KELANI I continued to watch Vesper, hoping he would laugh it off that he was only kidding. But he didn't. The darkness in his eyes had swirled to desire. He was into men or so I had thought. I had assumed he liked Lance when I spoke to him in the cafeteria or maybe I was silly to have thought that. I guess I really was. Weirdly, gazing into Vesper's darkened eyes didn't scare me, nor did it make me uncomfortable. I welcomed all that was happening, and I guess that was the reason he kept doing it more. Vesper's hand closed over mine, and I sucked in a breath. Shit! My toes curled in the ballet flat as warmth surged through me. It was a weird sensation that felt only familiar to me when with Vesper. Jolts of currents zap into my hands and I bit my lower lip a little harder to stop myself from moaning. All the emotions that I was feeling, everything seemed to be heightened by the surroundings. I was sure of that. There was no way I could be reacting to him in this manner. I hate
KELANI POVLetting out a breath for the umpteenth time, my gaze wandered around the arena. It was the championship day, and I was pretty nervous.Even though I was excited about all that was going to happen, I was still nervous.I hadn't seen Vesper. Ever since the event of two days ago, it felt as if he disappeared from the face of the earth. Not even Riley, who knew a lot of things going on in the school, knew of his whereabouts.Now, I was the only one standing where he should be with me."Hey," I did a little wave at Lance, who returned mine with a frown on his face.Well, he had been ignoring me as well. He had maybe remembered all that had happened and was trying to keep his distance from me.I had seen Lance the next day, looking all bruised up. I couldn't tell if something had happened between him and Vesper because he wouldn't say anything to me, no matter how many times I asked him.The worst was Zain. He was shooting me a glare from the stand he was currently in across the
KELANI POVI choked out, gripping Vesper's hand that kept pushing into my neck. My eyes widened, and my heart thumped wildly in my chest.He could see and smell me, but why wasn't he stopping? Did he hate me that much to want to kill me?But he had professed to like me two days ago, and now, he seemed like a different person entirely."You are killing me, Vesper," Slapping at his hand for him to release his grip, which was useless as with each tap I made, he kept pushing his elbow."I told you to stay away from me. Yes, I am a fucking murderer, I fucking did it!" He growled in my face."Murderer?" I gasped. "I don't know what you are talking about. This is Kelani."Vesper paused; his eyes were narrowed at me, and he leaned in, taking a whiff."Kelani?" Vesper grunted, and for a few seconds, I thought that would fly over his head as well."Yes, Vesper. It is I." I muttered."Oh my god, Kelani," Vesper whispered, his grip loosening almost immediately.He groaned, falling down to his kne
KELANI POV We arrived at school an hour after the announcement was made. Although Riley had filled me in on everything that had been said, including standing for me when I was mentioned, I believed I was still in trouble. I and Vesper. We were summoned to Headmaster Kendrick's office, and currently, we stood by the door. Nervously, shifting on one foot to another, I gazed at Vesper; he raised a brow at me. "Do you think we are in trouble?" I asked him. Vesper shrugged, "I'll be the one mostly in trouble. You were only watching out for me. Were you not?" "I was," I murmured, but I doubted that could save me. "I don't see you as someone who's scared of what the headmaster would say," Vesper said. "But I am," I replied. I wasn't a rule breaker, and I didn't intend to be one, but right now, visiting Vesper might make me seem like one. "Come on, let's go in. He isn't a monster that we should be afraid of," Vesper said, gripping my hand and opening the door. Breathing in and out s
KELANI POV "What?!" Riley exclaimed, her eyes widening. I believed her eyes might actually fall out if she kept widening them with each word I said. We were currently in Riley's secret hideout. It wasn't entirely a secret place, as it was an open field. It was more like the first one Vesper took me to, but this place looked more serene, and I hadn't seen any student come by. Also, it had a nice view of the enchanting landmark, and there was an unusual feel this place stirred within me. It felt as though I should lose myself entirely in the environment. Further, there wasn't anything special about all that I was saying; I was only recounting what had happened the night Vesper and I went on a date. If that would be called a date anyway. "You didn't tell me this," Riley glared. "I'm sorry," I said, pulling my hair back out of my face with an elastic band. "Besides, I don't think that would solve any of my situation at that point." "I could have solved two of them: one, Lance, by
VESPER POV My eyes narrowed as I gazed at what was unfolding before me. Kelani leaned into Lance, who had a smile on his face. I couldn't tell what they were both saying because my super hearing for a reason wasn't working. Perhaps the duck had burnt the usual sage she often burnt, which enabled the werewolves, most especially unable to use their hearings. I wondered what they could be discussing. I was done watching both of them. Kelani was giving me the silent treatment, and she had walked towards Lance to talk to him instead. Not that I didn't deserve it, but I had fucking apologized. That alone should be enough to quell her anger. Sighing, I pushed a hand through my hair before walking towards them. As if she felt my presence, Kelani stiffened. She straightened and then turned to walk away. Gripping her hand, I pulled her back. "I apologized, didn't I?" I asked, searching her face. She was looking anywhere but at me, and a scowl adorned her pretty face. Kelani tried to s
