LUNAR ACADEMY

CHAPTER 10

The bonfire party is tonight. I heard a lot of the students chatting about it in the lobby. The entire school is filled with chatter about tonight's bonfire party. How it will be like? If the Alpha will attend? what wolves will fight and most importantly what dress they are going to wear to it? Of course I know what a bonfire means literally but it seems like a sacred tradition celebratory thingy here.

I met James on my way to class. He is currently filling me in on why the bonfire party is revered here. "It is the biggest event of the year. It is usually held at the beginning of every year. There must be a full moon in the sky. The Alpha and Luna will be present to give a formal speech and usher us into the new year. They will make sacrifices to the moon goddess. Pray it will be a fruitful year and blah blah blah. There are usually lots of s'mores. It is amazing. There will also be a contest for students where you can join the parks army. Only the strongest wolves get recruited into the parks army in their first year. You will be like a celebrity on campus if you get in. Students who find their mates between the period of last year's bonfire to this year's own will be celebrated. They will walk out holding hands with their mates while the Alpha and Luna pray for them." James rush out, sounding almost breathless when he gets to the part about mates.

I tense, glad that he seems to be too busy daydreaming about his mate to notice my sour mood. I definitely do not want to be paraded in front of the entire school and the Alpha just because I have found my mate. I am sure my mate being the Alpha's son will mean we get special attention and a lot of eyes on us. I cannot deal with that right now. I'm happy we decided not to tell anyone we are mates.

"There is also recognition of students who have contributed to the community in one way or another. At midnight, a large bonfire is lit and the entire school gather around it in their wolf form, howling to the moon. Then there is the run to the edge of the school premises. The Alpha, Luna and their Betas leading. There is also a mating ceremony after for the newly found mates."

Eww!

I certainly do not want to be a part of the mating ceremony. I know nudity isn't really a big deal for werewolves but there is just something wrong about showcasing something so sacred.

James speaks so dreamily of his mate so I decided to ask him "Have you found your mate?"

"No." He says shaking his head "But I will give her the world when I do find her." Awwn! He is corny but he is also sweet. He speaks so devotedly that I almost melt from the sweetness of it. I hope my mate will speak of me this way someday.

"How come you know so much about the ceremony? Have you ever attended it?" I ask him, he talks like he has been present for at least two of these ceremonies. "Oh no. Only students actually get invited. My brothers have attended twice now and they tell me it's phenomenal. My brother, Tyler found his mate the eve of the bonfire party his freshman year so the ceremony is actually sacred to them. They are so cool together. Not that I will ever tell him that." I laugh at that. He makes me remember my own brother whenever he talks about his. I need to call Andrè soon.

We get to the building where our history class is supposed to take place only to hear jubilation coming from behind the doors. We rush in to hear that the lecturer came in earlier to announce that he is a part of the committee planning the bonfire party so the class has been cancelled. I sigh in relief. I really don't mind having the entire day to myself. I have already decided not to attend the party. I will be better off indoors, facetiming my brother and maybe I'd read a novel or two. I haven't even unpacked the collection I brought with me. They are somewhere in my closet.

James and I continue hanging out. He introduced me to some of his friends. I'm kind of jealous of him. He have so many friends who seem to really like his company. I catch myself laughing at the easy banter they have going on.

A sudden hush fall across the classroom. My back is turned away from the door and I'm currently laughing at something Francis said when I feel it. That pine-earthy smell that can only belong to Seth. I feel him come to stand behind me and I turn to look at him. I instantly go weak in the knees at the sight of him. His hair is wet and a bit disheveled. One of his curls drop down in the middle of his face. My hand ache to brush it away. I look behind him to see the five power group guys from MOEM class. They look confused as to why they stopped but don't dare to ask him.

Guess he didn't tell them we are mates. I can't decide if it's a good thing or a bad thing. "Hello Camille. I see you made friends already." He said, nodding his head towards James friends. I am frozen still not sure of how to react. Luckily for me, Seth continues. "These are my friends. My Betas Blake and Sawyer and my Gammas Ryan Josh and Phil." He gestured to them as he calls their names. Ryan and Blake smile at me. Phil and Josh scowl at me. Sawyer just look bored. I nod at them in acknowledgment, not quite ready to speak. Seth looks at me for a minute before muttering a 'see you around' and leaving. I can finally breath again. I hope he doesn't think I'm a complete moron. The first time he saw me, I was unconscious with a bruised nose. This time, I don't say a word to him.

