Shadow Of The Hunt

Chapter 3: NOT AN ORDINARY SCHOOL

They passed by the dormitories, the buildings growing farther apart as they made their way towards the edge of the field.

As they walked, Aria explained a few things to Ethan, but she was vague, keeping secrets. Ethan's frustration grew, but he knew he had to be patient. Aria seemed to know what she was doing, and he trusted her.

But one thing Ethan seemed to be sure of was that he would write his own stories even if he remained in the dark about certain things.

But what if his story and fate had been written already? That would cost him a whole lot more than he thought.

Maybe his life. Secrets about his past relationships. Those were things that could threaten his stand if not taken care of.

"You're going to get your answers soon," Aria said, her voice soft. "But not all at once. You need to be patient, Ethan."

Aria's words sounded like encouragement but it was triggering a whole lot more in the mind of this innocent wolf.

Ethan nodded, his mind racing with questions.

When they reached the edge of the field, Ethan's eyes widened in amazement. Before him lay a sprawling campus, with classrooms and buildings stretching out as far as the eye could see. Students milled about, laughing and chatting with each other.

Aria stopped and turned to him, her eyes serious. "This isn't just a normal school," she said, her voice low. "It's a school for wolves like you."

Ethan's heart skipped a beat. Wolves like him? What did she mean? He felt a sense of trepidation growing inside him, a sense of uncertainty.

Ethan chuckled a while as he opened his mouth to speak. “I've only read about wolves in books. I guess you are mistaken. Wolves do not exist. So you know.”

Ethan's stomach churn as he spoke as if something was forcing him to quieten down. The hairs on Ethan's body rose, and he felt glares directed at him.

He stood in the cold gazes of several unseen forces.

“That's one of the signs that confirms that this place is meant for people like you. I understand how you feel but just know you are not alone. You will face a lot of competitors. There are many others like you, but I'm here to help you. Only the instructors are willing to help you. No other students would, instead they would like to dare you. So you should make use of this opportunity.”

Aria winked lastly as she finished her briefing.

Ethan's mind reeled as he processed Aria's words. All that filled his mind at that moment was the word ‘’wolves like him'.

As he looked at Aria, Ethan whispered, his voice shaking with emotion. "What have I become?"

Aria's eyes softened, her gaze filled with compassion. "Something dangerous," she replied quietly. "If you're not careful."

Ethan's heart skipped a beat as he processed Aria's words. Something dangerous? But as he looked at Aria, Ethan knew that he trusted her. She seemed to know what she was doing, and he was willing to follow her lead. For now, he would have to wait and see what lay ahead, and what secrets Aria was hiding.

It was not Aria necessarily hiding a secret,it was what he was meant to be that was preventing Aria from revealing more. Those were things that Ethan would have to discover himself.

Ethan's eyes drifted back to the past, memories flooding his mind like a tidal wave. He remembered the day he moved to the city, the feeling of emptiness and loneliness that had consumed him. His mother's death had left a gaping hole in his life, and he couldn't bear the thought of staying in the same place where they had shared so many happy memories.

As he stepped into the city, Ethan felt a sense of detachment, like he was observing his life from afar. The city was bustling with people, but he felt alone, like a ghost wandering through the crowds. He made his way to his uncle's house, Gabriel, who had offered to take him in after his mother's passing.

The house was large and imposing, with a facade that seemed to loom over him like a specter. Ethan felt a shiver run down his spine as he stepped inside, the silence and emptiness of the house enveloping him like a shroud.

For days, Ethan stayed hidden in his room, grieving and trying to come to terms with his loss. He barely ate or slept, his body weakened by his emotional pain. His uncle tried to reach out to him, but Ethan pushed him away, unable to bear the thought of talking to anyone.

But Gabriel was persistent. He knocked on Ethan's door repeatedly, trying to get him to open up and talk. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Ethan heard the sound of the door being knocked down. Gabriel stood in the doorway, his eyes filled with concern and determination.

"Ethan, it's time to move on," Gabriel said, his voice firm but gentle. "You can't stay here forever, hiding from the world. You need to get out, meet new people, and start living again."

Ethan shook his head, feeling a surge of anger and resentment. "I don't want to go anywhere," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just want to be left alone."

Gabriel sighed, his eyes filled with understanding. "I'm not going to leave you alone, Ethan," he said. "You're going to enroll in a school, make new friends, and start living a normal life again."

Ethan's eyes widened in horror as Gabriel started packing his belongings. "No, I won't go," he said, his voice rising in panic. "I hate school, and I hate this city. I just want to go back to my mom."

Gabriel's expression softened, and he walked over to Ethan, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Ethan," he said. "But you need to do this. It's for your own good."

Ethan pushed him away, feeling a surge of anger and resentment. But it was too late. Gabriel had already packed his bags, and Ethan found himself being dragged to the school, despite his protests.

The memory faded away, and Ethan's eyes focused on the present. He was sitting in a small room with Aria, who was watching him with a curious expression.

"Hey, are you okay?" Aria asked, her voice soft.

Ethan nodded, taking a deep breath. He had been lost in thought, reliving the memories of his past. He looked at Aria, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her.

"I have somewhere I need to be," he said, standing up. "I'll see you later, okay?"

Aria nodded, her eyes never leaving his face. "Be careful, Ethan," she said. "This city can be unpredictable."

Aria's warning again hooked something in him. But with his little discovery Ethan could tell that his uncle knew something. Something that was directly linked to this.

Ethan smiled wryly, feeling a sense of determination. He knew that he had to face his past and his fears head-on. And he was ready to do just that.

With that, Ethan turned and walked out, leaving Aria watching him with a mixture of concern and curiosity.

Ethan walked hurriedly out of the school, his feet pounding the pavement as he made his way to his uncle's house. He was determined to get some answers, to find out why he had been sent to such a strange school. As he walked, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, that there was more to the school than met the eye.