I got up a few minutes after the alarm went off. I put on my loose, dull uniform, all gray, with a full moon printed on the shirt and the school's name written inside the moon in Gothic letters. I put on my big glasses, tied my long hair into a messy bun, and left my room for breakfast, once again skipping makeup or any other cosmetics. That was quite an advantage...
“Good morning, Grandma!” I greeted my grandmother, Nilza, as she placed freshly baked rolls on the table. The aroma was simply irresistible, making my mouth water. I grabbed one and started nibbling on it.
“Good morning, dear!” She smiled tenderly and sat beside me.
I remember the day my mother called my grandmother, asking if I could stay with her. Without questioning the reasons why I had decided to come here instead of staying with my parents, she welcomed me with open arms. She used to call me almost every day, asking when I would come.
“Such negligence! You won’t get a boyfriend that way!” my aunt Angelina complained as she approached, carrying a jar of homemade red fruit jam. She gave me the same disapproving look as on my first day here. It was odd that someone who had chosen celibacy was so concerned about her niece’s love life.
“That’s exactly the goal. I thought you’d understand.”
“Eliza...” She sighed deeply before starting yet another lecture. I was so tired of them lately. “I'm not single by choice; I just haven't found my mate yet.”
Maybe you never will... I thought to myself. I remained silent, waiting for what would come next, but she said nothing else.
“Well, maybe I won’t find mine either,” I commented as I got up from the table. I really hoped I wouldn’t have to worry about that kind of thing for a long time. I kissed my grandmother on the cheek and grabbed my backpack.
Since the school wasn’t far from my grandmother’s house, I walked there and back every day. It was a great way to warm up in the morning. On the way, I found myself thinking about this whole "predestined mate" thing and how inconvenient it could be for someone like me.
Maybe you're like your father and can choose! Lisa told me, trying to comfort my thoughts.
“I sure hope so...” I sighed, looking at the classroom door.
I was one of the first to enter. I put on my headphones and selected a song on my phone to listen to while waiting for class to start. Even though the cell signal was strong, the internet in town was terrible. The music kept cutting out every few seconds, so I ended up putting my headphones away in frustration.
“If you want to listen to music here, you have to d******d your playlist in advance.” A soft female voice sounded beside me. I looked at Annie, surprised that we had yet another class together. Since I had touched her sheet music yesterday, she hadn't spoken to me again.
“Yeah, I noticed,” I replied monotonously, shifting my gaze and slouching over the desk.
“Thanks for yesterday!” she whispered shyly. I straightened up and looked at her more closely.
“No need to thank me. Just try paying more attention in class now.” She nodded and timidly sat behind me. She stuck with me through the next few classes, and I realized our schedules might be identical.
“Have you ever thought about signing up for the music club?” she asked as soon as the lunch bell rang.
“No!” I replied bluntly, heading toward the school cafeteria. Music clubs usually had too many members, which would make me uncomfortable. Annoyingly, Annie didn’t get my hints and started following me.
Looks like you already made a friend. And what happened to trying to stay under the radar? my wolf teased me. I gritted my teeth as I got my food and then sat at the most isolated table in the farthest corner of the cafeteria.
See? Hahahaha, she laughed when she noticed Annie sat across from me and even gestured for someone else to join us. I almost choked when I realized it wasn’t just one person, but an entire group heading toward my table.
The first guy in the group was tall, with brown hair and eyes, and light-medium skin tone. He sat at the table, ran his hands through Annie’s hair affectionately, and said,
“Hey, beautiful!”
“Hi!” Annie replied, her cheeks turning pink and her gaze dreamy. “Liam, this is Eliza, the girl who helped me with my sheet music.”
“Hey, Eliza. I’m Liam, Annie's boyfriend,” he said with a friendly smile while wrapping one arm around his girlfriend's shoulders. The overly sweet scene made me feel nauseous...
Then he pointed to the side, indicating the other three guys who had come with him. The first two sat next to him as they greeted me.
“These are Jonathan, Maxsuel, and Nicolas.”
I nodded politely at them without saying a word. Since there wasn’t enough room for him to sit with his friends, Nicolas, a taller, lean guy with dark skin, short slightly curly black hair, and brown eyes, sat next to me, responding to my silence with his own.
“Don’t mind Nicolas, he’s not in a great mood today. Eliza, you seem to know a lot about music. What do you think about helping the band?” Liam asked me in a more serious tone.
“I don’t know that much,” I replied shortly, focusing on finishing my food so I could leave as soon as possible. “Besides, I already signed up for the archery club.”
“What a coincidence, Nicolas. Looks like the newbie is in the same club as you,” Jonathan said mockingly. “Come on, Liam, waste of time!”
“She can help us with the sheet music,” Annie chimed in, as if trying to convince them that it was a good idea to include me in their group.
