Chapter 2

Aurora

"Aura." She calls my name with a mix of concern and surprise, masking her real emotions because of the other people around, but I understand the meaning hidden under her gentle tone clearly.

"Where were you? I was looki--OH." Her face breaks into a huge smile when she notices the three heartthrobs standing around me. "She was with you guys!?" She exclaims, getting closer.

"Hey, Stella." Issac greets her, and I realise that they all know each other. Of course they would, since Stella is also the Alpha's daughter. Someone in league with them.

"Hey, Isaac." She hugs him, and then proceeds to greet the other two as well. "I wasn't expecting to see you three so soon. I thought I would get to see you directly on the stage." She comments, and my thoughts drift to the word stage.

"Why would you say so?" Mateo questions, taking a sip of his beer.

"Oh, you know why." Stella places a hand on his arm. "You are always too crowded to talk, and then the cultural showcase would be the only place where I could see you three with no crowd around." She jokes, laughing merrily, the kind boys go crazy over.

But she is somewhat right. The welcome party will follow a cultural showcase which is going to start soon. In this, every pack will put up a performance unique to their packs. We have one too.

"What are you guys going to present? I heard you will perform together." Sadie inquires with swoony eyes, urging me to roll my eyes at her cringe appearance.

Sighing internally, I give the remaining drinks to Riley and Willow, and then put the tray down on an empty table.

"We are going to present a combat performance," Issac answers, smoothly indulging the girls.

He is the one who does the most talking in the trio, and is charming with his words, while Mateo is blunt, loves to mess with people, and tease them, and Dylan is just cold.

Still, people love them all equally because of the variety they bring to the table. Funny. I know.

"Then, are you going to shift?" Riley asks eagerly.

"Yes," Dylan grunts, confirming their doubts.

She bites her lip with excitement written all over her face.

Oh yes, it's going to be one hell of a show with them stripping their shirts and then transforming into the massive giants for wolves.

"But, Stella, who is she?" Mateo questions, staring at me.

I grow alert when he asks about me. I hate sudden attention like this.

Stella smiles. "She is Aurora, my sister."

I swallow when all three of their eyes watch me.

"Why did we never see her before?" Dylan asks, pinning me with his cold, bottomless black eyes.

It's scary... his interrogating eyes raking all over my body are scary.

"It's because Aura is shy. She rarely leaves the pack." Stella tucks her hair behind her ear, trying to appeal to the boys.

It's the lie she always tells others whenever they ask about me. The truth is, our dad, Alpha Grayson, never allowed me to accompany her to other packs. For that, he always sent warrior wolves with her, so I wasn't needed, but the academy is different.

"It doesn't look like that though." Mateo murmurs, looking at me intently, sending a shiver down my spine.

Stella leans in a little to hear him clearly, but Issac cuts in. "So, your name is Aurora. It's a beautiful name." He says sweetly, but I know it's fake.

I don't want to say anything, but I should at least say thank you to not make the situation awkward. Thinking this, I open my mouth, but I get to say nothing because of the pale-yellow beer dripping down the front of my dress, soaking my chest and waist.

I gasp and look at my soaked dress.

"I am so sorry!" Willow cries. "My hand slipped because I was trying to take out my phone from my purse." She says, biting her nail, and looking at me apologetically.

"I-It's alright. I will wipe it off." I mutter, my thoughts spiralling into a mess before I look up and come across a smirking Sadie and smiling Stella.

Stella's brows furrow as soon as I see her, and she steps forward, pretending to be a worried sister. "Oh gosh, your dress is all ruined. I am so sorry for Willow's slip, Aura." She holds my arm tightly, pretending to examine my dress.

"It's fine. It was a mistake." I utter with difficulty.

Stella tightens her grip on my arms. "I didn't expect you to act like a whore and seduce the boys, Aura." She whispers, causing dread to pool in my stomach.

She is pissed off when she talks like this. "Now, be a good girl and get the fuck out of here." She snaps harshly, stepping back and slipping into her sweet character. "I feel so bad. Let me take you to the restroom." She offers, but I must reject.

I shake my head and clench the hem of my dress. "No, it's just a small stain. I will handle it myself. You guys, please enjoy the party." I say through a tight smile.

Tears are threatening to prick my eyes because the feeling of going through this stunt pulled by these girls is the worst.

"Really, sis?" Stella holds my hand worriedly, and I nod.

I step back, withdrawing my hand from her hold. "Yes, I wouldn't want to hold you up because of this little mistake. Go on. I will be back." Saying so, I turn around and start walking towards the less noisy and less bright corridor that leads to the restroom.

The moment I step into the corridor, I hear the seniors announce the start of the cultural showcase.

"We welcome the freshmen of MoonVeil Academy. Seeing you all enjoy, we decided to increase your enjoyment tenfold with the beginning of the cultural showcase!"

I can still hear the loud applause echoing down this empty corridor with the damp front of my dress.

"And what would be better than starting it off with the remarkable trio of our Academy? Please welcome Mateo Cruz, Dylan Cole, and Issac Laurent on the stage." The female Senior hollers into the mic before I open the door of the restroom.

The noise finally dies down once I am inside. I stare in the mirror and take in my appearance.

The lining of my bra is visible, and I look terrible because of these ugly glasses, fake freckles, and this garbage dress.

I know why Stella did this. She has a crush on the predatory trio and can't tolerate anyone else having their attention, especially me, but this is too much.

I know it was deliberate. They want me to miss their performance and get out of their hair, but to humiliate me like this is too much.

Angry tears burn my eyes, but I wipe them off harshly. Just then, my phone pings with a message. I glance at the vibrating small thing on the counter and pick it up.

Just as I slide open my screen, another notification causes it to vibrate again.