Chapter One
1016 Words
"Siaaaa" My mother's howl was way louder than my alarm clock. I cradled the pillow closer, refusing to open my eyes. Sleep is sweet, why do mothers ruin it.
Yanking the curtains open, the bright glimmers of daylight slashed against my eyes. I open them grudgingly "Mom!". I rolled my eyes.
"It's the first day of your last year at school and you still want to turn up late?" My mom stared at me incredulously while I grumbled beneath the bedsheets.
I did not need the tragic reminder. God. My final year at Belcaris Academy. I hated it.
I stared daggers at mom. She stood dressed elegantly in a neat frock, her brown hair tucked neatly without stray strands. Catalina Thorne believed every morning deserved elegance. I believed mornings deserved an extra two hour of sleep.
"I hate mornings" I muttered sullenly. Especially mornings that reminded me of Belcaris Academy.
"Well no daughter of mine is going to skip resumption day" My mother shrugged and then snapped her fingers "Up. Shower. Your father wants everyone downstairs in twenty minutes".
She disappeared into the hallway before I could invent another excuse.
I sighed heavily and dragged myself out of bed.
The polished mirror beside my wardrobe greeted me with the same reflection it had for the past four years.
Dark hair.
Blue eyes.
Freckles scattered across my nose.
Nineteen years old.
Still wolfless.
I stared at myself for a long moment.
In Belcaris, wolves shifted between fifteen and eighteen.
At fifteen, people celebrated your first transformation.
At sixteen, they teased the late bloomers.
At seventeen, concern quietly replaced amusement.
By nineteen...
You became the joke.
The sudden ringing of my phone on the table took my focus away from the mirror. Georgia Summers. Best friend of six years.
"Hey there, Alpha Thorne" Georgie's voice is cheery, a little too cheery like there's anything to be happy about.
"I haven't yet wolfed out" I reminded her testily, dragging my feet to the bathroom.
"Now, don't be a pitiful wreck" Georgie snapped "It's our last year. We are seniors now, Sia".
"It's also kind of my worst nightmare " I scowl, my fingers wrapt carelessly against my toothbrush.
"I'm guessing you haven't heard the news yet. It wouldn't be your worst nightmare." Georgie's voice sounds like she's giggling.
"You don't say" I replied nonchalantly, letting my eyes scan the basket for the toothpaste.
Georgie has a habit of getting excited over intrepid nothings. Typical girl s**t.
"Tyleen Ash is returning to Belcaris"
The toothpaste tube slipped from my fingers and landed with an undignified plop inside the sink. "What?"
"You heard me." Georgie's triumphant laughter crackled through the phone. "The mayor's son is back. The entire school is practically having a collective heart attack."
I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror a little too harsh. The freckles. The acne spots on my forehead. "Tyleen Ash?"
"The one and only."
"But I thought he was studying abroad."
"People return from abroad, Sia " Georgie lowered her voice dramatically. "They said he's been training under one of the Four Elders"
A grin tugged at the corners of my lips before I could stop it.
Great.
Absolutely fantastic.
The one boy I'd spent four years nursing a ridiculous crush on had chosen the exact year my life was at its most embarrassing to return.
"You're smiling," Georgie accused.
"I'm not" I lied.
"You are lying" Georgie said drily.
"Fine" I admitted with an eye roll "I guess I'm smiling a little".
"I knew it!" Georgie squealed. "I swear, Sia, if Tyleen Ash walked into a volcano, you'd probably volunteer to rescue him."
"I would not."
"You'd at least consider it."
"I'd watch from a safe distance."
She laughed again.
Then her laughter softened.
"So..."
I knew that tone. And I hated what it would venture to inquire.
"No dreams?"
"No wolf."
"No strange instincts?"
I squeezed toothpaste onto my brush a little harder than necessary. "No anything."
"I'm sorry."
The apology sat awkwardly between us.
Georgie had wolfed out on her sixteenth birthday. Beautiful silver wolf. Elegant. Fast.
Everyone in my friend group had shifted years ago.
Everyone except me.
"It's fine," I lied.
"It isn't."
"No," I sighed, staring at my reflection once more. "It really isn't."
Then Georgie cleared her throat. "Well... if it's any consolation..."
"It won't be."
"Solene has been posting about you again."
I closed my eyes.
Of course she had. "What did she say this time?"
Georgie said quietly "She's celebrating eight months anniversary with Vale."
My stomach tightened "You mean eight months of snatching Vale Krugger? How beautiful "
"Ignore her."
"Easier said than done when we share the same last name."
"Promise me one thing."
"What?"
Georgie's voice became unusually serious. "Don't let Solene ruin your final year."
I looked into the mirror again.
The same blue eyes.
The same freckles.
The same girl who still couldn't shift.
"I'll try," I whispered.
But even as the words left my mouth, a strange feeling settled in the pit of my stomach.
As though this year had already decided it wasn't going to let me try.
It was going to make me fight.
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