Mia’s POV
I stood before the mirror and stared at myself reflecting in the mirror.
My blonde hair was loose on my shoulders, a little make-up powder and red lipstick on my face. I smiled widely at myself, trying to compose myself. I was going to stand before everyone and make a speech, and I didn’t want them to have a clue about what was happening in my life.
Seizing a deep breath, I picked up my graduation gown and left my room. I took the stairs to the sitting room and met aunt Cara coming out from the kitchen. ”Are you leaving?” She asked, ”Yes.” I replied with a weak smile, which she returned. ”I will be there.” She announced, while I flashed a grateful smile and left the sitting room.
I went to the garage and met Simone waiting for me beside a black Mercedes. ”Good morning Simone.” I greeted and hopped onto the front seat while he sat in the driver’s seat. ”Happy graduation.” He said, while I just hummed and looked away.
As he drove out of the garage, I settled my gaze on the mansion. This was supposed to be my home, but today it’s a nightmare, and I’m not coming back. Hopefully, it will be the last time I will see it if my plan goes well.
The drive to the school was silent until he drove into the school and parked at one of the parking spaces. ”I will wait for you.” He proposed, but I shook my head, ”There will be no need for that, I’m going to be late” I announced and got out of the car before he could object to it.
I waved a quick goodbye to him and made my way to the hall. As I made my way to the hall, I greeted my classmates I met on the way. We exchanged greetings until I stepped into the hall.
”You are here, I was about calling you.” Rachael grumbled and gave me a tight hug, ”I can’t believe we are finally free from high school.” She exclaimed happily while releasing me from her embrace. ”Where is Sarah?” I asked, while moving my gaze around.
”She was around here a moment ago.” She responded, also moving her gaze around. ”Let’s go take our seats, she will join us soon.” Rachael suggested and I nodded my head to it.
We both took our seats in the middle row of the hall. After a few minutes, Sarah joined us, hanging a camera on her shoulder. ”Who has this?” Rachael asked, ”I borrowed it.” She giggled happily while we both laughed.
Sarah and Rachael were lost in their conversation, while I just stared at them. This might be the last time I’m gonna see them. I wished I could tell them everything, but by doing that, I’m putting them in danger because Rick will kill them if he finds out they knew about my plans.
”Are you okay?” Rachael was the first person who noticed my silence. ”Yeah, I’m just nervous for the speech.” I lied, ”Don’t worry, you will do great.” She tapped my shoulder while I heaved a deep breath.
Principal Kate climbed on stage, made a speech about the graduation, which I did not bother to listen to.
”It’s my pleasure to welcome our special guest of honor, who was also an excellent student of this school. Please stand on your feet as I welcome Alpha Ricardo Luciano to the stage.” Those words from principal Kate got my attention.
”He is here!” I whispered and moved my gaze around, but he was nowhere in the hall. Suddenly, he appeared right on the stage, making the crowd roar with loud claps. ”Show off.” I murmured to myself without applauding him. The crowd continued applauding him until he raised his hands, gesturing them to stop.
The hall became silent and everyone took their seats. ”Hello everyone!” He greeted and got a loud response from everyone, only if they knew the kind of beast he was. ”It’s a pleasure to be in your midst…” He kept blabbering words which I did not pay attention to. I was worried about my plan, hoping it would work.
”And again, I wish you success in your next journey.” He smiled and got a round of applause from everyone, while some werewolves howled loudly as he left the stage.
I fixed my gaze and waited for him to teleport away, but alas, he took a seat next to the principal. ”You must be kidding me.” I grumbled within myself and moved my gaze away.
”Are you okay?” Sarah asked, and I could only respond with a nod.
Principal Kate stood on the stage and signaled everyone to keep their voices down, as they were still hailing and applauding alpha Ricardo.
After several pleads, the noise settled down and she was able to speak.
”Thank you. As you can see, there are ten awards placed on the table that will be given to the ten excellent students. I’m going to call out the students, and each award will be presented by alpha Ricardo to the lucky students.” She announced, while I just scoffed and looked away.
”I will start with the award for best behaved student, which goes to Sarah Wilton.” The principal announced, and Sarah stood to her feet with a proud smile. We watched her go on stage, shook hands with alpha Ricardo and took her award from him.
