Twisted Bonds

As I pressed my forehead to the cold glass, the blur of trees reminded me of the house we had left behind. The small kitchen where Dad used to make pancakes and burn the edges, laughing at himself, and the living room that smelled of old books and Mom’s faint perfume. I hadn't wanted to leave, hadn't wanted to come to Eldergrove, but after Dad… after the last sound of his heartbeat stopped, there was nothing left for me there. Even my friends back home had drifted away, unsure how to hold me when I wasn't the girl I used to be. Finally, we arrived at Grandma's house after the long journey. Sitting in the car for over six hours is not easy, you know… Grandma Lyra's house looked a bit different than I remembered. The tires crunched over the gravel as the car came to a stop. The brass wolf knocker was tarnished. The porch leaned like an old man trying to rise from a chair, and the vines were climbing up the railing, trying to pull the whole thing down. Before Mom could lift her hand to knock, the door swung open. I haven't seen Grandma for some years now, but she looked exactly the same to me. Her silver hair was still braided tight, and her eyes scanned me with recognition. She frowned, judging me for the years I hadn’t visited, but then she smiled. “It's so nice to see you, dear. Come give me a hug.” The warmth of her body pressed against mine. It's been long since I received this long warm hug from Grandma; it felt good. I must confess. “The blood remembers,” she whispered. I wanted to ask what she meant, but in Eldergrove, riddles were truths, and seeking clarity often brought more pain. Inside, the house was filled with candle wax. The altar in the corner hummed with something ancient: carved wolves, bowls of moonwater, herbs dried to fragile skeletons. My father’s photograph rested there, eyes gleaming with a life I could no longer touch. Mom muttered something about unpacking upstairs, carrying her grief like polished armor. I wore mine like exposed nerve endings, raw and unprotected. I couldn’t stay inside. After unpacking and settling in, I found my way outside to get some breeze. The night pressed against the windows, and I traced the scar on my wrist, the mark I had been born with. Dad said it meant I was chosen. Chosen for what, he never got the chance to explain. Suddenly, I heard some noise more of someone coming in my direction, that made me look up. From the shadows, a figure stepped into the moonlight, auburn hair catching the silver glow. “Hello, I'm Serena,” she said, smiling too wide. I normally judge people with that kind of smiley face. “Grandma said you were outside,” Serena said, still smiling. “I've been waiting to see you. You're Riel Vance, right…?” “Everyone’s been talking,” she continued. “When they heard you were coming to Eldergrove.” “Talking?” I forced a laugh. “Umm… that's too sudden. But why do they want to see me?” I was curious; I wanted to know too. “Pack royalty,” she said. “People never forget. By the way… Riel, tomorrow is the Full-moon Gathering. Every wolf, every elder, every future alpha will definitely be there. They'll probably… welcome you.” “I’ll have to go now. We'll catch up tomorrow. It's getting late. Bye, Riel,” Serena said, and she moved. “Okayyy… Byeee…” Not sure she heard me though, but look on the bright side, I guess I found a friend. At least I have company now. Maybe people here are nice. Maybe Eldergrove is not that bad. I stayed awake on the thin guest bed, staring at the ceiling. The forest outside whispered change I didn’t know I was ready for. Finally, I fell asleep. The morning sun stabbed at my eyelids. I pulled the blanket over my head, but reality pressed through anyway. Eldergrove High waited. I dragged myself out of bed, feeling lazy. I had to put myself together so I could proceed in packing my books, brushing, and throwing on my normal sneakers and usual clothes. A little makeup wouldn't hurt… just enough to look put together. I grabbed some fruit, barely tasted it, and bolted out the door. “Bye, Grandma,” I said from a distance since she was the only one close by. The school was before me, brick walls wrapped in ivy, doors smelling of old wood and lingering detergent. I hurried through the entrance, scanning for my classroom. My mind