Aaron Wright

''What are you doing this late?'' I heard Layla's voice as she entered my room.

''just catching up on my studies. Since I won't be able to attend the University for the time being. What about you? what beings you at my humble abode at the wee hours of midnight?''

''Nothing much. I couldn't sleep so I got up to make some hot cocoa. I saw your light on so decided to come here for some sisterly bonding. I made one for you too, So tell me how was your first day of the academy?'' asked Layla as she found a comfortable spot on my bed to sit on, after handing me a steaming cup of hot cocoa.

''It started terribly, then it continued to be terrible. The only good thing was that I made it alive but the thought of this repeating day after day fills me up with dread.''

''That bad huh, don't worry it will be fine. If I can do it, so can you.''

''Mm I am not you and we both know I never paid any attention to magical studies. Other than healing magic I don't know anything, But I do regret not learning how to fight.

I should have at least taken some martial arts training. It is very embarrassing getting knocked down on my ass in front of the guy; I like, it absolutely ruins my perfect image.''

''Guy you like? This is the first I am hearing about it.''

''Well, what did you expect if mother got wind of this, I would be in for the interrogation of my life. which is something I do not look forward to.''

''That's true, she can be persistent at times. Well, tell me about him. what's he like?''

''He is a shifter from the lunar pack. His name is Aaron Wright, probably about your age. He is absolutely handsome, mysteriously intriguing and completely impervious to my charms."

''Impervious to your charms, tell me you did not outright flirt with him."

"Of course, I did. It's the first time a guy caught my interest. I thought it a shame to not let him know of his good fortune."

"Are you that interested in him? You know there is a possibility that he might not like you. I don't want you to get hurt."

"I am very much interested in him and don't worry, he definitely likes me. You don't listen to some strange girls' nonsense if you don't like her."

"Maybe, he was being polite and you mistook it for interest."

"Why do, I feel like you are trying to dissuade me from pursuing him."

"Aah, is it that obvious?" She said with a sigh.

"Oh yes, It is. Now tell me why?" I asked curiously.

"I have heard about him before, he was quite famous in our circle a few years ago. I heard his family was attacked and brutally murdered by a rogue shifter. only he survived and that's because he was turned by the rouge. when his current alpha found him he was extremely violent, afterwards, the council appointed a suitable shifter family as his guardian, upon his admittance into the lunar pack. He is your complete opposite, Lena. you have no idea what kind of scars he might have both emotional and physical. You don't become second in command to a powerful alpha by being nice. I reckon he is just as powerful and deadly as Darius Reed. Elena thinks this through okay. Matters of the heart are already complicated even without such issues."

Layla's words stupefied me. I never would have thought that Aaron had led such a hard life. Anyone would become jaded after experiencing such brutality. But for some reason, whenever I met him all I felt was the warmth he exuded.

"Layla, I get why you are worried but believe me, from what I have surmised he is a genuinely nice guy and as for his family. I cannot begin to imagine what he must be going through or have gone through but there is one thing, I am positive about he does not carry malice in his heart people like that are either closed off to others or far too superficial he was none of the things when we met."

"If you say so. I trust your judgment. just be careful okay I don't ever want to see you get hurt and don't worry about him being impervious to your charms. If he is as nice as you say, he will see what an exceptional person you are. Just give it some time okay. good night Lena.

"Good night Layla." Was as all I said as she exited my room. But all I could think about was Aaron and his family and the tragedy that befell them.

My very first class on the second day was magical enchantments conducted by elderly Enchantress Freida. who for some reason today was far too energetic, for someone so ancient. Enchanters like mages were non-predatory beings that practised magic but unlike mages, enchanters could bewitch others. How someone so old could bewitch others was beside me.

"Students in today's enchantment class we will be practising some defensive and offensive spells to subdue our adversary in time of need. Now, who can tell me the easiest offensive spell?......... Miss White why don't you tell us."

'Why is this woman targeting me?'

''A stunning spell. I believe.'' I answered dejectedly.

''Correct now let's discuss........

I was in a daze for the remainder of the class. when the bell rang ending the class. I found myself on the way to the cafeteria alongside Chloe and Ashely.

''Why are you so quiet today?'' Ashley asked, taking in my placid attitude.

''I am tired. I spent all my time studying yesterday. I barely have any energy-sustaining me. It's as if every class is sucking my essence out of me.''

''You mean every class other than the physical defence class. don't think we didn't notice the dark knight sweeping in to save the damsel in distress,'' Ashley added slyly.

''What saving the damsel in distress? The only reason he swooped in was to take me to the infirmary. I still ache from yesterday's sparring/beating.''

