Slowly, I begin to knock on the slightly ajar classroom door and hear footsteps approaching before the door opens.
"Morning, Miss Spencer. I'm Aurelya, the new transfer student starting today." I say a bit nervously, facing the woman with a bit of excess weight in front of me. Her lipstick is incredibly distracting, clashing terribly with her reddish-brown hair, at least in my opinion.
"Yes, Miss Brenda informed me, and you're twenty minutes late, Aurel," she says firmly, checking the time on her wristwatch.
"And I forgive you this time since it's your first day. So, enter and find an empty seat." She continues.
I follow her steps into the classroom and am immediately greeted by a variety of curious gazes from the students.
"Please introduce yourself, Aurel." Miss Spencer, now seated at her desk, instructs.
I stand in the middle of the room, take a deep breath, and then truly introduce myself.
"I'm Aurelya, a transfer student from Indonesia, and—" I pause for a moment, observing all the students in the class looking in my direction. I can't decipher the meaning behind each of their gazes, but I sense a general disinterest.
Some of the boys in the back whisper to each other, and while I don't understand their words, I'm sure they're talking about me since they glance in my direction afterward, examining me from head to toe.
Is there something wrong with my appearance? I don't think so.
In NYHS, students are free to wear any attire to school; there's no specific uniform, except if they choose to create one or belong to a school club.
Miss Spencer's throat clearing brings me back to reality, and I refocus on her.
"And I need your help." I add, then begin to look for an empty seat.
Great, the second seat in the middle row. I make my way over, placing my backpack down and following Miss Spencer's provided lesson schedule.
I tidy my books and am about to stand up when someone taps my shoulder from behind. I turn around to face them.
"Hi," they greet. I blink a few times, noting their unique style. They have blonde hair with pink and blue ends, and it seems like they haven't slept for two days, given the dark circles under their eyes. They remind me of a character from some movie collection I have, but I can't quite place them.
"You're from Indonesia, right?" they ask, making me snap out of my thoughts and nod awkwardly in response.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Jeni," they say, extending their hand towards me. I shake it.
"Aurel." I reply.
"I know," they say with a wide smile. Ugh, those dark circles are so distracting. I can't just start complaining about it in our first encounter.
"Do you have any more classes after this?"
"No, I mean, I have an hour, but I want to visit the swimming pool."
"Why?" they ask, curious. And I'm just as curious about why they're asking.
"What do you mean?"
"Why do you want to go there?"
Come on, why should I explain myself?
"I plan to join the swim club at school," I answer, then start to get up from my seat. I don't want to waste any more time and want to wrap up this conversation.
"Do you know how to swim?"
"Of course. I want to take swimming as an elective class. How about you?"
Now, we're walking side by side down the NYHS corridors.
"I'm taking music classes. I love playing the violin." they say, making me immediately turn to them in disbelief. They can play the violin? I thought they would have joined a club related to careers or robotics or something.
"Aurel, may I escort you to the swimming pool?" Jeni offers, and I nod my head and smile at them.
We continue walking until we reach the innermost part of the NYHS building. According to Jeni, the swimming pool is located in the farthest building, a bit distant from the other classroom buildings.
It takes us about five minutes to arrive at the building located deep within NYHS. As I step inside, I'm amazed by the vastness of the NYHS swimming pool. It's huge, clean, and well-organized, with two large swimming pools equipped with diving boards at both ends.
Perhaps this is why NYHS placed the pool in the farthest area; they needed enough space. The swimming area is indoors, which is perfect for my interests. I can't wait to join the swim club.
"When are you planning to register?" Jeni asks as we get closer to the pool.
"As soon as possible. I hope the selection process won't be too difficult." I reply with hope.
"You'll probably get in right away as long as you can swim." Jeni says, making me furrow my brows. Is it really that easy? But why?
"Why?"
"Because there aren't many members. I've heard they're actively seeking new members to join the NYHS swim team. You see, not many students here are enthusiastic about swimming." Jeni explains.
"Why? Isn't it enjoyable?"
"It's enjoyable to you because you enjoy swimming."
"Then which clubs are they interested in?"
"Cheerleading, football, robotics, and music. Those are the four most popular clubs among students." Jeni explains, and I nod in understanding. That's good; it means I don't have to worry too much about competition if there are fewer members.
A moment later, I'm surprised when Jeni suddenly grabs my arm, pulls me down to crouch, and hides us among the chairs near the pool. Jeni presses a finger to their lips, gesturing for me to keep quiet. I get it, and I nod in agreement. Jeni lets go of my mouth.
"Why?" I whisper in confusion.
"Sshh, we should probably leave now," Jeni replies in hushed tones.
"Why?"
"Look!" Jeni points toward the pool.
What the heck?
My eyes nearly pop out of their sockets. What are they doing in the school swimming pool?
"What are they doing?" Okay, I know that's a dumb question. Anyone could tell what that couple is doing, half-naked in the pool.
"Lower your voice, Aurel, unless you want us to get caught," Jeni scolds in a whisper.
"What are they doing?" I ask again, trying to keep my voice in check.
"Obviously, making out. What else?" Jeni's answer confirms my suspicions. But why are they doing something so inappropriate within the school premises? Couldn't they just rent a hotel room?
"Why are they doing it here? Isn't anyone stopping them?"
"Because this is their favorite spot. I've heard rumors that they often use this pool area for their private moments, and no one dares to stop them." Jeni explains, leaving me more confused. After that, Jeni pulls me away from the pool area, and I just follow their lead.
