Chapter 04 - Mixed Feelings

VINE

Almost a whole week had passed before I had enough in me — enough food, enough steadiness in my legs, enough of myself recovered to actually think straight again.

I couldn't stop being grateful to the kind woman, whose name I later learned was Sharon.

One night after work, I was walking down to my shelter, when the cold rain that pattered down my skin, reminded me of how my suffering began.

My struggles began when I could not transform into a wolf, under the full moon on my 17th birthday. Everyone labeled me wolf less and started treating me less than I deserved, 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.

I was still shivering, my dress plastered to my skin, when my phone buzzed loudly, disrupting my train of thought.

I pulled it out, still grateful it was water-resistant, when my breath caught. A message from a school's administration department.

I frowned, blinking through tears. What could a school want with me now — after everything, after my father had just said no one would take me in?

I opened it.

"Congratulations! Vine Davis, you have won a scholarship. You are now admitted into the great Silverclaw Academy..."

I stared at the screen for a long moment, my chest doing something strange — not lifting exactly, just loosening, by a fraction.

I pressed the phone to my chest and let myself feel it, just for a second. One thing, one single thing, hadn't been taken from me today.

Then the sniffle came back, harder.

I deferred this same admission to sponsor Drew's games. And now, of all schools, it was reaching out to me.

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

No, I can't. But I'd always wanted to finish high school in a prestigious school. And now that the opportunity was finally in my lap, I wasn't going to let it slip away — not because of him, not because of any of them.

I sighed, swiping a hand across my face.

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

I stared at the message telling us new intakes to arrive on time tomorrow for proper documentation.

I'll find a way to inform my mother of my departure as she was the only one in the house who seemed to care about my safety. I knew she must be secretly looking for me by now and if I left without telling her, she'd be worried sick about me.

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

Since I didn't meet my mother home either, I wrote a small note and slipped it under her favorite pot in the kitchen which was filled with food, hoping she'd find it.

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 he was a simple peasant - 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... 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 let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"Welcome Freshmen." I read aloud before looking at the big sign board with the inscription; SILVERCLAW staring back at me, beside 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 prioritised 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. Come on cheer up."

"I said I was fine." I snapped, sitting up sharply, eyes meeting hers, “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 short, leaning closer, her eyes glinting, "It wasn't even your choice in the first place. Get your ass off that bed!"

"Who knows if you'd meet your second chance mate tonight."

I nodded in agreement. Even if I wasn't so excited with meeting my second chance, it wouldn't be too bad either, besides what better way was there to bury heartbreak than to drown it under music and free alcohol at the inauguration party of a hockey transfer student?