[Valerie]We remained silent for a while. “Let’s go back. We are leaving soon,” Elias said, and it was then I realised that we had stopped. I nodded without looking at him. Even though I wanted to tell him about the dream/vision, I couldn’t. The words were at the tip of my tongue, but they won’t escape my lips. I balled my hands into fists at the thought that maybe… maybe I might have to tone down the power outburst. Even if I might not be able to manifest much during the actual Challenge. “Valerie.” I let out a surprised squeak and gazed at my mentor, who stared back amusedly before fishing out something from his trench coat pocket. It was a small bottle of the size of my palm, filled with a greenish liquid inside. “What is this?” I did not hide my repulsive reaction. He held it up and said, “It’s for an emergency. I made this potion. Take one sip if or after any other episode happens?” “You mean, if I go bonkers with the powers again, I should take a sip from it immediately? Wh

[Valerie] I should be proud of myself about how I managed to reach my room without stumbling or making a fool out of myself. I should be patting my back for not keeling over with the sharp pain in my chest. I felt nauseous and dizzy. However, once I closed the door behind me , I slid to the floor, rubbing my chest to ease the pain. It was then that I let my tears fall relentlessly. The last shred of my courage slinked away. I felt weak and broken all of a sudden. More broken than I had felt when dad forbade me from coming here. For some reason, I felt more hurt than I did when I realised Kenneth and Sara were mates. More disappointed than the night when I discovered that I did not and will not meet my wolf. I felt the pain twice more than I do when I see Viola being praised for her ability and I am just given pitiful looks. I brought my knees close to my chest, hugged them close with my arms and buried my head in the hollow, sobbing my heart out. It shouldn’t hurt, rejection should

[Valerie] I woke up to my phone blaring obnoxiously somewhere close to my ear. Groaning and extremely annoyed, I groped for the device without opening my eyes. I had a fitful sleep anyway and it was too early, judging by the fact that the four consecutive alarms I set last evening hadn't desensitised my eardrums yet. I regretted keeping the gadget near my hearing vicinity. By the time I could actually locate my phone, the ringing had stopped. My fingers loosened their hold, and I buried my face further into the pillow. Anytime now, I would have to get up and face the day for which I was not fucking ready. The ringing started again, waking me once more from my drowsy state. Bleary-eyed, I lifted the device and saw Xyan’s name flash on the screen. “What?” I groused in lieu of a greeting. “So you woke up and chose violence?” “And you chose to be an ass, as usual,” I snarked. He should be happy I did not greet him by cursing. “It takes one to know one,” he quipped. “Why did yo

[Valerie] I exhaled shakily as I sat in the room where the first-round winners were being taken. We were given refreshments and another token pouch. I gripped the pouch tightly while racking my brain for a reason behind my eyes going red. Viola wouldn’t bother telling me this if it hadn’t been important. Did someone else notice? Did…did mom or Elias notice? I gulped, feeling short of breath. “Miss. Ravenwood, are you alright?” I gazed up and answered with a strained smile. The woman who was in charge of refreshments, nodded curtly before moving on with her task. Why did I feel so…happy and revelled in Zachary’s loss? Why did the triumph curl around my heart like a vine and cease it, removing any kind of remorse? “Feeling nervous?” a guy, Terence, I guess his name is, asked. He was sitting on my left, tapping his left foot impatiently. I nodded, not knowing what else to say. “Me too. I mean the first round was…” he shook his head, blowing out a breath through his mouth. I could

[Valerie] I looked down and almost yelped which came out as a yip as I stared at my white furry feet. What…wait…did I just get my wolf? “I was planning to wait but…” the same voice echoed in my mind. “What was all the secrecy for?” I asked, unimpressed. “What is your name, by the way?” I added. She…my wolf replied, “You will know why I tried to delay my arrival, and you can name me anything.” “Ruelle,” I said, without hesitation. “Ruelle,” she echoed. “I think I like that.” And with that she began trotting towards the nearby lake, leaving my parents and Elias rooted to their places. Why did they look as if it was something impossible? And did I see dad bowing his head at the beginning?“Why are they so shocked? Is it because I transformed into a wolf so late?” I asked, confused. Ruelle remained silent. I was about to ask her again when we halted in front of the lake. The crystal clear water reflected my reflection. I peered at the image. A white wolf with eyes as red as rubies.