“Eugh … my wolf’s name is ….”
The man looked at me strangely, however, he told us to quickly put a handprint on a document and come back there the next morning to be given admission to Ethereal Hunters.
The next day we gathered in the meeting hall. I get weird looks from some people.
“Why do they keep staring at me? Do they know if–”
“Shut up, Lauryn. You know what? Just play it. Don’t act suspicious in front of them,” Mark interrupted.
I was silent and watched an old man give a sign on my dad’s back, then mom.
It was like a tattoo made of red liquid. Now it’s Mark's turn to get that tattoo. Mark told me to stay behind him. I nodded even though I was so scared.
‘I thought you wouldn’t come here.”
I turned my head and found Alpha Matthew standing next to me.
“I…”
“It’s beetroot liquid mixed with tattoo formula.”
I nodded awkwardly and now it was my turn.
The old man looked at me strangely. “How old are you, Miss?”
“18 years old,” I replied dubiously.
“You look terrified. Did something happen to you before?” He asked.
“Nothing. I’m just nervous. This is the first time I’ve gotten a sign like this,” I replied perfunctorily.
“Really?” The man asked once more.
I nodded in resignation.
“Please give him a sign immediately. I have no more time to greet them,” Alpha Matthew spoke.
“All right, Alpha Matthew, you got it.”
Without waiting any longer, the old man told me to turn around. He gave me a tattoo.
He asked me, “Did you drink something to mask your body odor?”
“He did,” Dad replied.
“Oh, I see.”
“Alpha Matthew, can we ask you one more thing before you get back to your work?” Dad asked Alpha Matthew.
“What would you like, Beta Hugo?” Alpha Matthew is staring at Dad.
“Lauryn is an introverted girl. I hope we can get a pack of houses that are a bit far away from the others,” dad said.
“My little sister will take you to the new pack house. You can choose which pack house you want,” Alpha Matthew retorted.
“Thank you so much, Alpha Matthew. Your help is invaluable to our family.”
“This isn’t a favor, Beta Hugo. This is my late dad’s return to Alpha Bonaparte,” Alpha Matthew retorted.
A girl came up to us. She greeted Alpha Matthew spoiledly.
“Stop being like that, Hannah. You’re an adult. Take a car and take our new family to choose a pack house they like.” Alpha Matthew commanded with great authority.
I was stunned when I saw it. My eyes and Alpha Matthew’s eyes met as I looked at him intensely. I was terrified because his glares gave me goosebumps. I glanced at Mark and asked him away. But Mark invited Hannah to go in our car.
In the end, we went to choose the pack house we were going to live in. Dad chose a pack house in an area that was not inhabited by many other werewolves. Around there I saw that there was a basketball court and a futsal court.
“We can play basketball near home now!” I was excited.
“I don’t think we’re going to play often now. I must practice in the first week while you must study hard in your school,” Mark replied.
“But why?” I asked.
Mark’s got my shoulder. “Look, we’ve been working our asses off getting into the Ethereal Hunters. From now on you need to pretend you have a wolf to everyone. You need to change your pathetic attitude towards others.”
“Mark, helping others in need is commendable,” I whispered.
“I get it. I know you’re a good girl. It only works until you have your wolf, Lauryn. I don’t want all our struggles to be in vain,” he said.
I take a deep breath, then I nod. I’m going to be a different person.
“It’s a new sheet, you need change. Forget about those assholes and live on your own two feet, Lauryn Anderson,” Mark said.
I look at his pupils that are dilating, it’s the first time Mark’s been serious with me. I obeyed everything he said. I learned some things that might change my personality.
***
The days go by so fast, it’s the last day I’ll ever relax. Dad got me enrolled at Petrovic Hunters Highschool.
“You know what you should do, honey?” Mom asked me.
I nodded. Besides dropping me off on my first day of school, this is Mom’s first day teaching as a permanent teacher here. Alpha Matthew contacted Mom two days ago to teach here while they’re short of teachers.
“I was the bad Lauryn Anderson, Mom,” I told her.
“I want you to change, but I don’t want you to be bad. You are the tough Lauryn Anderson,” Mom said.
“I’ll use whatever lessons you’ve taught me. I’ll defend myself when I’m bullied,” I said.
Mum nodded and stroked my hair. Mum pecked my forehead then told me to go to class before the bell rang. I agreed.
