Before It Begins
1361 Words
Then her eyes grew brighter… Brighter… And brighter still.
A smile slowly blossomed across her face before stretching into one so dazzling it seemed almost impossible.
"Oh..."
The word escaped her in a breathless whisper.
She clasped both hands beneath her chin, unable to contain the delighted squeal that followed.
"You both look amazing!"
Her eyes sparkled with pure admiration as they moved from Lucien to Anana... then back again, drinking in every detail.
The crimson and black hunting attire suited them perfectly.
Lucien looked every bit the Alpha he was… commanding, composed, and effortlessly imposing.
Beside him, Anana carried the same regal confidence, fierce yet graceful, as though the attire had been made solely for her.
Together...
They looked unstoppable.
Anastasia let out another delighted laugh, shaking her head in amazement.
"I don't care how many times I've seen this..."
She looked at them again, almost as if seeing them for the first time.
"I swear this is my favorite day of the entire year."
She walked farther into the room, unable to wipe the smile from her face.
"Seeing both of you dressed like this..."
She shook her head again, almost laughing at herself.
"It never gets old."
There was no exaggeration in her voice this time.
Only sincere admiration.
Her gaze lingered on them with unmistakable warmth.
"Even after every single year..."
She placed a hand dramatically over her heart.
"...you somehow manage to make hunting clothes look unfairly magnificent."
She looked between them again before pointing accusingly.
"I don't even understand how that's possible."
Her expression became adorably serious.
"You're wearing clothes meant for chasing beasts..."
She gestured dramatically from Lucien to Anana.
"...and somehow you've both turned it into a competition over who looks more intimidating."
She narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.
"I still haven't decided who's winning."
A beat passed…
Then she nodded to herself.
"No..."
Another glance…
"I definitely can't decide."
She threw up both hands in surrender.
"It's unfair."
Her eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Completely and utterly unfair."
Then a mischievous smile tugged at her lips.
"...Although I'm still convinced I'm the best-looking hunter today."
She folded her arms with absolute confidence, waiting to see whether either of her parents would dare challenge that bold claim.
For a heartbeat...
Neither of them said a word.
Then Lucien laughed…
A deep, warm laugh that quickly drew one from Anana as well.
Before Anastasia could ask what was so funny, both of them opened their arms.
She didn't hesitate.
With a delighted squeal, Anastasia hurried straight into them, wrapping her arms around both of her parents as they embraced her between them.
Lucien rested a hand gently on the back of her head.
Anana smiled, smoothing a stray strand of black hair away from Anastasia's face.
"My little wolf..."
Anana's eyes shone with pride.
"You look beautiful."
Lucien nodded in complete agreement.
"You do."
His gaze swept over her hunting attire before a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"It suits you perfectly."
Anastasia beamed.
The compliments landed exactly where they were supposed to.
"Oh?"
She took a step back, trying and failing… to hide the enormous grin spreading across her face.
"Then you should probably get another look."
She spread her arms wide.
"Ready?"
Without waiting for an answer, she spun in a full circle.
The crimson and black fabric flared gracefully around her as she completed a perfect three hundred and sixty degree turn before striking what she clearly believed was an impressive pose.
"Well?"
Lucien and Anana looked at one another.
Then both burst into laughter again.
The sound echoed warmly through the room.
Anastasia placed both hands on her hips.
"I'll take that as overwhelming approval."
"You should," Anana managed between laughs.
Lucien chuckled, giving an approving nod.
"You look every bit the hunter."
Those words made Anastasia stand a little taller.
She drew herself up proudly, shoulders back and chin high.
Lucien's smile lingered as he regarded her for a moment.
Then his expression softened.
"Tell me, Anastasia..."
"Are you ready for another three-day family hunt?"
Anastasia immediately stamped one boot smartly against the floor.
"Ready?"
A grin spread from ear to ear.
"I've been preparing for these three days since last year's hunt ended!"
Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"They're the best three days of the whole year."
Lucien let out a quiet laugh before giving a satisfied nod.
"That's exactly the answer I was expecting."
"All right then..."
He glanced towards Anana before looking back at his daughter.
"Let's get going."
Without another moment to waste, the three of them left the chambers together.
Anastasia naturally claimed the lead, almost skipping down the fortress corridors, unable to contain her excitement.
Lucien and Anana followed a few paces behind, exchanging fond smiles as they watched her.
By the time they reached the fortress's grand entrance, everything had already been prepared.
The massive doors stood open, revealing the rain-washed courtyard now bathed in fresh morning sunlight.
Several guards moved with practiced efficiency, carrying bows, quivers, spears, packs, and other hunting equipment towards the waiting horses.
Two more guards carefully led forward Lucien's magnificent black stallion, its dark coat gleaming beneath the morning light.
Beside it stood Anana's horse, equally prepared, its tack secured and ready for the journey ahead.
Everything was in place.
The annual family hunt was finally about to begin.
…
Meanwhile...
Back at the Supernatural Academy...
The morning lessons came and went.
Names were called… Lessons were taught… Questions were answered.
Students laughed, whispered among themselves, and complained about parts of the lesson they couldn't understand.
Little by little...
Life inside the classroom returned to normal.
For everyone else, at least… Not for him.
The bullied boy couldn't have recalled a single thing the teacher had said.
His eyes had remained fixed on the memory parchment before him, but the words had long since stopped meaning anything.
His mind had been elsewhere.
His ears caught everything.
Every burst of laughter… Every chair scraping against the floor… Every sudden movement.
Each sound made his heart lurch, as though he expected someone to call his name next.
Ever so often...
His eyes betrayed him… They drifted towards the boys.
They hadn't touched him… Not all morning. And somehow...
That frightened him more.
Then…
The rune above the classroom door shifted.
Its soft blue glow dissolved, replaced by a vivid crimson light.
Lunch break.
Almost instantly, the classroom erupted into motion.
Chairs scraped loudly against the floor. Memory parchments were rolled shut. Bags were slung over shoulders.
Friends called to one another with easy smiles, already discussing where they would spend the break.
Within seconds, students began pouring through the doorway, their laughter fading into the corridor beyond.
Only one student remained completely still.
The bullied boy.
He hadn't moved… Not even an inch. Beneath the desk, his fingers slowly curled into trembling fists.
His breathing grew shallow.
Lunch break...
A shaky breath slipped past his lips.
His stomach tightened until it almost hurt.
Maybe...
Maybe this is it.
His thoughts whispered the words with dreadful certainty.
This was usually when they came…
He lowered his gaze to the floor.
His pulse pounded relentlessly in his ears.
Then…
A chair screeched violently across the stone floor.
His entire body jerked.
Another chair scraped back… Then another…
The harsh sound ripped through the classroom, loud enough to draw a few curious glances from the students who hadn't yet left.
His heart shot into his throat.
No...
Slowly...
Almost against his own will...
He forced himself to look up. His head turned towards the source of the noise.
The boys were on their feet.
Every single one of them… And every pair of eyes was fixed on him.
The color drained from his face.
His blood ran cold, his heart slammed painfully against his ribs.
Thump!
His fingers instinctively dug into the edge of his desk until his knuckles turned white.
Thump!!
His breathing hitched halfway through his chest.
He couldn't seem to draw in enough air.
His stomach twisted so violently he thought he might be sick.
Thump!!!
He already knew...
Whatever came next...
It wasn't going to be good.
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