Chapter Two

Kiara’s POV

My feet stopped just before the stone gates. I wasn’t ready to walk in, not really. This wasn’t just a school, it was the place I was supposed to start over. Where I was supposed to become someone. But how do you become someone when all you’ve known is being unwanted?

I had finally made it here despite all odds, despite the pain and hurt that I was feeling. I was finally here. 

The air around me was cold—not as cold as the one at my mother's funeral because it wasn’t enough to make me shiver. 

The air was filled with the smell of freshly trimmed grass and the voices of students talking.

I had run from what was meant to be my own a place of comfort to this school. I had no idea why I would be here. I had no idea what type of school it was or if it was going to be any different from my last, but I was going to make the most of my time there and fulfill my mother’s dreams. 

I lifted my head and took in my surroundings. The school was beautiful and its stone walls stood tall with a beautiful green field and students that were dressed in black and white uniforms. They all looked regal and beautiful. And then, there was me, still dressed in the outfit I had attended my mother’s funeral with. My shoes were dirty and my hair was all over the place from the time I had tried to fight against Richard and escaped. 

I could feel everyone’s eyes on me as I walked past the gates. Whispers filled the air and some even pointed at me as their eyes were filled with both judgement and curiosity. 

“Who is she?”

“She looks horrible and like she just spawned back to life.”

“Not only that, she also looks pale and… unhealthy.”

The words hurt, but I balled my hands into fists and ignored all of them. I didn’t care what they said. I was only there for my mother. 

“This is what she wants for me,” I whispered under my breath as I kept walking. 

I held onto those words like it was my lifeline. I also hoped that this school was better than my last one. Back in my former school, I had been mocked and bullied just because I was chubby and didn’t fit in. 

But in this place, I would start afresh and make sure no one bullied me or tried to make me feel insecure. 

Just as I was wondering where the admin office was or where to go, a girl with black, long hair and a smirk plastered on her lips walked up to me. She carefully studied me, taking in my disheveled form before her eyes landed on mine. 

“What are you doing here?” She asked with mock concern. “That is where the cleaners are meant to meet,” she said condescendingly as she pointed behind me to an empty building. “You’re going in the wrong direction, sweetheart.” 

Everyone around us burst into laughter, and my stomach twisted. 

I had not even stepped into the main building of the school, and I was already the laughingstock. 

Before I could say anything or even react, a voice sliced through the thick air. 

“Okay, that’s enough! All of you,” the voice said, and everyone immediately went silent. “And that isn’t nice of you, Cassandra .”

The girl went stiff and the smirk on her lips vanished into thin air. I turned to see who the voice belonged to and my breath caught in my throat when my eyes landed on him.

He was tall—he was probably six feet or taller and he had broad shoulders that made him look intimidating, sending a shiver down my spine. His dark, slightly tousled hair framed a face so sharp and defined that it looked like it was carved by the gods themselves. But that wasn’t the only thing that caught my attention. 

It was his aura.

The air around him vibrated with authority—it was thick and suffocating. That same thing wanted me to shrink even as my body leaned into his. 

His gray eyes locked onto mine. They were unreadable and intensive as if he was reading me and peeling at my layers.  

I swallowed nervously as he walked closer, realizing that Cassandra had left. 

“You’re new,” he said. It wasn’t a question, but I still answered. 

“Yes, I am,” I replied with a nod as I suddenly started feeling self-conscious.

“What’s your name?”

“Kiara,” I choked out. 

He slightly tilted his head as he repeated my name, checking out how it felt off his tongue. “Kiara what?”

I remained silent. I didn’t want to say anything, especially not in front of everyone. 

When he realized that I wasn’t going to answer, he let out a sigh before he broke the silence. “Come.”

“What? Why?” I was confused. 

“Just come with me, okay?” He replied. “I don’t bite.”

Knots formed in my throat, my guts telling me that it wasn’t entirely true. “I—“

He didn’t wait for me to finish; he turned and walked away. For reasons unknown to me, I followed behind him. 

