These Feral Bonds

CHAPTER THREE

HAZEL'S POV

Morrigan skipped beside me excitedly, her curls bouncing as we moved together through the halls on the way to get our dresses.

“Slow down,” I said, trying to keep up with her.

“ I can't. I'm too excited. My first Venatus ball. What if I actually get a mate? I really hope it's Steven. He's so cute.”

The Venatus ball. A sort of high stakes prom if you will. A night where a wolf's fated mate was revealed by the moon goddess. On this night, the wolves would be allowed to officially claim–or reject–their mates. It happened once every year and not just in Holloway preparatory. Every unbound wolf in this city would be anticipating this. If you didn't get it this year, you'd try your luck again next year. This didn't apply to me of course but as a student of Holloway preparatory, I was expected to be present and dress accordingly.

“Steven’s an asshole.” I said.

Her face soured. “Everyone's an asshole to you.”

I gave her a sidelong glance trying to figure out if that was a joke or jab. Everyone was an asshole to me in this fuckass school. Including Morrigan. We were just friends because Omega’s were regarded in almost the same way humans were. They were seen as weak and strength was a very important thing in Sylvan city. Just then,Caleb appeared in my line of sight. Just the person I wanted to see.

He pushed me to a nearby wall, hand on my throat. “Where's the necklace?!”he asked. His hand squeezed my throat and his eyes were already starting to flicker gold, the way they normally did when he was angry. I knew that because I had been on the receiving side of that anger many times.

I sputtered trying to speak and he eased his hold on me. “First, tell me what you need it for.”

“I don't take orders from you.”

“And while you're at it,” I continued, “You can also explain why this was in your room.” I continued, bringing out the lipgloss. His eyes widened, panic in them for a second before it was replaced by rage.

“How dare you?”

“No Caleb. How dare you? You're literally stealing my things. I already took pictures so you can't deny. I'm sure the entire school will love to know why you have an entire nest of me in your room.”

The hand on my throat tightened and I tensed but I didn't let him see. He stared me down for a few seconds, sneering, probably trying to intimidate.

“You can keep your necklace.” He said, releasing my neck and walked away.

There was a sinking feeling in my chest. I didn't want to think in the direction my brain was going but that was the only explanation. But humans couldn't be mated to wolves. Or could they? I wracked my brain, trying to remember everything we had been taught in werewolf history. There were no records as far as I was concerned.

Suddenly the Venatus Ball didn't feel so insignificant anymore.

***

“You look absolutely gorgeous tonight for someone who isn't even officially attending.” Morrigan said. She stood in front of the mirror in my room, applying her makeup.

“I wish I wasn't even supposed to be there at all.” I said.

She turned to look at me, her eyes narrowed. “What's with that glum look? You look sad. More than usual.”

I couldn't tell her about the nest. I talked to Morrigan because she was the only student–apart from Caleb–who even bothered to look in my direction. But that didn't mean I trusted her. She would probably tell someone to get attention.

“I just feel a little sick, that's all.”

Morrigan stared at me for a few seconds, shrugged and went back to making herself look beautiful.

She was in a red, sleeveless dress that accentuated her curves and complimented her strawberry blonde hair. What she was lacking in rank she sure made up for it in beauty.

My own dress was a dark blue, that exposed the entirety of my neck and shoulder and then continued as long sleeves. I didn't want to get a body hug but Morrigan insisted, saying it would be good for my reputation. Whatever the f**k that meant.

I stared out the window, staring at the crescent moon. The moon was very important to a werewolf. Their entire lives literally revolved around its cycle and since I had lived my entire life with wolves, it kind of became the centre of my world too.

“All done,”Morrigan said and turned to me. “Come on, let's go. I don't wanna be late.”

I followed her out of my room, the feeling of dread becoming even more. All around me, students were dressed in finery, excitement on all their faces. For some of them, this was a time to elevate their status. An Omega who was mated to an Alpha would no longer be disrespected. Alliances would be formed as well as broken tonight.

We reached the official school hall where the party was being held. Decorations had been put up;flowers adorning the pillars,

Soft music played in the background

Teachers stood at the side, watching and supervising and the unmated ones,hoping.

Without thinking, I found myself looking for a particular wolf. I wondered if he would come. I spotted his cousin, Brooklyn by the corner, whispering something in something in some girl's ear.

“There's Steven.” Morrigan squealed. “I should totally walk up to him. What do you think?”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “I think I need to go get some fresh air.”

Morrigan pursed her lips. “Fine. It's not like you're needed here anyway.

And it's not like you're going to find a mate, I thought.

I left her and went to stand by one of the floor to ceiling windows. It was the perfect spot to watch everything that was going on without being noticed.

Perfect, to know the exact time Caleb walked in.