Chapter Two

Zoe’s Point of View

“I just got here and enrolling in the university is the first thing I do,” I let out a dramatic sigh. “What a life I have.”

“You’re so dramatic. It’s better you enroll this early, at least you have the freedom to choose your own time for your classes. Would you prefer to have a seven a.m. class?”

I instantly shake my head, “I hate early morning classes! I’ve had enough of it in highschool.”

“Then be thankful you get to choose your preferred classes,” Zari rolled her eyes. “You’re just as lazy as Zandrick, my goodness.”

She pulled me inside a cafe just near the university because she will meet her friends there and she wants to introduce me to them. She also said Zandrick was there as well with his own friend group.

“There!” Zari exclaimed as she pulled me once again to her friends’ direction. I immediately smelled various sweet scents once we stopped in front of a group of girls. There were four of them, and they’re all beautiful omegas.

“Girls! Finally, you can meet my younger sister!” Zari said almost in a high-pitched tone. She often speaks like that whenever she’s excited. “Here’s my pretty, little sister!”

The four of them greeted me warmly. I immediately recognized them because my sister often sends me pictures of them whenever they hang out.

It wasn’t that hard to start a conversation with them because they’re all talkative. It went smoothly as questions after questions were thrown at me, accompanied by some gossip and anecdotes about them or my siblings. It was nice to talk to them because they’re so kind and sweet, and they never once make me feel left out. 

I discovered so many things about my sister from all the things they’ve told me. It makes me feel a little bit sad and bitter because it turns out I didn't know some things that had changed in them, and that I missed a lot of things from their life in the two years they spent here, far from where I was. But I didn’t let it get the best of me. I understand some things are meant to change as we grow up, and that my siblings and I will eventually not know everything about each other unlike when we were all kids.

Now I’m curious about what I didn’t know about Zandrick, what I’ve missed in his life from the two years that had passed.

He’s just a few tables away from where we are, but I just can’t approach their table and ask him about it. Zandrick’s friends are the opposite of Zari’s- they’re all men and most of them are alphas. And even from this distance, I can practically feel their intimidating aura. Besides, Zandrick didn’t want to introduce me to his friends as well. He said something along the lines ‘I don’t trust my friends enough to let you meet them. They’re a bunch of flirts and assholes, I won’t let them hit on my baby sister’. I just scoffed at his words then, but I appreciate it. Though I’m confused why he doesn’t trust his own friends, as if he didn’t know them. But I guess that’s the point then. He knows them very well, that's why he’s setting boundaries.

“We’re going to a parlor after this. We’ll have our nails done. Do you want to come, Zoe?” Harper’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

I shake my head, “I think I’ll roam around by myself before going back to our apartment. I like to walk around in this weather,” I politely responded,

They nodded in understanding.

“But if you changed your mind, call your sister, okay? It’s our treat,” Cresia said, winking at me.

I chuckled, “Thank you.”

We left the cafe after Zari and I bid goodbye to Zandrick who pushed us away before his friends could even greet me. We just laughed at his frustrated and annoyed expression while he tried his best to block us from his friends.

I parted ways with them, but not without hearing a bunch of warnings and reminders from all five of them.

I took a deep breath as I turned around and started my alone time. 

There weren't a lot of people walking around, and the few that I passed by had greeted me politely. It makes me smile. 

Maybe because of the fact that Dramont Town is quite a small town and the population here mostly know each other that’s why they know when a new face arrives. It’s good because it makes new arrivals feel welcomed.

I stopped in front of what seemed to be an old book shop. The exterior is styled like an old one, but it still seemed new given how shiny the walls and glasses are. Though I’m pretty sure the interior would be really old, as well as the things inside, given that it’s the whole point of this shop.

Old books piqued my interest because I love reading, especially fantasy books. It’s because I heard from most elders that old books contain more truthful information since the writers of those books were inspired to write because of their experiences. Though most people nowadays don’t believe it and just regard it as a myth or what. But somehow, I believed in those elders.

After staring at the exterior for a few more minutes, I decided to go inside and look around to see if there’s something that I want to buy. Dad gave me money to buy anything I want, anyway.

But just as I was reaching for the door, it had already opened quite hard- and it hit me. I stumbled backward because of the unexpected force that hit me but thankfully, I managed to balance myself so I didn’t fall on the ground.

I smelled a somewhat familiar sour scent of cedarwood. It was quite strong that it made me cough several times.

“Tss. Stupid.”

My ears perked up upon hearing that, “Excuse me?”

The guy who was just about to walk away- and the guy who seemed to be the one who opened the door- turned around to face me. My eyes widened upon seeing who it was. 

