Chapter 3
1267 Words
They made their way into the administrative building and were soon led into an office. The man behind the desk looked up.
“Jack,” Mona greeted.
A slow smile spread across his face. “Mona.”
Aurora raised a brow. ‘They knew each other. That much was clear.’
“It’s been a long time,” he added, standing up.
“It has” Mona replied.
His gaze shifted to Emilia, sharp and assessing.
Aurora straightened slightly under it.
“This must be her” he said.
Mona nodded. “Yes. She’s turning sixteen tomorrow. I brought her to register… and enroll her here.” her words sounded deep, like she was trying to pass more message than she let out.
Jack studied Aurora for a moment longer before nodding. “I’ll take care of it.”
Everything moved quickly after that. Forms were filled. Details were recorded. Arrangements made.
“You’ll be staying in the dorms,” Jack said, handing Aurora a key-card. “Room assignments have been sorted.”
Aurora took it slowly. Everything was happening too fast.
As Jack turned back to Mona, he paused, glancing once more at Emilia. “…She has his eyes,” he said casually.
Mona held a sad face, letting out a heavy smile. Aurora stared from the two wondering how they knew each other and if the one Jack was taking about was her Dad.
Her grip on the key-card tightened a little, she didn’t wait for Mona before heading for the door, not ready to deal with that.
--
The dorm room was like an hotel suite, much better than what Aurora expected. There are three beds, two were already occupied, leaving the one by the door side.
Aurora walked in slowly, her eyes scanning the space. It looked like what a normal dorm room would. Too normal for a place filled with werewolves. She dropped her bag on the empty bed and began unpacking without a word.
“I’ll help you with that” Mona said gently, stepping forward.
“I’m fine” Aurora snapped sharply, not even looking at her.
The words came out harsher than she intended but she didn’t take them back. Mona paused, her hand lingering in the air before she slowly pulled it back.
Silence fell between them.
After a moment, Mona spoke again, softer this time. “If you need anything… you can go to Jack. He will help you adjust here.”
Aurora stilled, her hands stopped moving. Then slowly, she turned, her brows furrowed, confusion flashing across her face.
“Why can’t you do that?” she asked.
Mona didn’t answer immediately. Instead, that look appeared again. That same guilty look.
Emilia’s eyes narrowed slightly, studying her. Her expression shifted, searching, she tried to piece her words, her reaction together.
A strange feeling crept into her chest.
“No…” she muttered under her breath, shaking her head faintly. Her voice rose, panic slipping in. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking of leaving me here?”
Her gaze hardened, disbelief written all over her face. “In this… wolf den?”
Mona quickly stepped closer and took her hand. “Emilia, listen to me…”
“I don’t want to listen!” Aurora cut in sharply.
Mona tightened her grip slightly, her voice pleading now. “You’ll be fine here. You’re one of them. You won’t have to worry about not fitting in..”
“No!” Aurora snapped again, her voice louder this time. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest.
Mona inhaled shakily. “I’m only allowed to stay until your sixteenth birthday,” she explained. “That’s tomorrow night. After that… I can’t remain here. Humans aren’t permitted to stay long in Asteria Bay.”
But Aurora wasn’t hearing it, she yanked her hand away. Her whole body trembled now with rage. “I can’t believe this,” she said, her voice breaking slightly. “You brought me here just to leave me?”
Mona’s eyes filled with tears. “Emilia…”
“Don’t!” she snapped, taking a step back. “Don’t say anything.”
Her chest rose and fell unevenly. “I can’t believe you planned this… all along.”
Before Mona could reach her again, Aurora pushed her away and stumbled back, hitting the bunk behind her.
Aurora didn’t wait but turned quickly and ran out of the room.
Mona slumped slightly against the bunk, a weak breath left her lips as she brought a hand to steady herself. Her face had gone pale, she closed her eyes briefly, forcing herself to stay upright before slowly opening them again.
Her gaze drifted toward the door, tears slipped silently down her cheeks. “Emilia…” she whispered.
--
Aurora rushed out of the dorm, her vision blurred by unshed tears. She didn’t think of where she was going to, and though she wanted to stop, she couldn’t.
As she stepped into the courtyard, she slammed straight into someone.
Thud!
The impact sent her stumbling backward before she fell hard on the ground with a grunt. “Ugh…” Pain shot through her as she landed on her butt.
She winced, then looked up angrily, and froze.
He stood over her like a wall, tall and broad. Built like he spent most of his time on a field or in a fight. His shoulders were wide, his frame solid, radiating raw strength without even trying.
His dark hair was slightly messy, like he didn’t care enough to tame it, and his sharp jawline only added to the intimidating edge he carried.
But it was his eyes that caught her. It gazed cold, Intense and assessing.
Emilia’s breath hitched. ‘Oh God…’ Her heart skipped violently. She hit one of them! She thought looking alarmed.
Panic surged through her. She scrambled to her feet quickly, brushing her hands against her clothes, suddenly aware of how many eyes were on her.
A small crowd had already gathered, watching the scene unfold.
Her chest tightened. “I—I’m sorry,” she said quickly, her voice betraying her as it came out uneven. “I didn’t see you there.”
Her fingers curled nervously at her sides as she tried to steady herself.
The boy didn’t move or speak, he stared at her with a slight frown, like she was something mildly irritating.
“Watch where you’re going,” he said flatly, his voice was deep, unbothered.
Before she could react, he stepped forward and shoved past her, pushing her aside without a second glance.
Aurora staggered slightly from the force, stunned. For a second, she just stood there, then she swallowed hard, forcing herself to move.
She turned and hurried away, ignoring the whispers and lingering stares, her heartbeat still racing wildly in her chest. She didn’t stop until she found a quieter corner, away from everyone.
Only then did she finally let out the breath she had been holding.
Back in the hallway, Cole Hawthorne continued walking. But after a few steps, he slowed, then stopped. His brows drew together slightly as something tugged at his mind.
He turned back, his expression shifted, subtle. A flicker of curiosity and a hint of confusion invade his countenance.
“Who the hell was that?” he muttered under his breath.
His hand lifted unconsciously, brushing over his shoulder where they had collided.
He stilled, her scent seemed to linger even though it was just a moment brush. His frown deepened slightly, but he said nothing more.
After a moment, he dropped his hand and kept walking.
- Writer