Before leaving the area, I manage to turn my head slightly toward the couple who's still engaged in their amorous activities in the pool. I've only seen the guy's back this whole time. I squint my eyes, feeling like I've seen him somewhere before. Ah, whatever, I just need to get out of here quickly.
Gray continued to gaze at Aurel, who had been unconscious for nearly two days. Despite having her examined by a doctor, Gray remained restless until he was sure that Aurel would awaken."Do we need to call a healer from Wentira?" Brenda asked, but Gray shook his head."I don't want to deal with Wentira for now, even though I'm certain that Alpha King is aware of the chaos I caused in Plantea. I just want you to find another way," Gray replied, prompting Brenda to glance at Rex, who was equally concerned about Aurel's condition."The doctor said Aurel was exhausted," Brenda explained."Exhausted to the point of being unconscious for two days?" Gray questioned, prompting Brenda to sigh deeply."In that case, you better rest too during this week. You've been expending your powers aimlessly. After that, you can ensure Aurel's well-being," Brenda advised, and Gray nodded. She then took Rex out of the room, leaving Gray to do whatever he wished with his mate.Gray extended his hand, gently
They immediately turned to look at Vlad, who was now among them."Good job, Vlad. Have you already obtained your Mate?" Erebus asked, making Vlad look at him with a flat expression."Yes, I've found her, but I have no intention of eliminating her," Vlad replied, causing Erebus to gaze at him questioningly."Don't tell me you're tempted again by a face that resembles Luna's. You should have eliminated her because that woman is the one who hurt you," Erebus taunted, making Vlad visibly angry."Stop your nonsense. You only instructed me to keep her away from that wolf, and I've done just that. So, stop pressuring me because I owe you nothing, and I'm not your lackey," Vlad retorted, then turned his gaze towards Gray."And as for you, you're a pathetic mate who can't even protect your own partner," Vlad said, deliberately provoking Gray's emotions."You damn vampire really can only boast and say foolish things. Don't you know who you're dealing with?" Gray responded. Without further ado,
Vlad immediately halted his steps as he approached the castle, even though he hadn't entered his own castle yet. He could already sense that the scent of Aurel was no longer in the vicinity, causing him to quickly rush inside. He opened the door to Aurel's previously occupied room, only to find it empty. Similarly, there was no trace of Loma's aroma in his castle. Vlad growled in frustration, clenching his fists and tightening his jaw."Damn siren really took Aurel away," Vlad muttered to himself before resuming his search. If they had recently left, it meant they were still within the Naighthell territory. Vlad couldn't afford to let Aurel slip away after the grave mistake he had made before.Vlad still hesitated to meet Aurel face to face, fearing that she would be scared and hate him. That's why Vlad had been trying to make Aurel accustomed to living in the castle with him before he decided to confront her. However, before his plan could come to fruition, Loma had already spirited
"Damn, why do they have to look for me?" Loma muttered as she continued to run through the corridors of Vlad's castle. Earlier, Loma had made sure Vlad had left the castle to meet Erebus, so this was her chance to escape. Loma didn't want to break her promise to Vlad, but her condition forced her to leave. She couldn't continue to be trapped in Vlad's place with her diminishing powers.A while ago, Loma received word that a group of people was searching for her in the Plantae territory. Luckily, she got the message in time and didn't go to meet Sherman. Loma then stopped in front of the door to Aurel's new room. If she left here, it meant she had to leave the human. Loma thought about it but came up with an idea that might benefit her.Consider it payment for taking care of Aurel all this time, and maybe bringing Aurel with her could be an advantage. So, Loma finally opened the door, revealing Aurel, who was working on a canvas she had given him earlier."Are you painting?" Loma asked
POV Gray"I've found it," Lilith said, causing me to immediately turn and look in her direction. Without waiting any longer, I approached her and asked for an explanation."Tell me," I said. After almost four days of patiently waiting, Lilith had finally returned from the Ocean territory with good news."Have you found out who's been using the Siren poison?" This time it was Brenda who asked."Yes, over the past few weeks, there's only been one person who appeared to be using that poison, and it's the Siren who was previously expelled from the Ocean," Lilith replied, making me raise an eyebrow as I looked at her."Don't tell me they're a fugitive Siren?" I asked, making Lilith raise her eyebrows in response."Yes, call it whatever you want, but the good news is, I know who it is," Lilith answered."In that case, tell me. I don't want to waste any time. I need to find Aurel," I said, my impatience clear as it had been over a week since I couldn't reach my mate, driving me nearly insane
**Aurel's Point of View**I jolted as once again the door to the room opened without warning, revealing Loma carrying food for me."I think I'm gaining weight if you keep bringing me food," I said, causing Loma to shrug nonchalantly."Just eat while you still can eat peacefully," Loma replied as I took the food and looked at her with a raised eyebrow."What do you mean?" I asked."Nothing, just... forget it. Didn't you say you wanted to move out of this room?" Loma asked, making me stop and nod enthusiastically."Yes. Did someone allow me to move from this room?" I asked, seeking confirmation, making Loma nod."Yes, you're lucky because maybe he's in a good mood. He allowed me to take you to a room that's not too spacious but probably more comfortable," Loma answered, making me smile."Does the new room have a window, at least? Let me breathe some fresh air. I've lost track of how long I've been trapped here, maybe a week, two weeks. I can't see the sun, the moon, or anything. I might