernatural folk—don’t pry into each other’s business.

“You know I can find my way to the office,” I tell Haden, who looks torn before finally excusing himself.

I head towards the administration offices, passing groups of students catching up after the break. Fairies in forest green blazers, witches in deep purple—each faction has its own distinct style. But we all bear the same emblem, the one I see proudly displayed on the door to the administration office.

The school emblem represents the four main supernatural factions: a wolf’s paw print, a vampire’s fang, a fairy’s wing, and a witch’s wand, all intertwined and encircled by mystical vines. The motto, “Strength in Diversity,” sounds good on paper, but in reality, the factions mostly stick to their own kind, except during classes.

I put on my most charming smile, running a hand through my black hair before entering the office. Ms. Blume, the secretary, greets me with a warm smile.

“How was your holiday, Gabriel? And how’s your family?” she asks, genuine concern in her voice.

I return the smile. “It was okay, thanks. Family’s doing alright.”

She nods before gesturing towards the principal’s office. “The principal’s waiting for you.”

I nod in thanks and make my way into the office, feeling a knot of nerves forming in my stomach.

What does she want to see me about?

And why do I feel like I’m walking into a lion’s den?

I step into Principal Silvermoon’s office, feeling a bit apprehensive. She’s been running this school for as long as I can remember, and she’s got that aura of authority that makes even the toughest supernatural beings think twice about testing her.

She’s sitting behind her desk, her slick white hair cascading around her like a halo. She’s a powerful witch, and her presence commands respect.

“Gabriel,” she greets me with a nod, her voice as smooth as silk. “Please, have a seat.”

I sit opposite her, trying to appear calm even though my heart is racing. I rarely come to her office unless it’s to discuss something related to my family’s donations or to pass on messages to House Nightshade.

“How was your holiday?” she asks, and I resist the urge to roll my eyes.

Can’t people stop asking me that question?

“It was fine,” I reply with a forced smile. “My parents and I went to Greece.”

She nods, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “Greece is lovely this time of year.”

I nod along, keeping up the facade. Smiling is part of my persona—I’ve learned that it helps soften people’s prejudices against alpha werewolves. Most folks think we’re tough, rude, difficult, and aggressive to work with. But I’m trying to break that stereotype, one smile at a time.

But then she drops the bombshell. “Actually, there is a reason I called you in here. I’m appointing you as head boy of the school.”

I blink, caught off guard.

Head boy? Me?

I mean, sure, I’ve got the best grades, and the other head boy left, but... this feels like something else I don’t want to do.

I force a smile, nodding along like it’s the greatest thing ever. “Thank you, Principal Silvermoon. I’m honored.”

But inside, I’m already dreading the responsibilities that come with the title.

My parents might be happy, but I can’t shake the feeling that this will be more trouble than it’s worth.

Principal Silvermoon leans forward, her piercing gaze fixed on me. “There’s one more thing, Gabriel,” she says, her voice grave.

I raise an eyebrow, wondering what else could possibly be on her mind. “What is it?” I ask, trying to keep my tone neutral.

“There’s a new recruit joining us,” she says, her expression unreadable. “I don’t have all the details yet, but I’d like for you to show her around and make her feel welcome.”

I nod slowly, my mind already racing with thoughts of the trouble Owen and I get up to when the authorities aren’t looking. If the principal knew half of it, she wouldn’t ask me to play tour guide.

“I can do that,” I reply, hoping I sound less jovial than I feel. Owen and I really can get up to a lot of mischief. I don’t want her to think I’m too excited about the new girl.

Principal Silvermoon nods, seeming satisfied. “Good. And one more thing,” she adds, pausing for emphasis. “I’ll be announcing that you’re the new school head boy at the next assembly.”

I swallow hard, forcing a nod. “Got it,” I say, trying to sound more composed than I feel.

She dismisses me with a wave of her hand, and I rise from my seat, feeling a strange mix of excitement and apprehension swirling in my chest.

I step out of Principal Silvermoon’s office, her words still echoing in my mind.

Head boy.

A new recruit to show around.

And an announcement to be made at the next assembly.

Great, it's just what I needed to make my school year even more hectic.

I wave to Ms. Blume as I make my way out, lost in my thoughts. But then, I collide with someone, and when I look up, I see her—Isabella Lacroix, my girlfriend, my little beta wolf.

Her blonde hair sways as she looks up at me, her navy skirt shorter than it should be, her white blouse tighter than necessary. She’s wearing a rich navy blazer that complements her gorgeous blue eyes, and my heart skips a beat. I’ve missed her.

Maybe time away was what we both needed?

“Hey, babe,” I whisper, pulling her into a hug.

“Hey,” she replies, her lips sparkly and soft-looking. I lean in and kiss her, relishing the familiar taste of her lips.

“I missed you,” she says when we finally pull away. “I cannot believe I did not hear from you for two whole weeks.”

“I missed you too,” I reply, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “How was your summer?”

“Pretty boring, to be honest,” she says with a shrug. “But now that we are here and you’re back, things are looking up.”

I chuckle, pulling her closer. “I’m glad to hear that. How’s House Lacroix?”

She rolls her eyes. “Same old, same old. My parents are driving me crazy with all their expectations.”

I nod in understanding. The Lacroix family is one of the oldest and most prestigious werewolf families, and they have a lot of traditions and expectations that Isabella has to live up to.

Just like I do.

“Well, at least you have me to distract you,” I say, winking at her.

She giggles, swatting my arm playfully. “Oh, is that so?”

I nod, leaning in to kiss her again. This time, it’s deeper and more passionate. I’ve missed her so much, and being able to hold her like this and feel her warmth against me is like coming home.

But then, reality comes crashing back. I felt this before summer break. I feel it now.

I missed her, but if I am being honest, I don’t miss what her presence means for me.

For us.

Something has been missing between us, but it seems to be one-sided. I think my parents are just getting to me.

I have always known that Isabella was my end game.

She is the one who I get to claim as my Luna. She is mine.

Then why is it that whenever I remember that, I feel something constrict in my chest?

She is my future.

We are a puzzle that needs to fit. I don’t understand why it doesn’t feel like our pieces line up. I am the school heartthrob and now the newly appointed head boy. She is the IT girl.

We are the perfect couple on paper.

We should fit.

We have to fit.

I pull away reluctantly, resting my forehead against hers.

“Everything okay, babe?” her blue eyes twinkle in the light.

“Of course, honey , I just have to go unpack,” I say, my voice filled with regret. “But I’ll see you later, okay?”

“What did the principal want?” she nods towards the administrative office.

“I can tell you after. Then you can tell me all about your summer too, but right now, I really need to unpack. See you later, okay?”

She nods, a small smile playing on her lips. “Okay. I’ll be waiting.”

I give her one last kiss before reluctantly pulling away.

Little do I know, this encounter is just the beginning of a whole new chapter in my third year at Everglade Falls Magic School.