The Lycademy - Fire and Death

2. Crescent Moon 4 life

Alright. Two-bedroom apartment with a small kitchenette, comfy couch and big ass flat screen all to myself. I can definitely work with that. I'm not too picky after all.

I wanted to have a roommate. I heard so much about what it's like and what great friendships started that way and I was honestly looking forward to it.

However, then there's the story of Dad's roommate, who as my parents diplomatically put it was a bit of a f**k up. Alright, they didn't use that word perse, but that was the conclusion.

But unfortunately I will have no such luck in finding out if my roommate is my next best friend or an awkward nuance, because of the school's policy changed. Apparently it wasn't enough for high ranked wolves to have their own classes. No, they had to make us even more 'special' and keep us in solitude. Like we didn't already have the big sign of our backs.

Thankfully all of my friends live alone too. At least we are all on the same floor, which will make sneaking out a bit easier.

Maybe it wouldn't be that bad, after all. What do I need my condo for anyway? Sleeping mostly. Maybe hooking up with some she wolves. And living on my own may actually work in my favour with that. Besides, after living with my younger brother it will be a nice change to not have someone else's s**t laying around in my personal space and some nosy brat invading it under any ridiculous excuse. Right, the positives.

"What are you looking at Cargarough, are you already planning on hiring a decorator?" - I heard my best friend's Cole voice from behind my back.

I turned to him and smirked. He loved to tease me, but actually he's more like a brother to me than Vito. But that's given. We are after all sons of two best friends and Cousins thanks to our mothers. But even though we are technically related, we couldn't be more different. Where I'm hot tempered, he's more laid-back. Where he's more of a dark and mysterious type, I'm actually blonde and as many think a show off. Where my life was all planned out for me, he has a choice. The only thing that's exactly the same for both of us are the green eyes we both get from our respective Moms.

This and that unspoken understanding. Knowing someone for that long makes you kinda develop a sixth sense in some ways. We always know when it's time to goof around or to talk seriously and we always could count on one another.

"Why Braun, you want me to pay for yours too?" - I teased him right back.

"Nope." - he shook his head with a lopsided smile- "I actually like my space ascetic. But I can see you can't find your way around without golden doorknobs and talking shitter." - he chuckled to himself. Yup, he's the guy who always laughs at his own jokes - "Come on Princess, Peter send me to get you. We're all starving."

"Coming." - I said joining him by the doors - "And stop calling me that, or I'll rearrange your face."

"Uuu, I'm so scared." - he laughed again. Prick.

Both Peter and Titus were waiting for us in the hallway just outside my condo, both not talking, just scrolling on their phones.

"What is wrong with you two? Can't you put the technology down for even a second?" - I asked my Beta and Gamma. Their social skills could use a bit of work, but they are the best team I could ask for.

Titus isn't exactly of the Crescent Moon's Beta line, but he'll be the first one of a new one. My Dad's Beta is mateless by choice and he doesn't have pups that could be his successors, so back in his school days Dad convinced his friend, my Aunt Harriet to settle down in our Pack so that Titus could be my second. I'm actually really glad Dad thought that far ahead, because Ty is really a stand up guy. Whenever he isn't trying to push my buttons of course. Or we are not in his car. Or he isn't telling me that my ideas are stupid. Yeah, we keep ourselves on our toes.

But I must admit that Ty and his eye for technology and mechanics may help me bring Crescent Moon to the new era. He's the smartest person I know, even though I think his black samurai bun looks stupid.

Peter's best qualities however are clear judgment and loyalty. He inherited each of those traits from his parents. His Dad, Tomas, is our Pack Doctor, he's used to working under pressure and he taught Peter that thinking straight is half of the success. His Mom, Jessica, devoted her whole life to our Pack. She's the best Gamma anyone could ask for. She believes that Crescent Moon always comes first, and she planted that approach in her son's head.

Together they are every Pack's dream team, even if they make me want to kill them sometimes.

