004: Eye Contact

Lilieth

In the morning, I'm so nervous as we ride the carriage to Noctem Lunae that I forget about the incident that occurred last night.

Mom is sitting next to me, holding the reins to the single horse pulling the carriage. My belongings are in the single wooden trunk we own, and I have a bitter taste in my mouth.

There's this pain in my chest that won't subside no matter how hard I try to convince myself that this is for the best. I'll miss home, I realize, and I'm not entirely sure I'll be able to handle the academy as well as I would like. As an Omega, I've lived surrounded by my kind my whole life.

There, I'll be the only Omega.

Some Omegas have experience handling the other ranks, as they work for them directly. I don't.

If it's anything like I experienced last night, it'll be more complicated than I thought.

Mom and I haven't said a single word to each other. I guess it's safe to say that we're both overwhelmed. To make matters worse, the two hours went by too quickly, and now, we're at the gates of the academy and my heart's threatening to beat out of my chest.

"Here we are," she says.

"Here I am," I echo.

We both get out of the carriage. I'd have to walk uphill to get to the top, and there's no way the carriage will make it, so I'll have to walk. My mother helps me get the trunk out, then asks me, "Will you need help taking it?"

"No, I'll manage," I assure her.

Afterward, we stand facing each other for the longest time. I want to cry, I realize. I'm feeling highly emotional right now.

"My girl," she says softly. "I'm so proud of you. Have I mentioned that before?"

"You have," I smile before hugging her. I inhale her scent, drawing it deeply into my lungs. Tears prick my eyes and I let them fall down my face. I allow myself this one moment of weakness before I'll have to face Noctem Lunae all by myself. "I'll miss you. I'll miss all of you."

"Don't," she says fiercely before rubbing my back. "That'll only weaken you. It's time to be strong. I know what it's like to be among those people, Lilieth. They're cruel and will use all your insecurities against you."

I nod before wiping my tears. I approach the gate with my trunk, where a guard opens it for me, and my mother gets back on the carriage.

More tears are coming, but I fight to remain in control of my emotions, and watch her turn the carriage around just as the guard opens the gate for me.

She doesn't look back. Doesn't say goodbye.

"Your purpose here," the guard asks. No introduction. No greeting. Nothing.

Without a word, I present him with my acceptance letter. He reads through it quickly before eyeing me over the edge of the page.

"You got accepted into Noctem Lunae?" he asks, his voice saturated with doubt.

"That's what the letter says, isn't it?"

He gives me a look before opening the gate further. He reaches for the trunk, perhaps to help me carry it up the hill, but I tell him not to touch it. I'll carry it myself.

I rip the letter from his hand and start making my way up the hill. It doesn't take long for my arms and legs to start burning, and to make matters worse, the sun is beating down on my head and seems hotter up here.

I'm sweating like a horse by the time I make it to the top. I see the administration building right away, and carry my trunk right to the door, where I drop it on the ground just outside.

I enter the cool building, trying to wipe the perspiration off my forehead with the sleeve of my dress. I've decided to wear it because it's the best one I have, a deep blue color with a ribbon around my waist and puffy long sleeves. I feel like someone else whenever I wear it, but I doubt it'll make any impression here.

The woman behind the desk is dressed in an elegant golden dress. Just how rich is everyone?

"Yes?" she says as I approach, looking at me up and down like she isn't impressed.

I approach the front desk and present my letter before I say, "I was sent this."

She briefly reads the letter, then nods. "Ah, yes. You must be Lilieth Grimwylde."

She knows my name. This is real and not a mistake like I thought it would be. She purses her lips and goes through a file before handing me the letter back. I fold it and tuck it in the pocket of my dress. She writes something down, then without looking at me, says, "You should be in the hall by now. There's a meeting concerning the quarter and what to expect."

"Where can I find it?"

She coldly directs me to the place, and says, "Leave your trunk here. I'll arrange for someone to take it to your room. Come here after the meeting so I can give you my keys."

"Thank you," I say just as she turns her back to me and disappears inside the building. I take a deep, invigorating breath and head to the hall. I find it fairly easily because the doors are engraved and golden, just as she described when she gave me directions. They're closed, though, and I feel a surge of anxiety at having to open it when the meeting is in session. 

"You got this," I say encouragingly before grabbing the smooth golden handle and pushing the heavy door as softly as I can so as to not disrupt any of the proceedings. Red velvet curtains are hanging from the windows, and the floor is the shiniest black marble I've ever seen. This kind of luxury is something I've never even dreamt of. 

"Wow," I gasp, looking around, so entranced by the details that I momentarily forget where I am until someone clears their throat next to me. 

My head snaps in the man's direction. His hair is a bright red color, and he's staring at me curiously. He's too old to be a student; I think he might be an instructor. 

"You're late," he remarks in a low voice.

"I'm sorry."

"Stand by me. The Alpha is about to make a speech."

I move to stand by his side. Before me, seated on plush upholstered chairs, are the rest of the students. I can't see their faces, only the back of their heads. All the girls are dressed elegantly though, in frilly dresses and satins and silks. 

My dress compared to theirs is a rag. 

I swallow the discomfort in my throat, and it's announced that Alpha Cadeon will get on stage shortly and that his pack is the one hosting the event this year. Everyone claps, and I even hear whistles. Then, he's climbing up the stairs to reach the podium—the man who's allegedly Alpha Cadeon—and my eyes bulge when I realize who he is. 

No, it can't be. 

The man from last night? The one who called me a drunken whore?

"Thank you," he says into the mic while looking around simultaneously. "Thank you all for being here. It's my pleasure to be hosting the event this year in hopes to..."

He trails off, silence following his statement. But it's not because he lost his train of thought or something. No. 

It's because he's staring directly at me.