The Lycan Prince's Fallen Mate

Chapter 3- Been here all along

Calista

I swear to god, my entire school is filled with hooligans and yahoos, I don’t know how I can possibly belong in this town. And the biggest of them is the guy howling and chest bumping in the middle of the ground, Zenith. All eyes were on him, with the hopes that our school would win against those hunks of guys against us.

Looking at him brought me back to the exchange we had this morning before classes. Not many people in my school knew that I was related to Kevin Petros. Humans, other supernatural beings like vampires, and lycan don’t care or indulge themselves in the drama of us werewolves. As the number of werewolves is high in my school and in this town, nobody bothers to step in either.

My pack knew my condition and my status and they didn’t miss a single chance at the packhouse or the school to remind me of it. While Kevin was here, they tried to keep it subtle but after he left the school that escape turned into another version of my personal hell second to my home.

I kept my head down till I reached my class, kept my attention on the board and the teacher, ignored every jab and word thrown at me, and tried to stay out of everybody’s way. Nobody saw me for who I was and I was not even sure who I was, what there was to see in me. But today, it was different.

Zenith’s scrutinizing eyes were a completely different story. First, he saw me as Kevin’s sister but the second look held more depth to it. It was like he was trying to figure something out. When you are so used to staying on the sidelines quietly, you start to observe people and read more than what appears.

Usually, I can understand people but Zenith threw me off my momentum. I wanted to talk to him, answer his question, sedate this restlessness in me but I couldn’t. I was beyond broken for that. So, I did what I usually do, kept my head down and walked away.

Kevin dragged me to the season’s final game despite my resistance to coming to events like these. But Kev didn’t have to convince me much as I wanted to spend time with him and he wanted to go to games to cheer for his old buddies. So, it was a no-brainer, I was going with Kev to this stupid, loud, weird game.

Okay, it’s not weird but I don’t understand the craze behind football. People in our town lose their minds on high school and college games. Kev tried so many times to explain all the rules but I was distracted and uninterested to learn any of it. At the moment, I am just waiting for the crowd to cheer and then I understand that our school team scored.

“Cal, you having fun?” Kev yelled over the sound of the crowd. Kev’s face lit up and that made me smile. I remember how sad he was when he had to leave Lake Springs, his friends, and his team behind.

“Yea, I guess. It’s something.” I replied not wanting to put a damper on his mood. Today was so peaceful. Nobody in school got in my way because they were too busy with the excitement of the game and the nervousness of the finals. My parents haven’t badgered me to come home and get back to work. Though, I will have to pay back twice tomorrow for taking a day off but…

No, No, this is good, actually good. I don’t have to be home yet, I get to spend time with my brother, and for once I get to act like a rowdy teenager with the crowd. I need to stop overthinking everything and just live in the moment. Whatever waits for me after Kevin leaves the town, I deal with it then.

I started clapping and cheering for our team as well. I can’t be crazy like my mates but I can definitely act in small cases. Anyway, almost half of the guys on the team laugh every day when their girls or other friends trouble me so I don’t feel like supporting them. It’s just for spirits and Kevin.

“Aah, god I missed how lively our games used to be!” Kevin exclaimed beside me. It was half-time. “Has anybody been troubling you at school?” Kevin’s demeanour suddenly got serious freezing me for a moment. I simply shook my head. There was no use in telling him, it wouldn’t change anything.

“Cal, not this, not with me. I wish I could change things but please don’t stay quiet with me.”

“Kev, I can handle this. And it’s not going to be long, I just need to get through high school then you can help me.” Kevin looked at my face and nodded his head.

“But if things get too much or anybody tries to hurt you in school, you call me right way or even go to Zenith. He might seem like a troll but the guy has a good heart.” Kevin stated gesturing to his best friend who was coming back to the ground with his teammates.

Zenith wiped his sweat with his jersey exposing his chiseled body. With that one act, the temperature rose dramatically. I take it back, he is not a hooligan, he is a perfect specimen of a boy who appeared like a man at the age of 17. He looks so mature and even carries himself the same way.

I looked back and true to Kevin’s words Zenith didn’t seem like his friends. I have never seen him get involved in bullying others well by others I mean, me as my school or especially my pack always have a field day at my cost. I try too hard to not let those things get to me but what could I do? I can’t fight back, even if I try to stand up for myself, I get into double the trouble.

Zenith never intervened either, I don’t even think he even knew me before today till Kev introduced us that I existed. Truth be told, I couldn’t bring myself to even look at him, hence ignoring his existence till today. He is in a different league, everybody looks up to him, he is aloof, and he stays away from all the high school drama. He was not like me, not like us, there was something special about him, more than his lineage, more to him than him being the lycan prince.

The whistle of the game broke my trance of thoughts. The stadium erupted with a cacophony of cheers and roars as the last round of the game kicked off. The intensity in the air was palpable, each play sending shockwaves of anticipation through the crowd. I couldn't help but feel the same excitement running through me. But amidst the chaos of the cheering fans, my eyes remained transfixed and locked on Zenith.

Zenith, the star player of the team, the apple of the school’s eyes, moved with a grace and precision that was only possible with his genes. With every maneuver, he commanded the field, his presence motivating and commanding to his teammates. The cheerleaders were screaming at the top of their lungs.

Zenith was laser-focused, he celebrated with his team and seemed a bit smug earlier but at the moment, nothing got to him. As Zenith darted past defenders, his eyes briefly met mine, and in that fleeting moment, my heart started to beat out of control. My heart raced with a mixture of confusion and apprehension. What the hell was that?

The game was reaching its c****x, the tension mounting with each passing second. I couldn’t waver my eyes away from him. As the clock ticked down to its final moments, Zenith broke through the defensive line with a burst of speed that seemed to defy gravity itself. The crowd including myself held our breath as he sprinted toward the end zone, each step echoing like thunder in the stadium.

With a burst of energy that seemed to ignite the very air around him, Zenith soared past the last defender, reaching out with determination as he crossed the goal line. Time seemed to slow as the ball landed firmly in the end zone, a touchdown so electrifying it sent shockwaves through the crowd.

Everyone erupted in the stadium, a deafening roar of triumph and celebration as Zenith's touchdown sealed the fate of the game. The entire school leaped from their seats, arms raised in jubilation, their voices blending into a symphony of pure exhilaration for their team and their captain.

But amidst the chaos and frenzy, I remained rooted to my spot, my eyes never leaving Zenith. I couldn't take my eyes off him, even if I wanted to. It was like I had found something I had been looking for my entire life. In that moment of victory, I found a reflection of my own shattered hopes and a dream that I could somebody get out of this life and build my dream life.

As the cheers continued to reverberate around her, Zenith’s teammates picked him up on their shoulders. The other team was pretty tough, they gave our school a good competition but we emerged triumphant.

“Wait for me, I will congratulate the team then let’s go for dinner,” Kevin informed me and walked towards the team. Everyone from the bleachers was on the ground already but I remained there. And once again, Zenith’s eyes found mine, and this time they didn’t waver.

My breathing escalated, my heartbeat got faster and something inside me started to stir. No, No, this can’t be happening… I am f*cked…