Chapter 22
2 months passed by. Nothing much changes in the pack nor the lycanthrope kingdom. Miles had travelled to neighbouring packs, hoping to find a second chance mate. Nonetheless, in vain. Nolan accompanied him during the first few trips because he was pushed by his parents, but after the first three, he stopped. He just couldn’t feel the excitement of finding a mate yet. He just continued to put up a happy face for the sake of his parents and because he was the beta of the pack.
Castor’s mate, Amara, was announced as the gamma female and life went on quite peacefully for them.
Miles continued to travel around for some time, despite the chances of him finding a second chance being slim. After two months of travelling and meeting disappointments, he stopped looking for a mate. He gave up, cursing his fate and Cassandra. He still believed that her mere existence in the pack was the reason that he had to face it.
Miles ended up indulging himself completely in the pack business and training non stop. His parents were worried about him. Regardless of their concerns, they knew they no longer had any power over what fate had in store for their son.
Nolan tried his best to overcome the depression he had to face. He wished that he knew what had happened. Or at least, he wished that he had the chance to say goodbye to her. Each night, after his duties, he prayed for Cassandra. He knew that she couldn’t have survived that fall. However, he couldn’t help but wish that he would see her once again.
Things in the Lycan kingdom also stayed the same. Cassandra and the others continued their training, getting better and stronger while doing so. Elliot and Cassandra’s relationship flourished. Their parents didn’t mind them spending a lot of time together.
There was a time when the queen had a hunch that their relationship might be more than just friends, but she brushed it off because her daughter had told her earlier that Elliot liked someone already.
As days passed by, the attendees of the academy had their lycans waking up one by one. Cassy and her friends’ excitement increased as time passed. They knew they too would be able to converse with their lycans soon enough.
Cassy pov.
I was already seated in my seat when Ava entered the classroom with a broad grin on her face. She looked different. She was practically beaming. A smile formed on my lips, involuntarily. She never showed much emotion. She had always kept her head lowered, most of the time, hidden in her hoody.
However, today everything about her was different. The way she had styled her hair and the clothes she wore. The hoodie she used to wear all the time was gone. Her hair was beautifully combed and straightened and I couldn’t help but notice how pretty she was.
“Wow, Ava! You look awesome!” I complimented her as soon as she sat on her chair. The few students who had arrived too were smiling and stealing glances at the new Ava we saw.
“Thanks!” she grinned. My grin widened. She spoke!
“Oh my God! Ava! I’m so glad that you said that out loud instead of writing it down!” I exclaimed, squeezing her hand in my excitement.
“I know! I also have been eagerly waiting for this day. There is a reason why I never uttered a word to anyone.” She said, still smiling. I turned towards her, facing her completely. I was ecstatic. Whatever that reason was, I was glad it had finally happened and now she was speaking to me. I didn’t even try to hide my excitement as I faced her and grinned from ear to ear.
“What is it? Can you tell me?” I asked, eager to know.
“What is it? Can you tell me?” I asked, eager to know.
“Yeah…. actually. I am not a complete lycan. I mean I am a hybrid. Half lycan half sorceress. My father was a sorcerer and after marrying mom he moved here. And there is a huge, dramatic love story about my parents.” She chuckled.
I was all ears. This was going to be very interesting.
“My dad’s ex-girlfriend, who was a powerful sorceress, was angry about him falling in love with mom and on the day they got married, she appeared at the wedding reception and cursed them. That their firstborn would die if she spoke to anyone other than her immediate family. My father tried all that he could to annul her curse, but the best he could do was, to lighten it. I had to avoid speaking with anyone until my Lycan woke up. And that is if my Lycan wakes up. They didn’t know if I had a lycan in me. And there wasn’t any way we could know for sure. The only way was to wait. And time could tell.” She sighed but kept smiling nonetheless.
“Wow. That is……a lot to handle.” I whispered, completely amazed by her story. “Let me guess…You are their first?”
Nodding, she replied. “I am their firstborn and they spend an awful lot of effort to keep me hidden. I was homeschooled while my brothers were allowed to go to school and socialise. I was angry at first, but when they explained everything, I understood. I cried, but I’m okay now. They had conditioned me to never speak with anyone before sending me to this academy. It was hard. But I managed. At least I got to meet new people.” She continued and I kept admiring her patience. I was secretly glad that I had been nice and friendly with her from day one.