''Was it really that bad? now even I am feeling bad for you.'' Chloe added with a distraught expression on her face.

''It was brutal but I am determined to improve myself. Yesterday was far too embarrassing.'' I shuddered at the idea of yesterday's event repeating itself.

''How about this after physical defence class we should have some fun together,'' Ashley suggested gleefully.

''What do you suggest we do?'' I asked for suggestions.

''How about we go hunting? We haven't gone hunting in ages and we can even make this a camping trip.'' Chloe chimed in.

''Yeah, my bones are screaming for some action. I second this motion.'' Ashley added.

''What was I thinking befriending a wolf shifter and a vampire? You know most people our age would either party or go out shopping to have fun. Only you both would suggest hunting.'' I commented despondently.

''Aww come you know you love it as much as we do.'' Chloe reminded me.

''I did not say I didn't love hunting. I only implied you guys are weird.''

''like you?'' Chloe and Ashley asked blithely in unison.

''of course like me, haven't you heard? birds of a feather flock together. So where are we going hunting?''

''How about the forest near my territory, it's unclaimed so we won't be disturbing anyone and it's close to the riverbank. we can even swim and fish there it will a full-blown hunting picnic.'' Chloe suggested with fervour.

''Hunting picnic that's new. It will be our thing from now on '' Ashley declared.

When we reached the cafeteria it was abuzz with noises. we found ourselves some food and sat at the corner of the hall. Then I heard my not so dear very very distant cousin address me in a manner akin to nails scratching the surface of a blackboard.

'R.I.P my beautiful eardrums. You shall be avenged.'

''Elena, are you going to sit out today's physical defence class? considering how badly you got beat up yesterday.'' Penelope asked mockingly.

'What the hell is her problem?'

''Who are you again? I don't think we have ever met before, don't you think you are being very rude? you haven't even introduced yourself? I mean that's just basic etiquette."

I said in an equally mocking tone.

''You know full well who I am. Don't think people are going to worship at your altar just as they do with your sister. Unlike you, she actually is talented. How sad it must be for your parents to have such an incompetent daughter like you.'' she said with acid in her tone.

''Not as sad as your parents having a snake for a daughter.''

''you ......

''Oh shut up! Penelope who doesn't know how jealous you are of Layla don't try to act so haughtily now'' Chloe chided.

''Come on don't fight with her. Lena, Chloe, don't you know? fighting with imbeciles might infect us with their stupidity, let's leave this contagious environment.'' Ashley suggested with the innocence of a saint.

''How dare you call me an imbecile. I am a distinguished member of the prestigious white family, a celestial. you dare insult me?! bloodsucker!''

The room quietened at her words. it was considered a grave insult to call a vampire bloodsucker and there were a lot of vampires in the academy both students and staff included. Openly insulting a fellow student would not go unpunished.

''You hubristic idiot! how dare you?" before I could even get another word out Ashley had her hand wrapped around Penelope's throat with Chloe at her side urging her to let the idiot go.

' damn their lightning-fast reflexes.'

the crowd gathered around them to watch the commotion making it difficult for me to reach them but as luck would have it a teacher came in after being notified by the cafeteria staff no doubt. Penelope and Ashley were both taken to the dean's office while both Chloe and I waited outside. The door to the dean's office opened after half an hour. Ashley emerged with an angered expression on her face while glaring at Penelope, who far some reason had red-rimmed eyes and a mournful expression on her face that later turned into a smirk as she spotted us.

''What happened?'' both Chloe and I asked worriedly.

''That snake twisted the whole scenario saying that we were the ones bullying her not the other way around and she lashed out because we made her feel inferior and then she had the audacity to cry in front of the dean saying; she was remorseful for her behaviour, she didn't even apologize and he let her go'' Ashley recounted the whole scenario vexed at the unfairness of the situation.

''He bought that? she was clearly at fault. she started the whole thing everyone saw it''.Chloe commented with anger and frustration.

''Oh, he bought it. not only that she will be given one day for recuperation. since I choked her and I will be suspended for a whole day as punishment,'' Ashley told with frustration in her voice.

''Curse both the dean and her. let's skip the rest of the classes for today and we will accompany you on your suspension tomorrow as well. right, Chloe?''

''Yes, absolutely we are not leaving you alone. when you are this upset.''

''You both don't have to do that you might get punished as well.''

''No worries, let them punish us if they want. Besides, we already had decided to go on our hunting picnic today. come on let's head home to make necessary preparations, the classes can wait.'' I commented as we decided to ditch school.