Chapter 5

Serenity

After our fun adventure, we came home and crashed. The following morning was a gloomy and rainy day. I completed my weekly chores and lounged around on my bed reading The Supreme Shapeshifters.

The way the book describes werewolves as horrible beasts. I cannot say the book is incorrect; most of it is spot-on. Always fighting over status, killing innocent people, having high egos, and being possessive.

The Moon Goddess Selene gifts werewolves with a mate, no matter the species; yet, they are forbidden from mating with supernatural beings. Werewolves are forced to reject their mate or are commanded by the Alpha to cease communication.

Skimming the chapters, I found a section that pertains to me. It is rare for a werewolf to be woofless; nonetheless, you still have the capabilities of a werewolf except for fast healing capabilities. Some werewolves mate with humans, and they cannot shapeshift. It is ultimately rare that werewolves mate with other supernatural beings. If that happens the more predominant gene seizes control. If werewolves conceive children with supernatural beings, their offspring are hunted down, experimented on, and murdered. The offspring's abilities are feared due to the genes obtained from both parents.

Placing a bookmark in the book, I laid it on my dresser. My mind was boggled. Both of my parents were werewolves; maybe one of my grandparents was a human, which explains why I don't have a wolf. But it still doesn't explain my fire ability. I thought to myself. I was more baffled than before I turned 18 years old.

Shrugging my shoulders at the thought, I begin to prepare myself for my first day of college. I picked out this purple crop top and ripped blue jeans outfit. I did two strands of flat twists at the top of my head and curled the rest of my hair. My hair was on point.

At dinner, my mom cooked our favorite dishes. “My mom, where's dad?” I inquired while serving the food.

“He has patrol duties tonight. He swore he would be at home for your first day, so don't fret, princess.” She responded.

Halfway through dinner, my mom screamed out of nowhere. She flipped the table over and scrambled to the door.

I touched her arms, and she faced me. Her eyes were onyx; her wolf, Callie, was in control. She seldom made appearances.

“It's Josiah; I have to go. You girls protect each other. I'll be back soon.” She yanked her arms out of my grasp and bolted for the door.

Whatever happened, it must have been bad. Camila tried calling around and got no response. We gathered our blankets and watched movies on the couch. But neither of us could recall what the movie was about.

We were concerned with what was going on back home.

The first day of school went by slowly. My mind was preoccupied with my parents’ well-being, even though I spoke to my mother this morning. It didn't stop me from worrying. She had no idea what took place, just that my father was in the hospital.

The last bell of the day rang, and I rushed out of the building to get home. My dad was lying on the couch with bruises on his face. I showered him with kisses, not caring about the hissing or grunting sounds he made. I was just glad to see him home and safe.

I collected my backpack and went upstairs to start on my assignments. I had trouble focusing and thinking about what Franklin had said the other day.

Did I smell bad?

There were knocks on the door, and Camila poked her head in. "Your mom said come to dinner.”

The tension swirled around at the dining room table. I barely touched my food; the suspense was killing me. Normally, my parents chat endlessly about nothing. Tonight it was silent; you could hear the crickets outside chirping.

“What's going on?” I asked, making an effort to get my parents to talk.

“Camila has to move out.” My mom held her hand out to silence me before I could protest. “Let me finish, Princess, before you throw a tantrum.”

I scowled, folding my arms over my chest. Falling back into my seat. “Yes ma'am.”

“Camila, Alpha Kevin wants you to move the dormitory at the university. He knows Serenity has special abilities, just not what they are. You are 18 and an adult. The choice is yours.” My mom resumes nibbling at her food.

“Wait What?” Camila and I yelled simultaneously.

“Mrs. Moon, I want to live here. He can register the room for me, but I'm not living there.” She protested.

“How did he find out about me?” My legs trembled under the table. My mind played out different scenarios. “Did he tell Elder Jalen about it?”

“As I guessed.” My mom smiled at her.

“No Princess, as far as we know. Your secret is safe between a handful of people. Your lab test is where he got the suspicion from and amongst other things. Oh yeah, there's one more thing. We were thinking about traveling. You girls are capable of supporting each other in our absences.”

What did she say?

“You guys are thinking about leaving when I need you the most,” I roared with anger.

"Yes, princess, we want to travel the world. You will be just fine. You know how to control the heat in your body, and you know what causes it to be released.” She spoke, but there was despair in her eyes.

