The Sterling Wolves Club

Chapter Three

I fell to my knees, clasping my chest as I struggled to breathe.

“You know she never bought our little story, right?” Emma’s voice echoed in my ears as I began to feel nauseous.

No, I couldn’t let this happen to me. The last thing I need is for my wolf to take the reins again. Who knows what she will do this time, and how badly she could hurt Emma.

“What’s wrong, are you falling into one of your little blackout comas? Get a grip, for f**k sake!” Emma grabbed me, forcing me to stand.

“There, there. This could all be over. I promise to never call you a murderer again. Just stay far away from Sterling.” She was hugging me again, patting my back slowly.

She had the worst intentions at heart, but she still managed to soothe me. In a matter of minutes, I felt like myself again. Well, the usual shitty version of myself anyway, not as happy as I was before she found me in the kitchen.

“Emma, please. I will stay away from you. I need a fresh start. Everyone in Pine Valley hates me.” I was desperately begging her but I could just tell that not even a single word was penetrating her cold heart.

“Exactly. You are used to it. I have always been admired and envied my whole life. I would die if people started to hate me all of a sudden. You are used to it though. As soon as the sun comes out, I want you to tell mum and dad that you will be going to the city college. It’s not like they want you that far anyway. They want you here, where they can keep an eye on you.” She gave me a smile before she wiped some tears away from my cheeks.

I lost my appetite for the cake immediately and ran back to my room.

As soon as the sun came out, Emma was in my room. “You don’t look too good. Shower so we can go have breakfast and tell mummy and daddy the good news.” The smirk on her face made me want to scream.

How could she be so heartless? She was just like our mother. I suppose ruthless business mogul Aurora Hutton did not suddenly wake up the way she was. She must have started young too.

“Give me twenty minutes.” I mumbled and waited for her to leave the room but instead, she sat on my dresser chair and started taking pictures of herself.

“You will never get to meet him, but I am sending these to Scott Sterling. Him and I could actually be a thing. I am willing to bet that this academic year will not end without us being a couple.”

Her words always took me by surprise. This is exactly how she was even after Brandon died. They were together for just one year but she actually managed to forget about him surprisingly fast.

I did not want to hear anything else she had to say so I went to my bathroom and showered before finding a floral sundress to wear.

“Let’s go.” My voice was dejected but she didn’t care.

For the first time ever, she started a conversation at breakfast.

“Kiara and I have good news. We were speaking last night and she has made her decision about college.” Emma’s smile was wide and the only thing I could think about is what happened at the farewell party and everything else I had gone through for years because of how hated I am in this city.

I would actually be crazy if I let this opportunity go. I suppose, every good thing needs to come at a sacrifice.

“Emma, wait.” I interrupted her before she could say anything else.

“I won’t do it, Emma. I am sorry. I would rather come clean.” Her smile disappeared as soon as those words left my mouth.

“Mum, dad, I have something to tell you. I don’t want to put you through more than I already have but the truth needs to come out.” Emma panicked, her hand slamming into the wooden table before she glared at me.

“Kiara, come with me!” She demanded before walking away. I excused myself and followed her outside to our garden.

“Have you totally lost your mind? What do you think you are doing?” She screamed at me.

“Fighting for myself. I am going to Sterling and I will tell the truth if that is what I have to do. I will tell them that I had a blackout last year and pushed Brandon down the stairs.” She slapped me as soon as I finished saying that.

“You have lost your mind, haven’t you? You are still after my perfect life! It makes you uncomfortable, doesn’t it?” She paced around in circles before she actually stopped and looked at me.

“Fine. Go to Sterling. I will lie to mum and dad right now and tell them that I will look out for you. They will agree if I say that. But here’s the thing. If anyone finds out that we are related, your secret comes out. All your secrets, I mean it!”

“Thank you. I promise, I won’t tell anyone that you’re my sister. I am looking for a fresh start, I won’t interfere with your life.” I could finally smile. She was right. My parents would only agree to pay for the fees if she tells them that Sterling would be a good environment for me.

> >> >>

“We are here!” Daya, the new driver and “spy” my parents got for me, announced as we drove closer to the gate. Sterling International was huge! I had been gawking at the buildings for a good minute since they came to sight, so thanks Daya, but your announcement was surely not needed.

“It’s beautiful!” I gasped as I continued to stare at the main University building. This was surreal. Emerald Heights in general was beautiful. I finally understood why it was given that name. The city was surrounded by beautiful mountains, all covered in greenery. It was my first time here, but I had been doing my research for the past two weeks while I waited for this day.

I had deduced everything I read to give myself rules for my stay here. The most important one was to avoid the Sterling brothers, the sons of the only Alpha in the world, especially Liam Sterling. Apparently he has real Alpha energy and nobody can tell him what to do. Get on his bad side and your entire life is ruined. The same applies to his brothers. They can ruin your life in the snap of a finger if you dare cross them.

My second most important rule was to never have a blackout. If I never break those two rules, I should be just fine. I should be able to blend with the walls and find someone that wants to do that with me. One best friend is all I need, I will not even ask for more.

The car pulled into the parking lot and we unloaded my three suitcases. The environment already felt so different. I did not have to be looking over my shoulder or fearing my next attack. A girl even smiled at me while she drove off with her suitcases.

I could have bursted into tears right there, but I had to keep calm. No intense emotions.

