The Mysterious Whispers

“Eugh … my wolf’s name is ….” 

The man looked at me strangely, however, he told us to quickly put a handprint on a document and come back there the next morning to be given admission to Ethereal Hunters. 

The next day we gathered in the meeting hall. I get weird looks from some people.

“Why do they keep staring at me? Do they know if–”

“Shut up, Lauryn. You know what? Just play it. Don’t act suspicious in front of them,” Mark interrupted.

I was silent and watched an old man give a sign on my dad’s back, then mom. 

It was like a tattoo made of red liquid. Now it’s Mark's turn to get that tattoo. Mark told me to stay behind him. I nodded even though I was so scared.

‘I thought you wouldn’t come here.”

I turned my head and found Alpha Matthew standing next to me. 

“I…”

“It’s beetroot liquid mixed with tattoo formula.”

I nodded awkwardly and now it was my turn.

 The old man looked at me strangely. “How old are you, Miss?”

 “18 years old,” I replied dubiously. 

“You look terrified. Did something happen to you before?” He asked. 

“Nothing. I’m just nervous. This is the first time I’ve gotten a sign like this,” I replied perfunctorily. 

“Really?” The man asked once more. 

I nodded in resignation.

“Please give him a sign immediately. I have no more time to greet them,” Alpha Matthew spoke.

“All right, Alpha Matthew, you got it.”

Without waiting any longer, the old man told me to turn around. He gave me a tattoo.

He asked me, “Did you drink something to mask your body odor?”

“He did,” Dad replied.

“Oh, I see.”

“Alpha Matthew, can we ask you one more thing before you get back to your work?” Dad asked Alpha Matthew.

“What would you like, Beta Hugo?” Alpha Matthew is staring at Dad.

“Lauryn is an introverted girl. I hope we can get a pack of houses that are a bit far away from the others,” dad said.

“My little sister will take you to the new pack house. You can choose which pack house you want,” Alpha Matthew retorted. 

“Thank you so much, Alpha Matthew. Your help is invaluable to our family.” 

“This isn’t a favor, Beta Hugo. This is my late dad’s return to Alpha Bonaparte,” Alpha Matthew retorted.

A girl came up to us. She greeted Alpha Matthew spoiledly. 

“Stop being like that, Hannah. You’re an adult. Take a car and take our new family to choose a pack house they like.” Alpha Matthew commanded with great authority. 

I was stunned when I saw it. My eyes and Alpha Matthew’s eyes met as I looked at him intensely. I was terrified because his glares gave me goosebumps. I glanced at Mark and asked him away. But Mark invited Hannah to go in our car. 

In the end, we went to choose the pack house we were going to live in. Dad chose a pack house in an area that was not inhabited by many other werewolves. Around there I saw that there was a basketball court and a futsal court.

“We can play basketball near home now!” I was excited.

“I don’t think we’re going to play often now. I must practice in the first week while you must study hard in your school,” Mark replied. 

“But why?” I asked. 

Mark’s got my shoulder. “Look, we’ve been working our asses off getting into the Ethereal Hunters. From now on you need to pretend you have a wolf to everyone. You need to change your pathetic attitude towards others.”

“Mark, helping others in need is commendable,” I whispered. 

“I get it. I know you’re a good girl. It only works until you have your wolf, Lauryn. I don’t want all our struggles to be in vain,” he said. 

I take a deep breath, then I nod. I’m going to be a different person.

“It’s a new sheet, you need change. Forget about those assholes and live on your own two feet, Lauryn Anderson,” Mark said. 

I look at his pupils that are dilating, it’s the first time Mark’s been serious with me. I obeyed everything he said. I learned some things that might change my personality. 

***

The days go by so fast, it’s the last day I’ll ever relax. Dad got me enrolled at Petrovic Hunters Highschool. 

“You know what you should do, honey?” Mom asked me. 

I nodded. Besides dropping me off on my first day of school, this is Mom’s first day teaching as a permanent teacher here. Alpha Matthew contacted Mom two days ago to teach here while they’re short of teachers.

“I was the bad Lauryn Anderson, Mom,” I told her. 

“I want you to change, but I don’t want you to be bad. You are the tough Lauryn Anderson,” Mom said. 

“I’ll use whatever lessons you’ve taught me. I’ll defend myself when I’m bullied,” I said.

Mum nodded and stroked my hair. Mum pecked my forehead then told me to go to class before the bell rang. I agreed. 

I have a class on the third floor. The students in that class were the children of the most important werewolves in the Ethereal Hunters. I received a mysterious look from a male student in the corner of the class when I introduced myself. I ignored it because my undercover mission was so important now.

“I’m Lorraine. I’m the class president here. What’s your name and what’s your wolf’s name,” a hand reached out to me. 

“Lauryn Anderson.”

I responded to her without shaking her hands. Lorraine looked annoyed. She folded her arms. 

“I hope you’re not a jerk like Jamien. You need to obey all the rules here,” she said. 

“I will follow everything that is written in the school rules. But I won’t obey all the unwritten rules because they are rubbish,” I shot back. 

“How dare you say it?” Lorraine growled. 

“You should go to your seat. The lesson time has already taken place,” I responded. 

“You…”

I glanced at her sharply as she gripped my hand. Lorraine grunted and slapped my hand. She went to her seat before the first teacher in our class came in to teach. 

“Beware of her, she’s the daughter of a warlord of the seventh generation of Ethereal Hunters.” 

I turned around, but there was no one whispering to me. Everyone was busy with their own books except for the student who gave me that mysterious look. He was looking out the window. Unfortunately, the distance between us is far and apart three benches and a table. That weird student couldn’t have whispered to me.

Then who whispered to me?