A few weeks had passed since my fight with Jessica and our memorable cookie-filled adventure at Grandma Jo's.Thankfully, Jessica didn’t pick on me at school after she returned from being absent. However, the way she would look at me sometimes sent shivers down my spine.I was wary of her true intentions.Now the school was buzzing with anticipation for the upcoming Winter Formal.As I walked through the hallways, whispers filled the air, carrying the excitement of students discussing dresses, dance partners, and romantic possibilities. Winter Formal was just around the corner, and it seemed to be the topic of the day.The whispers of my classmates reminded me of the invisible barrier that separated me from them.Being wolfless, I carried the weight of their judgment and whispers, feeling like an outsider in my own school. It seemed as though my lack of a wolf had branded me as a curse, leaving me isolated and struggling to forge connections.Therefore, events like Winter Formal felt
Rude. I thought about Lucas’s comment, and as much as I hated to admit it, he wasn't completely wrong.Lately, I had been consumed by my obsession with a new vampire series, binge-watching it non-stop and relentlessly trying to convince Lucas to watch it with me.But every time I asked, he steadfastly refused.“There’s nothing wrong with a little TV binge,” I defended myself, pouting playfully.Lucas laughed. “I’m not saying there is but weigh the options.” Lucas raised up both of his hands, mirroring a scale. “Movies? Or a night of dancing with the best-looking guy in school?”“Oh my God.” I slapped his hands away with a laugh. “You’re so full of yourself, it’s actually concerning.”Lucas grinned at the fake-disgusted look on my face. “What? You don’t think so?”“I’m not going to give you an even bigger head,” I retorted.“Fine.” Lucas shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “But seriously, don’t worry about a thing. I’ll be with you all night. And since I’m the student body representative,
Lucas noticed the look of concern on the girls' faces as we stood there. With a kind smile, he gently asked the girl who spoke, "What is it?""We wanted to know if you could go to Winter Formal with us."I hesitated, trying to process the unexpected turn of events. Three girls, whom I assumed were part of Jessica's clique, had just asked Lucas to be their date for the Winter Formal.It was a surprising development, considering these quiet girls had previously shown no interest in Lucas due to his friendship with me.Jessica stepped forward, a triumphant smirk playing on her lips as she explained the situation. "These three girls are the only options Lucas has for the Winter Formal this year. All the pretty and popular girls have agreed not to go with him because of his association with Shana."The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I couldn't understand why attending a formal event had become such a big deal, and it pained me to see these girls being humiliated because of me.One o
“Did you hear that Shana’s going to Winter Formal with Lucas?”“Yeah, I heard that last period! What’s that all about?”“I have no idea,” one girl said in the restroom. “Why would he ask her? I thought they weren’t together.”“They said they aren’t together, but nobody believes that.”I sighed as I sat in the bathroom stall, trying to drown out the sound of the girls gossiping about Lucas and me. It was as if the walls had ears, amplifying their words and intensifying my frustration.Could they hurry up and finish their conversation already? I had a class to get to.The fact that they were talking about Lucas and me was mind-boggling. After all, he had only asked me to Winter Formal yesterday.Yet somehow, the entire school seemed to be aware of our plans.It must be Jessica.Walking through the hallways felt like navigating a sea of cold glances and silent judgment.Girls now regarded me with disdain, their eyes filled with resentment. It was disheartening to be the target of their h
As the rumors and gossip continued to swirl around us, Lucas and I chose to ignore the noise. We poured all our energy into our training, finding solace and strength within its confines.I never thought I would say this, but I was starting to love training.It had become an outlet for my pain and suffering, a place where I could release my emotions and channel my aggression. The physical exertion allowed me to numb some of the pain, and I found release in hitting, punching, and kicking with fierce determination.Lucas couldn't help but notice the intensity behind my sudden bursts of aggression.His wide eyes and raised brows mirrored his astonishment. "You're scary when you look at me like that," he once remarked, his voice tinged with both amusement and awe. "Your eyes are all glossy and... feisty."I couldn't resist teasing him, pointing to the dummy bag next to me. "You should see how I look at the dummy," I joked, a mischievous glint in my eyes.Our training sessions became a deli
I relied on my speed and agility, my body moving with practiced grace as I avoided Jessica's powerful strikes with calculated precision.Each successful evasion fueled a surge of confidence, a reminder that I had the skills to hold my own against her. The intensity of our training session escalated as neither of us showed any signs of backing down.This wasn't even a partnership—it was a full-on war.Sweat dripped down my forehead, my heart pounding with a mixture of adrenaline and determination. I knew that Jessica's hatred and desire to defeat me only fueled her aggression, making her more relentless with each strike. But I refused to be intimidated."Is that the best you can do, Shana?" Jessica sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. "I expected more from someone who thinks they're so special.""If anyone here thinks they're special." I gritted my teeth, straightening my stance. "It's you."Jessica's laugh was empty and dry. "You say the silliest things, Shana."I narrowed my ey
