Chapter5
1316 Words
CELESTE'S POV
"I'm still shocked he chose us to go with him, Grandma!" I squealed for the nth time, telling Grandma Gretchen all that happened at the selection.
Maybe my brain thinks if I say it loudly and often enough, I'll finally believe it.
"I heard you dear. I heard you the other thirteen times too." Grandma Gretchen, spoke like she was getting tired of it but her wide grin betrayed her.
"And it's not just to any academy but Hazel Peak... HAZEL PEAK! Only Lycans and Alpha Heirs attend that academy, that's how exclusive it is."
"I get it. Now you have a ticket to the cool kids club, you are in a hurry to leave me here all alone." Grandma Gretchen pouted.
I cuddled up to her, giggling, "Grandma, you know that's not true. Well, I am running away but not from you but from this place."
Ever since I was born, I've been very close to Grandma Gretchen, the only witch in the SnowClaw Pack.
I was told she delivered me to the Frostkins after my witch mother died giving birth. Fearing how I would be treated, knowing the stigma against children born of a witch and a werewolf, especially one from an affair, she volunteered to be my wet nurse and has lived in the pack ever since.
She often tells me stories about my mother, describing her as beautiful but stubborn, and often attributes my stubbornness to hers. Those are her best stories.
When I leave for the academy, Grandma Gretchen will be the only person I'll truly miss. Even though she's not my biological grandmother, I consider her my own.
"I know," Grandma Gretchen pinched my cheeks fondly. I was tempted to remind her that I wasn't a kid anymore, but I let her have this moment. This might be the last time she sees me in a while.
"I'm just worried you might have a harder life there than you do here. You say that the academy is full of lycans, are you aware of their superiority complex over werewolves? It's not too late to reject the offer, you can attend a normal werewolf academy instead."
"Everyone knows that grandma, but I'm willing to take my chances. No one knows me there; it's a fresh start. I finally have a chance to make a name for myself."
"I know you will, Cece."
"No I'm still goi- Wait, that's it? You're not going to try to convince me otherwise?" I didn't trust her immediate surrender.
"I wouldn't waste precious energy on that. I know once you set your mind to something, you never back down, Cece. You are just as stubborn as your mother. Just take care of yourself, I'll be praying to the spirits for you."
I wrapped Grandma Gretchen in a bear hug as her words spread warmth across my chest, "Thanks, Grandma."
[That's so sweet, Cece. Don't tell me you're gonna cry.]
'Shut up, Atlas'
{ALPHA'S OFFICE, NOW!!!}
I disengaged from the hug immediately.
"What's wrong dear? You look tense." Grandma Gretchen asked worriedly.
"My stepmom just summoned me to the Alpha's office."
"The Alpha's office? That's strange. Is there something wrong?"
"It's Karene. There's always something wrong. I have to go now. Bye Grandma."
"Goodbye my dear, don't forget to make lots of friends!"
"Sure, I will."
When I arrived at the Alpha's office. Beta Jax and Karene were already present and so were Amalisa and Khal.
I felt my heart jump in my chest the moment I saw Khal, and the pain I momentarily forgot came back like a wrecking ball. I didn't show it, I had Atlas to bear the burden with me now. I'll never show him my weakness again.
"Ugh, so you finally decided to arrive. What took you so long?!"
"Greetings, Alpha Jax." I greeted, ignoring Karene's remarks.
Alpha Jax abandoned the paperwork he was tending to and focused on us, "Great, you are all gathered now. You can proceed with your motion Beta Jared."
"Alpha Jax, I propose that you do not send Celeste to the academy. She is so weak that she can barely shift, I don't want her sullying the Frostkins name outside this territory." Beta Jared spoke passionately.
"What?" One sentence and I felt the foundation of my hopes begin to weaken. This was the first time I've heard him say my name so passionately, only it was to tear me down.
"No... you can't do that, I was chosen... You just can't do that!"
"Shut up and don't speak unless you are spoken to!" Alpha Jax commanded harshly, shutting me up in an instant.
"Is there anything else you'd like to add, Beta Jax?"
"Yes." He began, "If two people must leave, you could switch her out with one of Amalisa's friends instead."
Amalisa chuckled silently.
'That b***h, did she coach him on this?!' I wanted to protest but Alpha Jax's authority was too overpowering.
"I've heard your request and I'm afraid I can't do that." Alpha Jax answered.
Beta Jared looked very shocked, "Why is that so, Alpha Jax?"
'Oh thank you, Goddess Selene.'
"That's the reason I gathered you all here." Alpha Jax began, "I know it's less than ideal I also don't want such a weakling representing our pack at Hazel Peak but it can't be helped. Prince Adonis chose her personally, it can't be changed according to our whims."
"This also gives the SnowClaw Pack a rare opportunity. This is the first time an alpha heir and his future Luna both attend Hazel Peak Academy. Usually, it's only the Alpha that has the opportunity to go. In the future, our pack will definitely be ahead of the others when they come to power. I won't spoil that because of some stupid mistake. "
"So let this be a warning. On no account, should Celeste be MIA tomorrow for whatever reason," He stared at Karene in particular. She looked like she was about to faint.
"If anything happens, and I mean ANYTHING, I won't hesitate to banish the entire Frostkin lineage from this pack to live the rest of their lives as rogues."
The room fell silent as everyone realized he was dead serious.
"Yes, Alpha Jax." We spoke in uniform.
"Dismissed."
I ran out of the office immediately and only stopped where I knew I would be alone.
"Yeahhhhh!" I twirled and yelled into the wind. Things were getting ugly for a second there, but now I not only have the opportunity to go but reinforced commands as well.
"Are you that happy to get close with him?"
Khal's angry voice caught me off guard.
"Why did you follow me here?"
I noticed him glaring at me in the office, but I didn't realize he trailed me out.
"You f*****g slut, how dare you?!" Before I could react, Khal had me pinned against the adjacent wall.
There was no way out. I had to confront him. "What are you talking about?"
"You seduced the Lycan prince, didn't you? That's why he picked you."
"What the f**k are you saying? Don't forget I wasn't the only one who got chosen."
"Obviously, Amalisa caught his eye because she's talented and has a strong wolf, but you have neither of those. How else could he have chosen someone like you if you didn't seduce him?" Khal spat furiously.
I stared at him incredulously," I don't know why I didn't see this before. You're batshit crazy."
"Don't call me that!" Khal clamped his fists around my neck so tightly I could barely breathe.
"S....s..top... St..o....p.... Le..t g...o!" I gasped for air, but he only held on to me even tighter.
The amount of rage in his eyes scared me. It was burning and intense, suffocating me mentally, as much as he choked me physically. Soon, I couldn't bear it anymore. My vision started to give out.
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