[Erica]
She knew this would happen. She knew her father was capable of such ruthless manipulation yet to see the proof of it in front of her eyes, taunting her, was too painful. The results were out. As usual, she had aced in class. Her GPA remained the same which meant any college would be glad to welcome her to their institute yet the doors of the one she wanted to go to had been forever closed by her father.
She was angry, very angry at the man whom she idolized. She was angry at her mother for not standing up for her. She felt lost and frustrated.
She saw smiling faces. Students taking pictures with their friends and family. She couldn't help but feel lonely. She knew her father was here somewhere and her mom too but still she felt alone.
She missed her brother. Even he hadn't said anything to convince their dad. Heck, they did not even have a proper conversation for the past two years. He did not even come home. She not only missed her brother but the bond that they shared, the bond which had weakened.
She wanted to leave. To go into the haven which was her bedroom, curl up and cry. Cry till her tear ducts became devoid of tears.
She weaved through the crowd, keeping her head low.
"Hey Erica," a feminine voice startled her. She composed herself. Turning around, she saw Lana, her classmate in French class, walking towards her. She was a petite girl with doe-like brown eyes and shoulder-length red hair. She had a huge grin on her face, after all, she had gotten the chance to go to the University where she would never be able to study.
"Hey," Erica waved with a small smile.
"Congratulations! you aced in our class as usual," she said while taking off the graduation hat.
"Uh, thanks I guess," she mumbled fidgeting with the sleeves of her graduation robe.
"And congrats to you too. Lucky you," she willed her voice to not quiver.
Lana grinned, oblivious to her classmate's pain, "Yeah, even I can't believe it. By the way, didn't you apply for scholarships? You'd get one easily."
Erica did not reply, just shrugged. No one except Nessa, Meghan, and their school principal and of course her parents, knew that she had applied for a scholarship and that too only for Ravenwood University because she knew that she wouldn't get it as she had gone against her dad to fill in the application. Even though she was angry and hurt, she did not want anyone to criticize her dad.
"Okay, I got to go. See ya later," she said and giving her a tight hug, Lana waltzed away, disappearing in the throng of people.
She sighed and started walking towards the gate. She needed to get out of the premises or she'd just crumble here and that is the last thing she wanted.
She had made it to the parking lot which was currently deserted when she heard the all too familiar voice of her best friend.
"Ric, wait up," Nessa hollered from behind.
Erica let out a breath and shook her head. It wouldn't be easy, she thought. She once again turned around and saw Nessa and Meghan jogging towards her.
"Where do you think you are going, missy?" Meghan scowled at her friend.
Erica pursed her lips, "Home."
"Ric, why are you behaving as if this is the end of every damn thing?" Nessa asked exasperatedly. Meghan looked at Erica worriedly.
Erica glowered at Nessa, "This was the only thing I dreamt of since my freshman year. The only thing for which I worked my ass off, never going to parties, not hanging with you guys during most weekends and so many more sacrifices. What did I get in return? Nothing! only my hopes getting crushed brutally!"
Her outburst stunned her friends. Tears were rolling down her cheeks as her chest heaved up and down.
Meghan engulfed her best friend in a tight embrace. Letting her cry.
The only sound that echoed in the empty parking lot was Erica's helpless sobs.
Meghan shot a pointed look at Nessa, indicating her to keep her mouth shut.
"Now now, Ric, let's take you home," Meghan mumbled.
They made their way to Nessa's car. She unlocked her black beetle and Erica took the backseat still sniffling while Meghan took the passenger seat.
The drive home was a silent one.
~~~~
Adrian Morris, the respectable trustee and the Alpha of Crescent Pack, sighed as he watched his daughter leave, her shoulder slumped in defeat. His shoulders were hunched up as well. the 6ft male felt weak. He could feel her distress and anger despite her being a human. After all, she was his pup. His wolf wouldn't speak to him because according to him he had done injustice to his own blood. He himself felt guilty for doing so.