The silverware in my grasp changed from silver to red. I was losing control; this conversation took a turn for the worse. I had to leave before I burned down the house. Slamming my fist on the table, I left the dining room in a fit of rage.

I searched my closet for my athletic wear, selecting the first outfit I saw, changing quickly, and hustling out the door. I needed to burn off some steam.

I ran around the neighborhood for hours. I passed by the Whimsical Emporium, and the clerk inside was shutting down for the evening. Looking at my watch, I had about 5 minutes before they closed. I was second-guessing myself when the clerk noticed me outside and waved me in.

“I remember you. Did you have the opportunity to read Birth of Witches? By the way, my name is Jordyn Miller.” I shook her hands, and her eyes rolled to the back of her head. Her eyelids fluttered and I saw snippets of my life.

“What the hell was that?” I snatched my hand from her and stepped back.

“I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. Sometimes it is hard for me to mind my business.” She sat on a stool and held her head.

“I'm not scared, just a little weirded out. My name is Serenity Moon. So are you going to explain what happened?"

“I'm a Precognition Witch. I can catch a glimpse of past, present, and future circumstances, depending on the person. Your life is complicated. Read the book, and you will have a better understanding. That is all I can share with you at the moment. You have company approaching.” She ushered me out of the door, still speechless.

“A better understanding of what?" I asked her. But she had already taken off.

“Serenity, where have you been?” Camila cried out. “I have been worried about you. Why are you peeking through the shop doors?”

“I was checking to see if they still had that abstract wallet I like.” I lied to her. I couldn't expose Jordyn's secret without her permission.

“Let's head to the rental office and grab my dorm room keys.” She draped her arms over my shoulders and guided me along the way.

Camila had a room to herself, which was perfect. We agreed to move in a few pieces of clothing and old books just in case Alpha Kevin dropped by unannounced.

On the journey back home, we saw Franklin. Just looking at him I wanted to punch him in the face.

“Girl, look at that fine delicacy with Franklin.” I noticed another guy walking beside Franklin.

“He is fine as hell. But Franklin looks better.” She giggled. I rolled my eyes to the back of my head.

“You can have him. He's not my type. Let's change directions. I'm a sweaty mess.”

"Girl, bye; we can say you just left the gym or something of that nature. At least he knows what to expect at your worst.” She blurted out.

I have never felt self-conscious until today. Glancing at him made my stomach knot up, and my heart rate quickened. “Oh shit, they are walking this way.”

“Why are you freaking out? Act normal, goofy.” She shook her head and laughed again.

“What are two beautiful ladies doing out this late?” Franklin's husky voice let out. I scoffed and folded my arms across my chest. “Also, Serenity I wanted to apologize for the other day as well. What I said was insensitive.”

He reached his hand for me to shake it and I left him hanging. He removed his hand and rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

Camila answered his questions and made quick exchanges. His friend's eyes roamed over my body making me feel even more self conscious. That's when he introduced his friend Javonte Lemon.

“It's nice to meet you, Javonte. My name is Serenity, and this is Camila.” He smiled at us. He had the nerve to have dimples. I was mesmerized. No guy ever made me feel this way. These butterflies need to go away. He was the same height as Franklin. Muscular built, caramel skin, brown eyes, wavy hair, and chiseled jawline.

“Can we walk with you ladies back to the dormitory?” Javonte asked.

“We live off-campus. It's a ten-minute hike from here. Thanks for the offer, though.”

“Well, let me drive you girls home then. It's late, and I don't want anything to happen to you too.” Javonte proposed; sounding like a perfect gentleman.

"Sure,” Camila replied before I had a chance to reject his offer again. I glared at her. She shrugged her shoulders and mumbled, “You only live once.”

Javonte led us to his black car. His car was surprisingly clean inside and out. There was an awkward silence between us. Every so often, he would glance at me. Camila and Franklin were laughing and chatting the entire way home.

We parked in the driveway, and Camila and Franklin hopped out. I watched as she hugged Franklin.

I knew it was a matter of time before they became a proper couple.

“Thanks for the ride, Javonte. We appreciate it.” I said. Opening the door to get out of the car.

“No problem, beautiful. I'll see you around campus. Call me if you need a ride home again.” He handed me his number and rubbed his fingers against mine. An electric shock jolted through my body.

I smiled politely, “Thanks again.” I shut the door and led Camila towards the house.