I have a class on the third floor. The students in that class were the children of the most important werewolves in the Ethereal Hunters. I received a mysterious look from a male student in the corner of the class when I introduced myself. I ignored it because my undercover mission was so important now.
“I’m Lorraine. I’m the class president here. What’s your name and what’s your wolf’s name,” a hand reached out to me.
“Lauryn Anderson.”
I responded to her without shaking her hands. Lorraine looked annoyed. She folded her arms.
“I hope you’re not a jerk like Jamien. You need to obey all the rules here,” she said.
“I will follow everything that is written in the school rules. But I won’t obey all the unwritten rules because they are rubbish,” I shot back.
“How dare you say it?” Lorraine growled.
“You should go to your seat. The lesson time has already taken place,” I responded.
“You…”
I glanced at her sharply as she gripped my hand. Lorraine grunted and slapped my hand. She went to her seat before the first teacher in our class came in to teach.
“Beware of her, she’s the daughter of a warlord of the seventh generation of Ethereal Hunters.”
I turned around, but there was no one whispering to me. Everyone was busy with their own books except for the student who gave me that mysterious look. He was looking out the window. Unfortunately, the distance between us is far and apart three benches and a table. That weird student couldn’t have whispered to me.
Then who whispered to me?
Break time has arrived. I’m already in the cafeteria enjoying my lunch. I can’t stop thinking about the whisper I heard a few hours ago. Lorraine suddenly showed up with her friends. “You shouldn’t be enjoying your lunch here, Lauryn,” Lorraine mumbled and put her tray on the table. “This is a public place. You have no right to kick me out. Anyway, I was the first one to sit here,” I said. One of Lorraine’s friends protested to me. “You’re the new student here. How could you give us this shit?”“Is there something wrong with being a new student here? Since this morning, you’ve been acting like you’re the owner of the Ethereal Hunters. Girls, you’re just snot-nosed kids hiding behind your parents’ titles,” I shot back. “How dare you!” Lorraine shouted at me. I gave Lorraine a glare like I’m annoyed by their presence. Lorraine picked up her tray and left me. She grumbled but I didn’t care about any kind of bullies. If I’m weak, I’ll get the same treatment as before. All the studen
“I’m glad to hear this. You don’t have to pretend anymore, Lauryn,” dad commented. “True. We don’t have to worry about letting you go alone,” Mark said.“Why are you so thrilled? Why don’t you wonder about my wolf?” I asked them. “Look, this is the thing that makes us relieved, baby. You’ve been through two tough years. It’s about time you found your perfect life, and your real partner,” dad said. “Isn’t full moon yet,” I complained. Mom came up to me to calm me down. “It’s okay, baby. You’re not used to this yet, that’s why you’ve become sensitive.” Mom added roast to my plate, while I scowled in annoyance. I enjoyed my dinner uncomfortably. My wolf kept screaming in excitement because of a fresh scent that came out of nowhere. We became awkward with each other.“What about your first day at school?” dad asked.“It’s suck. Lorraine makes me furious. She’s good at playing victim when Alpha Matthew invited us to the headmaster’s room,” I said. “What’s going on?” dad asked.“She s
Alpha Matthew waved his hand to me when he looked at me walking toward him. He smirked again but still I couldn’t find out what’s his meant by that. It’s not after school yet. Alpha Matthew makes an announcement by the megaphone, and it made me run over to the parking lot.“What are you doing?” I asked him.“I waited for you for about thirteen minutes under the scorching sun,” he mumbled.“Who cares about your problem? We should’ve met when school hours were over. You embarrassed me in front of everyone.”“Get in the car immediately. We’re going somewhere.”“I have assignments in my class, I have to assign them before the class hours are up,” I refused his order.“I will contact your teacher to complete your grades in the subject.”Alpha Matthew pulled me into his car. Alpha Matthew took me somewhere far away from my school. The place was very magnificent yet heavily guarded. We got into that majestic place after Alpha Matthew entered the password.“Jamien why can you be in this place