Today was orientation day for us first year students and I was extremely nervous but excited at the same time.

There would be an evening welcome event where every student that goes here shows up as well. That is where I was more likely to run into my sister.

Emma had not spoken to me since the day we convinced our parents to let me come here three weeks ago. Well, that was the case till we got on our flight to Emerald Heights and she only said one thing to me.

“From today onwards, you and I are strangers, don’t even look at me if you see me at school.”

She was being really harsh, but that was fine by me. I only wanted a fresh beginning and peace. I was not going to bother her.

“Everyone, listen to me!” A girl with long, black straight hair and pale skin announced. She was holding some documents in her hands, her bright blue eyes shone even from a distance.

“I will be showing you the ropes today. Scan your ID at reception and follow me!” I said goodbye to Daya. Thankfully, unlike Michael, I would not be seeing her everyday. Only when I wanted to head out. She had my location at all times so there was no escaping her if I wished to leave the yard.

I followed the crowd, scanned my ID and left my marked luggage with everyone else’s in a room just by reception. For the first time in my life, I felt like I was in control of my life. I had a good feeling about Sterling and my new life in Emerald Heights.

The girl coordinating our orientation, Chloe, gave us a quick tour of the main building before we used one of the exits at the back and walked for a while to the dorm area. Everything looked so expensive at this school, but when we got to the dorms area, I was blown away.

“So, we have four buildings here as you can see. Yours is over there on the far left. First and second year students stay in that building. The building directly next to it is for third and fourth year students. On the right, that’s postgrad. Any questions?” Chloe asked, crossing her arms over her chest. I was surprised by how huge every single building was. Three of them were at least ten stories tall, how big were our dorm rooms supposed to be anyway?

“Why didn’t you talk about the other one in the middle?” Someone asked the same question I was asking myself.

“That’s the Sterling mansion, not that you should know anything about it. Our Alpha’s heirs stay there. Only those they invite are allowed to be set foot in that building. If you are caught wandering about in that house without permission, you will be immediately expelled.” Once Chloe was done addressing that, she told us to get our luggage and find our rooms.

There was definitely something I was missing here. Everyone seemed to know something that I don’t. Whispers around me kept making it clear that the Sterling brothers were a hit. Every other word was one of their names.

“Hey!” I tried my luck, disturbing two girls that were deep in conversation.

“What’s everyone talking about? I live under a rock, kinda, so I have no idea.” I was nervous to hear back from them but I saw two smiles immediately, before one of them threw her arm over my shoulder.

“Listen, everyone is talking about the Sterling Wolves Club. They live in that mansion and each year, a spot opens for someone new, if they find someone worthy of being part of their group. There has been no new addition for two years straight. Everyone is hoping to change that, that’s just how it goes.”

Sterling Wolves what now?

I was so confused, but I did not want to hear more about it. Just sounds like the kind of distraction I do not need.

I followed the two girls and everyone else back to the main building to get my luggage and move into my dorm. I was already tired. Between the long flight and trying to note everything that Chloe was talking about, I had actually gotten tired. I could use some rest.

I was searching for my luggage when suddenly, people started gasping and moving towards the walls. The center of the room was suddenly cleared and I was right in the middle of the room.

I turned to my left and then to my right. Why was everyone moving away from me? Did someone reveal my identity?

I turned around and suddenly bumped into something. Someone, to be more specific. I couldn’t tell who it was immediately because I was buried in his chest, but he smelled good, in a very odd way.

“Oh no! She’s dead! She just bumped into Liam Sterling!” Someone muttered in a distance and I quickly realised I was also stepping on his shoes. My heart began thumping hard against my chest as I moved back and looked up.

That was not a lie. It indeed was Liam Sterling. He was giving me a blank stare, his jaw was clenched and he said nothing at all.

“I am so sorry. Forgive me!” I begged for forgiveness before I retreated by a few more steps.

“Stop right there!” His voice was deep and low, almost like he wanted to growl at me. I stopped, my entire body shaking. Why couldn’t he just let me go?

“Come closer.” He demanded and I only took one step forward.

His face finally changed when he chuckled to himself.

“So I was not clear enough?” He took one step towards me, then he grabbed me by the arm, pulling me close to him.

Looking into his cold blue eyes that were adorned by his dark, straight lashes made me feel something I had never felt before. He was as handsome as his pictures. Through my fright, mysteriously, I found myself staring at his lips too.

“Don’t look into my eyes, freshman!” He warned and I immediately shut my eyes instead. The whole room was quiet apart from us. The silence in between us talking was so dead, I could hear my own heart beating. He scared me. I did not want to get on his bad side and ruin my new life before it even starts.

“Clean my shoe.” He demanded, letting go of my arm. I looked down and saw the print of my shoe on his perfectly shiny black derby shoes.

“I’m so sorry!” I pulled out the packet of tissues I always kept in my small purse and right as I was about to begin wiping the smudge off, he moved his shoe.

“Use your hand.”

People gasped at our sides. I was a spectacle for everyone in the room. Everyone sounded entertained.

I stopped upon hearing that request and rose from my knees. Who was he to ask me to do such a thing? Sure, he is the future Alpha, possibly, but does that grant him the right to bully me like this? I already apologized.

The doors opened and four more people walked in. I noticed the Sterling twins, Scott and Dylan immediately, but they were not my concern. Emma was. Her eyes widened as she gazed at me, then that look of shock turned into a glare.