"Have you seen Ric?" His wife's voice stopped his self-admonition.
Evelyn came and stood beside him. Her jet black hair was secured in a tight bun. She oozed elegance and beauty with her slender frame and her personality made her stand out.
"Yes, she just left," he replied curtly.
Evelyn sighed. She could feel his sadness and anger.
"Please stop blaming yourself Rian," she said softly, placing a hand placatingly on his shoulder.
He did not say anything. He kept looking at the gathering from the second-floor office balcony.
"Will she forgive me, Eve?" He asked, his voice cracking ever so slightly. He had never felt so weak and helpless. For the first time, he felt that he had failed, as a father, he had lost to fate, to destiny. He couldn't give the one thing his daughter had wanted, had dreamt of despite seeing her work hard day and night.
Evelyn's heart shattered seeing her mate like this. Her heart cried for their lovely daughter.
She rested her forehead on the edge of his shoulder and consoled him, "She will forgive us. When she learns that we had done it for her good. To keep her safe. When she comes to know that we were helpless in this case. She will forgive us."
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He had put her dreams on fire and right now his only wish was her forgiveness.
[Erica]The smoky clouds partly hid the slumbering mountains. Erica found herself standing in front of a rivulet whose water was as clear as crystal. It was getting dark, making it difficult for her to fathom the place she was in.She looked around. The place was deserted except for the forest behind her, which hindered the view of what was beyond it.Erica started walking along the bank cautiously, trying to get a grasp of where she was.She wondered why am I here? She was sure she had never visited this place. But then her feet halted. In front of her sat a gigantic and majestic wolf! Her blue eyes met with its obsidian ones and for some reason, she couldn't move.She stood there mesmerised, not moving, mouth agape, eyes wide. The wolf's midnight black fur seemed smooth and lustrous. His piercing gaze assessed her, every inch of her, unnerved her but at the same time calmed her.He slowly stood to his full height, almost matching the height of the adjacent tree. She tipped her head b
[Xavier]"Alpha." The 6-foot raven-haired man bowed."Did you inform them?" The Alpha asked while his eyes were trained on the laptop screen."Yes, Alpha. I have informed the packs so they can send in the human students who have been selected," the Beta informed."Good. Thanks, Arnold," the Alpha said, glancing at the royal Beta and a very good friend.Arnold nodded with a smile."Do you think they will send the spy?" Arnold asked curiously.He had seen his friend and Alpha go against the Council members to make this change. This was a big step. Nonetheless, he had his family's love and support and his friends as well.After almost 3 centuries, humans will be allowed to set foot in the Ravenwood."Yes, they will, Arnold. They are becoming desperate day by day and the easiest way to sneak in is to get admission here," he replied thoughtfully."But won't they get suspicious? Suddenly..." Arnold trailed off."I know that but we need to take the risk. There will only be a handful of human
[Xavier]Xavier's boot-clad footsteps resonated in the corridor which was empty except for a few guards here and there. Everyone had already gathered in the Hall and was waiting for their Alpha King.The University of Ravenwood, an institute that initially had been the residence of the Royals, the hauntingly beautiful castle that was built by his ancestors a millennium ago - a thousand years ago...The corridors were decorated with paintings of his ancestors, Kings, and Queens, of brave knights. However, Xavier's eyes always wandered to that one empty spot among the line of paintings...He wondered whose picture was supposed to be there. He always wished to ask his father, but never really remembered when talking to him.Xavier stopped musing as his feet halted in front of the Hall - Rosamond Hall."Alpha," two burly men who were standing on either side of the entrance, greeted him and bowed their heads in respect. Xavier nodded grimly before entering.Immediately the atmosphere in th
