Chapter 002 — The Alpha Comes Knocking

Ariana POV 

"This is a joke, right?" I heard someone whispered from the back of the crowd, but I didn't even turn to see who it was.

“Three Alphas for one Ice Queen? Is the Moon Goddess confused?" another voice hissed.

The murmurs started small but in no time, escalated. Until professor Marcus cut through the noise.

“Silence!” 

He stepped forward,his long robe sweeping the floor, he looked at the four of us. Myself and the Alpha's before clearing his throat.

“The moon goddess does not make mistakes, but we have an entrance assessment to finish. Everyone, return to your positions! Now!” He boomed.

I watched as the students scrambled to wherever it is they were going. 

I turned to look at the three Alpha's, Cassian scoff before walking away, Eryx on the other hand turned his back. While Kaelen gave me a cold look before walking away, leaving me there standing like some piece of rejected property.

I sighed, realizing I have a bigger problem. I don't know my way to my room, even though I wrote about Avalon Academy and described the frost Tower, seeing the winding stone paths and the massive, enchanted trees in real life was entirely different.

Everything was too big and real.

I wandered aimlessly for a few minutes, trying to act like I  knew where I  was going so people wouldn't think that the almighty the Ice Queen had finally lost her mind. 

The students in passed stepped out of the wayx avoiding me. I really feel like screaming,I am Ariana,not your stupid Seraphina, but that would make me appear more crazy, right?

"Mistress Seraphina!” A voice called and I turned slowly.

Running towards me was a girl that looked like she was dressed by a whirlwind itself.

This must be Luna. Seraphina’s personal maid, but she looked nothing like the  elegant servants that I had  imagined.

 Luna was short, slightly round, and her dressing was a complete disaster. She woew a maid’s uniform that was clearly two sizes too big, held together by a bright orange belt that didn't match anything. 

Her headscarf was tied so high that it looked like a small skyscraper on her head, and she was wearing one yellow sock and one white one inside her oversized boots.

“Mistress Seraphina! Thank the Moon Goddess I found you! I knew you'd be here. The cook said I worry too much, but I told her, 'When it comes to my mistress, there is no such thing as worrying too much.' See? I was right! The evening air is getting colder, and if you catch a chill, everyone will blame me.”

I blinked at her…

“why are you standing here? The Frost Tower is that way! If we don't move now, the delicacies I made will become as cold as the heart of the wicked witch!" She said and laugh at her weird jokes.

She didn't even wait for my response, she grabbed my hand and started pulling me along, her mouth still moving at a hundred miles per hour.

"And the news! The whole school is saying you have been picked by the Moon Goddess for the three Alphas! But I think that's a good thing because why take one Alpha when you can take three? It's like ordering one dessert and getting the whole bakery!” She winked at me and I shooky head.

“ Though people are saying it’s a curse, but what do they know? They are just jealous because their own mates are probably common wolves who can’t even howl in a straight line…" she continued.

I couldn't even get a word out of what she was saying, I  just followed her, my head spinning from her non-stop talking.

As we walked through the halls and got closer to the frost Tower, the atmosphere grew more quiet. The students and servants we passed froze in place, bowing their head.

Is this how everyone sees Seraphina? 

Because this isn't respect, this is fear.

This wasn't the time to panic. Observe first. Adapt second. Survive. My father didn't build the Blackwood empire by losing his head under pressure, and neither would I.

Finally, we reached the Frost Tower. It was a magnificent structure made of white marble that seemed to glow with a faint blue light.

 Inside, Seraphina’s room was the definition of luxury. There were silk curtains, a bed that looked

like it was made of clouds, and mirrors that were framed in pure silver.

I sat on the edge of the bed, my mind racing with lots of questions.

"Mistress, you look like you have seen a ghost," Luna said, finally pausing her speech as she set a tray of steaming food on the table.

“Eat first. This is rosemary roasted venison with garlic mashed potatoes and fresh buttered asparagus”

I glanced at the meal. The presentation was flawless. The roasted venison was perfectly sliced, the mashed potatoes were smooth as silk, and even the vegetables looked carefully arranged. I'd eaten meals prepared by Michelin-star chefs at my family's galas, yet this looked just as exquisite.

“I reminded the kitchen staff that nothing but the best should be served to you. They were so nervous they checked the venison three different times before bringing it out."

 "But Mistress… is it true about the bond?” 

I looked at Luna,this is the first time she actually spoke in one sentence without talking non stop.

Well, i created her this way, now I have to bear the consequences.

"Yes, Luna, it’s true." I replied softly.

Luna gasped, clutching her chest.

 "Dear moon goddess! Three Alphas? One is trouble, two is a headache, but three? That is a full-blown migration! They are the most powerful students in this entire Avalon. Nobody crosses their part and goes Scot free. And now they are your mates?”

I looked at the food and then at Luna. 

"Thank you, Luna. For the food and for finding me." I said without thinking.

Luna’s mouth dropped open. The silver tray in her hand wobbled as she looked at me  as if I had suddenly grown a second head.

“Mistress..." Luna blinked twice. "Did... did you just thank me?"

"I said… thank you?" I repeated, realizing too late that I've stepped out of character.

I wonder how long I can keep up with this lie.

"Thank you?" Luna shrieked.

“You thanked me? Mistress... are you feeling alright? Did you hit your head in the courtyard? Should I call the royal healer?Something is definitely different."

"Luna, calm down!" I said, waving my hands.

 "I’m just… I’m just tired. It’s been a long day ok?”.I dropped.

I bit my lower lip, I just have to be careful because if this talkative maid like Luna noticed the change, it wouldn't be long before the whole school knew the Ice Queen isn't who she claimed.

"I am just overwhelmed, Luna. Three mates at once is enough to change anyone," I lied, trying to sound a bit more firm. 

"Now, leave me. I need to eat and think."

Luna nodded quickly, though she still looked suspicious. 

"Yes, Mistress. Anything you say.” She said and walked away.

Luna backed out of the room, muttering some incoherent stuffs to herself.

Left alone, I  sighed and picked up the silver fork and took a bite. The flavors melted perfectly on my tongue. I was used to extravagant meals prepared by world-class chefs back home, but this... this was exceptional. Whoever cooked this deserved every compliment they could get.

But as I took a bite, the weight of my situation returned. I was trapped in a body that everyone hated, mated to three men who loathed me, and I  had no idea how to get back home.

Think, Ariana. Panicking has never solved anything. You wrote this world. There has to be a way out."

 If I follow the plot of my novel, I’ll die, and if I change the plot, who knows what will happen?

I had just finished eating and was about standing up when I heard it.

A knock on the door.

Luna's face popped back into the room.

"Mistress, I'll go check" she said and walked towards the door.

She opened the door and stood frozen at a spot, I was still at the dinning,so I really couldn't figure out who it was.

“Who?” I questioned.

“Alpha Kaelen?” Luna's said, more like a question.

She wasn't replying to me, she was rather shocked to see the lycan King at our doorstep.

Luna stumbled backwards as Kaelen entered the house, looking around.

My eyes widened in shock.

What is he doing here?