Chapter 1: Werewolves

Auriana’s pov

“Wakey wakey,” Mom shouted in my sleep

I groaned on my bed “ just a minute mom”

“ We don't have time Auriana, we need to prepare you before leaving for college,” she snapped.

I knew what mom meant by

“preparations”. I had been nurtured with the idea that werewolves existed – at least before their extinction.

My parents had always given me the silliest things to carry around saying it will protect me from them.

According to society, werewolves no longer existed due to a great war between humans and werewolves that led to their extinction 20 years ago.

Despite that, my parents still believed that they would come back and we needed to be ready for them.

Werewolves were savage beasts that hunted and killed humans for food or simply blood lust. They were cursed beings who gave on to their primal urges and the greatest enemy of mankind.

My parents had kept me hidden from the world saying it was to protect me. “ From what” I always ask. werewolves were gone and today was the day I got to go to college.

I was so thrilled since I had been home schooled and it would be my first experience of a day school.

I was like a bird that was finally freed from its cage. Though I had no idea of what awaited me in the sky.

I hurriedly got ready as I went downstairs.

“All set?” My father's voice echoed down the hall.

“I'm ready, dad,”  I chuckled as I headed towards him.

We had breakfast and it was finally time to go.

Mom gave me a warm hug sliding something into my hand “never separate yourself from it,” she whispered and I nodded.

We all went to the bus stop when suddenly, I heard a voice from afar

 “hey! Are you leaving without me, how bad of you.”

It was Liam, my childhood friend. He ran towards me looking disheveled. “ My God! did you run a marathon or something,” I mocked.

He adjusted himself, swiping his hair at the back and God he looked good.

Liam was strikingly charming. With his dark brown hair and bright green eyes, he exhuded an aura that was welcoming and... Warm.

“ So, are you ready to go?” He asked.

 “Bet I am,” I smiled.

The bus finally arrived and I bid my parents goodbye. Of course they never wanted to let go as I peeled off away from our hug.

I got into the bus with Liam and the journey was a rollercoaster.

I was going to Greystone Academy. A boarding college that had existed for over decades. It offered the best education and was said to be the safest place for students.

I looked at Liam and smiled internally. I was happy he was coming along. Liam was my best friend since childhood. We shared almost everything when we were kids.

He visited me everyday to tell me about the life of a day school and I finally got to experience it with him.

I had a crush on him which was no secret to my mum but he always treated me like his little sister so I bottled in my feelings.

I made a promise to make my feelings known to him when we got to college and it was time.

I slept throughout the journey and was woken up by the screeching sound of the bus. We had arrived.

We alighted and descended towards the school. 

It was impressive! The buildings were massive with ancient statues around the campus. Leaving one with the impression that it held so many secrets.

We headed straight to the dorms where we were assigned to our rooms. I got a single room while Liam was paired.

Arriving at my dorm, I clicked the door open, taking a glance at my new home.The room was cozy with everything neatly kept.

I entered, taking note of the refreshing  lemon scent.

I placed my things on the bed. Taking in a deep breath, I dipped my hand into my pocket and brought out what mom had given to me.

It was a heart- shaped pendant which made me wonder what it contained because knowing my parents, this wasn't ordinary.

Putting it on my neck, I quickly changed and headed to the campus for our orientation.

Entering the hall, I noticed many students already seated. This was a first for me and I was a bit nervous but I kept my composure.

I noticed Liam waving towards me and I hurriedly went to him. He had saved my seat and these little actions always make my heart flutter.

“ So how is your room?” He asked.

“It's perfect,” I smiled, taking the seat next to him.

The room was filled with students banter and chats until a lady walked in.

She was dressed in a satin skirt and a blouse. Her hair was tied into a bun and her glasses highlighted her strict features.

There was utter silence when she entered as though her presence was enough of a signal to shut up.

“ Greetings to all students of Greystone and our freshmen,” she said sternly “I am miss Diane.” She continued. “As you know it is a new year and I expect the best behaviour from everyone.”

“As we all know the werewolves were defeated 30 years ago on the grounds of this prestigious establishment. We will continue to honour our ancestors legacy by maintaining a….”

    SLAM…

The door flung open and then..he came in.

He had striking silver hair, not faded but vibrant like moonlight woven onto silk. He naturally drew attention from the crowd not because he wanted to.

He looked at me and for a moment, my heart stopped. He had a pair of storm blue eyes with defined cheekbones. He stared at me a bit  too long like he was staring deep into my soul and my breath caught. He moved with a confidence that didn't seek attention but commanded it.

Suddenly I heard Whispers” was he older than he looked?” One said “Or was his hair dyed?”.

He revealed nothing but a smile as if he held a secret that eluded everyone else.

“ Snap out of it,” Liam yanked me. “Looks like you've been caught in a daze.”

“What.. I wasn't looking” I lied.

“We all were, so there's nothing to deny,” he insisted.

“Well, I wasn't so stop nagging me," I pouted and the silver haired guy walked past me.

I could smell his cologne from where I was seated. I shook my head and focused on what was being said ahead.

The orientation was over but they were still whispers about the “boy with silver hair”.

“ I'm hungry, let's go eat something,” Liam suggested and I nodded.

We went to the school canteen and both ordered. I had some fries while Liam had a burger.

Across the table someone waved at us. He was a pale boy with curly ginger hair and a black hoodie.

“Do you know who that guy is?” I asked as I stared at him.

 “Oh! that's my roommate. You don't mind if he sits with us?” Liam asked.

“No I don't.” I shook my head.

The boy introduced himself as Ethan. He spoke very little and I couldn't help but compare him with Liam who was an outspoken person.

“So, what will you major in?” Ethan asked as he took a seat across from me.

“I intend to study medicine,” I calmly said.

“ Wow that's cool, what about you Liam?”

“ I will major in acting and you?” Liam asked.

“Well..” Ethan paused “ I intend to study Anthropology. I want to understand how society interprets werewolves legends.”

“ Well, there isn't much to learn about those beasts since they no longer exist,” Liam reasoned and I nodded in agreement.

Werewolves had long disappeared from the surface of the earth and it was a good thing. They were more like myths now so I don't get why Ethan was interested in them.

“ We were told that werewolves were savage beasts that fed on human flesh but what if there was more to that race that we don't know. Aren't you intrigued?” Ethan asked, puzzled.

“ Well if society says they're just beasts then we should listen to them. I don't think it's a good idea to go prpying into them,” Liam snapped.

The conversation kept on till we all headed to our dorms. It was already 7pm when I entered my room.

I took a cold shower and returned to my study desk. I took a look at the pendant my mum gave me for a few minutes with the cold breeze hitting me from the window.

Standing up to close, I was jolted back when I noticed a shadow figure across the window.