[Erica]The moment had arrived. That moment when the line between dream and reality blurred, and it became one.'This feels surreal,' Erica thought as she sat in the passenger seat of the Range Rover.Earlier it was decided that they will leave the next day, but suddenly her dad had informed her that the departure had to be postponed till Sunday. Someone from the university had called him to inform him that the students weren't expected until Sunday She found the rules a bit odd. It was different from other Universities; she reckoned.She had also received an email from them, the acceptance letter was attached to it. She thought she would explode with happiness. When Nessa and Meghan had heard about it they were shocked at first for some reason, but then they were elated. They even went shopping, and she gave them a treat at their favourite diner.Erica saw her father talking to the guard near the entrance gate of the city. Yes, this one, unlike other cities, had a gate- a huge one wit
[Erica]"...and the senior's hostel is on the other side," Drake concluded, giving Erica a mental picture of the campus."So I need to walk for 10 minutes if I want to meet you?" Erica asked with a frown. She thought she could meet her brother more often now that they would be in the same university.Drake gave her a wry grin, "I am just a call away now. Though during classes we are not allowed to call. Only after 4."Erica huffed, "And here I thought I was out of high school. But, no. This feels like high school reloaded, heck even at high school we had more freedom," Drake chuckled at her annoyance, ruffling her hair."This Uni is different from others, so if you think you will do whatever you want then you've got another thing coming," Drake teased, placing down the suitcases as they came to a stop in front of the building where the freshers and juniors were staying."We have arrived your highness," Drake mock curtseyed making Erica giggle."Thank you kind sir," Erica played along.
[Erica]The long corridor was lit with white fluorescent light bulbs that were covered with frosted glass. Erica knew there were hidden cameras as well, but she didn't need to worry. She wasn't doing anything wrong.But she felt eerie about the surroundings. There was a slight chill in the air. She hugged herself as she hurried along.Drake had said that if she took the corridor instead of taking the outer path, she would reach early. He was still lost as to why she wanted to give him the gift so urgently. She suppressed a grin as she thought about the surprise waiting inside. Not a pleasant one for Drake, though.She frowned as she thought of the possibility of Drake having a hunch about her plan. He always did. But not this time. She giggled silently.Though the castle had been renovated to accommodate all the modern facilities, its old grandeur and charm could still be felt. A beautiful blend of modernity and ancientness.As Erica walked, lost in thoughts about the probable history
[Al]"Successfully entered the Uni, Al?", a gruff voice muttered."Hm," Al answered, his lips forming a thin line."Good job. Now do not fuck up the rest of the job. Or you know the consequences," the gruff voice from the other end of the line warned. Al gritted his teeth, trying to hold back a sneer."Yes. I am very much aware." he ground out. You never let me forget, he thought."That's good then. I will mail you the next task as it's not safe to tell over the phone"."Alright."With that, the line fell dead. He looked at the screen for a long moment until it went black. His grip on the gadget tightened.He didn't want to be the pawn. He didn't want any of this. But he knew if he didn't do this he might have to stay as a human, forever. The gaping hole inside his mind and heart was gnawing at him, taunting him and making it impossible for him to stay calm.He took a deep breath before keeping the phone on the side table. He looked out of the window. The dark shadows of the looming tr
[Erica]Erica couldn't look away. This was happening again. Why was this happening? she questioned herself. As she looked at him everything else felt secondary, every other thought receded back in her mind, it was only his eyes that she could concentrate upon. "Uh..." she thought of saying,"Let's go back, I will visit him some other time." But before she could, she heard her brother hollering, "Rica," she tore her gaze away from the man in front of him and saw her brother jogging towards them. Drake came to a halt and greeted, "Good evening, Al- Mr.Ravenwood," Erica's eyes widened in shock, she turned her head to look at the man standing beside her. He was not only the trustee but also the owner of this University? She felt mortified now. On the very first day, she had successfully ruined her reputation. She wanted to melt into a puddle and evaporate. Drake's eyes moved from Erica to Mr.Ravenwood and back to her, throwing a mildly disapproving look at her he asked, "Did my sister cau