Chapter 3

Aliyah

Three days have passed since that incident, and I haven’t seen Xavier or Adrian again. Maybe it was just a coincidence that they were there, which I’m thankful for because if they hadn’t been, the palace would probably be mourning because of me.

“Okay, class, listen.” I suddenly looked at our P.E. professor, glancing around the class before she continued. “In a week, we’ll have a small competition. Since physical strength will be needed, it will be divided into two categories: one for the supernatural and one for the humans.”

The students began whispering. Some were nervous, while others were excited. “Even though the categories are separate, you will still fight, and there’s a chance someone might get hurt. We need to ensure, especially for humans, that we can fight. So that, no matter what happens, you can protect yourselves.”

“Like a fighting tournament?” asked one of my male classmates, who I was sure was a wolf.

“Yes, but even though it’s a fighting tournament and there’s a chance of getting hurt, you can still back out if you want. But you should know that if you do, you’ll have to undergo one hour of after-class training for the rest of the semester.”

“Oh no, I don’t like getting hurt,” one of our female classmates said, and the rest laughed. Our professor explained more details before finally dismissing the class.

“Hi, Aliyah,” greeted one of my classmates, who I knew was the new varsity player at the university. He was already a star player in his previous senior high school, so it was easy for him to join the basketball team.

“Hi,” I responded softly since I’m not really one to talk much. It’s not that I look down on them; I’m just used to talking to people I’ve known for a long time.

“Are you joining the competition too?” I nodded at him, and he nodded back. “If you need a partner for training or practice, you can tell me. I’ll be happy to help you out.”

“Thanks a lot, Miles, but I have a friend willing to do that as well,” I replied with a smile. I didn’t want him to think I was being snobbish.

“Is that so?” I smiled at him again and nodded before picking up my things.

“Bye,” I said, then left the classroom. Janice waited for me since we had already agreed to have lunch together. I turned down Miles because I knew I could fight. Besides, if I ever need a sparring partner, I don’t need to look far because my friend is always there to partner with me.

Janice and I were in the canteen, chatting while eating, when a group of students sat at the table next to ours. We wouldn’t have paid attention to them, but their voices were so loud that they seemed to be letting everyone hear their conversation.

“You know what, Stelle, I think Alpha Xavier will choose you as his mate,” one of them said.

The spoon I was about to bring to my mouth froze mid-air when I heard that name.

“I don’t want to get my hopes up, but Alpha Xavier still doesn’t have a mate. That’s why my dad thinks maybe he’s already found his mate but rejected her for me,” Stelle responded.

Janice and I exchanged glances, and I noticed her raising an eyebrow, causing me to frown. Why does she seem irritated by what the girl said? Does she know the Alpha Xavier they’re talking about? Is he the same Alpha Xavier I met and who saved me?

"Eat already!" I just told Janice, who was still pouting, before she started eating again.

"Wow, you're going to be the Luna of the Howlers Pack!" exclaimed one of their friends. Did I hear that right, Howlers Pack?

"Hey, you guys better stop fantasizing about our Alpha and spreading that kind of news because we will never let your friend Stelle become our Luna." Janice and I turned to look at the new girl who just arrived.

"It’s not like that, Chloe." The girl named Stelle spoke softly and bowed her head, but I felt like it was just an act.

"Wow, if it's not like that, why are you letting your friends shout about it?"

"Is it wrong to be happy and excited for our friend?" snapped another girl.

"That's not excitement. You guys just want everyone to hear your conversation. Well, let me tell you this: your friend won’t succeed in fooling our Alpha because there’s no fool in the Howlers Pack."

With that, the girl named Chloe turned her back on them. Our eyes met, and I was surprised when she smiled at me before sitting next to Janice, who was across from me.

"Hi, I’m Chloe." She extended her hand, which Janice and I shook before introducing ourselves. She was very friendly, considering we had just met. I was okay with it because I discovered her Alpha was the same Alpha who saved me. Why? Because she's Adrian's younger sister.

We were all first-year students, and like Janice, her course was also business administration. She was in a different section, so she and my best friend didn’t know each other. Their classes were simultaneously, and I felt a bit jealous.

"Don't worry, Yay, we’ll always wait for you." I smiled after Janice assured me, and Chloe agreed with her.

"Wait, do you guys know about the tournament?" Chloe asked, and I nodded. We looked at Janice, and she nodded, too.

"Do you want to come to our pack and train there?" Janice and I exchanged glances because of what our new friend said. "It's okay if you don’t want to, I understand." She smiled, but I could still see the sadness on her face.

"It feels awkward because we’ve only just met, and we’re already going to your place." I didn’t like seeing the sadness on her face, so that’s what I said.

"I understand. Besides, except for Stelle, no one really wants to come to our pack because, you know, our pack is a haven of former rogues who fought against the palace, so it’s natural for people to be scared."

"Oh no, it’s not like that!" Janice quickly blurted out. "It’s just really embarrassing."

"Really?" Chloe asked, and Janice and I nodded at her. "So you’ll come visit us? I promise you’ll enjoy it, and we’ll learn things for the tournament."

Since we couldn’t back out, my best friend and I agreed. Chloe was so happy, and I thought maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.

Now I’m thinking about meeting Xavier again, if ever. I felt excitement, nervousness, and fear, especially knowing that the Howlers Pack, where we’ll be going, used to be led by my biological grandparents and is now a pack of former rogues.