chapter 6

Alexa pov

The past few weeks had unfolded with a calmness that felt almost surreal, especially in our household, where every day seemed to blend seamlessly into the next. Lily was gearing up for yet another mission—her adventurous spirit was both admirable and infuriating at times. As I listened in, my parents were deep in conversation about her upcoming assignment, their voices a blend of concern and pride.

Lily, with her impatient energy, turned to me, her voice dripping with the kind of sarcasm only a sibling could muster. "Are you really just going to mope around this house, doing absolutely nothing? Why don't you give school a shot if you're so desperate for a taste of a normal life?" Her words stung—and I knew she intended them to. Instead of biting back, I chose to ignore her jibe, letting her dig into the silence that hung in the air like a heavy fog.

My mother, however, seemed to take Lily's words to heart. "You know, she might have a point. I heard that Willow High is accepting new students," she suggested, her tone thoughtful. My heart skipped a beat at the mention of a school—an institution I had never thought would beckon to me in any meaningful way. I stared at her, wide-eyed, momentarily taken aback. Why now? Why would she want me to leave the safe confines of our family business that she preferred I adhere to?

"Apply for it," my father chimed in, his eyes still focused on a map spread out before him, likely plotting details for Lily's mission. But there was an earnestness in his voice that caught my attention. "I will cover all your application costs," he added, almost casually, yet with the authority that came from years of being the head of our family.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Was my father really giving me a chance to step outside our family's shadow? "Really?" I asked, feeling a mixture of shock and excitement bubbling inside me, my heart racing like a match struck against tinder.

"Yes," he replied, looking up finally and meeting my gaze with a seriousness that made my stomach flutter. "As long as you study medicine. That way, you'll be of help to us when things get perilous out there. After all, every family needs a healer, right?" His proposal was absolutely exhilarating.

"Absolutely, sir! No problem at all!" I beamed, exhilaration lifting my feet off the ground as I sprinted towards my room, the excitement coursing through me like electricity. Thoughts of school, of classes, of maybe even studying in a lab danced through my mind like confetti in the wind. As I prepared my application, I could feel a world of possibilities opening up before me, and for the first time, the idea of a normal life didn't seem so far-fetched.

Andrew pov

As I sat across from my wife, I couldn't help but ponder the weight of her decision. "What made you think of that?" I asked, a hint of disbelief creeping into my voice. "I thought you wanted her to follow in our family's footsteps." My words hung in the air, thick with expectation.

"I did, but," she began, a thoughtful look crossing her face, "I thought about it last night. I realized that we can't force her. She'll follow her own path when she's ready. Why not just support her for now?" Her tone was calm, yet I could sense a flicker of determination beneath her composed exterior. This meant that she hadn't completely abandoned her dream for our daughter, and I suddenly felt my heart tug with a mix of relief and concern.

With the conversation swirling in my mind, I decided to shift my focus to the pressing matter at hand. "Lily," I said, casting a serious glare her way, "you'll have to go undercover. This pack is dangerous and rich, and we need to gather intel about where they stash their treasures. I need you to bide your time, gather information, and take them out… bit by bit." It was a calculated plan, one that would require patience and precision. "Make sure you're careful and don't get killed. Understood?"

She straightened her posture with a bright gleam in her eyes, filled with bravado and an eagerness that made my heart swell with pride. "Yes, sir! Don't worry, I'll manage it. If I encounter any difficulties, I'll let you know," she replied confidently, as if the thought of danger didn't faze her.

But wisdom had its role in my caution. "You should never be too proud, Lily. Don't underestimate them. They are far more dangerous than you think," I reminded her, a firm tone weaving through my words.

"Okay, sir," she replied, yet I could tell she was just putting on a brave face, hardly realizing the gravity of what lay ahead. I shook my head at her determination; she had a fiery spirit, but perhaps too much bravado for her own good. We spent about fifteen minutes mapping out her mission, discussing every detail, ensuring she was as prepared as she could be.

Once our strategy session was wrapped up, I excused myself and made my way to Alexa's room. I was eager to see how far she had progressed with her application, hoping to find her diligently studying as I imagined. Instead, I found her with her nose buried in a book, completely absorbed in its pages.

"Have you applied?" I asked, curiosity fueling my inquiry. She lifted her head, her face lighting up in a broad smile that warmed my heart. It had been some time since I had seen her radiate this kind of joy, and the sight made me undeniably happy.

"I have! They said I need to come to the school tomorrow with my guardian to take the exam and sort out the paperwork if I pass," she exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over. "So, I'm reading up for the exam!"

"Okay, I'll go with you," I assured her, my mind already at ease. I had every confidence in her abilities; her IQ was off the charts, and with her photographic memory, she could recall every intricate detail she studied with ease. I knew she would ace the exam without breaking a sweat.

With that thought comforting me, I turned to walk away, my heart swelling with pride for both my wife and daughter. Having settled my daughter's examination plans, I headed toward the training room to focus on my own preparations, determined to keep my family safe while navigating the tangled web of our lives.