“Why don’t you just d******d the sheet music from the internet?” I questioned as I got up from the table.
“The internet around here doesn’t help with our research. If it were that easy, we wouldn’t be asking for help from someone like you. Don’t be arrogant!” Nicolas's deep and powerful voice made me turn around. Unexpectedly, I noticed that people around the cafeteria had started looking at me with disdain. My personal hell in this place was about to begin.
Someone like me? Those words echoed in my head for the rest of the week. What did he mean by that? The worst part was that I still hadn’t realized I had crossed paths with one of the most popular groups of boys at school. How popular was the band for people to start paying attention to me? And in a negative way, no less…During classes, paper balls flew in my direction from time to time over the following days. I had to skip my first meeting at the archery club when I noticed some of the band's fans crowding at the entrance.The following week, things got "better." At least they replaced the silly pranks with more elaborate hazing. Just a few steps from the classroom, I caught a distinct scent of paint in the air, thanks to Lisa's keen sense of smell.As if such childish tricks would have any effect on you! my wolf chuckled internally.I gave a faint smile as I noticed the paint bucket above the slightly open door. I glanced at a group in the hallway, chatting casually as if they had
The night was covered in dense clouds. The sun had yet to rise when I got out of bed and went for a run with my she-wolf, knowing that most of the other clan members would still be asleep at this hour. It was very dark, which forced me to sharpen all my senses—a great training exercise before another boring day of classes with repetitive subjects.I ran swiftly, releasing all my adrenaline while trying to memorize the spots where there were no recent scents of other wolves. It was my first time going out in wolf form since I arrived, and I needed to map out the forested area near my grandmother’s house to know my way around. Now, I would have to resume my solo training to stay in good shape.Alright, Lisa! Time to head back.She was happy, and so was I. Starting tomorrow, we will train together again every day, just like we used to before we got here. We had a deep bond, but above all, I had earned Lisa’s deep respect by showing her that I wouldn’t be a burden but the dominant force.
I avoided the cafeteria for a few days, and to my relief, the girls who had been chasing me stopped bothering me. On top of that, I hadn’t seen my so-called partner again, which forced Lisa to back off, allowing me to focus more on my classes.It was PE class, and after warming up, I took a deep breath, looked up at the cloudy sky, and sat down on the bench. Once again, I was left on the sidelines, not getting into the game. After that, I headed to the archery club for the first time in three weeks, mentally preparing myself to face my classmates.I was disappointed to see that there were more people in the club than I had expected. At Heington, it was one of the least popular clubs, but here, at least a dozen people were gearing up and getting ready to train. I took my time putting on my equipment, letting the others go ahead. No one welcomed me or even acknowledged my presence. Well, maybe that was for the best..."Oh, what a shame! Looks like we’re out of bows!" sneered a skinny bl
For as long as I can remember, my parents signed me up for all sorts of kids' courses—maybe just to keep me busy since they didn’t have much time for me. From an early age, I showed a strong connection to music. By the time I was six, I could play the piano and sing so sweetly that they pulled me out of language classes to have me focus solely on music.A little before that, when I was five, they told me about the clans and my magical heritage. At first, I found it fascinating, but the more I learned about what it meant to be a wolf, the harder reality hit me. By the time I was eight, I had already decided that I wouldn’t let this whole wolf thing define my story. I knew my wolf would be stronger than me and could take over my decisions, so I swore to myself that I would become stronger than her—to have complete control when she finally emerged.I remember relentlessly begging my parents to let me take fighting and self-defense classes until they finally gave in—even though I was just
I had just gotten out of the shower when I received a message from him. The clock read 6:12 PM, and I was supposed to be at the designated address by 7:30. I put on a pair of casual jeans and a white t-shirt, then threw a black jacket over it. Just as I was fixing my hair into a bun, another message came through:Nicolas: Don’t dress like a total nerd. You won’t need it!Eliza: Got it!I let my hair down, ran a brush through my long black locks, and put on some minimal makeup. Ignoring the glasses on the table, I headed downstairs to the kitchen, where I found my grandmother and aunt preparing dinner."I'm heading out," I announced.My aunt was the first to turn around and comment. "Is that really you, Eliza? Fitted clothes, styled hair, and makeup? Are you going out with a boy?""I'm meeting up with a classmate," I admitted. "But it's not what you think.""Eat something before you go," my grandmother said."Thanks, but I'd rather eat when I get back. I don't plan to stay out long. Au