I handed him my phone and it made Jamien jump out of his seat. He couldn’t speak when he saw the thousands of obscene messages from strangers. Jamien Barnabas is the only person I gave my phone number to.“I have more important work to do than giving out someone’s number, Lauryn. I didn’t do anything to your phone number,” Jamien told me.“Then who else has my number but you?” I asked.“Hey, why are you yelling at each other in front of me? You can talk about this without yelling at each other like that,” Alpha Matthew spoke up.Alpha Matthew didn’t say much and grabbed my phone. Alpha Matthew smirked when he saw it.“Are you sure this is Jamien’s doing? Jamien is a boy who understands manners. There’s no way he’s doing anything to affect his honour.”“But—”“Believe me, this is not Jamien’s doing. Stop fussing over this, you’d better have fun.” Alpha Matthew returned my phone.I’m just so upset about his selfish behaviour. Even so, I can’t argue with him because he’s the leader of th
“A-Alpha Matthew?” Julie Duke froze when she saw Alpha Matthew dragging Lorraine.Alpha Matthew pushed Lorraine to the ground. Everyone was fixated on seeing Alpha Matthew’s aggressive treatment.“Please explain to them what crime you have committed,” Alpha Matthew commanded Lorraine.Lorraine lowered her head and said, “I took Lauryn’s cell phone from her locker and spread out her cell phone number.”“Where are you spreading Lauryn’s number?” Alpha Matthew asked Lorraine.“I don’t know where I’ve spread it, Alpha Matthew. I passed Lauryn’s number to a junkie,” Lorraine said.Alpha Matthew smirked. He tried to punish Lorraine in the presence of everyone.Jeno prevents Alpha Matthew’s treatment without saying much.“Why do you insist on punishing her over a trivial matter?” Jeno asked Alpha Matthew.“Trivial matter? You should know that it violates a person’s right to privacy.” I saw Alpha Matthew’s uncontrollable emotions and I swatted away Julie Duke’s hand.“You shouldn’t behave lik
“How do you know if I don’t have a wolf?” I replied to him.“It was very predictable. Your parents were very worried when the day the sign was given. They tried to cover up something very secretive,” Alpha Matthew said.I was silent, but Alpha Matthew came over to me.“If Alpha Hughes thinks you are his family, he won’t drive you away just a trivial matter, Lauryn. He will try to help you out of your troubles,” he mumbled.“Why do you ask me like that? Are you planning something?” I asked.“No, I didn’t.”“These few years Alpha Hughes has been different. However, I don’t think it’s a big deal. He is still my uncle,” I said.Alpha Matthew was silent and nodded. He took me around the lake with a canoe. He drove me home when it was 8 p.m.“Why are you getting home now? I’m so worried about you, Lauryn.” Dad was nagging when I just walked into the house.“Alpha Matthew asked me to go somewhere else, Dad.”Mark looked surprised. “He takes you away to that magnificent place again?”“Not. He
“It’s like a threat from someone,” Mark muttered.“Who’s the bastard who tried to threaten our family?” Dad was swaying.“I don’t know either, Dad. The message was so mysterious and threatening,” Mark replied.I looked at the paper and sighed. I thought it was Lorraine and her friends.“I know who did this. I’ll discuss this with Alpha Matthew tomorrow.”Mom turned around. “Do you know who threw this in the window?”“I know who it did, only I’m not so sure because they have multiple alibis.”“Are you sure, Lauryn?” Mom asked again.I nodded, then went back to my room. I took out my phone and texted Jamien.Me: Did you tell me to go to the lab tomorrow? Without waiting for him to retaliate,Jamien: Alpha Matthew sent you with Mark. We’ll plant new seeds that are fresher. Me: Whoa! I didn’t think he’d be this desperate. By the way, did you hear the noise? Jamien: Well... I heard it. What’s going on, girl? Did you forget to lock the door and a cat came in and stole your food? Me: How
“How do you know if I want to talk about it?” I asked Alpha Matthew.“It's not too hard to guess, Mate. I have thousands of surveillance cameras in every packhouse alley.” Alpha Matthew rolled his eyes.“But do you know who did it?” I asked.Alpha Matthew whispered. “That's not Lorraine. I gave an order for Lorraine's parents to lock Lorraine up a week later. She's so mischievous and should get good guidance from her parents.”“If it's not Lorraine then who is it? I have no problem with anyone but Lorraine and Julie Duke,” I muttered.Alpha Matthew was silent, he sighed then said, “Go inside. I need help tidying up my messy bookshe