chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

Lessie's Standpoint.

I wondered if Trent was talking about what I was thinking. I shook my head slightly to shake off the thought.

“It can't be,” I smiled, but it was without humor.

“Pardon?” He turned to me, his eyes bright and filled with curiosity.

“It's nothing,” I shrugged.

If what is going on in my head is the same thing Trent was talking about, then this Pack might even be more dangerous than where I came from.

Pack war… That was something I prayed and hoped never to hear of again. It happened before the great Shifting when even the smallest Packs were allowed in the quest for power. Packs conquered Packs for power, fame, strength and more land to control. My Pack was a victim of one of the brutal Pack wars, it took my brother, another reason I was here.

“I wonder what role this mysterious Alpha Duaine had taken in those bloody wars.”

“I'm sure it's nothing we can imagine,” Trent responded, though I wasn't talking to him.

Suddenly, my wolf stirred in me. She was relentless.

“What's going on, Alexa?” I asked through our mind link.

“I can feel it…” She paused, her voice almost in pain.

“What's that?” Panic surged through my voice, as well as questions through my mind.

Had I been caught?

Were my father's allies waiting for me?

Or perhaps something far worse?

“Something awaits us here,” she teased with a smile in her voice.

My racing heart took a break and the frown on my face was replaced with a glint of smile. She knew how to tease me.

“Someone,” I corrected in a whisper through our mind link. “Our mate,” I said aloud, unable to hide my excitement.

“Huh?” Trent glanced at me.

“Nothing,” I said swiftly. “Just… thinking about new beginnings.”

I tugged nervously at my new clothes: simple jeans and a sweater that I had gotten in town. I felt both underdressed and overdressed at the same time. As a Princess, I had never worn jeans or a sweater before and the clothes felt strange against my skin. But I had to admit that they were more comfortable than the formal dresses I had grown up wearing.

“So old-fashioned,” I cussed at my dad. Trent continued to glance at me as though I were out of my mind as I whispered. Yet, he didn't leave my side.

“Do you know where the registration admin is?” I turned to him and asked.

Without a word, he pointed to its direction, I nodded and continued my route.

“See you later,” his voice rang from behind me, and a smile flashed across my face for no reason.

In the registration admin building, I joined the queue, clutching to my fake identity card and whispering a desperate pray to the Moon Goddess.

“Please, let this be smooth.” I whispered, but it dawned on me.

When had it ever been smooth for me? When I lose my mom? Or my brother? Or the caring father I once knew? Perhaps when I was forced to live the life my brother couldn't?

I lifted my face up as though the ceiling was transparent to the sky. “You can do this one, right? It should be easy for you.”

“Next?” A harsh voice dragged me out of my thoughts and I stepped forward, placing my ID on the desk.

The lady's fingers grazed over the card and her eyes darted between it and my face as though something was wrong. Without saying a word to me, she hit the keyboard, inputting whatever.

She glared at me as she leaned backwards against the chair. My heart skipped a beat. Never had I thought I'd be in a situation where I had to fear a commoner like her.

“Kayla?” Her voice sounded distorted.

“Yes?” I faked a smile.

“Your student ID and admission is invalid.” She said bluntly and tossed my card to the floor. “Next!”

I stayed in the spot for a few seconds, my heart racing and my face marred with rage. This must have been what the maids went through every day, especially with someone like me.

“Move out of the way,” a student behind me, shoved me away.

I picked up my ID, shoved the girl off the line and slammed the ID against the desk, making the lady shocked.

Leaning closer, my voice was as clear as the day. “I have no idea what you're talking about, Miss…” My eyes trailed off to her tag. “Miss Jane. But I'd appreciate it if you can explain better.”

“You are yet to accept the admission on your portal, so your admission is invalid.” She responded, looking at me as though I were stupid.

“Ah…” I nodded as I moved aside and quickly logged into the school portal.

My clearance was swift after that, and I made my way into the main building.

Suddenly, students began to race down. Their feet hit the floor with urgency and I could smell the fear in their hearts.

I swiftly reached for a girl's hand. “What's going on?”

A tall blond girl stared back at me, trying to catch her breath quickly. “First day?”

I nodded.

“Hi, I'm Riley. I'm in my second year and you better hurry if you are heading to the orientation. Professor Duaine hates tardiness and trust me, you would rather not get on his bad side, not especially as a freshman.” Her lips danced swiftly.

My stomach fluttered with a contour or nervousness and something intriguing. “Professor Duaine again?”

“Alpha Duaine,” she corrected. “He's our Pack leader and the strictest professor on campus.”

“I guess we better start going.” My lips cornered with a smile.

How could everyone fear just a man? What if he was their Alpha? I'm also of royalty.

“What more can you tell me about him?” I asked as we made a beeline for the hall, swamping along with other students.

“He's totally hot but completely off-limits.” She winked. “Rumor has it that he had never even had a mate. Some called it a curse, while some ladies thought he was just for them, patiently waiting for the day he would recognize them. He's also totally devoted to the Pack and his teaching. Nice eye candy, though.”

I sat at the end of the hall and could barely get a glimpse of the infamous Alpha Duaine. But as expected, the orientation was boring, just old folks talking about rules, curfews, Pack rules within and outside the University, class schedules and maps. I tried to pay attention, but my mind kept drifting away, clouded by several questions I had no answer to.

Would I fit in here?

Would anyone discover who I really was?

What if my dad was right? What if love was just a fantasy?

And most importantly, would I find my true mate?