Cheers to the New Year and the End of Us

Althea’s POV:

Packing my backpack to leave for school, Wyatt stepped into my room without knocking, leaving the door opened after walking in. I didn't spare him a glance. He walked to the study table and picked up a notebook. Instead of dropping it quietly, he slammed it on the table. 

“I hope you behave your fat ass over there," he said, leaning his back on the door frame.

"Why do you care?” I pulled my diary underneath my pillow.

He laughed. "I don't care… sister-in-law," he said, dragging the sister-in-law.

“Good. At least I won't get to see your annoying face everyday.” Zipping my backpack, I stood up.

“I should be saying that. Your… your body is disgusting to behold,” he spat. "Your sister is prettier. But you? You're a shame.”

"Cut it out Wyatt,” Nythra said, walking in. He stormed out. “I'm sorry Wyatt is so mean to you." 

“It's nothing. I am used to his rudeness," I said.

Her eyes fell on my suitcase and backpack. She held my hands, squeezing them lightly.

“You shouldn't leave Althea. Just continue schooling here. Don't leave me alone," she said.

"I'm not leaving you alone. I need to bring our parents' killers to justice,” I said. “Nolan will be here with you."

She pulled her hands away, with half of her body backing me," What use is Nolan? That cunning old man.” She hissed.

"Nythraaaa. Don't be like that. He got us a pack and took care of us. He-” 

“He betrothed me to that jerk, Wyatt. Remember?" She said, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes. 

Nythra had been upset with Nolan since the day he betrothed her to the heir of the pack that took us in after our parents death.

"You would be Luna, my love," I said, hoping to console her but I didn't. She shot me a deadly stare.

“Who cares about being Luna? I was given out to some cruel jerk before I could make decisions for myself. And you're telling me to be glad because I would be Luna to an idiot. I was barely thirteen Althea be–”

“Shushhhh. Come here.” I hugged her, rubbing my hands on her back. She was crying, her shoulders shaking violently in my arms. 

“Please don't go, Althea," she whispered. 

"What is taking so–” Nolan said, stopping halfway at the door. “She will be back Nythra."

She pulled away from my arms and faced him.

"Tell her not to go,” she said. He remained quiet. “You see! He is trying to keep us apart Althea. Can't you see?" 

“You're overreacting about it, Nythra. I have to go. It's my decision. It is for Mom and Dad." She hissed and stormed out of the room. 

Nolan cleared his throat. “Your sister… she doesn't like me.”

"I should be on my way.” I hung my backpack and raised the handle of my suitcase.

"Sure. Call me if anything goes wrong, especially with the fake documents.” I nodded and walked out. 

Nolan ordered a cab that took me to the gate of Greystone High school. It was so huge and heavily guarded. Other students drove into school without being stopped at the gate. But myself and a new recruit who arrived in a cab as well were stopped at the gate. 

Paying the cab man, I pulled my suitcase towards the gate, struggling to maintain my balance with the backpack behind me. The metallic gate creaked as it opened. 

The air felt heavier. The compound was rowdy with students finding their way. There was a fountain at the centre of the compound with a giant wolf. I adjusted my glasses to read the words encrypted on it. It read; Alpha Do… Oh! Alpha Dorian. Of course they would make sure everyone stepping into this school knew they owned it. 

“It's beautiful," My body shook lightly. I turned to see the speaker. “I'm sorry to startle you." She extended her hand for a handshake. I took it.

I smiled. “Oh, it's fine.”

“I haven't seen your face around school. Are you new?” She rested her body on the handle of her suitcase.

"I am. Are you?”

"Nope.” She wasn't a recruit after all. " By the way, I'm Beryl," she said.

“Al… Lyra. I'm Lyra." Shit. I almost made a mistake. She frowned. I smiled, hoping she wouldn't ask any questions. 

“We should move towards the hall, Lyra." She pulled her suitcase, moving in the direction most students were going.

We got ourselves settled. Beryl left me the moment she heard some group of girls shouting her name. I was by myself, looking around the hall. Taking in the paints on the walls. My eyes caught a boy from afar. His silver hair caught my attention instead. He was tall, 6’’2’ I guess. He was athletically built. He moved with so much authority. Towering over a chair and the occupant left the chair for him without second thoughts. It fascinated me. That was bullying. Who does he think he is? That didn't happen at Lakeview Academy. Everyone had a right and was equal.

“Hello Lyra!" someone said, shaking my shoulders. My heart skipped a beat. “Sorry for startling you again." Turning to see Beryl, I heaved a sigh of relief. "That's Lancel.”

"Who is Lancel?” I asked, my brows furrowing.

"The boy with the silver hair. I saw you staring at him. He has a girlfriend." 

I shifted in my seat. “No. No. No. That was not why I was staring. He took someone's–" 

“Silence students!" A woman on the podium said, cutting me off.The noise slowly died down. “Welcome back to both the new recruits and the returning students. I am principal Eunice. As expected, get your registration process over with and settle in your allocated apartments. New recruits make sure to ask questions when confused. Have a nice day." She handed the mic to the man standing behind her and left the podium. 

The noise started again with the scraping sound of chairs, laughter of gossiping girls, the creaking sound of suitcases. 

With Beryl leading me, I got to the registration desk. The lady behind the desk asked for my name and my documents.

She went through the system. I saw her frown. My pulse rate spiked. 

“Are these documents yours, Miss Lyra?" she asked, looking up from the system.

“Yes. Yes ma'am." I said, my voice steadier than I was. My hands trembled. I could feel my heart slamming hard on my rib cage. Sweat beads formed across my forehead.

She went through the system again. I prayed silently for the registration process to be completed. I could go to jail for impersonation. Spending the rest of my life in jail was the last thing I needed. All my plans would go down the drain. I fidgeted with the hem of my pleated skirt.

She looked up again. “Your documents seem to be fake, miss Lyra.”

"No!” I said, louder than I had intended. “They are real." 

"Step aside," she said, dismissing me.