KELANI POV"What happened, Kelani," Riley asked, a frown on her face.She peered behind me, looking at Vesper and back at me."Lance was called into Headmaster Kendrick's office, and I heard him telling him to sit the championship out. Do you know what it means for him?"I shook my head."Well, it means he's going to resit for this." She said. "Why's Vesper aggressive lately, and he hit Lance unprovoked as well.""Unprovoked?" I scoffed. Was that what Lance went about telling everyone?"No, he didn't say that. I watched the interaction before the showdown went on. Vesper should have left him alone. I don't really know the history both have, but he's using you to get back at Lance at this point.""Wait, hold up, Riley. Vesper didn't attack him intentionally. Lance did provoke him." I frowned at Riley as she shook her head.I thought she liked Vesper. At least, she should support him if she indeed had been watching all that went on."I know I told you I don't hate him anymore, but I don
KELANI POVThe first task was already given by Mrs Periwinkles. She was the coordinator alongside Coach Jensen.The first task was to look for a rare kind of flower that was used as a healing antidote for werewolves. The Lunarbane Blossom as it was called.I knew nothing about it, only that it was a healing type of flower.We weren't grouped for this particular task, and we were asked to carry it by everyone. In my opinion, I believe it was ridiculous to have let us act alone because we were grouped already.I doubted I'd be able to participate fully in the competition as I barely knew my way around school. We were still around the school premises, yet I could barely identify anything.Where I believed would be the best site for the flowers was around one of the forbidden gates. Well, we were also prohibited from venturing there.For some minutes now, I had been walking around the large Arena. I couldn't see any of the participants or even the crowd that had gathered to watch us in si
KELANI POVOh goodness, what does he want now? I mused, straightening as I saw Vesper coming towards me.I had woken early to come to the ice cream shop in search of my phone before leaving for school. At least, if it were going to be here, I'd be the first person to see it since not many students were here after the event of yesterday.I was here because Riley had put a call through to Zain, and he said he hadn't seen any phone. He even said he didn't notice any with me but promised to help me search.I didn't want to let him go through all that trouble for my phone. Hence, I had come here before he would.I turned away as soon as Vesper reached me. He stayed for a while without saying a word to me, but I could feel his eyes on me."Kelani," he eventually said.I ignored him and continued looking under the seat, which I had been doing since I arrived. The phone wasn't even microscopic and could be seen easily, even from afar.Also, it would really stand out if it was here since the b
KELANI POV"What happened, and who's she?" I asked as soon as Zain returned. Vesper had left with the girl immediately. The ambulance came, and the activity that was taking place continued as if nothing had happened.I tried not to think about who the girl was with Vesper, but I couldn't help it. As far as I was concerned, he had no relatives from here.Riley, who was a big mouth herself, hadn't mentioned that Vesper had any relatives. Riley would have said one or two things about the Vesper family. Now, it left me confused."Are you worried that he's seeing someone else?" Zain asked me.I snorted, rolling my eyes. "Why should I be?"Zain narrowed his eyes at me, "Do you love Vesper?""That's not the point. I am just worried about the girl. I haven't seen her from around here before. You know this is the start of the session; what if we are getting attacked again?" I couldn't stop thinking about what had happened to Mary.What if there was an enemy lurking around the school area, targ
KELANI POVI stared at Jake for a long time before shaking my head."You don't have to give me answers right away; I can wait," He said."I can't... You know what? I need to speak with Chase, and I'll give you a response soon," I said."Great," Jake grinned. "I should leave this with you." he handed me the book and began to walk away."Um..." I trailed off, grimacing as I stared at his retreating form. "I guess you're stuck with me." I stared at the book again before stuffing it inside my bag.I walked to the fountain near the huge gate, then back to the gym's entrance.Now that I thought of it, I didn't have anything else to do besides practice, but I had blown that by going to meet Vesper.I thought it was a reasonable thing to do. Now, I believe I was stupid to have thought that.I could return to practice and ignore the scorn looks and snide remarks from Lia, but I was too prideful to do so. I had told her off and admitted I wasn't interested in the practice, so it was best to st