I was right after all. Everyone does have a reason behind their actions.
“I was over the moon when my Lycan woke up last night. I was jumping with joy.” She giggled. “When I went to sleep, I thought the first person I wanted to talk to besides my parents was you.” She squeezed my hand as she said so. I felt my eyes sting a little. Her words made me emotional.
“Thank you for being my friend when I was invisible,” she whispered.
I held back a sniffle and fought against the tears that were about to gather in my eyes.
“Ava. You are going to make me cry. I’m so happy for you,” I sighed. Just then, my closest friends in the academy, Zoe, Daphne and Maya entered the class. Like everyone else, they too gawked at Ava, who was elated.
“Oh my God! Am I seeing things? Ava! You look hot without your hoodie on!” Maya exclaimed.
“Yeah. Don’t ever wear that again.” Zoe agreed.
“Ava, you look stunning.” Daphne offered a kind smile.
“Thanks!” Ava grinned at them, and it was apparent on their faces that they were surprised beyond words.
“What! She can talk!”
“Yes. This calls for a celebration!”
I laughed along with Ava.
“Alright, everyone! Sit down! Time to start the lesson!” Miss Murphy’s stern voice made us go stiff. Everyone hurried to their seats and we all started to listen to our teacher, who started to teach right away. But my mind was constantly deviating. If Ava was a hybrid and part sorceress, does that mean she would have special powers?
I had to ask. I wrote a quick note on my desk while Miss Murphy wasn’t looking, and passed it to Ava. She smiled and scribbled her reply.
Yes.
She winked at me when I looked at her. Grinning, I pretended that I was interested in what Miss Murphy was teaching albeit I could barely focus.
That was awesome! A Lycan hybrid with special powers!!!!! How cool is that!
After classes, all of us gathered around Ava. We realised that she was very friendly and talkative. The kind of person who anyone would love to hang around. We waited outside the building, for our parents or guardians to come and fetch us. Usually, Elliot or the driver would come to fetch me soon. However, today Daphne, Maya and Zoe left before anyone came from the palace.
I didn’t have any complaints. Ava was still waiting beside me.
“So your Lycan hasn’t woken up yet?” she asked and I nodded.
“I can’t wait for her to wake up. What is the name of your lycan?” I asked.
“Nala. Isn’t it a pretty name?” she giggled. I nodded in agreement.
“I think mine also will wake up this month or the next,” I told her. “Mom….uh…I mean…”
“Don’t worry. Your secrets are safe with me.” She smirked. Shocked, I stared at her.
“Huh?”
“I know who you are.” She winked. My eyes widened. “Remember? I have powers?”
I heaved a huge breath. Does this mean she can read minds? My mouth was wide open in utter amazement. Giggling, she closed my open mouth by lifting my lower jaw with her forefinger.
“Remember when I gave you a note months ago? I told you that you were blind to what was right in front of you?”
My heart palpitated. She knew how he felt about me the whole time?
“Wait…you mean…you can read minds?” I asked, completely flabbergasted. Does that mean she knew all of our secrets too? Oh no!
She giggled. “Not really. But I have the power of foreseeing. That is my special power in addition to the spells I’ve learnt from dad.”
Oh! Okay.
“What did you see, Ava?” I asked, now curious.
“You were crowned queen but to be with Elliot, you must overcome some hurdles.” She told me. Was that all? I thought.
“Hurdles?” my heart thudded in my chest. What hurdles? We were already together!
“Ava!”
Her father called her from a distance and interrupted our conversation. He waved at her, indicating for her to go.
“I cannot tell you for sure. What I know is, everything will depend on your choices. You and Elliot’s.” She said. I was nervous. My hands were cold as my heart poured hysterically. What hurdles? My life was perfect! Don’t tell me this has something to do with that stupid alpha named Miles.
“You got this. I just know it.” She smiled, as she patted my arm and walked away. I bit my lips. Oh, I just hope I make the right choices. I so want to be with Elliot. If I can’t, I’d rather go solo. I thought worriedly.