“Why? Aren’t you?” He mockingly said.

Indeed, he has a foul mouth. 

“How am I the stupid one when you were the one who rashly opened the door?” I spat even before I could think about it.

Only when his scent turned even more sour did I realize what I said.

He raised an eyebrow at me, his ocean blue eyes turned dark as he looked at me from head to toe. 

Something inside me felt bothered as I stared back at him. It wasn’t because I felt scared with how mad he looked- no. It’s not because he looked so handsome as well- no. Why would I feel bothered looking at his perfect, thick eyebrows that were beautifully arched with a slit on his left ones that highlighted his sharp look, long eyelashes that any girl would wish for, his nose that was quite big and its slope was straight but his handsome face pulled it off perfectly, and pale cupid bow shaped lips, adorned with the mole underneath his left eye? No, it’s not because of that.

It’s because there was something awfully familiar about him- or specifically, about his eyes. Like I’ve seen it somewhere else but I just couldn’t remember. It’s on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn’t pull it out. 

“You’re new, aren’t you?” He spoke after a while, his voice dripping cold and it sent shivers down my spine.

I wasn’t surprised that he knew I’m just new here. This is a small town, after all, and he might have lived here all his life. So he knows all the people who live here.

But the way he asked it irks me.

“And? What if I am?” 

He smirked, “I’ll let this slide because you seemed clueless of who you are talking to,” he said. “But I won’t let you off the hook the next time.”

I wasn’t able to stop myself from scoffing upon hearing his words. He seemed to find offense in it as he frowned at me. He took a step closer from where I stood, making me step backwards out of instinct.

“Did you just fucking scoff at me, newbie?” He asked, his daunting gaze directed to my eyes. 

The way he stared at me makes me nervous. A lump had formed in my throat, and I couldn’t think of anything to say. What Zari and Zandrick had told me a few days ago about this Drake guy suddenly resurfaced in my mind.

“He’s a pureblood, an offspring of both alphas. Not just any alphas out there- but the town’s pack alpha.” Zandrick said.

“That’s what makes him more dangerous aside from having a bad attitude. He’s a pureblood, the only one in this town. Which means he’s above every other alpha here in any way,” Zari added. “No one dares to fight back against him because of it, and to add that he’s our pack’s future alpha as well.”

“That’s why if there’s someone you should never bump, talk or fight with, it’s Drake. There’s nothing good that will ever come in talking or fighting him.”

I gulped nervously. How could I forget the most important reminder they told me? Blame it on my attitude that hates to lose in any kind of argument or fight! Besides, this guy started it! He called me stupid first when it’s him who’s at fault!

“You seemed to have no fear,” Drake grinned evilly, and the way he did it gave me goosebumps. The glint on his eyes sparkled, as if it’s taunting me. “Do you have a death wish, newbie?”

Cold sense of dread filled my system, creeping through my limbs as I paled at what he said.

Crap. I really should’ve kept my siblings' words in my mind. 

“Drake.”

Another voice called out, diverting Drake’s attention away from me. I didn’t waste a second as I quickly escaped from that place. I ran as fast as I could, desperate to leave that place.

I don’t know that guy, but all that I’ve heard about him is extremely negative. And the look in his eyes doesn’t seem like he’s just taunting me. He looks and sounds like he will really end me. I didn’t want to take a risk by staying there. Who knows what’s going to happen to me if that guy who called him didn’t appear? There’s no people around that area, and I doubt anyone who will witness what he will do to me will do anything. Everyone’s scared and wary of him so why would they risk saving someone from him?

I didn’t notice my feet had brought me to our apartment. It was when I stopped at the entrance that I realized it. I quickly punched in the passcode and rushed towards my room and locked myself inside. Here, in the comfort of my bed, I catch my breath from all the running I did.

Maybe I should reschedule going to that old book shop. I don’t know if he often goes there, but I’ll have to be careful. I don’t want to cross paths with him again. No, not after what just happened.

But for the rest of the day, despite wanting to get rid of that guy who keeps on messing my mind, I just can’t stop thinking about him- more specifically his eyes. It seemed so familiar but I really, really can’t point my finger on it.

And it’s frustrating the hell out of me.

What’s with his ocean blue eyes that keeps on bothering me? It’s so familiar yet I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen anyone with the same color of his eyes.

I was too engrossed remembering where I’ve seen that ocean blue eyes, because it seemed so relevant to my mind that it didn’t want me to stop thinking about it.

I didn’t even notice I had slipped to dreamland where I dreamt of nothing else aside from me, standing in the middle of a darkness, with a pair of ocean blue eyes staring intently at me from a distance.