Chapter 3

TESSA’S POV

Werewolves and vampires do exist.

I kept telling that to myself numerous times until I got used to it.

Days had passed, yet the reality that I was a werewolf still hadn’t sunk into my head. It was a mind-blowing truth that my mind could not even process. I thought it was the most fucked up joke I ever heard, but the fact that I’ve seen my Aunt Alice’s fangs made me realize that everything they told me was real.

So right now, I'm in the Crimson Shadows territory. According to Alice, it was the territory that humans could not dare enter. Only the werewolves who belonged to the pack were welcomed to live on this land, and the other creatures were permitted to stay inside. Just like Alice and Harry...

Apparently, my aunt was born a werewolf who became a hybrid after getting beaten by a vampire to save her life. That vampire who bit her was none other than Harry, a full-blooded vampire who betrayed his kind for love. The Crimson Shadows Alpha was kind enough to let them live in the territory since they had proved that they were trustworthy and had become one of the pack doctors that treated werewolves.

My Aunt was out to have a conversation with the Alpha. She wanted to inform him of my arrival, and even though I didn’t understand much about their rules here, deep down I hoped that their conversation would go well. I don’t think I could go back to my old life given what I’ve learned about myself.

On the other hand, Harry was in the pack hospital. He was one of the leading surgeons, so he had to be at work most of the time. My aunt told me he was really an asset to this pack and even the Alpha wanted him as an ally.

Meanwhile, I was here... sitting on the stairs and hugging my knees while I stared over the lake in front of the cabin that would be my new home.

"Stop being pathetic," I said to myself, and let out a huge sigh.

There was no moment I hadn’t thought about the family I left in the White Bridge city. My love for them was real, yet it stung so hard whenever I thought that because of hunters like them, my parents had died painfully. That was the unpleasant part, aside from the maltreatment I received from them.

"Hey, Tessa..." the familiar sweet voice of Aunt Alice echoed on the porch of the cabin.

There was a swift swoosh in the air, and with just a blink of an eye, I saw her standing behind me, wearing a triumphant smile.

I smiled at her. I guess I wouldn’t get used to having a vampire aunt who’s fond of using her powers to give anyone a heart attack. I was close to believing she could teleport because of how fast she could sprint. She could even win against the lightning in the sky.

"I have great news for you," she said as she sat down right next to me.

Aunt Alice looked very alluring in her white skin. Her amber eyes looked powerful, like those of vampires I’ve seen in supernatural movies...

But what she said made me intrigued. "What is it?"

"Alpha Nikolai finally permitted your stay here with us. You’ve finally become a member of the Crimson Shadows Pack! Congratulations!" She shrieked in glee and pulled me into a hug.

Blinking twice, the good news could hardly sink in. But when it did, a wide, relieved smile escaped my lips. I guess I’d have a new life in the shifter world...

Aunt Alice pulled back and held my chin. "Also, I’ve already enrolled you at Edevane University."

"Ede... what, Aunt?"

"Edevane, sweetheart. It’s a prestigious werewolf school here where you can learn how to communicate with your wolf that’s hiding inside of you, and how you will be able to shape your enhanced abilities."

"Communicate with my wolf?" My forehead creased.

Aunt Alice nodded in response. "Yes. We werewolves can communicate with our wolves within us." Then she breathed in heavily and gave me a sympathetic look. "I tried to communicate with your wolf, but I can’t seem to feel it inside of you. Did your wolf contact you in the past few days?"

"N—No... I... I didn’t even know there was such a thing as a wolf inside of me, Aunt," I answered in confusion.

I think I need to have a handbook about werewolves, really. Every piece of information my aunt shared with me caused my head to spin in confusion. I really couldn’t relate.

She clicked her tongue. "You’re like your mom. She can’t communicate with her wolf either after her awakening. It took her some time to speak with her white wolf. Don’t worry, the school will help you unlock your wolf and control it as well as its powers."

"That sounds fun... and deadly," I said, an awkward smile flashing across my face.

Aunt Alice laughed a bit before she nodded. "You will get used to this werewolf life, sweetheart, and eventually, you will be amazed to see you’re capable of doing so many things a human cannot even do."

Her mentioning humans brought back a lot of memories in my head. But I had to shove those ideas away before they consumed me emotionally.

I needed to move on from the Steinfields. That was the best thing I could do.

Aunt Alice finally stood up and offered her hand. "Let’s come inside. I bought you some nice clothes. You might want to check it."

"Your power really amazes me," I sincerely said, and offered her a smile.

I took her hand and she helped me stand up.

"Why? You want to be a hybrid too?" She raised an eyebrow. "A simple bite will do."

Shaking my head, I could not help but smile. I was glad that I had met her during the lowest part of my life.

Honestly, Aunt Alice gave me hope...

I didn’t think I could still be alive if not for her who rescued me.

"Nah, I can’t be a vampire too. Discovering that I’m a werewolf is already too much to handle. I can’t afford another headache," I responded, which made her laugh.

"Oh, just so you wait. Another headache will come upon you once the mating season starts," she said meaningfully, with a mischievous expression on her face.