Chapter 04 - A flicker of hope

EMILY

When I could not transform into a wolf, under the full moon on my 17th birthday, everyone labeled me wolfless and started treating me less, even if they knew that I was the beta's daughter.

Now that I think of it, this must be the reason Drew didn't want to be seen with me in public.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed loudly, disrupting my train of thought.

I watched the cars driving by as I pulled out the phone from my pants pocket, grateful that it was a water-resistant phone, or it'd have been soaked by now.

My eyes darted to my phone and I rushed to check it and surprisingly, it was a message from the administration department of a school.

I frowned in concentration, my tears momentarily giving way to curiosity.

What message did some school have for me, because last I checked, my nude was all over the internet, and hadn't my father just said no school will accept me? Moreover, I deferred all my admissions, just so I could work enough shifts to support Drew's Hockey game.

I clicked on the message as it looked back at me;

["Congratulations! Vine Davis, you have won a scholarship. You are now admitted into the great Silverclaw Academy, kindly proceed with the admission process."]

“I got an admission!!" I yelled at the top of my lungs, jumping from excitement.

I screamed. I rolled on the floor.. Not caring if my dress would get sullied or not, ‘cause this has got to be my biggest dream come true ever!

I've always dreamt of this and now I got it.

Tears of joy rolled down my cheeks as I stared at my screen over again.

Then I sniffled.

I deferred my admission so I could sponsor Drew's games, and now the same school, is reaching out to me.

Will I be able to handle that asshole being close to me?

I've always wanted to finish high school in a prestigious school, and now that the opportunity is in my lap, I'm not going to lose it because of some asshole.

I scoffed.

Another message notification buzzed and appeared on my screen, distracting me.

I stared at it. It was a message telling us new intakes to arrive on time tomorrow for proper documentation and initiation into Silverclaw.

So I guess I'll find a way to inform my mother of my departure because if I left without telling her, she'd be worried sick about me.

The next morning, I came in when my father had left for his pack meetings and then packed my things, ready to leave.

I picked up my bag when something slightly weighty, fell out of the bag to the floor.

I looked to see that it was a picture frame of Drew and me laughing carefree and holding each other by the waist.

We'd taken this picture back when we were peasants - before all the fame and glamour hockey brought him.

A tear fell from my eyes to the ground.

And I suddenly felt the urge to step on it, until it was broken, abandoned, and forgotten.

Just like he'd done to me.

But then, memories of us kissing... Of his lips touching the unholy parts of my body, while telling me how much he adored them flooded my mind...

And another tear fell...

He used to hug me so close to his heart on my sad days.

I bent down and picked it, throwing it inside a nearby wooden box, and left.

A few hours later, I was standing in front of the gates of Silverclaw Academy.

I looked at the big institution and sighed out in relief. Before the drama, hockey, and Drew, I desperately wanted to be here.

The big sign board with the inscription; SILVERCLAW stared back at me, besides it were the paws of a wolf molded into a bold golden shape.

To be real, I shouldn't be within the four walls of Silverclaw. But there was a reason I fought tooth and nail, burning every bridge I thought there was, just to win this scholarship.

After minutes of standing, I hurriedly went to register my name and other information in the Administration block.

I was asked about my name, my parents' names, my hobbies, various information, and then my pack - Arcade pack. After a couple of photographs were taken of me, I was done.

As I walked away, I checked the map on my school's portal on my phone for where my dormitory was located and found it. I was still walking when I noticed an Alpha training ground, a few feet away to my right.

Here in Arcade pack, people are trained according to their rankings. Beta's would train in their grounds as well, no matter whether it was in a school or not.

I continued walking, using the map, until I got to my dormitory.

Everything was so organized that once I showed my face in front of the door and the sensor captured my Iris, it swung open.

To my surprise, when I entered it wasn't any high-end facility like I'd imagined - just a simple room with a bed against the wall, and a reading table and wardrobe beside it. I guess they just prioritized security over glamor.

I settled down on my bed, downing the remaining water, then called my mother to tell her that I had arrived.

I was still on the call with her when my door clicked and my eyes went to the door.

"Bye Mom. Talk to you later." I quickly dismissed my mother as the girl came in.

She had black hair which was dyed purple at the tip, tied up in a tight bun. Her eyebrows were thick and carved, and her pointed nose shot out her face, her small, rosy red lips making her look like she was the very perfect Cinderella.

She wore a cardigan over tight, jean trousers that hugged and accentuated her curves.

"Hi, I'm Clyde. Nice to meet you." She stretched out her hand to me and I took it.

She smelled of lavender and something sweet.

"I'm Vine." I smiled back at her. Then continued unpacking my bags.

When I was done, I went and took a shower before lying down on my bed and covering myself with a duvet.

I was already in when I felt a shadow hover over me.

Clyde. I could smell her.

"Hey," she said gently, "I've noticed how you've been clutching your duvet all day, just… staring. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I murmured, my voice barely audible as I turned away, facing the wall.

To my surprise, she crouched beside the bed, her voice softer.

"I know I’m new here. But… you can trust me. Let me cheer you up."

"I said I was fine." I snapped, sitting up sharply, eyes meeting hers

“Clyde, stay out of my business,” I lay back on my side, as a tear slid down my cheeks and my chest heaved heavily, “I really wish everyone else could too.”

She pulled me to a sitting position as she repeatedly asked me, “What's wrong?”

When I didn't answer, she sighed, “I've had enough of your drama. You will get out of bed this instant and talk to me or so help me goddess..."

“I'm sorry,” my gaze went to the floor, guilt rushing into me, “It’s just… I got humiliated and rejected by my mate.” I said, my chest tightening with unshed tears.

She went silent for a few seconds, then held out a white envelope.

"I wanted to invite you to a party tonight."

I peeled the seal off the envelope and then brought out the card inside.

Looking at the headline, it read;

THE CROWN HITS THE ICE: INAUGURAL BLOWOUT FOR VIPER'S FIERCEST TRANSFER STUDENT

I hesitated.

"No. I'm not…"

"No?” She cut me off, leaning closer, her eyes glinting, “It wasn't even a choice at first, get your ass off that bed!”

"Who knows, you might even meet your second chance mate tonight."

I smiled at her.

What better way to bury heartbreak than to drown it in lights, music, and free alcohol at the inauguration party of a transfer hockey player no one really knew?