Principal Kate kept calling other awards, while I just clapped my hands reluctantly. ”Who do you think would win the best overall Student?” Rachael asked, ” Is that even a question?, of course you know it’s Mia, she has been doing well in all her subjects.” Sarah responded, while I flashed her a weak smile and looked away.
”The last, and most important award, goes to the best overall Student. She did excellently well in her studies, getting all As in every subject she took, I’m not talking of any other person than Maria Luciano.” Principal Kate announced while looking in my direction.
”Congrats, Mia.” Rachael and Sarah congratulated me with a tight hug as I stood to my feet.
As I made my way to the stage, I heard loud claps from the crowd while I just beamed and climbed the stage.
I got to where Rick was standing and brought forth my hand for a handshake, but rather he pulled me to himself and gave me a tight hug, right before everyone. I wanted to forcefully pull away from him, but I stopped because I didn’t want to cause a scene. ”I’m so proud of you, my little prey.” He whispered into my right ear, which sent a cold shiver down my spine.
He released me from his embrace and flickered a mischievous smile before handing the award to me. We stood and took a photo before I made my way to the pulpit and cleared my throat.
”Good day everyone, it’s a pleasure to be standing before you…” I paused and inhaled a deep breath before proceeding.
Due to the fact that I couldn’t write down my speech, I decided to say whatever came to my mind, and luckily the speech came out well. ”Thanks for honoring me with this award, and I promise to do better in my next institution.” I ended my speech with those words and made my way out of the stage while a round of applause was made for me.
”You killed it, baby girl.” Sarah and Rachael congratulated with a high five. ”Thanks girls.” I responded with a weak smile.
The rest of the graduation ceremony was uneventful until it came to an end and, suprisedly, Alpha Ricardo stayed until the end.
”Whose house are we meeting?” Rachael asked as we stood to our feet. ”Yours!” I replied quickly, I don’t want them in the mansion. ”Okay.” She accepted.
We made our way out of the hall, but then I caught sight of Alpha Ricardo’s piercing gaze on me. ”Don’t you dare do something stupid.” He warned through mind Link. His words sent great fear all over my body, but I ignored it and walked out of the hall.
We went out of the hall and took a couple of photos and videos with classmates and also with Aunt Cara, who came as my only family member. We took lots of pictures until we all called it a day, so we could go home and prepare for the after-party.
”I will leave now, I have to pay a visit to my brother.” Aunt Cara said and placed a kiss on my forehead. ”May you be happy.” She flashed a weak smile and walked away.
”We meet at my place by Six.” Rachael announced, while Sarah and I nodded our head.
”See you later.” I kissed Sarah and Rachael goodbye and made my way to the parking lot, to check if Simone was still waiting for me. I was almost in the parking lot when I heard my name from behind.
Curious, I turned around and met a familiar dude standing before me with a friendly smile. With raised eyebrows, I tried to recall where I might have seen his face, but nothing came forth.
”Mia, right?” He asked unsure. ”Yeah, and you are” I asked.
”Oh, my name is Joshua, we met at a birthday party four years ago, remember?” He asked, ”Yes, yes, I remembered. The guy whose boyfriend was having a fight with him, right?” I asked and got a loud chuckle from him. ”Where have you been, I was looking for you, you played me with that drink.” I murmured with a frown. ”Apologies, I didn’t know it would have such effects on you.” He said and took another step forward to me. ”How has life been treating you, when I came back I heard the sad demise of your parents, please accept my condolences.” He said with a sincere voice, while I just nodded with a sad smile.
”I…” He wanted to speak, but then I felt a familiar Aura around. With panic, I turned around and met alpha Ricardo standing before me with a blank look.
I wanted to speak, but couldn’t form words out of my lips. I noticed Alpha Ricardo ignored me, rather, his gaze was fixed on Joshua. ”Alpha Ricardo, we meet again.” Joshua greeted in a friendly manner like he knew Rick. ”Alpha Joshua.” Alpha Ricardo responded. ”Alpha…” I gulped and fixed my gaze on Joshua. ”Are you an Alpha?” I asked, shocked. ”Yes, I was just made the Alpha of the peculiar pack.” He responded with a friendly smile and took another step closer to me. He moved to the left part of my ear and said, ”I’ll see you at the party.” He moved away from me, flashed a friendly smile at Alpha Ricardo and walked away.