"This whole castle is old news for us, so forgive us, we don't share your excitement." - Ty rolled his eyes, but either way put his phone back in his pocket, just like Peter. That's their main difference one will challenge me every step of the way, but not in a bad way, more like to make sure I was making the right call. The second one will oblige without unnecessary words.

"Even the clock tower?" - I asked with a smirk knowing fully well that the keys I got from Val opens one of the parts of the castle they haven't explored in the last two years.

"Yeah, keep bragging about those. I wonder though, how would you find a proper staircase without us." - Titus smirked.

"He's a freshman, he probably got the map of this place, Ty." - Peter said, shaking his head - "Let's go, or I'm leaving you two here." - he turned and without another word started going down the corridor.

"Oh s**t! I forgot to text my Mom. Ty, would you come with me to get my phone? Alpha boy can go with Pet." - Cole said face-palming his forehead. Titus muttered a few inaudible cusses under his breath but went with Cole and I chuckling caught up with Peter.

Way to the dining hall wasn't too complicated. Just follow your nose and the chattering sound. Easy enough. The rest of the castle is more worrying, it looks like it was big enough to accommodate twenty Crescent Moon Pack Houses just in the residential wing alone.

We entered the dining room where quite the crowd had already gathered. I shouldn't be surprised, wolves love to eat equally hard as they like to fight.

Peter and I took trays with a selection of our favourite dishes, and they had everything: steaks, fried chicken, turkey sandwich, pastas, veggies. I guess that kitchen's motto is go big or go home, not that I'm complaining.

Then my Gamma led me to the table in the far end of the gigantic room, and as we were approaching a big ass grin spread on his lips.

"Howdy Fair Ladies, how was the summer?" - he asked two girls with fiery auburn hair that were sitting with their backs turned to us. But his tone was what surprised me the most, I barely ever saw Pet this playful.

Two girls turned to us simultaneously, and then I knew exactly why he was so friendly.

"Well f**k me, Nicky, Nat! Long time no see." - I grinned at the Boyl twins.

For the untrained eye Natalie and Nicole looked exactly the same, however, appearances could not be more deceptive. They were both Alpha heirs to the Mountain Howlers Pack and one of our Allies. Their mother is actually from my Pack and was thick as thieves with my aunt Veronica when they were little.

The girls inherited Martha's soft auburn hair colour and valor. But even though they are identical from birth they are actually like night and day.

Nicky is an actual Alpha, dominant, more arrogant, not shunning from any fighting. She's more of a tomboy, having no problem finding her way in male companionship.

Nat is more of a diplomat. She's gentler, more put together and empathetic. Together they are like two sides of one coin. A whole Alpha package.

"Well hello there strangers." - Nicky grinned then her mismatched eyes, one green and one grey shone with mischief and she turned to my companion - "Pet, are you tired of Cargarough yet? You know my offer still stands." - Nicky sent a sly smirk to Peter.

"Nicky, stop trying to steal my Gamma." - I said shaking my head and giving each of them a kiss on the cheek.

"Why? We have more to offer." - Nicky answered, making her sister sigh loudly. Nat knew that every conversation with Nicky is like competing about absolutely everything.

"I highly doubt that. The Crescent Moon is bigger, stronger and we aren't in the middle of nowhere." - I said, falling right into Nicky's trap.

"Maybe so, but Boyls are better Alphas." - Nicky stated with all her confidence.

"If there's one good thing in your Goddess's forgotten Pack is your Luna, who is.. oh, oh from Crescent Moon." - I fought right back. Somehow every conversation I had with Nicky over the years turned into heated arguments or even sometimes to fisticuffs.

Nicky was preparing herself for retaliation when Pet stepped between us two and sighed just like Natalie a few moments ago.

"Can we just eat? One meal in peace?" - my Gamma pleaded and he was right as always.

I smirked and put my arm around Nicky's shoulders, ruffling her messy bun, making it even messier.

"I missed you, you pan in the ass. How long has it been?" - I said to Nicole with a smile.

"Not long enough." - she said with narrowed eyes, but her shiny eyes said she wasn't serious. That was just Nicky.

"Yeah, you love me." - I teased her further.

