We finally made it back to where our families were gathered. Daddy looked like he was trying not to cry when he saw me in my uniform. I realized that he must be thinking I was growing up. He pulled me into a hug when I reached him. It was rare of him to show such emotion. "It'll be ok, daddy," I promised him this time. "I got into the honors section," I told him. This was a normal conversation. It was something he could appreciate and was something he kept after the boys to do.

"I'm proud of you, Sam," he told me softly. I breathed in his scent, wrapped safely in his arms. He smelled of forest, wolf, and a scent that was just him, just my daddy. He finally let me go and looked me over. "The headmistress has made some accommodations for you," he told me, addressing me like an adult for the first time in his life. I think he was finally accepting that I was growing up. I just wanted to go back to the way things had been. "You will come home every weekend after classes begin. You will not have to have a roommate. They have also ensured that you will be able to shift forms enough." Shifters had to change forms at least once a week to be psychologically stable. It was still safe, but disconcerting to go two weeks without shifting, but any longer than that was just torture. The moon held no effect on us, but it was nice to go out on moonlit evenings. "The school has a large forest they own, and have agreed that you may use it in the evenings as long as you check in and out of the dorm when you do so. If you are going to roam the woods, we will be able to come with you, so I expect you to call us or your brothers,"

"Yes, daddy," I told him, knowing the amount of freedom I was being given was unprecedented. I wasn't going to blow it by being irresponsible.

"Keep your phone on you at all times. We will check in with you every day," he insisted. I nodded again. My phone was in my skirt pocket. It never left my side. He hugged me again. "We'll see you next Saturday," he promised. I knew it was hard for him to leave me here, but we all knew that there was no choice. "I love you, kitten," I smiled, he'd been calling me that since the first time I'd ever turned into a cat, when I was 5. My family usually all turned into wolves, but other forms were possible.

"I love you too, daddy," with that, he had to leave, and we had more orientation to go through. Professor Rhodes took over again while I was trying not to cry. She gave us a tour of the campus, including the main academic building. The tour finally ended with at the dorms. Professor McCullen led the boys to their dorm.

"Boys are not allowed in the girls dorm and vice versa after 8pm on school nights, 9pm on weekends. There is a common room in the main academic building that both sexes can use," Professor Rhodes explained to us as she led us into the dorm. There was only one entrance, with a secretary behind it. "New students," she explained to the secretary, who nodded, seeming a bit bored. She did hand 3 keys over to Professor Rhodes, though. "This way, ladies," she led us up four flights of stairs to a hallway of identical doors. She handed me a key. "You're in 425," she pointed at a door with the number printed on it. "You two are in 426," she handed the other two girls their keys.

"Why does she get her own room? My father will hear about this!" complained the preppy blonde girl loudly.

"She needs her own room. You need to learn to share what you have. Your father is well aware that you will have a roommate," Professor Rhodes said blandly.

"My father is much more important than hers. He's the mayor," she continued complaining, obviously expecting that would get her out of having to share a room. The other girl was just looking shy and scared.

"I know he is. This decision is final, Apprentice," Professor Rhodes reminded the girl. She obviously wasn't impressed by the girl's status.

"I'm much more important!" she tried yet again, the epitome of a spoiled brat.

"She is the Alpha's daughter," Professor Rhodes explained, seemingly bored. The girls gasped and stepped back. Shifters were feared. Everyone knew of their power. I also assumed that parents warned their children about how dangerous Shifters were. "I think you should all unpack and get some sleep. Until classes start, everyone is still on night schedule and will not be awake until dusk," she left us alone then and I ducked into my room as fast as possible. I didn't want to have the awkward conversation with those two girls I didn't know, and who already didn't like me. I locked my door behind me, not wanting to be barged in on. The room was simple, just a bed, desk, closet, and dresser. The bed was covered in clothes and my bags. I quickly put everything away, making sure to be careful. I set up my laptop on the desk and got everything organized as well as I could before finding my pajamas and falling back into bed. Too much had happened for as little sleep as I had gotten last night