Chapter 3: First Day

Chapter 3: First day

"First class is Hunts and Preys I. Do you think they'll let us hunt bears?!" Diana whispered excitedly as we made our way to our first class.

"I hope not," I whispered under my breath, feeling nervous. I don't really know what to expect since back at our territory the only education we get is reading and writing and training (which they made me quit because I can't shift).

Once we arrived at our, oh well, huge classroom, we took seats at the front upon Diana's insistence.

"It gives us the best view," said she.

"But won't the best view be at the windows? We'll see the sky and the river," I said, confused.

She rolled her eyes. "Aren't you sick of that view? Don't you know that in school, the best views are the teachers? They said teachers here are capital H-O-T hot!" 

I don't know what to say to that so I just took a seat. Diana was on my right and sitting on my left is a tall guy in glasses, with his nose in a book.

We grew absolutely still when a male entered. He looks quite young, has very dark skin, ringlets of thick hair and an air about him. I don't know what air, but there's an air, I'm sure of it. 

"Rainester Academy do not disappoint," Diana whispered, looking dreamily at the man. Half of our class population apparently shares her sentiment.

"Hello, cublings! I'm Roman Michael, that's two names, no family and no pack. Meaning, I am a rogue, but worry not because this rogue don't bite." He smirked.

I cringed. Half the population gasped and giggled. He looked mighty pleased by most of the girls' reaction.

"I'm your teacher for Hunts and Preys I, but today let's just get to know each other. All right! The stage is yours!" After saying that, he easily lifted the teacher's table to the side and sat on top of it.

"Look at those muscles!"

"Ohh..." 

I wonder if all rogues act like they're a little wrong in the head.

Our attention snapped back on the front when someone harrumphed. Almost all the girls groaned, and almost all the boys lean in attention.

"Greetings! I'm Felicia Filicitus Faulkner, I'm 14 years old, a beautiful gray wolf and I'm from the Southwoods!" She started tinkering with her long hair. "I'd love to be friends with all of you, you should feel honored, I mean this is an invitation from someone who is the strongest candidate to become Luna!"

"I'd love to be your friend!"

"I hear you, sister!"

I wasn't surprised to see that it was Viilla who said that. They'd make a great duo.

They both squealed.

Viilla was the next to introduce herself. Trust me, it was as verbose as her new found friend's introduction.

Then Diana.

"Hello! I'm Diana Witchetta Faulkner, I'm 14 years old, obviously Faulkners are from the Southwoods. What else hmm...Oh! I'm an ash-gray wolf, I love deer meat, I love the river, and I love you Sir!" She squealed and went back to her seat, covering her face.

The others started teasing and laughing and Sir Roman looked even more pleased.

I pat her back. "There, there, you're okay." I hope.

Then it was time for the male's introduction. Diana had recovered and were watching them all like a predator.

"Oh God. None of them looks decent!" She whispered in a horrified tone. "And we don't even have a single Chaser classmate, they're supposed to be hot!" 

"You're supposed to come here to study, not to pass judgement like that," my other seatmate suddenly snapped.

Diana looked at him. "You look cute enough, but you're too scholarly for my type."

The guy looked disgusted before he stood up. It's his turn to introduce himself.

"My name is Linus Penn, 15 years old. I'm a Rogue."

Some of the girls started swooning. Rogues are wolves without a pack and sometimes without a family. They used to be viewed as dangerous, and uncontrollable but seeing that they're admitted here, that must have changed. They must have lived hard lives too, the woods are unkind to lone wolves.

I grinned at Diana wickedly. "You sure he's not your type?" 

"Oh, shut it."

"You haven't introduced yourself yet, cubling." Sir Roman raised a brow at me.

I inwardly groan. Just when I thought I could escape the introduction part. I don't want to attract attention to myself but I guess it can't be helped.

"I'm Layan Howler, from the Northwoods, and I'm 16. I was a stray before Sir Finnegan accepted me in the pack," I said, feeling like I need to explain why I have no family name.

"You look weird!" One of the guys commented from the back.

I was afraid someone will say that, but I' ve prepared a totally vague answer for that. "That's because I'm special," I said proudly.

I saw Viilla scoff and I felt a little nervous. She knows exactly what's wrong with me. Is she going to spill my defective nature?