Maxsuel stared at me for a moment, his eyes wide with surprise and his mouth slightly open. His reaction didn’t help my poor heart, already overwhelmed by anxiety.“Eliza? Wow, you look amazing!” he finally exclaimed. I sighed, unsure whether I should feel relieved or not about that kind of comment.“You better not embarrass our guest,” Nicolas shot him a deadly glare before motioning for me to follow him.I took a deep breath and walked after Nicolas. I noticed when he purposely bumped into Maxsuel, who only laughed and started teasing him, as if it were a regular thing between them.“Eliza, what a surprise!” Annie ran up to me and hugged me excitedly. “I almost didn’t recognize you.”“Hey.” Liam greeted, looking equally surprised.“Hello, Eliza!” Jonathan said, leaning on his drum set with a goofy smile. “Are you joining us?”“I’m just here to watch.” I shifted my gaze to Nicolas, waiting for his response. He gave me a calm smile, nodded slightly, then returned to his spot and picke
The sun was rising over the horizon as I ran through the forest, heading back after another intense training session with Lisa. I jumped through my bedroom window and shifted back into my human form. After a quick shower, I opened my closet and immediately felt Lisa grunt when I reached for my usual uniform."Alright!" I muttered in response, grabbing the only set of uniforms I had bought in the right size. I brushed my hair, put on some perfume, and applied light makeup. As I stood up, I grabbed my glasses case and made a final decision—I tossed it into the trash. They had only been a disguise, so I didn’t need them anymore."Looks like someone finally came to their senses," my aunt said when she saw me. She held out a lunchbox, but I turned it down. She had been making them especially for me ever since she found out I was avoiding the school cafeteria."Thanks, Auntie, but I’m going back to eating in the cafeteria. I made some friends." I gave her a gentle smile and grabbed a small
The days started flying by. I began attending some of the band’s rehearsals as a listener and advisor, pointing out mistakes and making suggestions. Nicolas always took my advice, and because of that, even when the others didn’t fully get it, they still went along with it.Even though I had gotten closer to the group, I was still left out of sports activities. Even when I was put on a team, they avoided passing me the ball—not that I cared. Chasing after it was the last thing I wanted to do.The first week of exams had passed, making way for the dreaded group projects. No one besides Annie wanted to team up with me, which was fine—it just meant less work for me!"You’re so smart!" Annie exclaimed, watching in amazement as I quickly researched and typed up our project on the computer."Almost done!" I said as I started working on the conclusion."But it’s not due until next week!""More free time for us!" I grinned at the thought of spending fewer hours at school over the next few days
We started the hike right after I checked the items Annie brought. I wanted to put some distance between us before the sun set. After nightfall, the latest time for the wolf’s awakening would be during the peak of the full moon in the sky."Where are we going?""Putting some distance so we can strip down without worrying about being seen," I replied briefly. I was too focused on sensing the surroundings."How will you know there’s no danger without your wolf?""But I’ve got my wolf with me! The whole time!" I stopped for a moment, turned to her, and pointed to my nose, then my ears. "How do you think I found you so quickly?""I don’t get how you do that without being in wolf form. Isn’t that hard?""Remember when I asked you how I should teach you about this?""I remember. You said there was your way and the book way.""What you know says that you and your wolf are separate beings sharing the same body, but have you thought about the possibility that your wolf has been with you since
It was a long and exhausting hike. When I bought the tent and the rest of the camping gear, I had no idea how tiring it would be to cover this entire distance in my human form. Because of Lisa’s strength, I had thought the load would be light, but the distance felt countless times longer than when I traveled it in my wolf form. It wasn’t even midnight yet when I slipped out of my room, and even though I kept a fast pace, I felt like time was against me.Looks like you’re not getting any sleep tonight! my wolf commented.And I don’t need to, I replied. I had eaten dinner early and managed to sleep for a few hours before coming here. My next rest would probably be in the early hours of the following day since I’d be starting the journey with Annie before sunset.Still in my human form, I set everything down and inspected the area, using Lisa’s senses along with my flashlight. Finally, I stopped in front of the waterfall, staring at it for a few minutes. The water flow had already return
As Annie browsed through the options, she suddenly stopped, her gaze fixed on a particular dress. Her eyes lit up as she took it off the rack and held it against her body.“I love this one! It’s gorgeous!” she exclaimed excitedly.While she stepped into one of the fitting rooms, Lorraine stormed out of another, looking frustrated. She was wearing a dress but had to hold the side zipper and front in place to keep it from slipping. I couldn’t help but chuckle—a quiet laugh, but loud enough for her to hear.“What’s so funny?” she snapped, her eyes blazing with anger.“I didn’t say anything…” I turned my back on her, pretending I had nothing to do with it as I waited for Annie to come out. Lorraine marched over to the saleswoman, and even though she spoke in hushed tones, my sharp ears caught their conversation.“Is there any way to alter it?” Lorraine asked, her voice laced with desperation.“Impossible! If it just needed to be taken in, that’d be one thing, but letting it out…”Fashion
