Anticipation

"Isn't it good to be back?" Matt asked with a broad grin, his arms spread out.

Mason rolled his eyes but he couldn't stop himself from smiling. Matt was annoying most of the time but his positivity was really infectious and he was right. It was definitely very good to be back.

Mason had missed Star Academy more than he'd thought he would - he was also feeling surprisingly nostalgic about it. Probably because this would be their last year here and after that, they'd be taking over the pack at some point. Mason was eager to make the most of the time they had left before the weight of the world was on his shoulders.

He also had a feeling he couldn't describe, it had both him and his wolf restless. He was on high alert for something to go down - he just wasn't sure what he was expecting.

"Look! It's Giulia," Matt swooned as he nodded his head towards their group of friends. They were sitting under a tree and sipping from red, plastic cups.

Giulia was easily recognizable because it was jet black, except the front part, which was a shocking blond. She wasn't really Mason's type but he'd be lying if he said she wasn't gorgeous. She was the daughter of some Italian Alpha and Matt had been crushing on her from the moment he'd seen her.

"Are you going to actually speak to her this year?" Mason asked with a smirk, dodging Matt's fist quickly.

"Are you going to be a jerk all year?" Matt retorted with a wry grin.

"Probably," Mason answered with a shrug as he looked around to see who else was in the quad.

It was something of a tradition that most people hung out on the quad on our first day back. Everyone was pretty focused on unpacking and catching up with their friends from other packs.

The Quad was essentially a large, grassy common with a few large trees scattered about. It was divided into four different quadrants by white, cobbled paths. The classroom buildings flanked the Quad on two sides and in between was a large staircase that would take you down to the dorms, residences and dining options. The final view from the Quad was of the large, wrought iron gates and the parking lot that was teeming with foreign cars.

Star Academy was within a walled perimeter deep in the middle of nowhere. We were well hidden in the forest and you had to know how to get here to have any chance of finding it. Mason was also fairly sure some witches had helped to secure the perimeter with boundary spells.

After all, the next generation of pack leaders lived here for most of the year. 

As expected, the Quad was full of people and the sound of music and chatter. Mason wouldn't be surprised if a party had started by the time it was nightfall. This would be the students' last chance to really unwind before the semester really started.

"Anyone catching your eye?" Matt asked as he sidled up to Mason and threw his arm around his shoulders.

"Nope," Mason said shortly as he nodded towards the group. "Let's go and see everybody."

"How do I look?" Matt asked him worriedly. "Is my hair okay?"

"You look gorgeous babe," Mason replied in a mocking tone.

Matt laughed and pinched his brother's shoulder as they stepped off of the path and onto the grass. Mason just nodded at the different people Matt was calling out greetings to along the way - he'd always been the more social of the two. 

They both liked it that way. 

Mason didn't see the point in talking if he didn't have to. Some people definitely found it rude but he didn't really care. He was here to prepare for his role as Alpha, not to make friends - making connections that could later be alliances were more his speed.

"Be nice,"  Matt muttered to his twin right before they reached their group.

A cheer went around the group as the brothers got there and Mason had to admit that he had actually missed some of them. For a few minutes, he and Matt were just working around the group, shaking hands and giving hugs.

Mason snickered internally when he noticed the tips of Matt's ears go red when Giulia hugged and smiled at him. Matt glared at his brother slightly when he turned around, obviously aware of Mason's amusement.

"Do you guys want a drink?" Zane asked as he waved an empty cup with a smile.

"What kind of drink?" Mason asked with a knowing smile.

"A little special lemonade," Zane laughed as he handed the two newcomers full cups.

Mason laughed and accepted the cup, smelling alcohol faintly when he sniffed it. He shot Zane an impressed look as he took a sip of his drink.

"How did you get this past Weatherly?" Mason inquired, referring to the headmistress.

Headmistress Weatherly was known for being very strict. You did not want to get on her bad side - her punishments were legendary. The rumors were that she'd even been here when  Mason's Mom and Dad had attended the academy. She was a legend and a very big part of the school.

"She's a little preoccupied with all the new students," Zane explained with a smirk. "And I think she's giving us a little leeway before the real work begins."

"Here's to Weatherly then!" Matt laughed as he raised his cup in a toast.

The group laughed and clinked their cups together before settling into their own conversations - except Mason. He found an empty spot on the round bench surrounding the tree and sat down, leaning against the bark and crossing his legs. He sipped on his drink as he surveyed the scene quietly.

Judging by the different little groups, he wouldn't be surprised if everyone else was also having 'special drinks'. A white head of hair moving fast in the distance caught his eye and he followed it for a minute before she broke through the crowd - Headmistress Weatherly.

There was no way she didn't smell what the students were drinking but she seemed to be on another mission entirely. Mason watched with interest as she strode to the front gate where he finally noticed someone was standing.

He couldn't believe that he hadn't noticed her before now. Her bright red hair was hard to miss, especially with how curly it was , even from this distance. The mystery girl looked quite short and she had a few bags sitting on the ground next to her.

Mason furrowed his brow as he wondered who she was. He hadn't seen her around before - which meant she was new. But people didn't typically just appear at the gates, especially alone with no car.

He was surprised that he felt an urge to go down there and see her up close. He had to remind himself that he would see her when she walked past to make it to the dorms. He watched intently as Weatherly greeted her at the gate and let her in.

His eyes were glued to the scene and he just knew that the something he'd been waiting for was her.