CHAPTER 5

      Lucas settled into his seat as he stared at them, he had never heard them quarrel or argue and now that he thought about it, his mother was always the calm one in the house. She sank into her seat also as if preparing to listen to the story also.

 “It started when we were newly betrothed to each other, your mother had always been the feisty one and always played hard to get, she was friendly and had friends surrounding her daily, you’d think she was a queen” he smiled as he reminisced, she was his queen.

  Ruby was the only child to her parents who were members of the Alicante pack, it was mostly populated with females and hence was nicknamed Luna’s habitat. Alicante held the best of women in different body sizes and shapes, they were all beautiful with skin that shone brightly. Ruby met Reginald first at a council meeting when both packs met together, he followed her to her secret hideout and when they met for the second time, their engagement was announced. She didn’t want to get married but he already loved her and her heart belonged to another, a man from a weak pack. In those times, strength was measured in size and how capable one was to protect its pack from predators and fellow wolves, Night walker had the best of gamma warriors and their alliance with the council was strong and dependable. Ruby saw her engagement as a means to build the pack, she was the one being used to redeem the pack and she wanted nothing to do with it, but she had no say as they got married and she had to abandon her lover. Two years after their marriage, they welcomed Lucas, he was her hope for a better life in her loveless marriage, she always thought there was no love between them and Reginald didn’t do anything to deviate her thoughts. When Lucas turned four, the family took a trip to her hometown but ended up stranded in the woods, they camped for the night but on that night, something strange happened. Lucas woke up to the cry of a wolf, Ruby woke up alongside Reginald and when they went in to inspect the noise, it was Micah, her lover. He was wounded deeply and when he saw her with her son, his bones started cracking, he wasn’t the one she had fallen for again, those warm brown eyes turned bloodshot red as he growled aggressively at the child and his mother. She pleaded as she pulled Lucas closer to herself, he trembled in her hands and averted his eyes from the shapeshifting human, it was his first time experiencing that and he was terrified.

   Micah charged at them with full force but Reginald immediately shielded them and took the blow, he released her slowly as his blood dripped to the ground, she pulled Lucas closer and hid his face from his fathers’. She was crestfallen and devastated, Micah lay on his side naked and curled up in a ball, she felt remorse, hatred, love and anger all at the same time, her emotions were mixed and with a loud cry every tree in the woods was uprooted and charged at Micah, shattering him into pieces. She ran over to where Reginald laid, in his near-death state, he trembled.

  “That’s it? what happened next?” Lucas said in curiosity, he had just learned that his mother was a very scary person to annoy and his dad almost died. “And how did you survive that?” “Your mum is a loud crier, her hometown was some miles away and they apparently know how much she loves crying and how loud she is, they brought help and I survived.” Reginald said and Lucas didn’t seem convinced one bit. He turned to his mother and hugged her, “You have to suppress your emotions so we can live a normal and peaceful life, it must be hard. Thank you for everything mum, I love you” Her eyes became teary as she held onto him like her life depended on it, she learned to loved his father and he, they became her reason to live. He said his goodnights to his parents as he hurried off to bed and when they were alone, she asked.

   “Why didn’t you tell him about the girl?” Ruby’s family didn’t come to help, it was a little girl and her mother who were at the scene that saved Reginald’s life and Lucas was the one who spotted her. “He doesn’t remember her and neither would she, it was just a coincidence, her mother made it known to us to keep the truth away from them and we are doing so. That child is mysterious and the fact that she healed me instantly still baffles me.” “I have a bad feeling about this Reggie, something bad is about to take place and I can’t do anything about it”. He stood up and moved towards her, her face had worried lines and the wrinkles were becoming visible. “You need to stop worrying yourself over what is to come and focus on what is here now and available for you to love,” she held his face and pulled him for a kiss, loving him was the best thing to ever happen to her and it was a lovely one but deep down, she couldn’t ignore the feeling that their world was about to take another turn.

