CHAPTER FIVE: HANDS OFF MY MATE!

SYLLA

" Where were you last night? I looked for you everywhere in the palace!” Emma says the moment I step into the campus of Shifters Academy.

The campus is filled with students in pairs chatting, heading for lectures or gathered in the lawn gossiping.

I smile feeling that warm campus air blow through my air and kisses my cheeks. I didn't finish school before. As soon as I married Noah, I had to drop college as per his request. He didn't say why and I trusted him too much to ask for his reasons.

This time, no one is stopping me from getting my college degree.

"I went out for a late night walk?” I shrug.

" On the night of the mating ball? You waited for that ball ever since we got our wolves at seventeen. And you chose to take a walk?” She gives me that look that says, " You're not fooling me.”

I sigh. "I just didn't feel good, that's all.”

I wanted to introduce you to my brother, the Beta,” Emma says, catching up to me and pulling me in for a hug. " Too bad you weren't there."

“Yeah, too bad," I say, faking the sad expression.

" Did you hear?” Emma asks as we make our way to class. " Jethro told me that another body was found last night. That makes it like the eight this week, and it's only Wednesday.”

What? There are several other corpses? How did I not know this before? My infatuation with Noah in my past life really took a negative toll on me.

" What's killing them?” I ask and Emma shrugs.

" No idea. The only thing that they have noticed so far is that each one of the bodies has a skeleton skull burned into the left side of their neck." Emma whispers. “Jethro thinks it's the witches, but Noah says nothing has been concluded yet. It could be anyone.”

Eight bodies and in the span of three days? What the actual fuck is happening? And the mark…that could only mean the same person behind Rowan's death in the past had been on a killing spree.

" The scary part is they all had a look of terror on their face,”. Emma continues as we step into the lecture hall and take my seat at the back. " Almost like they saw something they shouldn't and were killed for it."

" No!” I whisper.

" Better believe it girl. Also, I heard witches are the main suspects in each of the cases," she continues. “Jethro specifically has no problem burning down each and every one of them, Noah suggests they wait after proper investigation. They're bringing in some of Red Moon’s best detectives.”

" Where's Rowan?” I ask and Emma sighs. Ever since the youngest son of the Sterling family moved out of pack to study, the relationship between siblings has been dying casually. " Noah insisted and he said he's going to be home to help in the investigation.”

I don't get a chance to respond because the lecturer steps into class and begins his lesson.

I hardly focus on anything the teacher is saying as I try to connect the dots. All the victims now have the same characteristics as Rowan back in my past life. The mark and the terrible expression and the witches being accused for murder.

I try as much as I can to connect the dots. Maybe someone is killing people and making it look like the witches are doing the killing. That means in my past life someone knew of my real lineage as a witch. What if this entire wolf witch feud is just part of someone's master plan.

The fact that I was all so invested in Noah in my past life that I didn't notice any of this going on is what pisses me off. I wasn't too interested in matters of the pack, not as the Beta's wife or as the Luna.

My mind diverts to the woman from last night and how she pleaded. Something in her expression made me believe that truly she didn't murder the boy. Just like I pleaded for Noah to believe I didn't kill Rowan.

As soon as the lecture is over, Emma and I walk out of the room and head to our favorite spot on the lawn..

“So, did you meet your mate?" Emma asks and I groan at the awful memory of yesterday. “ I certainly met mine and I can't wait for you to meet him!"

I smile at her excitement and shake my head. “I'll be happy to meet your mate. And yes, I met mine, but he's a total asshole and I don't like him. Too bad I can't reject him."

She gives me a sad look. "That sucks. You waited for the mating ball for like ever and your mate is a douche bag? Typical divine error by the Moon goddess!”

" I know right.” I sigh, imagining how she'd feel if she found out that douche bag is her brother.

She pouts and grabs my hand. “Too bad. Maybe he could change his ways. Talk to him."

Yeah right! I'd rather throw myself into a moving river.

“Hey Em!* A deep masculine voice interrupts our conversation and I raise my head to stare at the intruder.

Tall and well built with beautiful tan skin and dark hair that falls to his nape. I don't think I have ever seen him before, but then again, Emma is my only friend and aside from her I don't associate much.

" Hii!” Emma rises to her feet and hugs him. " Sylla, this is Lucan Thorne from Red Moon Pack. He's the Alpha's son and is here to help with the investigations.”

He gives me a smile that leaves butterflies settling in my stomach and takes my hand. He brings them to his lips and plants a kiss on my knuckles.

" It's an honor to meet you, pretty lady.”

I can't help the shy smile that spreads through my lips. " Same here, Lucan.”

" Hands off my mate!"