Chapter 5

Jane

"So, what are you going to do after this?” ask Malcom as he take a seat in between Shauna and me at the graduation ceremony.

The hall is already packed with families and friends. The graduates are buzzing around in their seats. I lean back on my chair, putting my hands on my lap. “I am going back home. My Luna coronation is next week” I announced with excitement. I can’t wait to be announced as a Luna.

“That is going to make you the youngest female to be anointed as a Luna at the age of sixteen?” he questions and I nod my head with a proud smile. “Aren’t you going to follow your heart and dreams?”

I stiffen and some part of me hurts. Malcom doesn’t know that he is one of my dream. “Becoming a Luna is my dream” I said firmly, ignoring the needles that pulls at my chest.

“Ahhh that’s great and I am happy for you, right Shauna” he said, nudging her on the shoulder.

Shauna absently reply “yeah… I am happy for you.”

For some reason Shauna didn’t sound so happy at all. It’s unexpected of her to respond like that. I wonder what happened. If I have to think about it she has been avoiding me since yesterday. We were okay the night before and now she’s a bit of ignorant. It’s been two day ever since that night and Shauna is avoiding me for some unknown reasons.

“Please be upstanding everyone,” says our headmaster and everyone stood up from their seats.

The entry hymn began and I turn around to smile at Shauna but like before she turn to the front, avoiding me. I squint my brow. What is her problem? The doors open and the royal soldiers marches in. They divided into half, standing on the side. I’ve never seen the royal family but rumor has it that our Alpha King is one fine man even with his age. The passing of his wife made him retreat from contacting with public affair. His men are now running things while he stayed behind closed doors of his castle.

Today would be his first appearance ever since the passing of our Luna Queen. There was also a circulating rumor that his heir is among the graduates today. If perhaps the rumor is true then I wonder who the lucky bitch is. I know some kids secretly wishes that they have some connection with the royal bloods and I would lying if I say I’m not one of those dreamers.

A horn blown, snapping me out of my trance. I crane my neck to the side and see the King’s men walk in. They wore golden wolf crest on their armory shirt. None of them smile or even turn to look at us the graduates. I scoff and glance behind the four bulky intimidated men and see Alpha King Sylvester Alcander Volkov enters the hall.

Something about his presence seems familiar but I could not put words into it. He stops at the entry door and wave at the people with a smile on his face. At the same time people could feel a strong powerful aura that he carries with him and everyone immediately bow in respect.

I slowly got on my knees as he pass by our row with my eyes fix on him, staring in owe to our King. True to the rumors he is a fine man despite his age. He turn to look in our direction and I quickly look down to the ground. I was afraid that he may punish me. Once he settle on his made-throne seat, the headmaster stood up to starts the ceremony.

“This is it” I whisper fiddling my hands. Surprisingly Malcom put his hand on mine, which calms my nervousness. I look aside, smiling at him. I saw his hand move to intertwine with Shauna’s but she peel his hands off slowly. I ignore it and face to the front. They are not my problem.

I saw the King looking at my direction and I am not sure if he’s looking at me or someone else. I can’t keep having hopes. I already have parents and I love them so much. I avert my gaze back to my headmaster.

“For our distinction students” I listen as he calls out our honor students. “And before I call out our valedictorian, our second tier Ms. Jane Dean” I stood up smiling and went on the stage to receive my certificate.

“Congratulations Ms. Dean,” says his highness as his hand reach out to shook mine before giving me the certificate. We both turn around to take a photo together. “Thank you, your majesty” I smile and walk down.

“You did amazing” said Malcom shaking my shoulder. I grin at him. “And our valedictorian for this year 2021, Mr. Luca Hernandez” call our headmaster.

I saw the guy I dance with going up the stage. “Oh wow, didn’t know the perv is a nerd” I whisper.

“He’s not those things Janey. BTW his parents are very respective people. He is the opposite of everything and if you could stop looking in one direction and see others you wouldn’t say that-”

“Shhh” one of the students from the left row glare at Shauna and I. Oh wow! Seriously what’s up with her ass. She is getting on my nerves now. I glare at the poor kid instead.

“What? You want a piece of me?” I say, holding my fist up. The kid shut up immediately. “Yeah that’s what I thought”

“Can you not do that?” whisper Shauna.

“What’s your problem?”

“Nothing” she retort and turn back to listen to our valedictorian’s speech.

I huff, folding my arms. I don’t want to ruin my day but Shauna is pushing my buttons. “What’s gotten into you babe?” I heard Malcom ask Shauna. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to ignore the both.

******************

Right after the graduation ceremony I made my way to the bathroom, just to adjust my underwear as it’s sticking between my peach’s cheeks. I didn’t see where I’m going until I pump into some wall.

“Ouch” I wince, taking a step back.

“Are you okay?” said a very deep husky voice which carries so much authority to it. I could feel strong aura but strangely I am not scared rather I am filled with anxiety.

“I am fine your highness” I stutter. “You can call me Sylvester” he said.

“Sylves-”

“You’re Alpha Dean’s daughter?” ask the Alpha King, cutting my words off.

“Yes, your – I mean Sir Sylvester,” I reply bowing my head and at the same time I silently scold myself for being stupid. He let out a sigh.

“You don’t need to do that,” he said and I raised my head slowly coming face to face with him. “You remind me of your mother” he mutter to himself but I could hear him.

“I’m sorry, did you say something”

“Your mother would be proud of you” he said aloud with sadness clouded his eyes.

“Did you know my mother?” the King shook his head no. “I know your parents” he said. “Right. My apologies if it sounds inappropriate” He shook his head. “Don’t be little moonlit” he lifted his hand and slowly pat on it as if I was a child.

“Can I hug you?” he ask which is strange to me. Despite the awkwardness I answer “yes… you may sir.” I slap myself again for saying sir.

Before I could move in to hug him his hands reaches out and engulf me to his chest. His warmness made me feel not foreign but safe and very comfortable. Strangely it didn’t felt weird to be embrace by him. He was like my family at the moment.

We stay like that for a moment before he pull back “I’ll see you soon child” he said before moving to go.

I stood there confused. What did just happen? All these unwanted assumption filled my head. I try to not think of it. I shook my head, and slap my cheeks. Oh moon goddess! I hope I am not a child from an affair but then that would be a cliché story. I shook off the thought from my head. However, no matter what reason he act like that towards me I hope it wouldn’t turn out to be a scandal of the year as I have enough drama in my life.

I sigh and walk back to where the graduates are. “There you are, where you have been?” ask Marissa my aunt from mom’s side and next to her stood uncle Zion, dad’s brother, Camille my childhood friend and our elder Trevor.

“There was a line at the bathroom” I answer.

“Your father couldn’t come as there an urgent matter at home but he sends his love and this,” uncle Zion says while handing over a big boutique of flower with an envelope and a small gift bag. I know this won’t be my dad’s only gift. I bet he is waiting with lots of gift at home. I smile and thank uncle Zion.

“Congrats Luna” said elder Trevor and he hug me. “Thank you” I said with a grin. The others follow repeating the same action and I couldn’t stop myself from being excited. 

“Hey Jane, come here” someone shouted. I turn to find my group of friends huddle together for a photo.

“Do you mind?” Aunt Marissa took the boutique and gifts from my hands.

I run over and stood in the middle next to Shauna who turn on the side and hug Malcom, squeezing him before she kisses his cheeks. I roll my eyes at that and fake a smile to my friends as our photographer took a photo.

“Say cheese” We all shouted ‘cheese’ and the camera flashes, closing that chapter of my life.