Anika strutted into school like the queen bee that she was, her black hair was in a curl and she swung her hips side to side alongside her minions, Melissa and Melody. Every girl wanted to be them and every guy wanted to be with them, as they walked down the hallway, Cassandra and her friends squealed. They wanted to be like them, popular, rich and beautiful. Clarissa rolled her eyes at her sister, she was always making irrational choices and wishing to be like everyone. “I just want to sit with them at lunch, I would gain more popularity if they can recognize me a second time” Cassandra said and her friends nodded vigorously, Clarissa groaned as she slammed her locker shut. “You do not have to be around someone who is as self-centered and egoistic as Anika, you are better off on your own”, “Being better off on my own means that I get to be you, I cannot take that risk.” “You are me, twin sister. I am off to class, enjoy spectating” She tugged at the hem of her sweat shirt and pulled her tote bag on as she walked into history class. History was probably the most interesting class at Lakeshore, Clarissa loved history and it was clearly a subject she would pass in flying colors but she doesn’t.

  “Miss Whitlock, would you please take your seat while we begin the class” The history teacher, Miss. Cherry said, Clarissa turned to her and realized she was on the ground, she turned her gaze to Anika who was already laughing alongside the entire class, how did she not realize she had fallen? She stood up and walked to the empty seat at the back. Lucas waved at her but she was too upset to notice anything around her. The class started and ended almost immediately as the bell rang for a change of class. She walked quietly to her next class, she was terrible at making friends and hence, she was always alone. Cassandra was the extrovert, the perfect twin, with beautiful and perfect skin, she always felt invisible around her. They grew up like every other twin in the world, matching outfits and hairdos, but when they got to middle school, Cassandra found herself becoming social and soon enough, she found her place in school but Clarissa had always been a shadow of herself, insecure and imperfect. She heaved a sigh as she massaged her temples, the day had just begun but it felt so tiring and stressful, as she battled with her thoughts, Lucas strolled up to her and gave her a nudge. “What was that for?” her eyes glared at him and he looked taken aback for a moment, she realized she had startled him and immediately apologized. “I am sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude. I have had a long day and I do not want to be upset by anyone” He looked at her in worry, searching her eyes like it held the answers to all the questions running through his mind. “It’s fine, I was worried you had ghosted me after your call last night” he said as they started walking to their government class, she managed a small smile and replied. “You sound like it was more than just a call, like we spent the night together or something” his cheeks slightly pink and she couldn’t contain her laughter, “Sorry, but you should see the look on your face. This is a priceless moment”. They settled down beside each other and Anika approached them, “Hi Lucas, I see you have made friends with Clarissa here, I was wondering if you would love to team up for final project”. She batted her eyes at him and gave Clarissa a cold smile. “I already have a partner for the project, Clarissa and I are working on something together” he said making emphasis on together. Anika smiled with gritted teeth, if she needed to get her own part of the deal with her mum, then she had to push Clarissa out of the way to get it. “Clarissa? She never goes above average and never does anything interesting” She fired back at him which only made Clarissa stir in her seat. “You do know the project is on history, right? Ancient stuff and all, I don’t think your brain can comprehend half of what it is” she continued not minding the scene she had already created, Clarissa was about to reply when the class teacher entered and dismissed the noise. “We will talk after class Lucas, and Clarissa, make sure to pay attention in the class.”

