Chapter 2: Hayford

"The Alpha Wolf lives". 

The three wolves standing exchanged glances. There was no reason to doubt Phiri because she could never be wrong. From time immemorial, every generation of werewolf was blessed with one seer and Phiri was the seer of their time. This was the reason she was a member of the Pentagon even though she was very young. 

"Phiri's visions have never been wrong" Mark whispered into Lucille's ear. The were-woman knew that he was right, but she had never seen anything like this. 

"If Roman really gave up his wolf like you say, where is it then?" Rufus demanded to know. 

Phiri was going to tell him for the second time that she did not know, but she was interrupted as her ears picked up the sound of approaching vehicles. 

"Police..."

"I hear it too" Lucille said. "Mark and Phiri, erase every trace of what has happened here tonight. We can't afford to let the world know that Roman Rex is dead. And you, Rufus, bring Roman's body and come with me". 

While the other two moved immediately, Rufus was reluctant. He certainly didn't like taking orders from a woman. He eventually obeyed when he heard the police vehicle sirens getting closer. He shifted, picked up Roman's body and ran off. 

Lucille watched the grumpy werewolf go and she just sighed in exasperation. She was a very insightful person, but Rufus was someone she was yet to understand even though she had spent so many years with him. 

********

The sound of the whistle simply meant time up and basketball practice was over. The sweaty young men shook hands and while some bade each other goodbye, others retired to relax on the bleachers as this was an outdoor basketball court.

It was a whole different world here at Hayford Business Academy. While werewolf students roamed secretly and mingled with humans, no one knew of their existence. It was the one place the Zealots had never come to hunt down werewolves and this made it the perfect place for the moon goddess to bring Roman's wolf.

"Hey Calvin!" someone called the attention of the young man who seemed distracted. "What's up, man?"

"Damn! Tony, Who is she?" The absentminded Calvin asked his friend without taking his eyes off the girl that had suddenly caught his attention. Tony craned his neck to take a look at the girl his friend was referring to. 

"That is a walking red flag" Tony said.

"What?" Calvin finally took his eyes off the girl who was standing by her car and typing away on her phone. "Why would say that?"

"That's Charlene!" Tony almost yelled. Calvin looked lost so he had to explain.

"She's Charlene Hayford, aka Charlie. Her father owns this school". 

"No way!" Calvin was amazed.

"Ugh" Tony scoffed with an eye roll. "You don't know her because you are a transfer student. Everyone around knows Charlie and her despicable older brother, Adrian. They come from one of the most aristocratic families in the country. You do not want to get caught up in their family drama".

"You think she's mean?" Calvin asked asked as he turned to look at Charlie again. 

"I don't know" Tony responded honestly. "Unlike her noisy brother, she barely talks. Only people in her inner circle would know her personality". 

Everything Tony had just said was warning enough but Calvin couldn't just take his eyes off the young woman. She possessed a kind of beauty he couldn't ignore. Though she was standing a little far away, he could see all her features and he was mesmerized. 

Her blonde hair was long and wavy. Her skin was clear and it looked like she took great care of it. She was of average height and her face was the description of incredible beauty. Calvin then ran his eyes over her ample bosom. To him, they were the perfect size. He was beginning to imagine what his hands could do to them when he heard a voice. 

"Stop looking".

"She's beautiful" Calvin responded dreamily. 

"You just heard that she's a walking red flag".

"I heard you the first time" Calvin snapped without looking away.

"Who are you talking to?" He heard Tony's voice say from behind and that's when he turned.

"You just told me to stop looking for the second time" Calvin said as he wanted to believe he wasn't just hearing things.

"I didn't say nothing" Tony said with a raised eyebrow. "At least, not just now" he added.

Calvin was instantly confused. He was just conversing with someone who he believed was Tony. But now that he thought about it, that voice wasn't Tony's.

"Look, I'm going to get myself something to eat. I'll see you later" Tony said before jogging off.

Calvin just sighed and told himself that it was all in his head. He turned to admire Charlie once more when the voice came again. 

"I just asked you to stop looking". 

Calvin turned around to see who had spoken but there was no one behind or around him. He didn't think this was a mind trick anymore and it was beginning to scare him. The voice was loud and clear. He couldn't be imagining things. 

"Who... Who's talking to me?" Calvin really hoped for an answer. He didn't want to believe he was losing his mind. 

When he got no response, he decided to look at Charlie again, hoping that would trigger something. She was already getting into her car when the voice came again. 

"She's not our mate so stop distracting yourself!"

"Who's there?!" Calvin asked in a louder voice this time. He looked around, hoping to see whoever was playing a prank on him but everyone seemed to be minding their own business. Besides, no one was standing close enough to talk so loudly in his ears.

Calvin turned but Charlie's car was already gone. He was more worried about the fact that the voice had suddenly stopped at her absence.

"Shit!"