puzzles

The next day was another lecture day but rather than heading to the hall, Peyton ordered them to go to the garden and she intentionally delayed them. She wore a purple off shoulder top and a pair of black pant and a black sneaker to match.

"Good morning, students. You must be wondering why you're out today. Today's lecture is treasure hunt, treasures had been buried in the whole garden and we need to find it. Whatever you find will be your purpose here so let the game start" she had barely finished her words when the students chorused for joy and started the hunt.

"No partner?" Miss Peyton asked Amber and she nodded.

They paired themselves as a group and began to look for the treasure. Amber was able to find a treasure box after a long time of searching. She eagerly opened the box and she saw a red cardboard cut in a shape of love, she looked at Peyton who bent over beside her.

"What's the meaning of this?"

"It means you're here to find love" her lovely eyes blinked a couple of times.

"Love?" She scoffed.

"I'm here to learn how to live as a wolf without my wolf side, not for this!" She whispered and raised her voice on the last word, emphasising more on it.

Peyton stood up and called the students together, "I'm sure you all have gotten something. Now, you have to go to the hall and know the meaning of what was found in the box."

The students marched to the hall; some were happy while some were sad when they found out the meaning of what they found in the box. Amber walked to the last roll of the benches with the love shaped red cardboard in her hand and she sat down.

"Wow! We have the same thing, I guess fate has brought us together" Adrian said as he sat close to Amber.

Amber glared at him but kept mute, she was too sad to utter any word.

"How about you be my date on the Wolves Day feast?" His voice was cool and warmed its way into Amber's heart.

"Wolves Day feast? What's that?" She turned slightly, her head almost poking out of her neck.

"Oh! You don't know about it yet? It's a feast to welcome our wolf side and find our mates" He said and the smile on Amber's face disappeared.

"What if I'm not your mate?" She whispered under her breath but Adrian managed to pick the words.

"Of course you are, we share the same treasure hunt which means we're both here for love"

"Okay, I'll think about it. I have to go now"

She was walking down the desolated corridor, staring at the cardboard and pondering how she would find love when she can't be a wolf. She heard a voice that sounded familiar, moving closer, she realized that it was Miss Peyton's voice.

"Yes, I found a girl with the necklace. Really? What? Her mom? I'll make sure she pays" Miss Peyton was talking to someone over the phone and luckily for her, she didn't scent her out.

She walked fast into her room, locked the door and sat on the edge of the bed. She remembered what Iris had told her.

"Miss Peyton, be careful around her"

"What did she mean by that?" She thought.

"And why was Miss Peyton talking about a girl with a necklace? My mom? Pay for what?" Different questions ran through her mind with nobody to give answers to them.

She opened the window and said a silent prayer in her mind to the moon goodness and went to sleep.

*

The next morning, Peyton opened her door, was walking but had a strong feeling to check on Amber so she knocked on her door.

"Come in" Amber said and Miss Peyton walked in, Amber was sitting on the bed.

Walking further into the room, Miss Peyton couldn't afford to notice the happiness on Amber's face.

"What wrong? Or have you found someone you love?" Peyton teased.

"Not that!" Amber waved her hand.

"Then what is it?" Miss Peyton asked, sitting at the edge of the bed.

"My mom is coming over today" Her eyes glistened.

Miss Peyton's face suddenly turned to a frown but she was quick to shake it off so Amber won't notice.

"I guess I'll be meeting her then" Peyton faked a smile.

"Why?" Amber asked, remembering Miss Peyton's conversion of last night.

"Nothing, just to say hello"

"Okay, no problem"

"I'll see you during visiting hours then" Peyton said and left the room.

Amber didn't feel good about Miss Peyton meeting her mom so she quietly sneaked behind her and as she thought, Miss Peyton made a call, she was looking out the window.

"Hello. Yes, she's coming over today. Luck me! Yes, absolutely. She had raised a beautiful and brave daughter, she must pay for her good deeds........ Get me a bouquet of flower and any other gift you think she's going to like.......... Bye now!" Miss Peyton said and hanged up and Amber sneaked back to her room.

Miss Peyton stood in that position for a while, sniffed and looked back with a grin, "You sure are brave but not smart. I already scented you out and today, your mom dies."

*

"What else do I need? Oh! The present Jenna got for Amber" Maya hit her head slightly with her palm and went back to the room to get it.

She had wake up early to prepare Amber her favorite and some snacks. She put the gift it her bag, grabbed the car keys and locked the door. She placed the bag at the owner's angle, got in the car and revved it into motion.

After about three hours drive, Maya arrived at the school gate. She parked in the garage out the gates, got the bag and walked into the school. She was directed to the visiting reception and she saw Amber, already waiting for her. Amber's eyes lit up as she saw Maya and she rushed to hug her.

"I've missed you so much, mom" She said, disengaging from the hug.

They took their seat and Maya places the bag on the table.

"I made you something nice" Maya said and gave the lunch box to her.

Amber opened it, sniffed in the aroma satisfactorily.

"Here, it's all for you. I need to use the restroom now" She left for the restroom.

Miss Peyton walked on Amber from behind with a bouquet of flower, "I guess your mom is around" she bent over.

"Yes but she went to the restroom."

"Okay, I'll be back to see her then"

Amber drew the bag closer, she saw the present and she tore it open, it was a cell phone with a registered sim in it.

"She seriously thinks she can get closer to me through this?" She scoffed and dropped the box.

She brought out the other things in the bag and lastly, a picture and a note. She saw Miss Peyton, Maya and a baby in the picture and the note's word sounded threatening.

"Mom had a baby?"

Maya approached Amber's table with a smile that disappeared immediately she saw what Amber was holding.

"What is this, mom? You know Miss Peyton? Is that why she wants to kill you?"

Maya's lips parted in a small space, "What? Kill me? But I saw her just now and she was cool with me except for the fact that she said she was looking for a lady and she had this look on her face that I couldn't explain."

"She might be pretending, I overheard her last night talking about my necklace and wanting to kill my mom and this morning, suddenly she wanted to greet my mom with a bouquet." She explained, trying to solve the puzzle in her head.

"Wait! Did you bring your mom's necklace here?"

"Yes, I did"

"What did you do that for? You just messed up the whole thing, Amber. Peyton is really after your mom, not me! She could have killed me if she doesn't know who I am"

"So who are you and whose baby is this in the picture? Why is Miss Peyton after the necklace and my mom? Where is all these puzzles coming from?" Amber said, almost in a yell.