Star Rose Posted August 10 Report Posted August 10 Wolfblood Academy Caterina stood at the entrance of Wolfblood Academy, her eyes fixed on the sprawling campus before her. The imposing stone façade and intricately carved wolves seemed to loom over her, casting long shadows in the fading light of day. As an Omega and a non-shifter with a natural affinity for Geomancy, she felt a mix of excitement and trepidation about starting her journey at this prestigious school. The earthy scent of the surrounding grounds seemed to calm her nerves, though she didn't know why. As she consulted the map in her hand, trying to make sense of the labyrinthine corridors and buildings, Caterina's anxiety began to simmer just below the surface. She spotted two figures approaching her, both wearing the distinctive Wolfblood Academy uniforms. The suits were a deep, rich blue with subtle purple undertones, and the fabric seemed to shimmer and sparkle in the fading light. Aylmer, with his deep dark red hair and mismatched eyes, seemed to blaze with an inner intensity, his Pyromancy affinity evident in the subtle flickers of warmth around him. Luan, with his dark hair and piercing green eyes, exuded a quiet, reserved strength, his Spiritmancy abilities hinted at by the faint aura of mystique surrounding him. "Hey, you look a bit lost," Aylmer said, flashing a charming smile. "I'm Aylmer Valkor, and this is Luan Kaelin. We're new here too, just like you, it seems. We're trying to figure out our class schedule, and it's a bit of a mess." Luan nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we're still getting used to the layout of the campus. Would you like to join us and try to find our classes together?" Catrina nodded, her anxiety still evident just below the surface, and she gave a hesitant smile. "Um, if you don't mind, that would be great," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She didn't know why, but she felt a strange sense of comfort around them. As they walked into the academy, Aylmer said, "So, where do we think the auditorium is? We need to attend the opening ceremony before classes." Luan unfolded the school map and studied it for a moment before responding, "According to the map, it's straight ahead in the ballroom. Not the auditorium, though." Aylmer grinned mischievously. "Oh, come on, Luan, you're not going to let a little thing like accuracy get in the way of adventure? I swear, you're more rigid than your Spiritmancy shields." Luan rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Someone has to keep you from getting lost, Aylmer. Besides, it's not about being rigid, it's about being prepared." Catrina chuckled at their banter, feeling a sense of ease with these two Alphas she'd never experienced before. Aylmer turned to her and said, "See, Luan's just mad because I won the bet on who could navigate the academy maze faster in preschool." Luan snorted. "That was a fluke, and you know it." As they continued walking, Catrina's gaze drifted to the other students, and her smile faltered. Some of them were whispering and pointing, their eyes lingering on her with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. She felt a familiar pang of sadness and frustration. In their world, it was easy to tell who was a non-shifter, and it seemed like everyone else knew she was one. Catrina's eyes dropped to the floor, and she quickened her pace, trying to shake off the feeling of being an outcast. Luan and Aylmer exchanged a glance, their expressions softening in concern. Luan subtly reached out with his Spiritmancy, sensing the essence of Catrina's soul. He saw a sliver of black creeping into her vibrant purple aura, and his eyes widened in concern. Purple souls were rare and rumored to hold immense potential, but the black tendrils signified hope slipping away. He gripped Aylmer's shoulder, and the other Alpha stopped. "Her soul," Luan whispered, "there are pieces of black slipping in." Aylmer's expression turned thoughtful, and he nodded. "Yeah, it's probably because of the other students. They were whispering and pointing. They know she's a non-shifter." Aylmer's gaze lingered on Catrina before he turned to Luan. "But my question is, did you feel what I did when we saw her for the first time?" Luan nodded, his eyes locked on Catrina's profile. "Yes. She's my mate. I take it by your question that she's yours too?" Aylmer nodded, a soft smile spreading across his face. Aylmer and Luan caught up to Catrina, and Aylmer said with a charming smile, "So, Catrina, Luan and I decided we should stick together. You know, since we're three lost freshmen and all." Catrina stared at them hesitantly, her eyes darting between the two Alphas. "Are you sure?" she asked, looking away. "I mean, you guys know I'm a non-shifter, and I know who you are – two of the most powerful freshmen in the school. Why would you want me to be your friend?" Luan's grin was warm and genuine. "Because you're interesting." Catrina crossed her arms, her expression skeptical. "I'm hardly interesting, and that's not a reason." Aylmer's grin didn't falter. "Well, it's our reason, and you'll have to accept it. Now, come on, or we'll be late." Before Catrina could protest further, Aylmer and Luan each took one of her hands, pulling her along. For the first time ever, she didn't flinch at someone's touch. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise as she felt a sense of calm wash over her. She had always been wary of physical contact, but with Aylmer and Luan, it felt...different. She glanced at them, her eyes meeting theirs, and for a moment, she felt like she was drowning in their gaze. Aylmer's eyes sparkled with amusement, while Luan's were warm and genuine. Catrina's heart skipped a beat as she felt a flutter in her chest. She looked away, trying to compose herself, but she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was in over her head. As they walked towards the ballroom, Aylmer and Luan flanking her on either side, Catrina felt a sense of trepidation wash over her. She wasn't sure if she was ready to be tied to these two Alphas, no matter how charming they seemed. Aylmer's eyes sparkled with amusement as he glanced at her, and Luan's expression was warm and encouraging. But Catrina wasn't fooled. She knew the dangers that lurked in the shadows of Wolfblood Academy, and she wasn't about to let her guard down. "Fine, I'll join you for now," she said, her voice laced with a hint of warning. "But I'm warning you, I know how to fight." Her eyes narrowed slightly as she gazed up at Aylmer and Luan. "Don't think for a second that just because I'm a non-shifter, I'm helpless." Aylmer's grin spread wide across his face. "Is that a threat or a promise?" he asked, his voice low and teasing. Luan chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. Catrina's expression didn't change, but a small smile played on her lips. "You can take it however you want," she said, her voice dry. "Just don't say I didn't warn you." As they entered the ballroom, the sound of murmured conversations and the rustle of uniforms filled the air. Catrina felt a sense of unease wash over her, but with Aylmer and Luan by her side, she felt a strange sense of comfort. Maybe, just maybe, this wouldn't be so bad after all. Aylmer leaned in, his voice low and conspiratorial. "I think we're going to get along just fine, Catrina." Luan nodded in agreement, his eyes never leaving hers. Catrina raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "We'll see about that," she said, her voice laced with amusement. The three of them walked towards their seats, the tension between them palpable, but also strangely exhilarating. As they sat down, Catrina looked at the grand ballroom they were in, its chandeliers refracting light into a kaleidoscope of colors. Everyone took their seats, the air thick with anticipation. On the podium, the staff and Headmaster stood, their faces stern but expectant. The Headmaster cleared his throat, his voice booming through the room. "Welcome, freshmen. You'll be assigned dorms based on which stone you pick. Each dorm building has four floors, one for each year. The dorms are coed." A few students snickered, exchanging knowing glances. The Headmaster's expression turned stern, his voice firm. "As I was saying, they're coed because you're all mature adults in the making. And I'll add: anyone caught breaking any rules will be sent to the Lykospho for life." The snickering students fell silent, their faces pale. Catrina shivered at the mention of the Lykospho, a sense of unease settling in her stomach. She felt a surge of gratitude for memorizing the rule book, determined not to end up in that place. Luan and Aylmer noticed her shiver, their eyes flicking to hers, but they didn't say anything. The Headmaster continued, his voice unwavering. "Now, you're all here for the next part of your journey to master your abilities and become productive members of society. But make no mistake, some of you don't belong here. Some of you can't even shift. And it's the non-shifters you must watch out for. They can't be trusted." His gaze swept the room, his eyes lingering on Catrina. "Which is why no non-shifter has ever graduated. Most drop out or...face consequences." Catrina's face pinched, her eyes flashing with anger as the Headmaster's words cut deep. She gave everyone who stared a death glare, her jaw clenched in a silent growl. Luan and Aylmer exchanged a look, their expressions darkening as they struggled to contain their anger. The Headmaster's voice remained steady. "And now, the stone-choosing ceremony. There are two dorms: Solaris and Lunanos. You get one chance to pick a stone, and that will determine your home for the next few years. Now, line up." The room erupted into a flurry of movement as students began to form a line, their