I know I am supposed to introduce him too but I don't particularly want to. Besides I just met them. There is a girly squeal from Najeeb, one of James friends. He is a bit short and kind of plump. He also has nerdy glasses on. He looks like the typical nerd on TV. "I can't believe you know Seth Davidson. He is like the next Alpha."

I shrug, finally finding my voice.

"What's so special about knowing him? You guys also know him." I tell him. I mean they all grew up together. They can't seriously been fangirling over a guy they all grew up with.

"Well he is like a living legend. You need to just see him fight. Couldn't you feel his aura? His wolf is a beast. He is rumoured to be more powerful than his dad." I couldn't feel the aura. Weaker werewolves tend to feel an overwhelming urge to submit in the presence of stronger werewolves. I didn't feel it from Seth because there was no instant urge to submit. In this case my wolf is easily as strong as his or stronger. I can't know for sure unless I let my wolf out to demand submission from his. Maybe we will try it later. He already knows about my wolf anyway. Maybe we can find a secured spot on campus to just let our wolves out. That will be great. I get giddy at the thought.

James is looking at me funny like he can see through my flesh, down to my soul. The intensity of the look scares me and it's not until we are away from his friends that he asks "So you're cool with Seth, huh? I scramble at my brain for an answer.

Is this a trick question? Does he already know we are mates and is just trying to see if I would lie to him. I decide to lie anyway. It's not like I can tell him the truth with this many people around. "We kind of know each other before I came here. You know my dad is an Alpha of a close by pack. We kind of hung around each other as kids. My dad- uhm ask him to keep an eye on me. You know dads. They can be so overprotective." I cringe at the bitter taste the lie leaves in my mouth. I really don't enjoy lying but I have to do it. For now.

"Yeah That's true. I didn't mean to intrude. Just be careful, Cam." He said, keeping his voice low and looking around making sure no one overhears.

"What do you mean be careful?" I ask him but before he could reply I see Mandy walking over. James instantly starts gathering his stuff to leave.

"James darling it's been a while. You are a hard person to see on campus. You are leaving? "she said pouting, placing a hand over her heart in mock hurt. "Hope you're not leaving because of me." When James still don't reply she adds. "My regards to Jason." She said, waving her fingers at James as he hurries away.

I turn to look at her, smiling "What was that about?" She shrugs "He wanted to date me in middle School. I refused and told the entire class about it."

"Ouch!" I wince.

"Yes it was bad. The whole class made fun of him for years. I apologized to him for months but he refuses to speak to me. He can't let it go. I was so stupid back then." She says, shaking her head. I don't know how to reply to that. I don't judge her because I know I might have done something similar back then and she looks like she genuinely regret her actions. She's right. We were so stupid back then. "I actually came here to ask you what you'll be wearing for the bonfire. If we need to go shopping now or if you already have a hot dress that will drive Seth nuts." I groan. This stupid party bug is everywhere. Seem like Mandy caught it.

"I'm not going." I tell her. She starts shaking her head before I even finish the sentence. "What do you mean you're not going? the whole school will be there. Seth will be there." She mentions my mate's name for the second time. It as if she wants me to comment on her knowing about us.

I don't answer her, just drag her away from the classroom to an empty classroom next door. Guess I will have to give her 'the talk' on keeping quiet. "You can't tell anyone about Seth and I being mates."

"Why? You should be screaming it. You will be their next Luna." She gives me a look that clearly says she thinks I am an i***t.

Great!

"Because they will know I have been lying about my wolf." She doesn't look surprised when I said that so I guess she'd already figured it out.

"Hmmm. Again why?" She asks, clearly not seeing why I am keeping all of this a secret.

"Because bad things will happen if it's gets out Mandy. Please will you keep quiet about this? I will do whatever" I say, practically begging now. I'm sure I'll have to kill her if she doesn't agree to keep shut. Maybe not quite kill her but m**m her or something.

She gives me a sly smile, oblivious to the murderous thoughts running through my head right now. "Okay. l will keep your secrets if you come to the bonfire tonight." I guess I walked right into that one. I doubt if she had really sell me out but I don't want to take any chances. Going to the party will definitely be easier than planning her murder.

"How come you're going when you don't even have a wolf? "I ask because I'm curious remembering James say something about how they'd all shift for a run.

"Who says you have to be a wolf to run?" Her smile turns big as she hooks her arm with mine, dragging me towards the door. "let's go shopping. We don't have much time."