"Special is a word used for wolves who are extraordinarily strong. Are you very strong, then?" Another one asked.

I gulped. "I-I..." I am sweating really bad and I know I musn't. They would smell my fear and they would know I'm lying and God knows what they'll do to me if they find out I can't shift.

I won't even last a week!

"She's very strong."

My eyes widen when Viilla spoke. What is she talking about?

"And her wolf is a very mysterious form that we rarely see back in Northwoods. That's why she's special." Viilla smirked at me. "Isn't that right, Layan?"

I blinked. If I say she is wrong, they'll ask me more questions, they might sense I'm lying and they might gang up on me outside. If I say she's right, I'd be lying to myself but I'd be safe from them.

"R-Right." It's better to be safe.

"Okay! That's all for today, your next teacher is here. Ciao!" And Sir Roman left the room, replaced by another man. Our next teacher.

This one has a bushy beard like he hadn't bothered shaving since last year, he's got a permanent scowl on his face and he looked like he'd rather be somewhere else than here.

Good news is, no one dared to whisper in his presence.

"I'm Maslow Clipper," he started in a deep and bored voice, "and I'll be here to teach you Humanities I." He remained standing, not bothering to put the teacher's table back in the middle.

I leaned, getting interested. That's got to be about humans! I mean, if I can't shift then humans has got to be my kind! I have never seen one but I guess they look a lot like us! I only heard stories about them from the adult males, they said they're weakling and small and frail, I mean... that's so me.

"I'll tell you two of the most important things you need to know about humans."

I think I'm about to burst with excitement.

"First, you don't eat them. And second, you don't eat in front of them. If you see one, run. You don't wanna deal with that lot," he started looking at the door, like he want to run himself.

"But I heard humans look a lot like us, how'd we know they're humans?" A question from Linus.

Sir Maslow looked like he hadn't even thought of that. "I don't know. Just shift and if they start screaming or pulling weapons out, they're humans." 

"But we're not supposed to show ourselves to humans!"

Our teacher shrugged. "Nah. Those humans will pro'ly think they eat a worm or they'd gone crazy. Anyway, dismissed." And he briskly went out the door.

"That's it?" I muttered. "But I want to know a lot more!"

Linus gave me a look of approval. "You can save your questions next class, or you can hit the library. Just let me know, I'd be happy to go with you." And he picked his books and went out. We were told we had an hour of free time before lunch.

"Is he interested in you?" Diana asked with furrowed brows.

I gathered my books and laughed. "Of course not! He's only interested because he thinks I have an inquisitive mind like him."

"Guess it won't hurt to visit the library."

"Maybe next time, I plan to go exploring." We started going out the door. I am only too aware of the stares I'm earning from my classmates, some of them even go as far as giving me friendly smiles. I smiled back, feeling giddy that I'm going to make lots of friends in this school.

"Without me?" Diana asked in surprise.

"Oh uhm, we can explore together next time!"

"I guess that could work. I also have to go see my sister."

I brightened. "See you at lunch?"

She grinned back at me. "I'll save you a seat."

I quickly deposited my things back to our quarters before happily going down the stairs. I smiled and greeted everyone who smiled and greeted me. I heard whispers like special and mysterious and powerful in one sentence but I didn't let it bother me.

I walked down a well lit hall, reverently touching the stone walls and gaping at the hanging wolf sized paintings. 

Suddenly the wall under my hand caved in. I yelped and my eyes went as round as a full moon when a passage through the walls was revealed. I looked at the hall, no one seems to be watching, then decided to tentatively take a step inside the tunnel.

I almost yelped once again when the wall noiselessly shut, simultaneously torches lit up the tunnel, lighting my way.

"Cool." I didn't know Rainester Academy had secret passages like this. I don't even feel scared. I am just too excited to go exploring on my own!

I briskly walked forward, wondering where this passage is leading. I put on my thinking cap when I reached a point where the tunnel diverged to two paths.

I tilted my head when I heard a faint sound. What is that? It's coming from the left path. I only hesitated for a second before following the weird noise.

Some time ago I heard a saying that goes something like 'Curiosity kills the cat'. Up until that moment, I didn't realize how much of a cat I am.