I stand still, rooted to the ground as it's my only life support. Tessa stands in front of me with big round eyes that stare at the back of me. Tristian walks in front of us and looks at us casually. "What is going on here?"
Tessa exchanges a look with me and I gulp the lump in my throat. I don't understand what I am more stressed about. The way his skin shines under the ray of sunlight falling from the huge window beside us or that whether he heard our conversation or not. Calm. Take a deep breath. Act normal. "We were just talking. Girl stuff."
Tristian raises an eyebrow and looks at Tessa who smiles and nods her head. "Well, alright. So be it."
"But,why are you here?" I ask.
"You have a bad memory of Barbie doll. We had a deal, remember? So, today is your training." He says and a lopsided grin marks effortlessly on his lips. Oh how can I forget about the deal.
"Are you serious?" I walk around the place, my arms holding my hips and my mind lost out of all reasons as to why we are going to play football!"Absolutely. Do I look like a joking person to you?" Tristian says. I turn at him and raise my eyebrows. He tilts his head. "Alright, maybe I do. But I am serious about this one. We will be playing football today." He drops the ball on the grass and holds it with his one leg balancing over it's head."If this screws up, you are so dead!" I say and he smirks."Is that a threat Barbie doll?" His face darkens for a flash of a second. "Because I thought I am the one who gives them." All the hair in my body stands straight. And irrespective of fear and anger, all other types of feelings whirl inside my body like a wave. Why does it feel so—sexy?"Whatever." I scoff and turn around to hide my face from him. My cheeks fee
"You guys did what?" Tessa knits her eyebrows and gapes at me."We played football." I say and hop on the bed."But—b—how is that a part of the training? I mean, does the second contest have a football match?""I don't know. All I can do is either trust him or lose the only mentor I have now." I put a pillow on my lap. Since the time I came back, I can't shake off the time that we had when I was over him. And I am definitely not including that as a part of the training for Tessa.She sighs and sits in front of me. "It's weird. I never heard of something like this. I wish Gav was so sporty. All he made us do was sit-ups, push ups and sword fighting. ""I know right." I smile. " But it did help us somehow.""Yeah. But that's not the point. The point is, do you trust the Alpha? I mean what if he is pl
"Mom?" My voice breaks as I choke on my tears."Aurie! It's you!" She screams in joy and sniffs. "I have been missing you so much. Where are you? And why did you run away?""Mom, I—I can't explain it to you right now. You won't understand.""Why wouldn't I,sweetie? All my life I supported you. But leave that, how are you? Are you safe?"I close my eyes to restrain my tears and exhale sharply. "Yes mom. I am completely fine. How are you? How is everyone?""We are not good, sweetie. Thomas has been crying since you are gone and your dad is so silent. He doesn't talk to anyone. He locked himself in his room and MoonGod knows what he's doing.""Oh, I'm so sorry. I know I screwed up mom. But I...I thought this is the best option.""But where are you, honey? Is it far?"
I don't feel like waking up from my bed…I lay there,for half of the day, thinking about my fault."Cinn? Are you sick?" Tessa pulls the cover off my body and I grunt."No, I'm fine. I just—I don't want to wake up.""Huh? But why?" She tilts her head and sits on my bed.I sit on the bed, with my hair all over the place and wearing my PJs. "Last night, mom called me.""Salty sugars! How?""She searched in my room or I don't know...did some spell." I move my hands frantically. "She told me that—" I gulp in the lump of my throat. Everytime I think about it, I feel terrible.Tessa sighs and rubs my back. "It's okay. We can talk about it later—""One of our pack members is dead!" I say out loud.
Tessa shrugs. "Maybe they found this place and hid inside the forest?""You think that's possible?" I raise my eyebrows, questioningly."Okay, maybe not. Maybe it is something related to this Academy. I always had a feeling that this place is very creepy. Think about those horrible chefs! They add jam in pizza! In pizza!""Eww. Gross." I cringe. "But that's not the point! I'm not talking about jam in pizza. I'm talking about the creature that lurks in the forest. Do you think that this place has a lot more than it gives into? Like Hogwarts?"She gasps and leans over. "You mean, like Voldemort? Salty sugars! I spoke his name." She palms her mouth."Yeah, kind of like that.""I can't tell. I didn't really—" Tessa stops and looks into space, contemplating."What? What happened?" I ask,
I look at the mike that I hold in my hand with a blank face. "What do you want me to do with this?""It is very simple. You will sing!" Tristian says and I sigh."Why do I need to sign?""Because if it's true passion,then I will know that by watching how you sing."I widen my eyes. "You're going to—hear me?""Of course. Or else how will I know that you are not the next Beyonce?" He wiggles his eyebrows."How did you know?""Know what?" He raises an eyebrow."That I'm a Beyonce fan?""Pfft! I didn't know, I just guessed. She is my favourite till date. I met her." Tristian grins."Wow! You did? Wait. I hope she didn't feel like calling the security when she spoke with you." I smirk.
Tristian stares at me for a few minutes in silence. Meanwhile, I try my best to keep my tears at bay. The emotions are overwhelming, but I can't show him my cry baby side. I can't show him that I am weak.Just then he closes the distance between us and his arms wrap around me in a hug. Oh my MoonGod! "I'm sorry to hear that. I really am." He says in a soft voice, making me warm under his touch. Bloody hell! Why does it feel so good? He pulls away and then stares at me. "How did it happen?""Nightcrawlers. They attacked the pack at the border."Tristian blinks his eyes in confusion. "Oh. I see.""The nightcrawlers were the reason my dad wanted—us—to get married. But I didn't want to." I press my lips tight."So you came here." He cups my face and rather than feeling repulsive, I close my eyes to relish the warmth that only hi
"Salty sugars!" Tessa's scream jolts me awake from my sleep."Ugh—What is it?" I grunt, squeezing my eyes to adjust with the early morning rays."Look! The academy is taking us on a trip!"My eyes shot open." Wa–What? A trip? But how is that possible?" I move to the edge of the bed and take the card from Tessa.Dear Students,We invite you to join us in our first Academy trip to the streets of London. Gather today at the Academy hall at 9a.m."Huh? How is this possible? Didn't Cynthia warn us that we can't come out of the academy once we are in?" I frown."Yeah, but maybe she lied?""Why would she lie about something like this?"Tessa shrugs. "I don't know. But we can't tell until we move our asses. Come on! Get ready! It's trip t