~YULIA
“You must learn to balance out your human form and wolf form,” said the Lecturer as she walked slowly on the podium looking at us. “If you stay too long in your wolf form, it’s difficult to transform into your human form and you might be stuck in that wolf form forever.”
I was in the Lycanthropy and Shape shifting Studies class and the lecturer taking us was a werewolf in her late thirties. She wore a simple white long sleeved shirt with a black knee length skirt and red bottom heels. Her long black hair was tied in a long ponytail.
I was trying to concentrate on what the lecturer was saying but my mind was on something else. It was back at the cafe in town where those men burst into flames.
I realised that for some reason, I did not think much about that incident. Maybe because it had been too gory for me and I wanted to forget about it. But after the strange test with Dean Davina, and the strange power that coursed through me as I read those words from the strange book, I suddenly remembered what one of those men called me before he burst into flames.
Child of light. What did it mean? Why did the man call me that? The more I thought about it, the more confused I became. There was a lot that I did not know.
“Bonding is a very important part of being in a pack,” The Lecturer said. “But know that it is quite different from Mating.”
I looked at the Lecturer as soon as she mentioned Mating. Instinctively or without thinking, I raised my hands up.
“Yes?”
“Can one choose his or her mate?” I asked and the class threw curious glances at me. There was an excited murmur in the class.
“That is an excellent question,” The Lecturer replied with a smile. “Unfortunately, no, as werewolves, we have little choice in who we get Mated to.”
I did not like the answer.
“But what about love?” Another girl asked and I turned around to see her. She was in soft silver rimmed glasses and had curly hair. She looked like a nerd.
The Lecturer smiled and shook her head. “As romantic as that sounds, Love has nothing to do with it.”
“What if you hate who you are Mated to?” Pete’s voice rang out and I almost jumped. I did not expect him to be in this class.
“Your emotions do not matter when it comes to Mating, you will naturally find yourself attracted to whomever you are Mated to, it’s basic werewolf biology,” The Lecturer replied.
Was Pete stalking me? I was not afraid of him but I was afraid for him. He was no match for Issa’s rage and he was already on thin ice. Issa already had him in his radar and it made me very uneasy.
“I see,” Pete said. “That explains a lot.” I knew that he was referring to me and Issa.
“In our next class, we will talk about understanding pack dynamics and relationships,” The lecturer said as soon as the class came to an end.
I quickly got up and headed for the door. I needed to get to the library. There was something I needed to see. I began to walk towards the library to see if I could find anything on Child of Light but a voice stopped me.
“Hi,” I turned around and it was the girls with curly hair and glasses. “I am Ashley, I don’t know if you remember me.”
“Romantic girl,” I said with a small smile. “I am Yulia.”
“I have not seen you around here before,” Ashley said with genuine interest.
“I enrolled yesterday,” I replied.
“Your question in today’s class got me curious,” Ashley said. “Are you Mated yet?”
“No,” I said. It was a lie.
Besides, I didn’t even know her well enough to start telling her about myself. She looked around as if she did not want anyone to hear what she was about to say next.
“Well, I am only asking because there is a guy in class who is telling everyone you are a slut, who is hoping to be mated to Alphas.”
My brain went numb as I gaped at her. My blood went cold and my body started trembling with anger. What the actual fuck?
“And that’s why you are sleeping around with any werewolf that comes your way.” She added.
My vision turned red but I struggled to control myself. I knew who it was but I did not want to involve Ashley right now.
“Thank you so much, Ashley but I have to go,” I said and turned away from her without waiting for a reply.
I was not watching where I was going as I stumped angrily.
“Where are you running off to?” Leia skipped next to me.
“Whatever bullshit you are up to, Leia, I am not in the mood!” I yelled and it caught her by surprise.
“What’s wrong?” Leia asked and I could not tell if she was genuinely interested or being sarcastic.
“Why are you pretending to give a shit!” I screamed. “My first day at school and I have a viral video of me going around and then I have been called a slut! What more do you want from me?”
Leia frowned. “Who called you a slut?” She asked and I saw a bit of surprise on her face. “I am serious, Yulia. There are things even I would not do.”
“It was Pete the guy in the video,” I said.
“I see,” Leia said with a cold look. “I will be right back.”
“Where are you going?” I asked.
She turned to me. “I am the only one who gets to torment you, Yulia. Nobody else.” She replied and stalked off.
Something churned in my stomach as I began to feel sorry for Pete. I had heard about Leia’s reputation for mischief and violence.
I just hoped Pete would survive what was coming. I turned and continued on my way to the library as I remembered Issa saying most of the books were alive.