Chapter 2 - Rude Awakening.

As a little boy, no one except Everett's mother had thought him handsome as a baby. Their gaze had halted when they got to his roman nose and their smile had faltered for a fraction of a second.

As a boy he didn't attract the girls. The girls had been more attracted to the boys who were big and strong. It was the signs of strong werewolf genes.

He was skinny and his cheek bones just gave him a skeletal look. But by fourteen he was filling out, he had muscles from rigorous trainings and pack patrol with the adult werewolves.

By seventeen he became handsome. He had grown into those features, his bone structure was fine and perfectly symmetrical. It was manly. But Everett's new shape didn't do much for him, not when his status couldn't rise past that of an ordinary wolf.

Sometimes Everett wondered if he was cursed for being birthed by such lowly parents, but most times he was grateful that he didn't have to face what the high bred wolves constantly had to face. 

He shifted uncomfortably in Principal Claude's office.

The office had always given him the creeps. First, it was located on the highest tower in the castle and required a total of one hundred and forty steps to get to the hard way. Although for a werewolf, it seemed like a light jog but Everett always had a phobia for heights.

It was a large circular room with a large alcove, many windows and many portraits of old Principals and the seven Alpha Superiors. 

The walls also housed hundreds and hundred of books and ancient artifacts. To Everett, it was old, just like the whole of the cursed castle.

He shifted uncomfortably in the large armchair he had to sit in as he waited for Principal Claude. The office gave him the creeps, especially the large bull horn that was used to call them to order.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting Everett." Principal Claude said as he waved to the boy in the normal Custodes Lunae greeting.

The Principal and Everett were from the same pack, the Custodes Lunae, also known as the religious zealots by all.

Everett had been born in the pack but he had no intention to be fully devoted nor worship the moon goddess who did little to help their political matters.

His family was also equally as religious as every family in the Custodes Lunae. Prayer every three times a day in the moon temple and meditation once a day.

His mother too believed in the crap their Alpha Superior Abraham fed them, that the mantle of Avalon's leadership would once fall in their hands.

It was a laughable concept really, everyone one knew that Ortus Solis was the head pack, closely followed by Lux Aeterna. 

"It's alright Principal Claude. How can I be of assistance to you."

"It's a delicate matter Everett, one which I would like your discretion."

Everett's ears perked up.

"Of course."

In the past, he had always done odd jobs for the Principal since the Principal was well acquainted with his father. He didn't like doing it, but he had to. Principal Claude rubbed shoulders with the high and mighty due to his status. He was well connected and the connection, if put to good use would help Everett. 

Everett didn't just want to be a normal werewolf, he wanted to be somebody, maybe if he worked harder, he would be part of the high bred wolves who could afford to take several trips in and out of Avalon.

He could be free.

"There's a girl. Cora Windsor. She's new here." Principal Claude sighed.

"She's the niece of the Alpha Superior twins of the Filli Lunae pack. She's different..."

Everett wondered why Principal Claude was telling him about some girl, how was she going to be of any benefit to him?

"When I say different, I mean she has no connection to her wolf."

"How? How is that possible?"

No connection to her wolf, the thought of it was simply ridiculous. How does that even happen? He asked himself as he watched Principal Claude wearily.

"A childhood trauma at a young age. It was so traumatic her wolf side had to be repressed by a mage so she could have a normal childhood. Her memory was cleared and she lived out her years as a human. Now she's back."

"Why is she back?"

Principal Claude shrugged.

"The Alpha twins Henry and Luther have lived a long good life. It is time for the mantle of leadership to be passed to the next person. That is her father, Raymond Windsor."

"She's the daughter of the next Alpha?"

"Yes. I suppose so. And since she's the only child of her father, it's possible she's next in line for the throne. Not many people are happy about that."

"They shouldn't. It's unacceptable." Everett said out loud.

The twin Alpha Superiors had seven children that all died one after the other every few years. It was so depressing that their Luna killed herself after years of grief and mourning. The Alphas had taken in several mistresses to give them heirs, but none of them could ever conceive.

Everyone had forgotten that the Alphas had a younger brother who had lived most of his years in the human world. Even Everett.

"But it's the law. The Beta can't be the Alpha Superior if there is still a surviving heir."

It's a stupid law, Everett thought. Just like there were many other stupid laws.

Like how you couldn't leave Avalon without the Lex Luna approving your application to leave.

"About Cora Windsor, what am I to do with her?"

"I'm assigning you to her as her personal guide. You will provide useful information about what she does, what goes on in her family, where she goes. I want to know everything about her."

In the Academy a personal guide was called a Dux. There were normally given to first year students to guide and mentor them. A Dux in most cases was always a third year student. For second and third year students, they were given personal guides in the fourth and fifth year respectively.

"So she's in first year?"

"No, her parents begged that she start in the third year. They claim she has some basic knowledge of Werewolf history."

For the next few minutes, Principal Claude gives Everett specific instructions concerning Cora Windsor.

"If you're able to do this exceedingly well, I can always put in a great recommendation for the training program run by Alpha Superior Scarlet. It will help you in the long run."

Everett's eyes widened in shock as he walked out of the Principal's office. Alpha Scarlet ran an exclusive program that trained werewolves to be warriors, specifically werewolves that were not in the Deum Belli pack. The other Alphas who wanted their children in the program had to wiggle their way in like any other normal person or pay the standard fee.

It was so exclusive and high class that it would give Everett a large boost in whatever career path he wanted in Avalon. And it would increase his chances of leaving Avalon.

After the long speech in the Great Hall, Everett alongside several other students in grey and dark red uniforms filed out in a noisy chatter. Everett's closest friend Ivan walked with him down the hall to meet Principal Claude and the new girl.

"So she's the girl that has been causing all the ruckus?"

Ivan asked.

"Apparently. I'm assigned to be her Dux."

Ivan scoffed.

"Really? You her Dux? Isn't she supposed to be given someone in the fifth year like us?"

"Well, Principal Claude trusts in me. He values my discretion. And speaking of discretion, I shouldn't be telling you this..."

"It's not like I'll say anything. Don't worry. I heard she has no scent."

Everett looked at his friend with confusion.

"The girl?"

Ivan nodded.

"Yea! Jane saw her, said she looked and smelled like a human to her. Sure there's no mixup?"

"I don't know, but if there is I'll be sure to report to Principal Claude."

"There they are! I'll leave you to it."

Ivan said as he patted Everett on his shoulder and walked away.

He checked his watch impatiently as he waited for them to finish their descent from the left wing stairs. He wanted to get the introductions over with and get back in to his dorm.

But when their eyes met, Everett felt his whole world slow down.

So painfully slow.

Her tall frame and slender body were exceptional. Her blue eyes, like the sea, were mirrors to her soul. Long, wavy blonde hair, so smooth and silky, almost as if it was tailored from gold fabric.

Her emotions were not easily hidden on her innocent face. Her aloofness and confusion were evident in the crease of her lovely brow and the down-curve of her full lips. She was a beauty to behold.

But that wasn't the most important part.

His body was tingling. He could also smell her. 

What did that mean? He thought as he stared into her blue eyes. He felt another burst of tingling sensation explode all through him. This time, it was stronger and the force almost sent him staggering.

His wolf was wild and howling. Screaming at him to go to her. 

How was it possible?

She was his mate.

But when he looked into her eyes, she only stared right through him. She didn't know. 

She had no idea, no inkling.

It took all of Everett's willpower to suppress his wolf as he almost growled in pain.

She was his mate.

And she had no idea.