was tangled in everything Serena had said yesterday with the strange mix of nerves and excitement. I ran straight into three boys, knocking my books out of my arms. Papers scattered everywhere. My heart skipped at first. There was something about them, something familiar I couldn’t place. “Whoa!” “Here, let me help you.” His hand brushed mine as he passed me a notebook. Something ran through me, sharp and electric. My fingers tingled, pulse jumping in ways I didn’t understand. The other two stayed silently watching. Their eyes… something in them felt like it recognized me too. But I couldn't trace it. “Thanks…” I said, my voice low. “No problem,” he said, a small, easy smile. That smile… the warmth in it made my chest melt. I knew something in me was reacting. As we bent to gather the scattered books, our hands touched again. Slight, almost accidental, but enough. Enough to make my pulse spike again, to make my thoughts stumble. The other boys exchanged glances real quick. I didn’t know them, but I could feel it, something… something threaded between them. “Zane, hurry up! We are getting late…” one of the boys said. Books finally tucked away, I straightened and stepped back. My palms were sweaty. My cheeks were burning. I gave a small nod and hurried off, but the memory of his hand brushing mine, the quiet, assessing eyes of the three boys, stayed with me. My pulse still thrummed, curiosity pricking against my nerves. At least I know his name, letting out a small smile. Even as I rounded the corner toward my classroom, my mind couldn’t stop replaying it. The touch, the strange fleeting connection that I didn’t understand but didn’t want to ignore. It kept on replaying over and over again. I was still thinking about Zane when a shadow loomed beside me. “Oh, it’s the Late Alpha’s daughter, uhhhhh… Your dad couldn’t even protect his little princess from getting in people’s way… so pathetic. Such a coward.” A girl about my age said, I didn't even know her. But hell nooo will she mention my dad. My hands shook out of anger. “How dare you say that about my dad!” I couldn't bear it; my claws burst through immediately. I shoved her hard; she slammed into the locker with a deafening bang. Screams erupted, phones raised, and crowds gathered. Serena shouted my name, but I ignored it, focusing on the girl. Minutes later, the principal’s voice cut through the chaos. “Riel Vance. Vina Roggs. My office. Immediately.” Inside, Vina’s tears fell, trying to twist the story, but I was trembling, words caught in my throat. The principal cleared his throat and faced us, or should I say, faced me directly. “Just your first day and you are already causing chaos,” the principal said, eyes sharp. “As a Late Alpha’s daughter, I’m ashamed. Really ashamed of you.” He didn't even think twice. “Detention. Now.” Low-key, I was happy. At least I would sit quietly on my own for today. Minutes later, the teacher came with another student. “Draven Thornhart, inside.” Immediately!! He’s one of the boys I saw with Zane not quite long ago. He didn't even shake as if this was not his first time here. He sat down quietly. I caught him staring at me several times. But I didn't mind because I just wanted the day to end. The rest of the day went on. I counted the minutes until it ended. Thankfully, the miserable day was over. ………………… The forest path home was quiet, too quiet. “Grandma Lyra! Grandmaaaa!” I shouted, with hunger and frustration. “Hey, Riel! Sorry for keeping you. How was your first day…?” I expected that question from her, trying not to worry her. “Not bad… Grandma, it was normal,” I said, making my way to the kitchen to get some food. Around seven, towards evening and night, I heard footsteps hurried down the hall. Aunt Celia pushed my door open, breathless. “Come on, Riel. It’s time to get dressed.” “For what?” “The Gathering tonight… remember?” “Oh no. I almost forgot.” I dressed quickly, wearing a small gown, a leather jacket, then my small boots. Light makeup, readying myself. I searched for Mom, but I didn't see her. Not that she cared though. I quickly went downstairs. Seeing Grandma and Aunt there, I waved at them. “Bye, Grandma.” “Bye, Aunt Celia.” And just like that, I was gone, straight toward the Gathering I wasn’t sure I was ready for.