MARKED BY THE MOON; SHE WHO SHINES IN BLACK

Dahlia’s POV

Walking the long hallway in Northmont High had always been my nemesis. It was something I never wanted to do, but what choice do I have? As a student, I just have to, unless I would rather not attend classes. Most days, I wished they could ignore me, but they never do, and I guess that's because of my size. I mean, how could you be invisible when you always take up too much space? Apparently, subtlety wasn’t built for size 16 thighs.

Northmont High wasn't a school for girls like me, Dahlia Reed. It was built for bloodlines, glowy skins, and wolves with jawlines sharp enough to cut glass. I cursed the day I set foot into this academy the same way I cursed my stepmom, who had done everything in her power to make sure I had been accepted into Northmont High. Because what better way to show love than throwing your human stepdaughter into a wolf pit with lip gloss? Now I have to walk head down and always pray that no wolf catches the scent of a weak human girl pretending to belong.

Today was one of those bully days, and I could feel it before it even began. The air was strangely awkward, and everything seemed to annoy me, even the creak of the door. Today was supposed to be one of my happiest days because I was going to clock seventeen tomorrow. Yay me. Another year older, still the same daily humiliation.

Whenever I remembered how Grandma used to prepare for my birthday celebration a day before my birthday, I was always filled with so much joy that I could forget to eat all day. Now Grandma has passed away. No longer here to cook my delicious delicacies and stock the fridge with them until my birthday, when I get to consume them all with the few friends I have. Jane and Kate. Oh, I missed them so much. I haven't spoken with them since Grandma died and I was taken in by my stepmom to live with them.

Thud! I collided with someone, and her books went flying around the hallway. I must have been so lost in thought that I didn't realize it until I heard that sound.

“Are you blind? Can't you look up straight while walking?” She spat angrily.

“Sorry girl, the hoodie girl is always walking with her head down.” Another guy said, and they all burst into laughter as if they had been expecting something that would make them laugh for ages. Apparently, I’m the pre-lunch entertainment. Glad to be of service.

“I think it's from her weight. She can't control it.” Another girl spat, which sent another wave of laughter right behind me. I hurriedly picked up the books, handed them to the owner, apologized, and hurried off. Welcome to Northmont High. Population: Predators. Target: Me.

As if I hadn't had enough for the day already, as I sat to eat, I heard a girl shout beside me. “Why do you have to pick this seat of all the seats here? Now you are taking up so much space that I can't even sit comfortably to enjoy my food.”

I looked and discovered that there was enough space for her to sit, but why she decided to embarrass me even when I don't know her is what I don't understand. A group of students laughing on the left side of the cafeteria drew my attention, and I immediately spotted the reason for their action.

Kyren Voss, the one and only Alpha Prince of Northmont High, was sitting right there, and all this girl wanted was his attention. Must she embarrass me to get that? Even after alerting all the students because of a false accusation against me, Kyren still wasn't looking at her side. He's too proud to; he carries himself like a mini god all around, and girls with slim-fitted bodies keep flaunting themselves over him. He's got the whole brooding royalty act on lock. Even his hair looks like it was blessed by the Moon Goddess herself.

I had never taken a good look at Kyren since I was admitted into Northmont High, maybe because I was always walking with my head down and didn't want to be noticed. Not by a popular guy like him. But today I stared at him, head high, half expecting him to say something. Perhaps to bully me like others do… I don't even understand why I wanted his opinion so badly.

His tall, lean, and muscular body caught my attention, and I couldn't help but take in this beauty. His silver hair is neatly styled, his piercing blue eyes scream royalty, and I can't help but stare. Possibly I was hallucinating from cafeteria lighting and emotional distress, but that man looked carved.

“Is the fat girl now crushing on Kyren?” A student who had probably noticed the way I stared at him raised an alarm, which sent the whole cafeteria into another round of laughter. That's what I always get. Laughs, laughs, laughs. They seem to enjoy every one of my misfortunes, and they laugh at every action of mine. I should start charging for performances.

Kyren said nothing. He didn't join in the laughter either, and that gave me a kind of relief I couldn't comprehend. I was getting laughter that sounded as if thousands of people were laughing at me, but I didn't care anymore since one person wasn't. That's crazy, right? But trust me, I can't explain that either.

Kyren stood up and left the cafeteria with his entourage, students who wouldn't be anywhere he wasn't. People call them the Royal Heirs, but rumors have it that only Kyren was born into the royal family. They led almost everything in school. The baseball team, and all teams in the school, and so did their girlfriends. They led the cheer groups and all other teams that required the leadership of girls. I guess being gorgeous also gave you a free pass to a school-wide dictatorship.

You dare not cross them. They would make your life a living hell. Rumors also had it that even when Kyren was their leader, he still hadn't chosen any girl to be his partner. Maybe their Moon Goddess hasn't given him one. I bolted to my hostel room after that girl had successfully ruined my lunch.

I retreated into sketching, something I find pleasure in doing. Here I don't get judged or laughed at by anyone. I wouldn't show anyone anyway. Not like any of them cared. I suddenly got the urge to draw a sketch of him. Kyren. I don't understand why I admire his beauty so much. I was busy with this when I heard the faint voice of a woman whispering something into my ears. It came like a flash, almost like the voice wasn't there, but I was sure of what I heard.

I sneaked out of my dorm and checked to see if anyone was loitering, but it was late already; some of my dorm mates would probably be sleeping now or still awake on their beds gossiping about whatever interests them. Since I was staying alone with no roommate yet, I was able to get comfortable whenever I was in my room.

The night air welcomed me, and I took my time to savor the moment. The air felt refreshing on my skin, and the sky darkened with stars. Then something shifted, and I suddenly felt like the moon was calling me.

Did I just hear a voice from my head?