The tension between Jessica and me had reached its breaking point. Despite my efforts to prove myself and gain respect through my training, Jessica's relentless animosity seemed to grow as our training period went on.She never took her eyes off me the entire afternoon, and I knew that she was planning something.It was as if she couldn't stand the thought of me rising above her.Once the bell rang, signaling the end of class, I rushed out of the doors, trying to get as far away from her as possible.The air was suffocating me with the lingering hostility. The whispers and sidelong glances from Jessica's followers made it clear that they were eagerly awaiting something-- most likely the next chapter in our ongoing feud.I tried to storm down the hallway as fast as I could, determined to leave the school before Jessica caught me again.Lucas wasn’t here today, and I wasn’t stupid enough to train alone after school today. I just wanted to get home as soon as possible.For the first time
The dean's office felt suffocating, the air heavy with disappointment and tension.The stern gaze of the dean bore down on Jessica and me, his disappointment palpable.The weight of what happened pressed upon my shoulders, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of remorse for allowing this feud to get to this point."I can't say I'm surprised to see the two of you back here again," he remarked, his voice tinged with exasperation. "I had hoped that our previous discussions would have put an end to these confrontations."Jessica remained defiant, her arms crossed tightly over her chest."She started it," she retorted, pointing an accusing finger in my direction. "She's always been the instigator."“I’m not sure if that is true, at least not today,” the coach added.I met the dean's gaze, my voice firm but filled with regret."I take responsibility for my actions, but I've been trying to find a way to resolve this conflict peacefully. Jessica refuses to let go of her anger and seeks reveng
TWO MONTHS LATERThe sun cast a warm glow over the royal gardens of the Ethereal Palace as Lucas and I stood across from each other, ready to exchange our vows in front of our closest friends and family.Grandma Jo, Victoria, and James stood by our sides, along with King Alex, Professor Black, and Liam. Alex actually insisted on officiating our wedding which took some convincing. Lucas wasn't too keen on the idea."Imagine being able to tell people that the Alpha King was the one who married you two," Alex had said, wiggling his eyebrows at Lucas. "Doesn't that make for a good story?"Lucas rolled his eyes playfully. "Yeah, a story we'd have to explain for the rest of our lives. No thanks."I chuckled, patting Alex on the shoulder. "I think it's a fantastic idea, Your Majesty."Alex grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I know, isn't it? I do love a good story. Perhaps I'll write a book about it."Lucas shot me a sideways glance, a playful glint in his eye. "I don't know about y
I had the brilliant idea of surprising Lucas will all the new skills I had learned.I'd been so busy study, that I was always too tired when I got home.Showing him the magic I had learned was the best way for me to show him just how much I had grown. With a quick spell and a flick of my wrist, I conjured a portal right in our living room, ready to transport myself back home.As I stepped through the portal, the familiar rush of energy enveloped me, and with a flourish, I emerged in our cozy living room."Lucas?" I called out, unable to contain my excitement.Lucas, who had been engrossed in studying for his upcoming exams, jumped in surprise at the sound of my voice. "Shana? What... How did you... What's going on?"I couldn't help but laugh at his bewildered expression. "Surprise!" I exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear.His eyes widened in disbelief as he took in the sight of me standing there, a portal shimmering behind me. "Shana, that's incredible! How did you do that?""I've been
Studying the ancient text of the White Wolf book became my daily ritual.With each passing day, I delved deeper into its pages, absorbing the knowledge and wisdom it held within.When I had told Lucas that the book was finally unlocked, he was ecstatic, and recommended that Professor Black teach me more.Thanks to Lucas, Professor Black had become somewhat of a teacher, helping me decipher the intricate spells and teachings hidden within its ancient script.Even though he couldn't see the pages himself, I practiced rewriting and retracing everything for him to the best of my ability so that he could help me."Professor Black, I need your help with this passage," I'd say, flipping through the pages of the book as he leaned in to listen attentively. Together, we would dissect the ancient text, discussing its implications and applications in our world.His involvement in my studies caused him to visit the palace much more frequently.Alex quickly recognized the value of having Professor
