BULLIED BY MY MATE

Awakened

Alera's POV

The howling grew louder, sharper, yet no one else in the hall seemed to notice. Was I the only one who heard it? Were there still packs living in Ravenshade? As far as I knew, they’d all moved to Moonvale.

The scent of a Lycan was thick in the air. I knew some Lycans studied here, but their scent was never this overpowering. It didn’t make sense. Ever since my first shift, I’d become more sensitive to scents, sounds, anything related to Lycans. Sometimes I even had nightmares. I shook my head. I needed to focus on tonight.

After briefly discussing why some students joined the winter camp, Professor Christian offered us words of encouragement—reminding us to be students with integrity, a thirst for knowledge, and the courage to innovate. He was well-known for being genuinely supportive of his students, always pushing us to grow and achieve something meaningful in life. He carried a warm, positive presence that made students feel at ease around him. No wonder Samantha admired him so much.

"Remember, don’t delay when it comes to chasing your chances. You’ll never reach your goals by standing still. Move forward. Dreams don’t come true unless you chase them," Mr. Christian said in closing.

We applauded. I honestly thought he’d make a great motivational speaker.

"Before I end tonight’s session and let you head back to your cabins, does anyone have a question?" he asked, scanning the room.

Samantha raised her hand. Mr. Christian stepped closer to her and handed her the microphone.

"Go ahead, Samantha."

She smiled, though she looked a little nervous.

"You said not to delay when it comes to seizing opportunities. So if I fall in love with someone, should I go ahead and tell them? Should I meet them and say that I love them?"

The hall burst into cheers and applause, praising Samantha’s boldness.

Mr. Christian cleared his throat. "Yes, of course. You should tell the person you love how you feel."

Samantha blushed, her smile turning bashful. I’d never seen her this lovestruck before. For a moment, I thought she might confess right then and there to him. But instead, she handed the mic back.

Mr. Christian turned to me. "Alera, anything you’d like to share? Maybe about what motivates you most in life."

I felt a little nervous, especially when I realized all eyes were suddenly on me. I took the microphone with a shaky breath. I wasn’t the kind of person who could easily speak in public. A lack of confidence often held me back. But I made myself speak.

"What motivates me most right now is doing my best in every exam so I can keep my scholarship. I also want to live peacefully, trying to make peace with the things that haven’t gone the way I hoped."

When I finished, I heard my friends clapping.

I caught a glimpse of Rayvan. He was clapping too, smiling wide. His clear eyes held a proud gleam. Beside him, Richard was smiling at me.

"Thank you, Alera. I hope you achieve your dreams. Believe in yourself. The moment you’re afraid to take a step forward that’s when you’re already one step closer to your dreams," Mr. Christian said with a gentle smile.

The evening event came to a close. We headed back to our cabins to rest. Before going in, Rayvan and I talked for a bit.

Every time I looked at him, my heart skipped and thumped louder in my chest. I felt so flustered. His eyes—sharp as a hawk’s, emerald with a quiet glow—seemed to pull me in. His handsome face, the way he smiled, his lips... sweet and impossibly tempting. I blinked hard. Get a grip, Alera. Don’t let it show how drawn you are to him.

"Heading to bed now?" he asked awkwardly. It was rare to see him nervous. He looked so charming.

"I think so. Or maybe I’ll just listen to the cheerleaders gossip," I replied with a small laugh.

"Are they treating you well? Honestly, I worry about you," he said, his face laced with concern. I felt seen.

"Don’t worry, Ray. They’ve been kind. I think ever since they assumed we’re dating, they’ve started acting nicer."

"But we are dating, aren’t we?" Rayvan narrowed his eyes playfully.

I smiled. "What do you think?"

"Should I officially ask you to be my girlfriend then?" he asked with another smile.

"No need, Ray. Our matebond has bound us for a long time now. It’s more than just dating."

Rayvan smiled again. This time sweeter than ever. Sometimes I lost my words around him, thrown off by the waves of warmth he gave me. It felt beautiful, like standing in the middle of a blooming garden.

"You’re right. Our bond is stronger than anything."

"I’m heading back to the cabin now. Good night, Rayvan."

"Goodnight, Alera," he said, flashing that smile one more time.

Back at the cabin, the four cheerleaders stared at me in silence. Their expressions were unreadable.

"Just goodnight? No kiss?" Clara teased with a giggle.

"You two are so sweet and innocent," Lilian smiled, shaking her head.

Apparently, they’d been spying from the cabin window. I didn’t know how to respond.

"Come sit here, Alera. Since there are two beds in this cabin, you can share with me," Samantha said, patting the mattress.

Lilian, Lisa, and Clara took the other bed. I sat beside Samantha.

"Alera, maybe we’ve been mean to you all this time. I’m sorry for that. You’re actually pretty cool. You’ve got the most popular guy on campus, and your grades are amazing. Even Mr. Christian seems to like you," Samantha said, her usual sharp tone softened. What had changed in her?

"Sounds like someone’s jealous," Lisa teased with a smirk.

"Why do you think Mr. Christian likes Alera?" Clara asked seriously.

"Out of all the students, he chose her to answer his question," Samantha said, looking at me blankly.

"Don’t misunderstand, Samantha. He didn’t pick me because he likes me. Maybe it’s because I have good grades and he wanted to hear my thoughts," I answered carefully. I’d never even imagined Mr. Christian liking me.

"Besides, I already have Rayvan," I added, not wanting Samantha to feel hurt.

"Maybe he likes you for your intelligence. Looks like I need to learn how to get better grades, especially in his class. Maybe then he’ll notice me," Samantha said, eyeing her friends.

Lisa narrowed her eyes at Samantha. "Do you really love him?"

Samantha frowned. "Yeah. Is that so wrong?"

"Not wrong, but last time you praised your dad’s friend, then you liked your mom’s friend’s little brother, and then you were obsessed with your new neighbor who sings while watering plants. And now it’s Mr. Christian. So I can’t help but question how serious you are," Lisa said all in one breath.

"So I’m wrong for liking him?" Samantha’s cheerful face fell. Her eyes welled up with tears. She started to cry softly.

One by one, the cheerleaders hugged her.

"You’re not wrong, Sam. Not at all..." Lisa wiped the tears from Samantha’s cheeks. "I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings."

"Don’t take it the wrong way, Samantha. Lisa was just making sure you’re really serious. Because love... love can hurt so much when it goes unreturned," Lilian said, gently stroking Samantha’s hair.

"Mr. Christian is totally hot, amazing, charming, of course you’d fall for him. But you should make sure he’s really single, like the rumors say. Maybe he secretly has a girlfriend," Clara added.

"He’s a grown man, and we might just be kids in his eyes," Lisa reminded her.

I sat there, a strange thought filling my mind. Was this what it felt like to have friends? A group of girls who understood you, stood by you, no matter what? A small smile tugged at my lips. I realized something, this cheerleader squad shared a beautiful kind of friendship.

"Whenever you’re ready to study and improve your grades, I’ll help you, Samantha." I didn’t know if my words would ease her heart, but I hoped they’d bring her a bit of comfort.

"Thanks, Alera." She offered a faint smile.

Once Samantha had calmed down, we all got ready to sleep. Thankfully, the dorm warden had given me a thick blanket before the winter camp. The night was freezing. The blanket was so warm.

As I closed my eyes, the howling returned—long and aching, like a cry for help.

I pressed a pillow over my ears, hoping to block it out. But it only grew louder, more persistent. Then came the scent... that same overwhelming Lycan scent creeping in again.

What was really happening?