Chapter 7 - The Creek.

The Quadrangle was nearly empty, because it was still school hours and Cora had skipped class. The bright sun was relentless in it's shine and the harsh rays tempted Cora to leave the Quadrangle but there was no where else for her to go so she stayed put. She knew it wasn't good for her school records skipping class, but what good were Defence classes when she couldn't even connect to her wolf. She couldn't go to her dorm because that would be much worse, a matron might see her and punish her for violating the rules and Cora didn't want to draw too much attention to herself. 

The past two weeks had gone in a blur, she was struggling with her classes, friends she found hard to make and Everett kept her on her toes with his persistent lessons that have yielded little results. At least she knew about her Avalonian history now, but it wasn't the main thing she was bothered about. Cora was lonely. And tired and most importantly, she was homesick. She'd give anything to be back in the human world and see her friends. Visit her old school and just do normal stuffs.

She'd love to smell the polluted airs of New York again, walk on the crowded sidewalks and for a while, enjoy her favourite things. Things like ice cream and her Instagram account. She wondered if her friends were already getting worried about her now. She wondered if they missed her. 

"What are you doing here?"

The voice startled Cora as she raised her head up and found Alpha Superior Noah looking at her. Her heart skipped a beat as he sat next to her.

"What are you doing here?" 

"I just got back from a pack meeting."

Cora raised her eyebrows.

"You're allowed to leave school?"

"Yes. I am. I have to. For now I'm an Alpha in name only and until I'm done in this school, I can't fully be an Alpha. But I still have to attend important meetings and all. So, what are you doing here? I know we have Defence classes right now."

Cora sighed as she brushed away strands of her fine corn silk hair away from her face. Alpha Superior Noah who happened to be the only man Cora would bat an eyelid at in the school was sitting next to her. She had to make the most out of it.

"I don't know. I was just bored and it's not like I can understand half of what's going on."

"It must be hard for you. The new environment and all..."

He said and Cora nodded.

Finally someone who actually understood how she felt. It felt good. If it was Everett she was talking to it would have been a completely different scenario. He would have told her she wasn't trying enough.

"Really, I just wish I could leave and all. At least get away from this stupid castle for a while. I know it's really big but it feels like a huge prison."

"Hmmmm". Noah said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"What?"

"I know a place that can cheer you up a bit. Wanna go?"

Cora didn't need much convincing, she was already on her feet.

"As long as it's far away from school, I'm game." She said as she adjusted her pleated skirt.

With the help of a pair of scissors and Ryn who wasn't such a quiet person when her twin sister wasn't around, Cora was able to cut off several inches away from skirt. Now it looked chic and stylish and even though the slightest wind could give anyone a free exclusive look at her underwear, it made her feel good that she had done something against the rules.

She couldn't wait for Everett's reaction when he saw it. He would be appalled.

"Let's go Cora." 

The forest hummed with life all around them. Cora twirled about, gazing up at the canopy, searching for the birds that sang sweetly. The sun broke through the cracks, lighting up the dirt path ahead of them,  decorated with outgrown roots, wildflowers and fallen leaves that crunched beneath the soles of their shoes. Cora trudged on, taking in the fragrance of minty grass and the damp earth. Each breath was like water, fresh and cleansing, flowing freely into her lungs. The fresh air did her some good. She instantly felt better but she still didn't know where Noah was taking her to.

Walking some distance she came to the top of a hill where she was standing she saw a creek stretching along the sight with beautiful shinning waters, They both went down following the waters. Enjoying the scenery along sides the brook.

A new smile painted itself upon her freckled face, rose-pink lips illuminated by the glow of the sun. 

Noah turned to her with a child-like smile on his face.

"Do you see it?"

He asked as she nodded her head looking at the brook.

"It's beautiful!"

"And it's so peaceful. Far away from prying eyes."

Noah pointed at the castle which could be seen from afar. He was right, the Castle was far away from the creek.

"You can take off your shoes. It'll make the experience a lot more better."

Cora did as Noah told her to and together they both sat on a flat rock near the brook and wiggled their toes in the water.

They air was so warm and the brook was shaded from the harsh rays of the sun. It was also so peaceful that they could hear the chirping of birds. It was so beautiful it was unreal, like a page torn from a fairytale book.

"I feel so much better now."

"Me too. I come here a lot these days. Being and Alpha isn't so easy."

"Yea, I figured. How's that working out for you?" 

Cora asked as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Noah had his head tilted back as he face upward. She admired his well defined jaws and his powerful body. Even in his uniform, his biceps were threatening to rip out from the confines of his white shirt that he had drawn up the sleeves to his ankle.

"Well, I've always known I was going to be Alpha. My father prepared me for it, thoroughly."

"Sorry about your Dad." Cora said in a small voice and Noah shrugged.

"It's okay. Do you like it here?" 

He asked as he stood up, Cora's eyes followed him as he took off his tie.

"Yes I do. What are you doing?"

"The water's warm. Might as well go for a swim. You game?"

Cora watched in silent awe and mild shock as Noah slowly peeled off every inch of clothing on his body. 

First, was the shirt, muscles ripped across every part of his body. Cora's mouth went dry as she slowly took in every inch of him.

As she stared at his cheekbones, full lips and caramel skin she felt a deep attraction to him. There was something so sexy in that vulnerable look of his.

Then it was silent for a moment, he was waiting for a response but she wasn't focusing on his words. As she blushed deeply his look of bafflement turned to a shy smile.

"Turn around." Cora said as she stood up and started unbuttoning her shirt. She was going to regret her actions later but she wasn't going to pass up the chance to swim with Noah.

Noah slowly turned and Cora admired the large tattoo that covered the entirety of his muscled back. He had stripped down to his underwear and left only his black boxer briefs in view. The boxer briefs which hugged his buttocks perfectly.

Cora slowly took off her shirt and shrugged off her skirt. Her underwear was decent enough so she didn't feel too shy about showing off.

"What's your tattoo about?" She asked as she slowly approached the water.

"It's my pack symbol." 

The water was deliciously warm and extremely comforting, she thought as she dipped her head in, not caring that her hair was going to be wet.

"You can come in now." She said and Noah slowly turned with a boyish smile on his face.

He quickly entered the water and moaned in ecstasy as his body hit the water.

"This is nice."

Cora said as she looked around the forest while slowly floating in the water. She couldn't remember the last time she had a proper swim, it must have been so long ago, she missed being in the water.

She turned to Noah who was quietly enjoying his time in the water. She splashed some water on him and that jolted him out of his reverie.

"Hey!!!" 

He called out as he tried to splash water on her, Cora went out of reach laughing loudly. She turned to look and found Noah deathly quiet.

"Cora! We have to go." He called out as he hastily left the water.

"Why? Where? Where are we going?" 

She stuttered as Noah picked up his clothes and started putting them on.

"Noah! What's wrong?" She called out and he finally looked up at her.

"Alpha Superior Henry and Luther are dead. My Beta just mind linked me. We need to go." He replied in a soft but firm voice.

Cora went still in the water. She knew the Alpha Superior twins were deathly sick, that was one the reasons her parents came back to Avalon. But not so soon, they shouldn't have died so soon.

Her mind wandered to her parents, they must be trying to contact the school, to get Cora to go back home in time for the Alpha Superior funeral. 

Noah looked up at her.

"We have to go Cora. The school must have been contacted, Principal Claude will be looking for you."

One single thought filled her head.

Her father was going to be the New Alpha Superior. 

And she was next in line.