Twelve Full Moons

Chapter 4- A Fateful Encounter

After last night’s date with Rafe, Tammy was surprisingly more motivated that their engagement was going to be called off. But at the back of her mind, she was afraid of what would happen to Rafe.

As much as she wanted to help him escape his cruel father, although he didn’t ask her to, she didn’t want them both to be trapped in a loveless marriage.

She was a firm believer of true love, yes. But she was afraid to admit that to anyone, even with Nymeria.

Believing in love was a sign of weakness, and Tammy was not going to risk her reputation for something that was not going to be useful for her.

It was a sunny day at Red Stark and Tammy walked the school grounds confidently with Nymeria and Hollis.

“Was it good, last night?” Hollis asked. Her ponytail swayed as she walked.

Tammy smiled at her cousin. “Yeah, it was fun.”

Hollis jerked her elbow on Tammy’s side. “That’s great, so there is no reason for me and Nymeria to worry about your well-being. Rafe seems to be a nice guy to give you such nice smile.”

Tammy chuckled as she looked away. She was not at all happy about knowing the truth of Rafe’s sufferings. But she had to put out a fake smile to make it seem like she was happy to spend some time with him.

“Well, I believe we developed a strong friendship,” Tammy winked at Hollis.

Hollis smiled at her sincerely. Tammy could see her cousin’s happiness in her eyes. And she didn’t want to cut that off by breaking the news that Rafe was gay.

“That’s a good start, my lady,” Nymeria smiled at Tammy.

“Ooohhh!” Hollis fell to the ground.

Someone tripped her.

“Balto…” Hollis glared at the guy standing to her side.

Tammy and Nymeria looked at Balto and the two other boys with him. It was Randall and Kodi. They were leaning against the rail that fenced the football field.

Hollis was about to go punch him when Nymeria pulled her back.

“No Nymeria, he’s a cunt!” Hollis shouted angrily as Nymeria held her.

Tammy looked at Randall who looked like he didn’t care at what his cousin was starting to do. Insulting each other was not a way to go. It was forbidden for Ulmers and Wulfgars to even speak to each other in Red Stark.

“Hollis, no. We need to go,” Tammy said in a firm tone.

“Oh the heir to the throne is afraid of an omega? How much more when she’s seated to her seat and be insulted by a bunch of good-for-nothing alphas in her clan?! Balto laughed sarcastically.

“Balto,” Randall called him.

“You do not talk to my cousin like that!” Hollis was trying to hold back her wolf. Her eyes glowed golden brown as she stared back at Balto.

“How do you want me to talk to her then?” Balto’s blue eyes glowed intensely as he looked at Hollis.

It was indeed a challenge and it was not a good one.

Tammy pulled back Hollis and Randall stood up in front of Balto. The heirs of the two mighty families served as referees to their fighting cousins.

“A woman like your cousin cannot lead,” Balto said in a low voice but loud enough for Hollis to hear.

As quick as a wolf, Hollis pushed away Tammy’s hands and attempted to attack Balto. And he didn’t hold back either.

Both hot for a fight as their fists crushed against each other.

“Ulmers and Wulfgars!”

They all turned to the person who called their names. It was the head master.

“In my office now!”

Hollis and Balto moved away from each other but their eyes intensely remained in contact. Tammy and Randall’s face showed their disappointment.

And both were sure that if this fight would reach the knowledge of their parents, they would be punished horribly.

“Cousin, I’m sorry. I just didn’t want him to insult you like that,” Hollis whispered as she held Tammy’s arm gently.

As angry as Tammy was, she didn’t hate Hollis for fighting back Balto. What the man did was clearly insulting and degrading. And again, her femininity was called out in question.

Tammy held Hollis’ hand and assured her everything was fine.

“The heirs come inside please. The rest take a hold of yourselves or I dug in your bodies’ a piece of silver or make you rat wolf’s bane.”

The head master’s tone was authoritative. They didn’t have a clue whether he was true to his threats because it was their first time to break the one rule they were told to follow.

Randall and Tammy went in the office with the head master.

“Lord Tristan-…”

The head master lifted his index finger as he looked down. His eyes slowly averted towards Randall.

“Your cousin is a bit of a troublemaker, Lord Randall. I cannot tolerate it. You know well that your families have created a treaty to maintain peace and order. And you kids are here fighting. Balto needs to know the value of respect, Rand.”

Headmaster Tristan was not at all a werewolf but had been the voice of the humans in Red Stark. He was the most trusted human in school and both families of werewolves have given their treaties to maintain peace and order.

He was a tall and noble man. A face of royalty as he was a former duke from a royal family in Europe but left his duty to become a professor and now a headmaster of the most prestigious university.

“I understand, Lord Tristan.”

Tristan closed his eyes as he placed his hands on his desk as he sat. “But Balto does not. We have rules and regulations especially made for your kind and your families.”

Randall was too guilty to speak while Tammy was very embarrassed.

“Tamaska, you must warn Hollis or else she wouldn’t be accepted for college. This is the first and last warning as per advised by your parents in their treaties. I cannot change that. If things get heated once again between you, you will be expelled. I apologize but that is the consequence. There are no second chances.”

“Yes, Lord Tristan,” Tammy nodded as she bowed her head.

Tristan intertwined his fingers and stared at both of the two people in front of him. “You know exactly why you are not allowed to interact to each other, am I right?”

Randall glanced at Tammy quickly. As a wolf with empathetic ability, he was able to feel her anxiety. And it was surprising for him to feel as if he was sympathizing to her troubles.

Tammy nodded as her head remained down not even looking at Tristan nor Randall.

“I will not let this news be known to your parents. But I want you to make a truce right now to put a stop with this war even just for the sake of our school,” Tristan asked of them.

Randall turned to Tammy first, trying to ignore his empathy towards her. He reached out his hand as he waited for her to shake it.

Tammy was hesitant. Her wolf was trying to convince her that this was a bad idea. But she tried to ignore it.

This was Red Stark and this school would be the one to provide her the diploma she needed.

She looked at him and shook his hands.

A sudden electric shock climbed up to their system and they both let go. Randall knew it was something different while Tammy thought it was the innate hate that their families had but at the back of her mind it was different.

They stared at each other for a while and everything stopped moving. Shining lights glittered around them and indescribable emotions filled them.

“Very good. You may go back to your classes,” Tristan interrupted their moment.

Randall left the room first then Tamaska followed. He walked very fast as trying to run away from someone who was going to hurt him. But he questioned himself, was he hurt?

Of course not, though it was just a handshake and yet he was bothered by the effect to his body. It was new and unbelievable.

Tammy stopped by the wall as she let Randall leave first. She was unusually nervous and in panic. Knowing better, she was trained to act calm at any circumstance. But not like this.

This situation was new to her that she didn’t know what to do after feeling something she didn’t have to feel. Was it attraction? She wasn’t sure at all.

Both were afraid of what they felt but shouldn’t love be an emotion that brings happiness?