Chapter 2
1273 Words
Aurora stared at her mother like she had just lost her mind. “What did you just say?” Her voice came out sharp, almost trembling.
“A werewolf? How is that even possible?” Her chest rose and fell quickly as confusion turned into anger.
“You told me my dad was human. You said you were human. So how exactly does that make me a werewolf?”
Mona froze.
For a moment, she said nothing. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out. Guilt flooded her face so openly that Emilia’s stomach twisted.
“I lied,” Mona finally whispered. The words landed like a slap. “I lied to protect you,” she added quickly, stepping closer, her voice breaking.
Aurora let out a dry, disbelieving laugh. “Protect me?” she echoed. “By lying to me my whole life?” Her head shook slowly as she backed away. “No… no, this is insane.”
“I thought I was human,” she continued, her voice rising. “I am human.”
Mona swallowed hard, her eyes glistening. “You’re not,” she said softly.
That did it.
Anger flared instantly in Emilia’s chest. “Then why tell me now?!” she snapped.
“If you’ve been lying all this time, you could’ve just kept it that way!” Her voice cracked, but she didn’t care.
Mona’s hands trembled slightly as she clasped them together. “Because you’re about to turn sixteen,” she said.
Aurora frowned.
“And when you do,” Mona continued, “you’ll come of age. You will meet your wolf… and possibly your mate.”
There was silence, then Aurora laughed. It started small, like she couldn’t help it, but it quickly turned into something almost hysterical.
“This has to be a joke,” she said, shaking her head. “A prank? Or what…some kind of punishment?” Her eyes hardened. “
Because there is no way I’m some… freak with fangs and claws.” her eyes were filled with fear and disgust. And then her voice dropped, quieter now, but more intense.
“I feel normal,” she said. “I feel human.”
Mona’s gaze softened with pain. “That’s because you haven’t turned sixteen yet,” she explained gently. “Once you do… you will understand.”
“No!” Aurora snapped, her patience snapping completely.
“Why didn’t you tell me?!” she demanded. “Why hide all this? Why lie about my Dad?!”
Mona’s tears finally slipped down her cheeks.“Because…” her voice broke, “because I wanted you to be normal. I wished you were human like me.”
She inhaled shakily. “But I was wrong. And I’m sorry, Emilia. I’m so sorry.”
But Aurora wasn’t listening anymore. Her ears rang. Her thoughts spiraled. “No,” she muttered, backing away. “No, no, no…”
Before Mona could stop her, Aurora turned and ran upstairs.
“I’m human,” she murmured under her breath. “I’m human… I’m human…”
She reached her room and slammed the door.
BANG!
The door snapped off its hinges, the wood cracked violently, the entire frame giving way as it crashed to the floor.
Aurora froze, her breath hitched. Slowly… she looked at the broken door and her hands trembled.
“I… I didn’t…” she whispered.
Fear crawled up her spine, her heart pounded violently as realization crept in.
That wasn’t normal.
A wave of panic crashed over her. “No…” she breathed, stepping back.
Her legs gave out, and she stumbled onto her bed, burying her face into the sheets as her body shook. “I’m human…” she whispered again, weaker this time.
But even she didn’t believe it anymore.
--
The sun hit her sight the second Aurora walked out of the house, for the past two weeks, she has refused to leave her room, shutting herself in.
She dragged her box and walked to the car, Mona opened the trunk and took the bag from her. Without sparing her a glance, Aurora turned and got into the car instead.
For an hour, Aurora shut her eyes pretending to be asleep. She ignored Mona who tried to make a conversation and gave up after sometime.
When they finally drove of the human town, Aurora opened her eyes, leaning her head against the window, watching the familiar human town slowly disappear behind them.
Buildings became sparse, replaced by dense trees and winding roads that stretched endlessly ahead.
“Where exactly are we going?” she finally asked, her voice quieter than usual.
“Asteria Bay,” Mona replied, turning to her.
Aurora frowned slightly. She had heard the name before, everyone had.
Asteria Bay was no ordinary city.
It was werewolf territory.
The werewolves are stronger, faster, sharper. And because of that, they held power. Real power. They had their own cities, their own rules and their own hierarchy.
And humans? Humans simply learned to coexist. Or stay out of their way.
Aurora has always been terrified of them, even without meeting one. She had a whole picture of fangs and claws, blood dripping in her head.
A massive gate soon came into view, tall iron bars stretched high into the air, engraved with ancient symbols. Two guards stood at the entrance.
Mona slowed the car as she approach the gate
One of the guards stepped forward, his gaze landing on Mona first then shifted to Emilia. It lingered too long and Aurora shifted uncomfortably under his stare.
“You’re not a wolf,” the guard said flatly, his eyes back on Mona.
“No,” Mona replied calmly. “I’m here to register my daughter. She is.”
The guard’s gaze snapped back to Emilia. She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry.
“…She’s turning sixteen soon,” Mona added.
Their countenances changes at the information and they gave a nod. The gates slowly creaked open almost immediately.
As they drove in, everything changed. The city of Asteria Bay unfolded before her like something out of a dream.
Tall buildings stood with elegant designs, modern, yet touched with something ancient. Streets were clean, organized, and filled with people.
But not just people. Werewolves. The thought crept in to her head.
“They looked… normal” she frowned a little, looking perplexed.
They drove further until a large building came into view. Emilia’s breath caught as she read the signboard placed high up.
Willowdale Academy.
She had heard the name before. The most prestigious academy in Asteria Bay, where elite werewolves were trained, educated and shaped into leaders.
The gates alone were enough to make her heart skip, grand, polished, with the academy’s crest boldly displayed.
The car pulled to a stop and Mona turned to catch her staring. “We are here” she informed.
Aurora got down from the car, staring. Her gaze fell on the students who are definitely not humans because of their striking features. Sharp jawline, flawless skin, confident strides.
‘They all look… perfect.’ she thought and her anxiety level raised dangerously. ‘How could she fit in here with people like this?’ she wondered
No wonder humans always felt smaller around them.
As they approached the building, Aurora tried not to stare but she could help it. She found herself scanning faces, half-expecting to see someone transform into a wolf right in front of her.
Aurora blinked. “Why does everyone look like they walked out of a magazine?” she muttered under her breath.
Mona almost smiled, watching her unable to resist.
- Writer
