To love and to hate

phoenix

Chapter two

Phoenix

“Gay?” I scoffed, brushing off a strand of hair with my hand fan.

I stopped to admire myself in the mirror and realised just how much the makeover worked. I looked exactly like a prince from the Joseon era, which was a nice thing. My long hair was gone, but I didn't mind. If losing my hair would save me from marrying some pig of an alpha prince, then I didn't mind. Moreso, if I could uncover the death of my brother, then it was such a tiny sacrifice to make.

Shouldn't I be afraid about being the only girl in a boys only school? Well, as long as the boys were oblivious to that fact, then I was saved, and my roommate would never find out, I thought, waving that fear away.

Wait, it wouldn't be wrong if I said I was gay. That could be an advantage, I've heard boys tend to steer clear of others who have come out as gay, but wouldn't that pose a problem for me? I want to fit in, and not stand out, so what do I do?

But let's go back to my cute alpha roommate. There was something about him, or wasn't there? He seemed a little uneasy about the topic that related to my brother. I recalled that he gasped when I mentioned Rowan, and even tethered backwards. What was that for? Obviously it didn't mean nothing.

“And where the hell was he?”

Just then, a knock resounded on the door. I thought the knock was too soft. It didn't sound like the knuckles of a boy but it actually was a boy.

“Oh, there you are.” The boy chortled, hissing nervously.

“Hi,” I replied, expectantly.

“I saw you drag in your luggages some minutes ago and I thought I could assist, but you disappeared before I got the chance to.” He revealed, doing that nervous thing again by palming his hands together.

Aww, that's so sweet, I thought. No, I didn't say it. Boys don't aww. Rarely.

“My name's Leo. Leo Devine, and you are?”

“Rowan Paul.” I answered, offering my hand with the most natural smile I could mutter, and covering the space between us.

“Rowan.” he replied calmly, taking my hand.

He looked very natural, not the jittery behaviour the other guy had given off. He, on the other hand, had to be the only guy I've met since I arrived at The Alpha Training School who didn't seem interested in me. I felt strangely at ease with him.

“You know, if this wasn't a boys only school, I would've mistaken you for a girl.” He chortled nervously, moving towards my bed side.

I took some time to study his appearance. Leo was 5'10 inches tall. Quite lean, with sharp features and an air of nervousness. His face is angular, with high cheekbones and a pointed chin, emerald green, eyes and dark auburn hair. He looked like the type of kid who'd be tagged a loser in high school and I wondered if he was.

He turned around, caught me staring and paused. “What?” He asked, narrowing his eyes.

“It's just, you're the first kid who isn't asking if I know Rowan.” I answered, honestly.

That wasn't the only reason though. No one else noticed that part except him, and that scared me. Do not be deceived by his demeanour, I warned, Leo has sharp eyesight. For that reason, I decided that I was going to keep him as a friend. A nervous one could be a threat if he became an adversary.

“But you're Rowan.” He said innocently.

I smiled, suddenly conscious. “How do I explain this?” I asked, pacing around, hoping I wasn't giving too much out and praying I looked as natural as could be. Talking about Rowan always set me on the edge, except when I spoke to the other guy. My roommate. Thinking about it now, I thought I felt okay speaking to him about my brother. Could that be because I suspected him? Wasn't it still too early?

“There's a boy - I just heard about him today - apparently, I look like him. Some folks have been pointing fingers since I arrived and it sucks.”

That was a lie. No one seemed to know anything about Rowan. Not even my roommate although he did act suspicious.

“So, there's another Rowan whom you look so much like?” Leo asked, fully attentive.

“Looks like.”

“Have you met him?” he quizzed, now completely facing the room, and me.

“I would love to.” I answered,

“Then you should. Who knows, he might be your long lost twin. I'm kidding though.” He laughed, raising his hand in surrender.

“I wouldn't mind.” I laughed, waving his silliness away.

“Then what's stopping you?” He probed, coming to sit by my bed.

“They say he's late..” I drawled.

I saw his face drop. “Oh,” he gasped, pausing momentarily, then his eyes darted in their sockets. “I had no idea.”

“Exactly. I just don't want anyone looking at me like I'm that boy. I'm not him. Don't lump him on me.”

Heaving a deep sigh, Leo moved closer, and whispered, “You can't change what the others think, Rowan, but be careful so you don't end up believing what they say about you.”

Whoa, Leo was deep. I added that to the list. “That’s deep,” I answered, solemnly. Then, I quickly shook myself away when I thought I sounded like a girl. “Thanks.”

“We should go to the cafeteria. I'm famished. How about you?” Leo suddenly said, standing and walking towards the door.

“I'm starving.” I replied, ditching my clothes. I would arrange them later, I thought, glancing one more time at the mess before shutting the door.

***

The coveting aroma of rich gourmet meat and baked foods welcomed me as I slipped into the cafeteria behind Leo. I was beginning to think who really was the loser between us, especially after how nostalgic I felt after speaking about my brother. However, the thought flew away like a bird when the smell of food hit me.

It was a spacious cafeteria with chairs arranged in cozy clusters. The tables were covered with succulent dishes of all assortment according to what the students requested. I planned to eat so much, after all I paid the tuition fee from my pocket. The walls were adorned with trophies and banners, revealing the school's athletic triumph, and also the pride of the pack.

The boys lounged on plush couches, in their respective cliques - one would think cliques wouldn't be applicable here - devouring their meals with gusto. The atmosphere was lively, but I hadn't even sat down on our table when I noticed a boy at the far end of the hall with his eyes locked on mine. He wasn't only staring at me, he was glaring at me. Did I do anything wrong?

“Who's that?” I asked Leo, nodding to the gruff looking fellow with auburn hair and piercing eyes. I thought I would've been dead if looks could kill.

Leo c****d his head in the direction I was glancing at, and turning back to our table, with his eyes on the menu, he announced, “That's Darren Carlton.”

“Darren Carlton?” I repeated, shuffling through my attic to check if my brother ever mentioned someone like that.

My gaze shifted to the guy again, and he was still glaring at me. My face burnt with fear. What was he? An archenemy or a friend? Suddenly, a scene played before me: it was a basketball scene and his face popped up.

The hell! I remembered him. Darren 02. He was my brother's arch enemy.

Finally, a lead.

Chapter three

Caleb

Darren Carlton! Rowan's arch enemy!

What the f**k was he doing here? The fact that Darren arrived at Full Moon Fury pack at the same time as this boy meant something I couldn't decipher. Or, was this only a coincidence? No, I couldn't accept that.

But wasn't it all a coincidence that I moved back home at the same time as these kids? Except one of them has been stalking me? Who would it be? And why?

The door opened and the Rowan boy, or whatever he was, waltzed in with another kid following behind. He seemed happy as he moved to his wardrobe.

“Good morning, alpha,” the other greeted, studying the room.

“Who are you?” I asked calmly but firmly, focusing my eyes on the boy. I thought there was something about him that pissed me off at the sight of him.

“Leo Devine.” He answered, shifting on his feet nervously.

“I don't know what you are but stay out.” I commanded, closing my eyes and not standing from my bed.