eyes fixed on the stones laid out on a nearby table. Catrina stood, her heart racing with anticipation and anxiety. What would her stone choose? And what lay ahead in the dorms? The Headmaster gestured to a mysterious box with a soft, ethereal glow emanating from it. "Each of you will reach into the box and retrieve a stone. The stone you choose will determine your dormitory assignment." The box seemed to hum with magic, its glow pulsing like a gentle heartbeat. As the students approached the mysterious box, they hesitated, their hands hovering over the opening. Then, one by one, they reached in, their faces aglow with wonder. Catrina, Luan, and Aylmer stepped forward together, their eyes locked on the box. Each of them plunged their hand into the depths of the box and pulled out a crescent-shaped stone, its surface glowing with a soft, blueish-white light. Meanwhile, students who were sorted into Solaris pulled out sun-shaped stones, their surfaces ablaze with vibrant red, orange, and yellow tones. Among them were Janiece, Aubrey, and Piper, three girls who exuded an air of confidence and entitlement. Janiece, with her piercing gaze and icy smile, seemed to be the leader of the group. As she held up her sun-shaped stone, her eyes locked onto Luan, and a possessive glint sparkled in her gaze. "Looks like we're going to be shining bright in Solaris," Janiece said, her voice dripping with superiority. Aubrey and Piper nodded in agreement, their eyes flicking to Catrina and Luan with disdain. The contrast between the two groups was stark, with the Lunanos stones seeming to glow with a softer, more mystical light, while the Solaris stones blazed with a fiery intensity. 1 1
Prince Posted August 11 Report Posted August 11 i found some parts interesting and i wanted to share my thoughts this story includes a lot of worldbuilding aspects and also some plot twists. this gives the reader an understanding of most things that are happening, but in my opinion it can be overdone. we're told a lot of things right off the bat - that her soul is special, that both of those guys are her fated alphas, actually we know a LOT about these guys even if we just met them. on the other hand, i was left feeling curious about the non-shifter thing, seeing as there's a lot of discrimination but we don't know why yet. i'm also not familiar with the concept so i was curious to learn what it was. that sense of curiosity or mystery does a lot to make a story interesting! it's what drives the feeling of "i need to know what happens next". when you already know so much, not a lot of questions are left unanswered for the next chapters. i have to say, i reallyyy loved this description: On 8/10/2025 at 2:26 AM, Star Rose said: The imposing stone façade and intricately carved wolves seemed to loom over her, casting long shadows in the fading light of day. it paints such a suggestive image. the building wasn't described in detail but i was still able to visualize it in my head, i felt like i was there! i was genuinely impressed by it!!! this one is cool too: On 8/10/2025 at 2:26 AM, Star Rose said: Catrina looked at the grand ballroom they were in, its chandeliers refracting light into a kaleidoscope of colors. i really, really like the way you describe places. i like what you choose to focus on, they're all things that contribute greatly to the vibe. imposing stone, wolf sculptures, casting shadows, fading day light, all make me think "intimidating, dark" and even "oppressive", but intricate makes me think "elegant". fancy sparkly chandeliers make me think "rich, elegant, extra". you have potential, i would love to read more of this!! stopping to describe the environment can do wonders for immersion. it lets the reader feel like they're part of the story, like they're seeing things through the characters' eyes. as such it can also give them an idea of how the character sees the world. so instead of directly telling us something, you have the option of showing it through descriptions. you might have heard of "show, don't tell" which can be a very powerful tool, and you seem to have a knack for it. i think it would be cool if it was used more! at the same time descriptions help with pacing. it allows the reader to sit down for a moment and get a break from new plot elements, so they can reflect on what they already know and process any new information. also just a personal thing: i'm a sucker for banter. it's your story so no godmodding but in my heart i hope these three bicker as often as possible. this one was my favorite: On 8/10/2025 at 2:26 AM, Star Rose said: "See, Luan's just mad because I won the bet on who could navigate the academy maze faster in preschool."
Star Rose Posted August 12 Author Report Posted August 12 Thanks for the feedback this is just one of my ideas that I'm messing around with but I'll let u know if I continue it
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