The Day I Left Everything Behind
1036 Words
[12TH OF JULY, 2026]
The day I left my pack, it didn't feel heroic or cinematic. It felt like dying in slow motion.
My entire life was stuffed into one single duffel bag. Clothes, some cash, the silver locket my mother gave me... that was it. Everything else...my reputation, my title, my future as Beta, was gone the moment Jeremy opened his mouth at that fountain. Curse him.
I stood outside my childhood home with nothing but a duffel bag so light it felt insulting. The cold morning air stung my cheeks as my parents stepped out with me, their faces gloomy.
“Come here, sweetheart,” my mom whispered, cupping my face before pulling me into a crushing hug.
My dad wrapped his arms around us both and kissed my temple. And I heard those words which I needed desperately from people I loved most...
“I know you didn’t cheat on him, Aria. You don’t have to explain anything to me. And besides… you’re going to Harford for exceptional studies. I’ll always be proud of you, my little munchkin...”
Guilt pricked my chest like a thorn. Harford was a lie. I wasn’t going to a fancy academic university...I was going to a s*x academy half the world away. But I forced a smile, nodding into his shoulder.
Behind us, Jeremy stood near his parents, loudly sobbing into his mother’s arms, fake tears glistening on his cheeks. He made sure I saw every dramatic sniffle of his. Pft!
I turned away before my rage cracked. My father squeezed my hand once more. “Go. Become everything they said you couldn’t.”
I had one more place to go.
The air was cold that morning, dew dampening my shoes as I stood outside my little, independent apartment. My girls stood with me, bleary-eyed, wrapped in hoodies and bravery. I have so, so many memories here. My body was stiff enough to be read like an open book.
"You don't have to be strong," Clara said, rubbing my arm.
"I'm not," I whispered. "I'm just... going."
Judy wiped a tear. "Aria, listen to me. This is temporary. A new life is waiting for you. A good one."
Megan hugged me so tight I wheezed. "And if anyone at that Academy gives you trouble, call us. We'll fly there and scratch their faces off."
I laughed. A small and painful sound.
Rain, my wolf, hummed. They love us. They love us enough...to let us go.
The bus to the airport pulled up. Reality hit me like a slap. It was really happening...
"I'll come back," I choked. "I promise."
"You better," Clara sniffed.
And just like that, I climbed onto the bus. No cheering, no waving flags. Just my heart breaking quietly as my home disappeared behind me.
Twenty-seven hours, three flights and two time zones. My body felt like a cracked shell by the time I reached the Succubus Lycan Academy gates. I was starved. I was dehydrated. I was irritated!
But holy hell... it was magnificent.
An ancient castle blended with modern architecture. Obsidian towers with magically floating lanterns. Lush gardens with glowing flowers. Students walked around confidently, some already with harnesses dangling from their backpacks, others in tailored uniforms.
But these thoughts started lingering. What if I don’t belong here?nWhat if I can’t handle this? I left everything behind…
Rain whistled, distracting me. 'Okay. Wow. I totally get why the world drools over this place.'
I clutched my acceptance letter, feeling wildly out of place.
I barely had time to breathe before...
"Move."
A sharp voice cut behind me.
I turned to see a girl who looked like she was sculpted out of moonlight and absolute menace. Platinum blond hair cascading in perfect waves, black uniform skirt shorter than regulations, heels clicking like a damn warning. Damn, I already hated her.
She tilted her head at me with slow disdain.
"You're blocking the entrance."
Students around us whispered. Some even gasped dramatically.
"Ophelia's annoyed."
"That new girl is SO dead..."
"She's the Chancellor's favourite...!"
So this was Ophelia.
Queen bee energy? No. She was queen b!tch energy.
Ophelia looked like the kind of 'beautiful' that made other women instinctively straighten their posture. Her hair fell in glossy, silver waves down her back, not a single strand out of place, framing sharp cheekbones and a mouth painted in a perfect, dangerous red. Her eyes were a cool storm-grey, the kind that didn’t blink much, assessing everyone like they were already beneath her. Even her uniform looked custom-tailored, hugging her body like it was terrified to disappoint her. She was already in a uniform? I was lost in thought.
"Oh. sorry," I moved aside.
Ophelia didn't walk past me. Yet.
She inspected me like I was dirt on her shoe.
"You're the transfer student everyone's gossiping about. The one who begged for a re-evaluation."
Heat crawled up my neck. "I... didn't beg."
How the hell did word get out? Was prof. David Paine the hot gossiper? Ugh.
Her smile was weaponised sweetness.
"No, sweetheart. You complained. Big difference."
Rain growled in my head. 'Bite her. Please.'
No.
Not even day one.
...Not today.
Ophelia leaned closer. I rolled my eyes, sighed.
"You won't last here. This Academy eats fragile girls alive."
Then she walked away, hair swinging like a guillotine blade. And I exhaled shakily.
Welcome to your new life, Aria.
I checked into the dorms next. Well, attempted to. The hallway lights flickered, the air turning colder.
Someone was watching me.
I turned slowly.
A young man leaned against the railing of the second floor, all shadows and edges. Excellently blending with the darkness. His black hair messy like he rolled out of a nightmare. and those silver eyes glowing mildly. His broad shoulders were clad in a dark academy coat. Expression? unreadable.
He didn't speak.
Didn't move.
Just stared.
Riven.
I recognised him immediately.
The infamous Shadowborn Alpha.
Rumoured to have killed a rogue pack at twelve. Also...rumored to have cursed his family and pack to a famine, killing them one by one. I gulped harshly when his eyes never left me.
My fate wasn’t waiting for me inside this academy.
My doom was.
- Writer