As we walked past other students, I could hear them whispering as some stared at me in shock while the other looked at him with admiration or was it jealousy?

“Why is Xavier helping the weirdo?”

“Is she someone important?”

“Do they know each other?”

Xavier? So that was his name. 

He led me to the administration building and took me straight to the receptionist. The receptionist acknowledged us with a smile as her eyes once on him. 

“Alpha, Xavier.” Her voice was filled with respect and a hint of nervousness.

I stiffened. Alpha?

“She’s new here. Handle her registration and give her all she needs,” he instructed.

She nodded before she turned to me as she pulled out a file. “Your name please, Miss.”

I hesitated for a moment before I finally answered. “Kiara Knowles.”

Xavier glanced at me, but he remained quiet. 

The receptionist typed into the laptop before turning to me again. “You’re here on a full scholarship,” she said, but I still nodded. 

“Okay, I’ll go get you your schedule and the school map,” she said as she got up. “Welcome to the school.” 

With that, she walked away. 

Xavier opened his mouth to speak but before he could get any words out, the office door burst open.

“So you’re the new girl!” A warm, excited, and bubbly voice said. 

I turned to see who it was, and I was mesmerized. Her long blond hair bounced with every step she too,k and her blue eyes sparkled with innocence. She was beautiful, but it wasn’t the one that made you feel intimidated; rather it was one that made you drawn to her. Everything about her seemed effortless like she belonged wherever she went. 

“Would you like to show her around, Aurora?” Xavier asked, and I could tell they were friends from how informal he was with her. 

“Obviously,” Aurora replied as she rolled her eyes. “And it’ll be my pleasure.” 

She walked over to me and intertwined our hands before I could say anything. “Come on, let’s get you settled.”

I barely had time to thank Xavier or even look at him one last time before she dragged me out of the office. 

“You don’t have to be nice to me,” I muttered under my breath. “I’m used to… the other thing.”

Aurora’s eyes softened. “Maybe that’s why someone should be. I saw what Casandra did earlier, and I’m so sorry about her,” she said. “She’s not as bad as she acts.”

I laughed—the first real one I had in days. 

“I know eavesdropping is bad, but I overheard that you’re here on scholarship, yes?” She asked. 

“Yes, I am.”

“Ouu, so not only are you mysterious, you’re also smart,” she cooed. 

I rolled my eyes at the same time that we got to a large room. Aurora freed my hand before she rummaged through the closet. A few minutes later, she pulled out a neatly folded uniform. 

“Try this out, let’s see if it fits,” she said. “I’d have offered to help, but we just met, you know.”

I rolled my eyes again, but I couldn’t help the smile that curled at my lips. 

I changed into the uniform and almost immediately, I felt like I belonged there. 

“Look at you!” She squealed as she clapped her hands. “You look so beautiful, and I’m sure you’re going to turn heads. Especially Xavier’s”

“What?” My mouth fell open. 

“Oh please,” she replied with a smirk. “You didn’t notice the way he was looking at you? Plus, he had never personally taken a new student anywhere. And he was checking you out.”

I felt heat slowly creep up my face. “I’m sure he was just… trying to help.”

Aurora laughed. “Yeah, sure. If that makes you feel better.”

She locked her hand with mine again and pulled me out of the room. “So tell me, what middle school did you attend?”

I froze, and my throat went dry. 

“Kiara? What’s wrong?” Aurora asked, noticing the change in my expression. 

My heart started racing as I thought of what to say. 

I had no idea how to answer her because I didn’t know. The first thirteen years of my life were a blur, and I couldn’t remember anything except the last four years with my mother. 

But before that? 

Nothing. 

“I…” I started, but my voice cracked. “I don’t remember.”

Aurora frowned in confusion. “What do you mean by you don’t remember?”

“I lost my memories,” I said softly, shaking my head. 

Her lips parted, and her eyes softened with something that looked like understanding. 

 “Oh…” she whispered, but she didn’t pry or push it. 

Relief washed over me. Most people would have bombarded me with questions, but she accepted it. Me.

“Anyway, let’s forget about it. Are you ready for the tour?”