KELANI POVLia blew the whistle around her neck, signaling the start of practice. We gathered in the newly renovated gymnasium. Gone were the peeling paints I remembered from the last session. Fresh coats of white paint and Mystic's signature navy blue accents now adorned the walls, revitalizing the space. The polished hardwood court shimmered, the school's logo emblazoned at center court. Once a pale blue, the bleachers now boasted a deeper hue, sectioned off with crisp white railings.Despite the renovations, the gym still felt cozy and familiar. It still felt like the first time I was here, where I was whacked in the head."Alright, Fawns! Let's get warmed up," Lia called, her voice echoing off the gym's walls."Thirty minutes," Lia announced.Although I didn't know what I would be doing the whole thirty minutes, I was sure it wasn't warm-up alone.My thoughts wandered back to what happened at the cafeteria. After the announcement was made, Vesper had excused himself. Headmaster Ke
KELANI POVIt was recess, which I was grateful for. The lecture was annoyingly long, and Chase didn't even make it easy. I didn't understand why he was hellbent on trying to make us bring out our wolves.If one had a wolf they could communicate with, it was fine, right? But he had tried to make me switch to Kelly, which I had been unable to.I had gotten my ass whooped three times today, and I was glad to be in the cafeteria to mull over my inability to bring out my wolf rather than do so in the classroom where he could watch me."All I see is back, sexy, well-accentuated backside in that leather pant, and oh, how perfect his legs look," Riley groaned.I thought all that she was saying was from the book she was reading as it was on the table, but from the hushed silence in the room, I didn't think it was.I turned to where students were lined in front of the food table to see Jake. He stood in the room's center, and all eyes were on him. When I said all eyes, I meant all the eyes in t
KELANI POV A MONTH AFTER "And it's called black magic, black magic, yeah!" I groaned, grasping the pillow and using it to cover my ears, but it was barely doing its work. Riley's voice could pierce through even the hardest stone; sometimes, I wonder how she did it. It wasn't because she was singing while I was trying my best to sleep, it was due to the fact that the song had been on repeat for about three hours now. I wondered if she had just come across Little Mix. Hence, she decided to stream all the musics they had, or maybe she was just doing it to annoy me. "You sound like a broken record, Riley. I am trying to sleep," my voice was muffled by the pillow. "Wake up, Lani! It's a new session, the start of a beautiful morning, and I can see the sun peaking out from the sky. Oh, do you know we are going to know who gets shortlisted today in the battle of the strongest? I can't wait to find out who the alpha of the academy will be!" Well, I wasn't looking forward to it. I had ha
KELANI POVRiley and I stayed in the position much longer before Zain cleared his throat, breaking us apart.He was standing by the door with his hands tucked inside his pocket."I'm genuinely surprised at your quick recovery," He said, nodding towards Riley. "Now, I presumed help isn't much needed, is it?"Riley shrugged, "I'm a witch, and just like you werewolves heal after an injury, we do too.""Never knew that," It was Zain's turn to shrug.He probably knew but didn't care for much details."Now you do," Riley said, then added, "When you said help, who is coming? The police or staff from the infirmary?" She asked.Now, thinking about it, I hadn't asked him who the 'Helps' exactly were.I doubted it was any of the staff from the infirmary. It was possibly the police he had called. And to be honest, there wasn't much any of them would have done in this situation."Mrs Periwinkle and Coach Jensen," Zain said, "They should be arriving anytime soon.""They responded?!" Riley question.
KELANI POVOh, My Goodness."Somebody, anybody, help me!" I cried again, for the second time, my eyes moving around the room to see no one had made a move."I did this, I did this," I chanted over again, my hands trembling as I held her closer. I hurt Riley. I had hurt the only person who cared about me.But then again, I was only trying to defend myself. I wondered if that counted.Biting my lower lip as it trembled, I sniffled and then blinked back, the tears brewing in my eyes away. But the more I blinked, the more tears that gathered."Kelani," I felt a pull on my shoulder, but I didn't let Riley go. I couldn't let her go.She was bleeding, and by the look of things, if no one came to save her soon, she was going to die."Kelani," I heard Vesper's voice again.I turned to stare at him and saw his brows were creased with worries. Shaking my head, I let out a throaty sob."I need help!" I snapped, swiping at the tears pouring down my cheeks. "Why are you people doing nothing? Riley
KELANI POV My wolf. Kelly. I had a wolf, just like everyone else. I had a freaking wolf. Excitement unfurled inside of me at the thought. I had thought I was wolfless. A werewolf wouldn't be one without its werewolf identity. I had assumed I was different because I could barely channel any real powers within me. Now, I felt it. With Kelly prowling inside of me, I felt her energy surging inside of me as well. "I'll help you defeat her," Kelly said. "No," I whispered, shaking my head as I approached Riley. She had slammed Lia into a box several times, almost making her go unconscious. But then Lia was as resilient as Riley. They both had strength and great stamina. They could endure a lot of things that many werewolves wouldn't be able to endure. Well, the weaker werewolves, though. Riley tossed her head back and cackled, the air cackling with energy as she did. The wind drifted into the room from nowhere. I couldn't see any windows in sight nor cracks in the wall to indicate