I stood before the locked White Wolf book, a sense of determination washed over me.This was the moment I had been waiting for—a chance to unlock the secrets hidden within its pages and delve into the mysteries of my life.This book had the ability to tell me more about who I was and what I was meant to do.Suddenly, all the trials and tribulations that I had been through in the past year felt worth it for this moment. I deserved this. I deserved to know who I was.With Alex by my side, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. This was no ordinary book—it held the key to unlocking my true potential as the chosen White Wolf."Are you ready?" Alex asked, his voice filled with anticipation.I nodded, my heart pounding with excitement."You've got this, Shana," he said, his voice filled with confidence. "You were born for this moment.""Let's do this."With a steady hand, Alex pricked his finger, drawing a small drop of blood. I did the same, allowing a single tear to f
As I stepped into the grand halls of the palace, I couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation swirling within me.King Alexander had called me here, promising a surprise, and I couldn't help but wonder what it could be.It wasn't unusual for him to call me to the palace, but what he had said over the phone had me nervous."Liam's going to come pick you up to take you to the palace. I have a huge surprise for you," he had said."I hate surprises," I replied, already starting to chew on my bottom lip."Too bad," Alex said and I could practically see the smile that was on his lips. "See you soon!"As I awaited Liam's arrival, my mind raced with nervousness.Surprises were not my forte, especially when they involved King Alexander.He was a wild card and always seemed to be up to no good.Yet, despite my apprehension and hesitation, there was a flicker of excitement building within me.What could Alex have planned for me that needed to be such a secret?When Liam finally arrived, I couldn
A FEW MONTHS LATERThe warm breeze brushed against my skin as I made my way through the palace gardens, the vibrant colors of the flowers blooming all around me.Even though Alex had called the royal gardens overrated, it was my favorite place here.I always found myself walking through the rows and bushes of flowers.It had been a few months since the tumultuous events that had changed the course of our lives, and yet, the memories still felt fresh in my mind.Despite not moving into the palace, I found myself spending more and more time there, drawn by the sense of duty and responsibility that now rested on my shoulders.As King Alexander's right hand, along with Liam, I had taken on a new role within the kingdom, providing support and guidance to the young monarch as he navigated the challenges of ruling a kingdom.The transition hadn't been easy, but together, we had managed to weather the storm, leaning on each other for support as we forged ahead.As White Wolf, I commanded a le
I rushed through the hospital corridors, my heart pounding in my chest as I navigated my way to the room where Lucas and Kendrick were.The sound of my footsteps echoed off the sterile walls, each step bringing me closer to the moment I had been anxiously awaiting.Finally, I reached the door and pushed it open, stepping inside to find Lucas sitting beside his father's bed.Relief flooded through me as I saw Kendrick. His eyes were closed, but I could tell that he was just asleep and not completely unconscious as the machines beeped steadily."Lucas, I'm here," I said softly, crossing the room to stand beside him. "I got your text. How's he doing?"Lucas looked up at me, a grateful smile spreading across his face as he stood up. "Shana? What are you doing here?""What do you mean?" I asked with a frown. "I had to come as soon as I could once I found out he was awake. Are you okay?""I'm so glad you're here," he replied, his voice filled with emotion. He pulled me into a hug and I sque
LUCAS POV "Graduation is almost here and I want to go to Hawking University to play hockey. It's what I've always wanted," I continued, hoping my father could finally understand things from my point of view.But my father's expression darkened, a shadow of disappointment crossing his features as he shook his head slowly."Lucas, I've spent my life building this company," he said, his voice tinged with frustration. "I thought I could count on you to carry on the legacy."I couldn't help feeling a surge of guilt wash over me as I struggled to find the right words to express my feelings."I appreciate your confidence in me, father," I replied, my voice trembling slightly. "It's been difficult navigating everything since you've been gone, but I feel as though I was able to handle it because of everything you've taught me. But having this experience, I'm not sure if I'm fully ready to commit to such a big responsibility."My father listened as I poured out my heart, his expression unreada
LUCAS POV My phone rang with an unfamiliar number, and my heart skipped a beat as I answered it, the anticipation clawing at the edges of my mind.I had gotten used to answering unknown callers over the past few weeks ever since I took over the business for my father. He got far more calls than I imagined, and many of them were scammers trying to steal information from him.I was already exhausted, ready to go home for the day. I didn't want to deal with any more problems today, and that included talking to a stranger on the phone that just wanted to play games with me."Hello?" I said, my voice tight with apprehension."L-Lucas?" came the hesitant voice on the other end of the line. The voice cleared. "Hello, is this Lucas Busch?""This is he," I replied, ready to give this person a piece of my mind. "Is there something I can help you with?""Yes, I'm your father's doctor and I have some news to share with you."I stilled, hearing the words, hoping that it wasn't a prank.My father