Chapter 2

Pearl

It was my first year in senior high school. Summer break had just ended and I was glad that I would be going back to school. The few weeks I had spent back home seemed like decades.

My stepmother and my step-siblings made my life a living hell. I did all the chores while they dined and lazed around.

There was not much difference back at school either. My step-siblings and I attended the same school. They are in junior high school but they made sure they bullied me at every slightest opportunity.

I was the eldest but my mother died during childbirth. It was rumored that my birth was ominous. My father hated me, he believed that I brought bad omen and my birth killed his wife.

The assertions that surrounded my birth made it difficult for my father to get a new wife as prospective wives did not want to have anything to do with me. I grew up without motherly affection.

When I turned six years old, my father finally remarried. His new wife became my stepmother and the mother of my three half-siblings.

It's the first term in a new session and I was prepared to go back to school. My stepmom volunteered to drop me off. She had never done it in the past and I wondered what she was scheming.

I was sure she must have discussed it with my father and I have no say in the matter.

Without asking questions, I got my luggage ready and took it into the car.

She walked in like a witch and assumed the driver's seat. The engine roared to life as I slid in.

I had almost no relationship with my father, therefore there was no stalling to see him but my heart still yearned to say goodbye.

I looked behind and our house was fast disappearing. A speck of dust rose behind us making the scenery blurry.

I noticed a solitary figure lurking around the house and at a closer look, I realized that It was my father. He stood with his arms folded across his chest.

I couldn't see his facial expression but I knew my father well enough, whenever he folded his arms that way, it means he is apprehensive.

I knew something wasn't right but I couldn't place my hand on it.

"Turn around!" My stepmother ordered.

I sat tight and fiddled with the pendant of the necklace wound around my neck. It was my culture whenever I was afraid.

The necklace was my mother's relic. She had instructed my father that if I survived, I must always wear the necklace around my neck.

I didn't do it as a form of allegiance or obedience, rather, I wore it because it made me feel like I shared something with my mother. My father told me that the necklace was originally hers.

Usually, the necklace was always tucked under my clothes but anytime I was afraid I would bring it out and fiddled with its pendant before tucking it back in, it served as a form of assurance.

I looked around and gazed at the road. It seemed unfamiliar, it was not the road to my school. I became alert with my eyes focused on the road.

After driving non-stop, we veered into an untarred road and after another few minutes' drive, I was sure we were in the woods.

On either side of the road were trees and logs of wood. We continued deep into the woods and my heart swelled in fear.

Just as I gathered enough courage to ask the question that had been burning in my heart, I noticed a large clearing.

We veered into the clearing and right before us were creepy-looking gates stuck into extremely high walls.

I squinted and tried to read the inscription on the gates. It read, 'Hopkins'.

What the heck is this place? I thought as I jolted here and there.

When we drove in, I realized that the entrance was just a deception. The facility covered a wide expanse of land and I could only view as far as my eyes could see.

Different structures were built in different locations which reminded me of how my school looked.

I continued to stare through the window as we eased into one of the parking spaces nearest to us.

"Stay in the car," my stepmom said sternly as she ventured out of the car. She strode away in her usually delicate strides.

I couldn't see much from the parking lot so I reclined into the seat and waited silently.

I remained in the car for what seemed like an eternity and when my stepmother did not return, I ventured out of the car.

I wandered out of the parking lot and soon I was looking at the main entrance.

I knew we were in an unusual place and looking at the entrance, I nursed the idea to run away.

I was still contemplating when I heard a low grunt from behind. I turned around and fell to the ground in horror. My butt hit the ground hard but I did not feel any pain.

I whimpered and began to drag myself through the dirt.

The creature that stood before me howled loudly and began to prance menacingly toward me. It howled again and four other creatures that looked like it walked out of nowhere.

They were wolves. I continued to drag myself away from them. I shook violently and sweat trickled down my body. I never knew my stepmom could feed me to a pack of wolves. Well, that was a lie, she told me to remain in the car.

One of the wolves took the lead. It drew nearer and its face drew nearer to mine. It sniffed my scent and howled loudly, baring its fangs.

A scream escaped my lips and I clamped my eyes shut as I steeled myself for the impact.

"Stop!" A human's voice rang into my ears but it was too late. I opened my eyes to take a look but my vision was blurry. It became darker and I slipped out of consciousness.

Hardin

"Is she a freak or what?" I said and communicated with the other four werewolves. Yes, our minds are in sync.

The ability of werewolves to communicate through the mind is not only limited to bonded mates. Thanks to the training and teachings in Hopkins Citadel, all werewolves in the Faculty of Big Cats are able to communicate as a pack of wolves through the mind.

Of course, the extent to which we communicate is not as extensive as in bonded mates but such is not unachievable, it's a matter of training.

The five of us shifted back into our human form as we walked out of the infirmary. Mrs Hopkins was mad at us. Well, she wouldn't blame us, it was the usual hazing. Every faculty has theirs.

We were excited when Mrs Hopkins informed us that the new transfer student would join the big cats. It's been a long time since we had a newbie and we wanted to have fun.

"Isn't it strange? Why did she freak out?" Evelyn asked.

"It seems that she isn't aware that we are werewolves," I responded.

"Common Hardin, Mrs Hopkins said she belongs to our faculty. You know what that means, she is one of us," another one of us said.

"Let's hope she comes around in time, else Mrs Hopkins will have our head," Evelyn said.

"You better be good to her, she will be your roommate," I said to Evelyn.

"Of course," Evelyn responded and grinned.

While we continued to chat, a strong wind blew in our direction, we took shelter as it progressed into a whirlwind.

The whirlwind rolled progressively and flung one of the doors open. At a closer look, we realized that we were around the faculty of the black birds and the whirlwind had just flung open the door of one of the rooms where the black birds' relics and artifacts were kept.

"I thought the door was always locked," one of us said and curiosity took over us.

"Let's check it out," I said and we ventured into the room.

"I hate this place. It's the witches' warehouse, it contains creepy things, I mean bad energies," Evelyn complained.

"Common, have you been here before?" I pressed.

"Zora has brought me here once and I hated it."

Just as Evelyn finished her statement, one of the effigies in the room fell to the ground, another one fell and the whirlwind vanished through the door.

We screamed out loud and made our way out of the room but there was a loud noise as door  shut against us.

"I said it!" Evelyn yelled and we all watched in horror as one of the secret doors in the room opened.

Zenden, a senior witch and a lecturer in the faculty walked out.

"What the heck are you all doing here!?" She roared and we scampered around.

When we calmed down, we explained ourselves but she wasn't convinced.

She went on to examine the effigies that had fallen and she said. "A whirlwind, opened up the door and pushed off Evanora's and Vivian's effigies… Something big is coming… Spring is nigh!" She yelled like a maniac and laughed hard. We exchanged glances and continued to push ourselves against the door.

Zenden tapped her fingers unexpectedly. The sturdy door flung open suddenly and we all fell outside in the open.

Each one of us sprang up and we took to our heels.

"What a weirdo!" I yelled after we had covered a few distance.

"I warned you. Didn't I," Evelyn deadpanned.

"Zenden and her gibberish… what is the meaning of that rubbish?" One of us said.

"How do I know? Possibly the witches' things," Evelyn responded.