 Clarissa’s mind was so occupied with the various things she could do to Anika, she thought of pushing her off a cliff, everyone would be so grateful for the favor and not mind a missing Anika, or she could just squeeze the life out of her. Anika had always tormented her very existence, it started in middle school, Cassandra looked up to her and wanted everything she wanted but Clarissa wanted nothing to do with her, Anika could not stand people who didn’t worship her so she started a rumor about her, calling her a werewolf. She claimed that Clarissa’s finger nails were so long, she tried to scratch her and bit into her flesh. The whole school figured it was a rumor but they followed along with it because it meant more humiliation to her and less to them. She got used to it as it was eventually forgotten, but it was a thorn in her flesh and haunted her. Lucas held her clenched hands and his warmth overshadowed the anger she was feeling, he became her focus. Every thought of Anika was erased and she felt lighter, it was almost as if he was taking away all her pain and replacing it with warmth. She had never felt this peaceful in a long while, she remembered her happy moments with her mum but it was nothing compared to anything she was feeling at the moment. Lucas had tuned out her thoughts so she could focus on one thing…him, it was selfish but he didn’t care, he wasn’t a fan of Anika but he knew he didn’t want anything causing hurt or pain to the girl beside him. He had only used his power once on someone other than himself and that was his nanny Agatha, she came into his room for the first time after she was employed nervous and stricken with fear, she was trying her possible best to be perfect but ended up making mistakes. He held her hand and gave her a reassuring smile, Agatha instantly felt lighter and performed her duties perfectly. He smiled at the memory, Agatha left three years ago to find her own path, she was the first human he ever knew but she had to leave to find her path, he wondered how she managed to cope living with werewolves who were willing to tear her into pieces, he remembered asking his mother about her but she only smiled and patted his head. The class ended and Anika turned her attention back to Lucas, she grew agitated when she noticed his hands on Clarissa. “Lucas, do you want to hang out during lunch? You can sit with us; I will introduce you to the rest of the group” she said and pulled him towards the door. Lucas turned and mouthed an apology to Clarissa before leaving. Cassandra walked into the class with Raina and Allison and they each held a dreamy look in her eyes and sighed in unison.

 “Did I miss something?” Clarissa asked as she pulled out her tote bag and put her books into it, “Who is the new guy? Why didn’t you let us know you had a new student Clary?” Allison asked. “I can bet my whole savings that he’ll end up with Anika” Cassandra said and the others nodded in unison, Clarissa furrowed her brows and turned towards them, “Why do you think he will fall for her, why can’t he fall for you or Allison?... or me?” They shared a look and burst into laughter, Clarissa rolled her eyes and stood to leave the classroom, “No offense darling, but you are way past his league” Cassandra said as they followed her out of the room. She knew they were right; Lucas was obviously way out of her league and was suited for someone like Anika or Cassandra but not her. They entered into the cafeteria and after collecting their food, Clarissa walked away from them to find a hidden corner to eat, she started to walk away when Cassandra pulled her back and directed her to their table. “You don’t have to do this Cassie, I am perfectly fine being on my own” She started to say but Cassandra groaned and ignored her, the girls busied themselves with their food and boy talk, occasionally involving Clarissa into their discussion.

  “Can you act normal Clary? Do not make me regret asking you to sit with us.” Cassandra started to say, “I didn’t ask, you pulled me over” Clarissa replied and stuffed her chicken nuggets into her mouth. They ignored her and turned to scan the cafeteria, it was what a typical high school cafeteria was, the jocks had their table with cheerleaders around them, Anika sat with the cheerleaders as head cheerleader, the nerds, drama club and so much more. Cassandra and her friends were classified in the middle-class aspect, they were neither popular nor less popular. Clarissa hated the sitting system as it was never in her favor, she couldn’t blame anyone for not wanting to be friends with her, she had grown to love being in her confined space and shell and didn’t plan to branch out. School was like this some days, it went in her favor and other times, it blew up in her face. She raised her head up to scan the room when she caught Lucas staring at her, her heart felt heavy instantly and she looked away.

   “Why do you look flustered? You look like you just saw your crush” Raina said as they laughed at her, she mentally slapped herself for letting her emotions express themselves. They turned to search around for any possible person and found Lucas staring at their table. “Why is he staring directly at us when he’s with Anika? Her aura is enchanting and luring, how can he not look interested in anything she has to say?” Allison asked in disbelief, Cassandra silently looked at Lucas and Clarissa and then in disbelief, she asked. “Do you guys have something going on?” Clarissa ignored her question; Cassandra had always been a nosy person and she concluded on everything before hearing the truth. “Anika’s got her eye on him Clary, back off” she said in finality and they packed up their stuff to leave the cafeteria.