Three

Thalia's POV:

"Now I know why the teachers were so pale after that whole bullying case. These beasts looked like they could eat me up any second and are actually pretty scary."

Alara announces as soon as we get in the car.

The headmaster gave all those in the auditorium a leave for today to wear off what happened.

"I controlled my bladder so bad, I'm pretty sure I would've peed myself if we stood there a minute longer." She continues.

"They literally reached the damn ceiling and had that shit deep voice. I mean I know they're supposed to have power but this shit is just crazy."

She stops to take a breath.

Ranting is a way for Alara to take out her stress, so Hera and I never bother to stop her.

I glance at my other best friend, who's sitting infront with me. She's busy staring outside, not paying heed to anything Alara is voicing.

"And they dare use that tone on us. That is what it is right? I tried to tell Zahra what happened when she asked, but I couldn't open my damn mouth."

Zahra was our junior and someone who had made us promise to tell her what the meeting was about.

"Well, tell Zahra she didn't miss out anything important." I add.

"You know it's not that." She objects, frustrated, though it's not directed at me.

"It's about them always controlling us and I'm tired of it. Can't anyone see this?"

"You think no one wants to stop this Alara? This isn't easy okay? No one wants to be ruled under them,knowing they will always be considered inferior. But no one wants to witness another massacre or leave their homes in search for safety as well.People lose their lives, they lose their families and friends. Ask someone who's gone through that." Hera snaps in anger.

Alara freezes in shock as she watches her storm off the car and towards her house.

"Shit." Is all she says as she jumps out of the car too.

Hera lost her grandmother to the trauma that had settled in her mind since her childhood and she was the person closest to her. Losing her was like losing a part of herself and it's normal for us to see Hera crying softly in her rememberence.

The war between the werewolves and the humans therefore is a sensitive topic for all,one that we usually avoid if we can, especially at her house.

Although Hera tells us it's okay to discuss these things, I think watching those wolves infront of her broke her heart.

"I fucking hate those creatures." I rage in anger.

I'm still seething when I get home and park the car in the garage. I find a black Mercedes there but before I can comprehend exactly to whom it belongs, a figure steps infront of me.

For a second my heart leaps put of my chest, but then I see the grinning face of my cousin and I smack him hard.

"What was that for?" He pouts, but I can hear the grin in his voice.

"Why'd you scare me like that?" I retort.

"I'd tell you that, but aren't you supposed to be excited or something?" Nathan says dramatically as he opens his arms wide.

I roll my eyes but don't fight off my smile as I give him a hard squeeze.

Nathan is my mother's nephew and one of my best friends. He was actually the part of our group, although senior, before he had to leave. Fortunately he was selected in his dream university so atleast someone has a good life.

"Why're you down?" He questions with a frown as soon as he assesses my face.

Ofcourse he knew. I can't fathom how he knows every other emotion I feel.

"Hera and Alara had a discussion. It didn't turn out well." I sigh.

Nathan puts his right arm around my shoulder as we walk into the house.

"Werewolf issues still huh?" He replies and I snicker, reminiscing our old inside jokes.

"Yeah mommy daddy issues aren't cool enough you know." I grin.

"It's alright shortie. They'll both be back to normal once Hera's emotions wear off. Don't think too hard." His speech makes me feel better.

"Okay dad." I stick out my tongue to show that I'm not that affected by the whole scenario.

Nathan just ruffles my hair in response.

When we enter the dining hall, we find my mother and aunt laughing.

"Hey guys." I announce my presence.

"My baby!" Aunt Ro comes running to me with open arms, her face lit in a bright smile. "I missed you so much."

"Baby huh. She looks older than her own mother." Nathan grumbles beside me and I glare at him, accepting aunt's invitation to a hug.

She squeezes the life out of me but I manage to live when Nathan drags his mom back.

"Alright Ro. Stop manhandling my daughter." My mother laughs as she puts the food on the table.

Lasagna and salad. Just what her sister loves.

"Nathan go get your cinnomon rolls from the oven honey."