I wandered aimlessly beside Annie, stopping the moment my eyes landed on a watch store’s display window. There were various models on display, ranging from the simplest to the most sophisticated.“Do you think Maxsuel would like a watch as a present?” I asked Annie while scanning the models.“I think so,” she replied with a bright smile, following my gaze.“Wait here a sec. I already have one in mind—I won’t be long.”The brand was known for its quality, and its watches were stylish without being flashy. As soon as I saw one in the display, I felt the urge to go in and ask about it. Though it wasn’t the most expensive watch brand in the store, the price would probably startle Annie if she came in with me, so I preferred to go alone.“Good afternoon! How can I help you?” the saleswoman asked politely.“I’d like to buy a watch as a gift for a friend. Do you have any other models of the Omega brand besides the one in the display?”“Yes, I do!” She took out three different models and plac
The scent of wet earth filled the air as the rain intensified. There was nowhere to hide. I shifted into my human form and let the rain completely soak my bare body while watching the waterfall swell, its raging waters growing fiercer by the second.Do you think the rain will ruin Annie’s night? Lisa asked me, concerned.It was around 2 a.m. when I quietly slipped out of my bedroom window. My goal was to return to the waterfall to map out the route more precisely and find the best paths. Although the night was darker and cloudier than usual, there hadn’t been any sign of rain—until I got close to the waterfall and was suddenly caught in a downpour. I walked slowly across the terrain, scanning my surroundings."Better for the skies to pour now than on the big night," I said hopefully. It wouldn’t be as fun if we couldn’t bathe in the waterfall or howl at the moon during our girls' night, which would take place in two days, on a Thursday. Just to be safe, I decided I should stock up on
They always used to say, "Let’s gather the group," or "The band’s playing at this place today," so if they ever mentioned the name, I never really paid attention.“Need some help?” Annie asked, probably noticing my confused expression. I decided to move around a bit to get where I needed to go without drawing attention.“Now that I’ve started using this, I need to follow some profiles, but I’m not sure where to start.” I gave her a warm smile and handed her my phone, hinting that she should do it for me. She immediately accepted, no questions asked, and was happy to do it.“Hmm, start with our band’s profile.” Bingo! I watched her search for "Howling Wolves" and held back my surprise so no one would notice.You’ve got to admit, that name makes sense, Lisa commented.Even so, I almost asked who came up with the name for the group and where the idea came from. The profile picture was of the band itself. They were standing on stage, which suggested the photo was taken during one of their
"You know when someone asks, ‘Do you want it the easy way or the fun way?'"I was the kind of person who came from a full, fast-paced life and, at that moment, just wanted a little peace. But every time I thought I could start slowing down, life reminded me of who I really was. If I started begging the heavens for less excitement, would someone actually hear me?The week started off normally. After a brief explanation, the teacher assigned us an exercise. While I focused on answering the questions as quickly as possible, a sharp, high-pitched scream suddenly came from a girl sitting in the far-left corner of the room, near the window.“Sorry, professor!” she exclaimed, barely able to contain the excitement on her face.“So much enthusiasm on a Monday morning. That’s not like you, Gabi. What happened?” The teacher wasn’t the only one curious. Gabi was usually lazy and almost always started the week complaining. The entire class stopped what they were doing to pay attention to this unusu
As we were leaving the farm, Nicolas suddenly let out a casual laugh and shook his head.“What?” I asked, curious.“You haven’t noticed?” He glanced at me, amusement in his voice. Seeing the confusion on my face, he chuckled again.“Just spit it out already!” I pressed.“Maxsuel is looking forward to the full moon. He’s hoping you’re his fated mate, and from the looks of it, his family is rooting for it too. I wonder if he’ll be that lucky.”“He won’t,” I replied, a little more serious this time. Maxsuel was playful but kind. I wished it had been him, but unfortunately, my fate was different.“How do you know?” Nicolas asked, his tone shifting as he cast me a sidelong glance.“Think about it. How do you think I recognized the twins?”He fell silent for a few minutes. We had just reached the city when it finally seemed to click for him.“You already have your wolf?” His voice carried a mix of denial and surprise. It was like everything suddenly made sense, yet at the same time, it was
"A mural? Am I on it?" I kept wondering about that as we walked into the gourmet area of the house. The smell of homemade food in the air distracted me enough to put that thought aside for later—besides, I couldn’t check it out at that moment anyway. If the internet signal was bad in the city, it was even worse out here.“Welcome! Make yourselves at home!” Maxsuel’s mother greeted us warmly. She was notably beautiful—petite, with fair skin, long wavy brown hair, and expressive brown eyes. Beside her, two identical children looked eager to grab some food. One of them, already holding a plate, picked up a potato with his fork.“Boys, have some manners! Greet our guests first!”“Hey, everyone!” said one of the boys.“Hello!” said the other twin. They both looked about ten years old and were dressed in matching outfits. Even their short brown hair was cut exactly the same.“My name is Sophie,” Maxsuel’s mother said directly to me, offering a handshake. “These are my youngest, David and Da