CROWD IN THE ROOFTOP
1326 Words
CHAPTER 004
ARIEL:
I must admit, dinner that night had been the best thing I’d eaten in my entire years of living. It was rich, and with every bite of the chicken, it exploded into a flavorful juice. The food was far superior to the stale cereal and burnt toast Aunt Sheila fed me at home. For once, I felt full and satisfied.
Currently, I sat cross-legged on my bed in my assigned dorm, picking at leftover chicken wings Esme had smuggled from the dining hall using her ‘connection’ as she called it.
I took another delicious bite, unable to suppress my cravings.
“You caught the attention of the three hottest Alpha boys in the academy on your first day. Nice one, girl. You’re one lucky one, aren’t you?” Esme said. She was perched across from me, curls bouncing as she spoke.
I ignored her momentarily, enjoying my last few bites.
I didn’t catch anyone’s attention. I hoped I didn’t. Those guys are just weird. Especially Leo. That blonde-haired, perfect, jerk-faced, beautifully symmetrical, cravingly hot—
“Earth to Ariel, hellooo!”
I snapped out of my haze, seeing Esme’s knowing smile. My cheek warmed in embarrassment.
“Well, I’m entitled to take you on a tour tomorrow,” she said with a grin. “After classes, I’ll show you around the academy. The library, the training fields, the sparring rings—you’ll absolutely love it.”
I gave a hesitant smile, overwhelmed with every load weighed on me but thankful she was here. “Thanks, Esme. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” I said truthfully.
She waved me off, but her pale cheeks flushed pink. “Don’t thank me. We’re roommates now. And we’re going to be the best of friends in a short while. I know that. Goodnight.”
I hoped we truly could be friends too. She was truly an amazing person.
“Goodnight.”
Her soft snores filled the silence of the room as she quickly drifted to sleep.
Now that I had time to myself, I finally took in the outline of the room. It wasn’t so bad. Larger than my previous room back at the house. Our queen-sized beds were placed on opposite sides, a tall window cutting the room neatly in half. Moonlight spilt through, silvering the stone walls and casting a soft glow over Esme’s sleeping figure.
I finished the last bit of chicken wings and dropped the empty box, laying back on my bed. I stared at the ceiling as silence reigned supreme.
All the chaos of the day; the dream, the scar after waking up, the mark on my wrist, the headmistress and her envelop, Aunt Shiela practically selling me off, the academy and the three terrifyingly gorgeous boys—collapsed over me in waves.
My eye stung and throat burned.
Before I realized it, tears streamed down my cheeks and dropped on the pillow.
I wasn’t even sure why I was crying.
Grief?
Fear?
Relief?
Maybe all of it at once.
I let the tears fall freely; there's no use in cleaning them. It’s best to let my emotions out. It’s how I had coped with life ever since…
But the truth was, I’m totally clueless. I didn’t know if I’d survive in this world of werewolves. A world that shouldn’t exist. A world I was somehow now a part of. I could barely hold my own in the human world; how would I fare better here?
I kept staring at the ceiling, hoping sleep would come.
It didn’t.
I tossed and turned, restless. Sleep wouldn’t come no matter how hard I tried.
Finally, I gave up.
Quietly, I swung my legs off the bed, wore a night coat presented to me from the school and tiptoed toward the door. It gave a soft creak as it swung open. I winced, hoping I didn’t wake Esme.
She stirred but didn’t wake.
I slipped out, the corridor cool and quiet. My bare footsteps echoed faintly on the cold, tiled floor as I wandered, door after door sliding past.
After enjoying my time in peace and quiet solitude, I prepared to head back to my dorm but paused when I noticed my surroundings. I hadn’t memorized the dorm’s layout, and soon enough, I realized I was hopelessly lost.
“Great job, Ariel,” I whispered. “First night here and you’ve managed to get yourself kidn*pped by your own dormitory.”
Still, I kept walking. Everywhere unfamiliar. Ahead, I noticed a narrow stairwell.
“Where does this lead to?” I knew I didn’t follow this path while exploring.
Still, I ascended the steps as it spiraled higher and higher. I reached a heavy door and pushed it aside, cold wind blew against my face.
The rooftop.
I stepped out slowly, my eyes widening. I couldn’t believe my freaking eyes.
The view was breathtaking.
The academy building stretched below and the forest beyond rolling like an endless sea of shadow. The pale, silver moon hung above, massive, and full, surrounded by galaxies of stars.
I instinctively walked to the ledge, resting my palms against the cold stone. From up here, the boys’ dominatory stood on the opposite side, their windows glowing faintly to signify someone or people were still awake. I bit my lips as thoughts of them crept into my mind——the golden-haired prince, Leo; the storm-eyed, Nicholai, and the crimson-gazed mystery, Draven, who couldn’t stop staring.
‘What are they currently doing?’ I questioned, interested in knowing more.
Each of them had characteristics that unsettled and calmed me at the same time. Weirdly. They activated… sparks. Electricity, even with the small time I had spent with them. Something unnatural. I couldn’t understand.
What kind of feeling do I have over such boys? Not one but three!
Damn, how needy can I be?
The wind blew against my face, as if telling me to let my thoughts drift with its direction and I let it drift. Peace settled over me. No Aunt Sheila. No Stephanie’s insults. No suffocating whispers. Just this. Just me.
I closed my eyes, letting the cold breeze wash over me.
Then a voice shattered the night.
“Careful. You might fall.”
I jerked so violently that my foot slipped on the ledge. My body tilted forward into the open air. A scream tore from my throat.
A hand shot from the darkness, catching mine before gravity claimed me downward. Sparks exploded where our skin touched. So intense, so consuming than ever, that I screamed even louder.
Strong arms hauled me back onto the solid floor and I fell into a strong chest. My eyes were tightly shut. His scent hit me. Smoke and pine.
Wait, Sparks?
The same sparks I’d felt around Leo, Nicholai, and Draven. Which one of them had followed me here?
But when my eyes fluttered open, I was met with someone unfamiliar. It wasn’t the jerk face Leo, with his sun-bright arrogance. It wasn’t Nicholai, with his cold mystery. It wasn’t Draven, with his reclusive stare and no talks. The man holding me was older; about thirty or something. Taller. Broader. His sharp jaw, swallowed by stubble. His raven hair fell in tousled strands across his forehead. His eyes—God, his eyes—burned a deep gray that stared deep into my soul.
He was so handsome, in a way that made my stomach twist giving a raw, dangerous, and sickening allure. My heart hammered against my ribs as he dragged me tighter against him; his grip unyielding.
And then—
A stronger spark coursed through every vessel in my body, bursting into a sudden ring of red light that sealed our joined hands. A glowing circle encased us, cracking slightly with strange energy.
I froze.
“What the…?” My voice broke, trembling.
The man’s gaze held confusion as he watched our conjoined hands. “MATE.”
- Writer