"Sure Alpha boy, whatever makes you feel better." - she rolled her eyes.

"Could you all stop calling me a boy. I'm just two years younger than you guys." - I said to Nicky and Pet, who used the same stupid nickname earlier today.

"Sure we can, Vaughny." - Nicky cooed in her best baby voice. I groaned and sat by the table and dug in my mashed potatoes. Damn, those are tasty, almost like Christmas in Dragon's Night. I have no idea how my uncle and Valkyrie do it, but they have the best cooks in all allied Packs.

I was so busy with my plate that I was completely oblivious of someone else coming to the table.

"Cargarough, meet our friend." - Nat elbowed me on my side. I looked up to the newcomer and I knew right away I didn't have to be introduced to this one. I knew him oh too well, however I won't say it's a pleasant acquaintance.

"Kein." - I greeted him dryly with a single nod.

"Vaughn." - he mirrored my rather cold welcome.

Nat and Nicky glanced between the two of us with curiosity.

"Wait, you two know each other?" - Nat asked.

"Briefly. Our parents are friends." - I answered, while Kein remained silent, just watching me, with those green assessing eyes.

There was actually never real feud between us, nothing particular to make us this distant, we just never really clicked. Ever since I can remember my parents have been dragging me to every festivities in his Pack, but this guy is not my cup of tea. Every conversation with him is torture, his manner is repulsive and uninteresting, and above all he carried himself as if he was better than everyone else. He didn't even make an effort to try to engage in any form of conversation for the sake of our alliance. So with time our childish animosity grew into genuine dislike and our parents decided to spare us the torture of each other's company.

"Well, that's great. How about we do something together on Friday?" - Nat happily asked, apparently taking no hint from our greeting that we are not exactly on BFF terms.

"Yeah, maybe." - I answered while still holding a staring contest with Kein.

"Yes, let's see about that later." - answered Kein with equal lack of enthusiasm. He then turned to the girls and gave them something that looked almost like a smile - "I'm actually meeting Buzz for dinner, just dropped by to say hi."

"Oh, you guys don't want to join us?" - Natalie frowned, catching up on our aversion.

Kein looked back at me and the slightest smile that was gracing his lips disappeared immediately. Well, I'm not surprised, the feeling is totally mutual.

"Another time." - he answered and sauntered away with his hands clasped behind his back. I mean, who even walks like that?!

"What was that all about?" - Nicky finally spoke glaring at me.

"Nothing." - I shrugged.

"That didn't look like nothing. If your parents are friends why are you acting like this? Kein is a great guy." - Nicky demanded.

"If you say so." - I said taking another forkful but the glare the feisty twin was sending me told me she wouldn't let it go. So I sighed and turned her way - "It's nothing serious, we just haven't hit it off or maybe I'm immune to his charm, but it's not like we are enemies or something."

"Boys." - Nicky said rolling her eyes and her sister giggled at her exasperation.

We quickly recovered from Kein sudden arrival and returned to comfortable catching up, during which more than once Nicky and I may or may not have brought which one of our Packs is better. But let's face it, CM for life!

We were in the middle of another verbal duel, which made both Peter and Nat laugh their asses off, when suddenly Nicky stopped glaring at me and her nose went up in the air and she started sniffing. I glanced at the other two, just in time to notice Natalie doing the same.

"Sorry I took so long, but you know how my Mother can be. That damn Italian overprotectiveness." - Cole said walking towards us with Ty in tow.

Both Mountain Howlers Alphas stood up and watched him with the intensity similar to the one I was sending to those mouth watering mashed potatoes.

"Mate." - Natalie said with a widest grin, Nicky however stayed perfectly still and silent like she saw a ghost.

I looked at my best friend and each of the girls a few times before I fully registered what was going on and then I couldn't hold it. I started laughing. And not just a chuckle, but a whole belly laughter and I even believe that a few tears escaped my eyelids.

Nicky was sending me the deadliest of her glares, and she had a whole range of those.

"Sorry, sorry." - I said wiping my eyes - "But it looks like I won our dispute once again and your Pack House will get another Crescent Moon occupant."