Bond and Blood

Vynessa’s POV I shivered at the sight of the huge poster that hung on the gate right in front of me. I pressed my lips tightly and held on to my schoolbag with all my strength like I would rip it off. CLAWSRIDGE WEREWOLF ACADEMY That was what was boldly written on the poster and it sent shivers down my spine. Going inside simply meant me giving away my freedom. Several news had travelled far and wide about the school but the most common one was that it was mainly for the elite. Somehow, I felt I did not fit in but my mother had a contrary opinion. “This is the greatest investment I can give to you, child. This is what your father always wanted for you. You've been given a scholarship to study here. You should count yourself lucky.” She spoke with concern. “Hmph!” I stuttered and if I did not have a strong grip on myself, I would have fallen face flat on the hard marbled tiles. “Get your filthy self out of my way!” Whoever it is I had hit yelled at me. I didn’t have the chance to look at her face. Two weeks into arriving and they was never a day they did not prove the rumors true. Yes, Clawsridge Academy was home to mean girls and handsome guys who focused on anything but their books. “Class is starting in few minutes. You should come in so you don’t get punished.” A pretty blondie called out to me with a wide smile on her face. She must probably have thought I was a new student. I nodded and walked right behind her into the building. It was indeed quite beautiful but I still could not ignore the fact that my old school was better even though it was not as big and beautiful. Two weeks in this school and I still had not gotten accustomed to it. I let out a sigh before making my way into the classroom. I tried to distract myself from the chats and chatters of the girls who were obviously gisting and drooling over guys. “The weirdo is here.” I heard someone mutter and I rolled my eyes. It was definitely Saskia; the one girl who had a crush on all the boys in the classroom. Sassy Saskia I shut my eyes tight, taking in multiple breaths. Anxiety was slowly creeping into my mind and crowded my heart. Ignoring their thoughts, I walked to have my seat. I pulled my hoodie over my head. I never felt like a part of them hence keeping up friends is not something I could do, earning the name 'Weirdo'. “Hey…” I felt warm hands around my neck and my lips curved into a smile. “Madelyn..” Of course, it could only be her. She was the one of the two people who cared about me and did not see me as a weirdo. The irony is , she is Saskia's sister. “I wonder why the teacher is not here yet.” I shrugged. That was all I cared about. Come to school to learn and return home to my mother. That was literally all my life was about. I had no friends and no other person to call family ever since my father died. The true nature of those who termed myself as my father’s friend began to reveal itself after his death. Everyone distanced themselves from my mother and I and we were left all alone. “Vy, are you fine?” Madelyn nudged me by my shoulder and I nodded. The class suddenly went silent. Initially, I thought it was the teacher that had come but I was wrong. It was the only guy who had the ability to make the class go silent; Axel. I rolled my eyes and looked away from him. He was attractive, true but I did not understand how every one wanted to be associated with him. If it wasn’t the guys always wanting to be his friends and companion, it was the ladies drooling over him and wanting to be his. His attractiveness had gotten him a lot of importance and benefits from the teachers alike who equally liked him. The praises he got daily seemed to get into his head as he was also arrogant and rude and I tried all I could to avoid him always. “You look so good today, Axel!” “You are the most handsome guy in the world!” Another spoke. The praises continued from the girls and the guys as he walked over to his seat and he on the other hand continued to smile. I did not find it funny. Letters were littered on his table and so were gifts. “I do not find him attractive, you know? I believe these girls and guys are only attracted to him because of his money. There is nothing attractive or appealing about him.” Gideon, my seat partner and friend spoke. His voice was laced with bitterness. “Oh, come on. We both know that is not true. He is very attractive and deep within, I know you want to be like him.” Madelyn argued. “G…guys, can you just let us focus on what we are here for? We have seen this guy for the umpteenth time and the last thing we should do is argue everyday about his attractiveness.” I let out a sigh and supported my chin with my words. Those two were my support and the only ones that kept me going in the school. “Quiet, everyone!” Our arithmetic teacher walked into the class and I was relieved. We would have something else to talk about even though somehow, Axel would be involved. When he didn’t know a particular question, he was spared but when it was someone else’s turn, it got different. Seconds rolled into minutes and minutes into hours. Finally, the class ended and I headed home. I hurriedly walked out of the school so as not to be mocked by others for walking. It had been very difficult considering the fact that I wasn’t as wealthy as them all. I didn’t want anyone, Saskia especially to have a reason to mock me or taunt me. I was dripping with sweat when I got home. As usual, mother had made lunch and was expecting me. “Mother….” I crashed in her arms the moment I got in. “I am starving!” I threw my hands and dropped my bag on the worn out leather in the living room. The only one we had. “No. You should have your bath first.” She responded. “No, mother! I am…..” “Not negotiable.” She raised her finger at me and I rolled my eyes before rushing to the bathroom to take a clean bath. We had a small house yet it was always neat as mother emphasized neatness. Always. She had served lunch when I returned and I smiled before going to eat. Something had changed. The coolness… the smile, the happiness…. Her mood had changed. I could sense tension in the air. My favorite meal on a Thursday afternoon? Something was definitely up. She sat right opposite me without uttering a word yet her eyes bore a lot. It bore a lot of words. “is something wrong, mother? Should I be worried?” I questioned, tension seizing every part of my body. “No…. No.” She responded. “Have your meal.” She responded and even though she smiled, I could tell it was fake. “What is going on, mother. Talk to me.” I clenched my fist as I was already getting scared. Had something happened? Were we about to be evicted? Was I leaving school? I had a gazillion questions running through my mind all at the same time. Was something wrong? “Nothing is wrong… I just want to speak to you about something very important. We can have the discussion after your meal.” She pleaded, her arms folded but each of her actions only got me scared. “What is going on?” I repeated, my heart racing. “It’s been eight years since your father passed. “ she started. Her statement only seemed to get me even worried. I had a quick search in my heart and thankfully, it was not father's remembrance. I would not have forgiven myself if I had forgotten it. “We have really been struggling to survive and it had really been difficult for us. I want to choose the path for a better life for you and for me. I…. I am getting married.” She suddenly spoke. I froze on the spot as that was the last thing I expected to hear. I blinked twice as I struggled to understand what she was saying. “There is someone that cares about me so much and I already told him about you. He has a nice family and…” “Family?!” I stood up immediately. It wasn’t bad enough that she was getting married to a total stranger but somehow with a family? “He will be here tomorrow and I want you to be in your best. We will be getting married in three days and we would be moving into their house.” She announced.