Chapter 4
1399 Words
Aurora found her way back to the dorm after a long time alone, she sat on the bed, staring at her unpacked bag.at quietly on her bed.
Just then, her phone buzzed.
She blinked and picked it up.
Mum: I left an early birthday gift. I’m sorry for everything. Get some rest, Emilia. Happy early birthday, my love.
Aurora stared at the message for a long moment, her throat tightened slightly.
She tossed the phone on the bed and turned to the box sitting next her bag. She opened it without a thought and stare at the blue dress.
“What am I a princess?” she snort and toss it away.
The door opened and Aurora quickly looked up. A girl stepped in, pausing when she noticed her.
She was pretty, bright eyes, warm smile. “Hey,” she said, her voice light. “You must be the new girl.”
Aurora nodded slightly.
“I’m Lila” the girl introduced, walking further in. “One of your roommates.”
Aurora relaxed just a little. “Emilia.”
Lila smiled wider. “Nice to meet you.”
She dropped her bag on her bed, then turned back to Emilia, tilting her head curiously. “So… are you already sixteen, or turning sixteen?”
Aurora hesitated for a brief second. “I’m turning sixteen tomorrow,” she replied.
Lila’s eyes lit up instantly. “Wait…seriously?”
Aurora frowned slightly at her reaction.
“You’re lucky!” Lila exclaimed. “That means your birthday falls right on the coming-of-age ceremony!”
Aurora blinked. “The… what?”
Lila stared at her like she had just said something absurd.
“The coming-of-age ceremony,” she repeated, slower this time. “It’s the biggest event for new wolves. The day you meet your wolf.”
She leaned in slightly, her excitement growing. “And if luck is on your side…” she added, lowering her voice a little, “You meet your mate.”
Emilia’s brows pulled together. “…What’s a mate?” she asked.
Lila froze. Then blinked. “Are you serious?” she asked, looking genuinely shocked. “How do you not know what a mate is?”
Aurora shifted uncomfortably under her stare. “It’s… not exactly something I’ve heard about,” she muttered.
Lila let out a soft laugh, shaking her head in disbelief. “A mate is everything,” she explained.
“They’re the one person meant for you. Your other half. The one every wolf hopes to find.” Her voice softened slightly. “It’s the greatest bond we can have… if they accept you.”
Aurora swallowed. Something about the way Lila said it made it sound… bigger than it should be. But to her, it felt a little… overrated.
“Sounds intense,” she said dryly.
Lila studied her for a moment, then her expression shifted, curious now. “…You grew up in the human world, didn’t you?” she asked.
Aurora hesitated. Just for a second.
Then Lila smiled before she could even answer and reached out, grabbing her hand. “Don’t worry,” she said brightly. “I will be your guide.”
Aurora blinked, slightly caught off guard.
Lila’s grin widened. “Come on. You can’t walk into your first ceremony looking lost.”
Aurora didn’t have time to argue before she was being dragged out.
--
The first stop was the spa. Warm air, soft scents, and a calm atmosphere wrapped around her as Lila pulled her inside.
“You need to relax,” Lila said, pushing her gently toward a seat. “Trust me, tonight is a big deal.”
Aurora let out a small breath, allowing herself to sink into the chair.
As hands worked on her, fixing her hair, softening her skin, Lila kept talking.
“So basically” Lila began, sitting nearby, “when the ceremony starts, everyone who’s turning sixteen steps forward.”
Aurora glanced at her through the mirror. “And then?”
“You connect with your wolf” Lila said simply. “It’s like… something awakens inside you.”
Aurora frowned slightly. “And the mate part?” she asked.
Lila’s eyes sparkled. “If your mate is there, you will feel it instantly. It’s like this pull… like you’ve finally found where you belong.”
Aurora looked away, watching her reflection. “…And if you don’t?” she asked quietly.
Lila shrugged lightly. “Then you wait. Not everyone finds their mate immediately.”
Aurora hummed softly, taking it in.
--
By the time they returned back to the dorm, Aurora find herself anxious and looking forward to the big party. She stood in front of the mirror, wearing the dress Mona had gotten her.
It fit perfectly.
The fabric flowed softly around her, hugging her figure just right before falling elegantly to her legs. The color made her skin glow, her features softer yet striking at the same time.
With the make-up Lila did on her, she looked…different.
Aurora stared at herself, barely recognizing the girl in the mirror. Her heart beat faster in anticipation. ‘What if this place was meant for her?’
if she finds her mate, then coming here wouldn’t be the worst thing. She swallowed at the thought.
Her phone buzzed again.
Mum: Are you ready? I will come pick you up.
Aurora stared at the message for a moment before typing back. ‘Going with a friend’ She hit send, then lowered her phone slowly.
Finally, Lila was done with her make-up and they both head out.
--
The night air buzzed with energy.
Aurora followed Lila through the wide-open grounds behind the Academy, her eyes widening at the sight before her.
The ceremony looked nothing like she expected. It was… alive.
Lights were strung across tall pillars and trees, glowing softly like stars brought down to earth. A large circular space had been cleared at the center, where a raised platform stood, surrounded by carved stone pedestals.
Music filled the air, low and rhythmic, almost hypnotic.
Students gathered in groups, dressed elegantly, laughter and chatter blending into the atmosphere. Some danced, others watching.
Everything felt heightened, exciting and dangerous.
“This is insane…” Aurora whispered under her breath.
Lila grinned beside her. “Told you it’s a big deal.” She grabbed Emilia’s hand and pulled her into the crowd. “Come on, I’ll introduce you.”
Aurora barely had time to process faces as Lila introduced her to a group. She tried not to mess up, to let on that she wasn’t one of them, yet.
When the music died down, a hush fell over the crowd.
Aurora turned with the others and hear few excited giggles.
“It’s starting,” Lila whispered.
All eyes turned toward the center, several glowing stones had been placed on the platform, large, smooth, and faintly shimmering under the lights.
“The moonstones,” Lila murmured, leaning close to her.
Aurora swallowed.
One by one, students who were turning sixteen stepped forward. They placed their palms on the stones, and each time, the stone lit up.
Blue, Silver and Red light shines.
Soft gasps and murmurs followed each glow.
“That shows their rank,” Lila explained quietly. “Red for alphas, silver for betas and blue for omegas.”
Aurora nodded slowly, her nerves building with each person that went. Then, it was her turn, she was the last one standing.
She stepped forward, really anxious. She prayed hers give a silver light at most, her heart pounded loudly in her chest as she approached the moonstone.
She lifted her hand slowly and placed her palm on the smooth surface and waited.
Nothing happened.
Aurora blinked, her heart skipped. She pressed her palm hard against it, wondering frighteningly why it was not responding to her like everyone else.
Silence spread across the space, thick and heavy. Everyone was staring at her, eyeing, their gazes asking who she was. Emilia’s fingers trembled slightly against the stone and she quickly pulled her hand back.
A strange coldness settled in her chest, she looked around and saw their countenance, fear blinded her sight. She tried not to tremble but she did.
Even before, they spoke, she could hear it, could feel it. The harsh truth that she also didn’t belong here. She swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry.
- Writer