There's my mom,always treating everyone to their favorite food.

Except for me.

Yeah,I get to eat all those vegetables and what not.

Soon we're all on our seats, enjoying the food when I decide to break the comfortable silence by today's events.

"We had a meeting in the auditorium today." I start off.

"Oh,what was it about?" My mom asks as she takes a bite of her lasagna.

"It was weird. I mean I'm really excited to get accepted in the university I want, but I didn't know the procedures" I wave my fork as if to explain.

Aunty Ro stops eating and looks at me with a frown. "What procedures?"

"We had to watch the werewolves dominate the room. Didn't it happen with you guys? Anyways, they told us to fill out our applications, life based actually. What does that even mea-"

My mouth stops moving when I hear a clatter.

I look around to see my mom frozen,her hands in the air,with wide eyes. Aunt Ro has hers shut,with creases on her forehead. Those are never a good sign.

Weirdly, Nathan curses under his breathe.

"Uh guys?" I mutter in confusion.

"Is it the 27th today?" My mom's voice quivers.

"27th of march? Yeah,why?" I respond but no one speaks.

Mom suddenly gets up and leaves the room, aunt soon behind her.

I look at Nathan who's busy poking his plate. He looks at me, shakes his head and pushes back his food, leaving the room as well.

Not taking their silence well,I decide to talk to them too.

The food behind laying forgotten.

"Will anyone explain to me what is going on?" I demand as soon as I'm alone in a room with Nathan. "Why is mom's room locked?"

Nathan rubs his hand on his face,his other resting on his hip.

A while ago, his messy state would've looked cool. His brown hair were now looking like he had crossed his hand in them multiple times, and even his faithful strands had betrayed him.

His green eyes looked at me in worry.

"Listen Nathan. I don't know what is going on but I'm not here for you to look at me in pity or for my mother to shut herself in her room." I burst out in anger.

I didn't understand why no one was bothering to tell me what they're worried about, especially because it's related to me.

"It's just," he began in a low tone, "we didn't think it'd happen this soon."

My face scrunches in confusion. "The meeting? Why,were you guys waiting for it to be conducted?"

"Yeah." He notifies and I'm grateful he's finally talking. "It's compulsory, as I'm sure you know. I'm pretty sure you also know now why I couldn't tell you what happens in them even when you threatened me saying you'd never talk to me again. I couldn't tell you because they used the Alpha tone. Did they tell you anything else?"

"Not really," I reveal, my mind still not comprehending their reactions. "Except we'd have our exams soon."

Just then the doorbell rings and Nathan looks like a cat caught sneaking in.

"Shit." He mutters to himself. "Shit shit shit."

I narrow my eyes at him,then run out the door and downstairs.

Nathan shouts at me to stop,but with none of them giving me suitable answers,I'd rather get them myself.

I open the door without wasting a second,but freeze when I see who it is.

"Hi." The female werewolf says with a big smile on her face, dimples popping on her cheeks.

Before my mind can formulate a sentence,someone else talks.

"Do come in."

My mom invites the werewolf in, her face void of any emotion.

"But we... we've never had them in before." I mutter to myself still processing the fact that I had to witness seeing these creatures for the second time in a day.

The girl in long blonde hair, that she braided back, glances at me. "I'm glad to be the first one then."

I clench my teeth. Stupid hearing.

The tension in the house is so obvious I could probably cut it with a knife like warm butter.

"I'm Blake." The werewolf introduces herself. "I'm going to assess your university application."

I notice to the papers she points towards.The thickness makes me feel like I missed out something.

"Theses are to hold all your doings you've done in your life." Blake answers my unasked question.

"I'll stand by your side and you'll complete the whole form. You can take however long you want but once you start,no one else will be able to talk to you until you finish. You're not to miss out any details you think are necessary."

"Why?" Is the only question I can come up with.

Blake expressions form into that of a realization.

"Oh I forgot you don't know. These files will inform the council if you're capable or not.

"Of what?"

She states casually. "Of being the Alpha King's mate, ofcourse."