Chapter 11: Spill the Tea

A few days have passed since I started my cram sessions with Ray. After classes, he picks me up and we head off to Tote’s; I bring my pen and paper, and at the end of each section, he quizzes me as a checkpoint if I could move on or reread.

“The Holy Moon Tournament…established in the early 1700s after the great war between the Silver Moon and Bloodclaw packs. In this event, Selene, Goddess of the Moon, created a series of trials for the leaders to display their strength and dominance in a way that did not require bloodshed. Thus, did the packs come to an armistice and name it the night of the Holy Moon, in which Selene bestowed grace upon her kin…”

My eyes trail over the image of the Moon Goddess wrapped in a silver silk that reflects the purple stars weaving around her.

“Wow, that’s incredible. And Bloodclaw is your pack, isn’t it? You’ve been thriving for centuries…”

Although I thought it was going to be hell to get through all the material, it’s actually quite fascinating learning about wolf culture. And, so far, everything seems to just stick for me, more so than my actual classes at university. Who knew I had a knack for urban legend history?

“So, what of the Lunar Howls, then?” I ask. “They don’t seem to be popping up as much in the historical texts like the Silver Moon and Bloodclaw do.”

“They branched off from us,” Ray sighs, flipping through one of the books I previously read. “We still hold some power over them, but it’s been sparking a lot of debate recently. Especially with…” He stops suddenly, then continues. “Anyways, they’re definitely going to be tough competitors this year.”

“So that they can receive Selene’s blessing to make a name of their own, correct?”

Ray blinks at that. “Correct.”

A smug smile graces my lips hearing a word of praise ring from him. “And what about you? If you win, what will you use her blessing for? To have your pack remain in power?”

Something in his eyes changes; he fumbles with a stray pen near my notepad.

“Yeah…” he mutters. “Something like that.”

I tilt my head. Is that another private issue I can’t know about? Well, not like it really matters to me if I know or don’t.

Shrugging, I dive back into the book, reading the next passage. Selene’s blessing is rather vague in the texts. It doesn’t state that the wish is only meant for the pack. I wonder if that means the victor of the tournament could also choose to make a wish solely for themself.

I skim through the later contents to see if at any point in history a wolf has ever claimed a wish for their own benefit, but surprisingly, none have. At least not recorded.

I guess it’s to be expected since their pack is practically their life. The benefit of them is truly the benefit of their kind, no question. But…

“What’s wrong with thinking about yourself for once?” I mumble aloud, not realizing how much it affects Ray.

When I look up at him, he seems quite surprised at my words, but keeps his cool.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Well, I guess, after reading about the wolf culture, it seems very, uh, how do I put it…” I definitely don’t want to say anything that could get my head bit off. “It’s very…sacrificial? Their lives are devoted to their pack which is probably the reason why it’s lived as long as it has, but it appears…rather difficult. Especially for the Alpha family.”

Ray’s fingers quietly claw against the table.

“I don’t know, I just can’t imagine not thinking of myself as a priority. Mental health and wellbeing is just as important. If you don’t have that, how are you expected to lead others?” Realizing that I might be overstepping, I quickly rephrase. “Well then again, I’m sure wolf shifters grow up with a completely different mentality to life than humans do. We are one of the–if not the most–selfish species, after all.”

“So…” Ray starts slowly, “You think that a wolf should have the right to use a wish from the Goddess on themself?”

“Hm, I don’t think it’s a question regarding if they have the right too, rather it’s what they believe is the right thing to do.” I state. “Whether that means it’s a selfish or selfless wish, it only matters if their heart is in the right place.”

After sitting in silence for a while, I squirm in my seat. “...or something like that. I don’t know. I kind of just went on a ramble there, I’m sorry.”

“No…what you said makes sense. It’s a great point, actually.” Ray says, just above a whisper, still looking deep in thought.

He stays silent throughout the rest of the session, even on the drive back home. There are so many things I want to ask him, but my lips stay pursed the whole time. The eerie silence is too loud for me to get my words out.

***

DEMING, WA – DEMING COLLEGE

SAM’S POV

I love when things go the way I expect them to. So far, Ray and Anna are hitting it off well, and she’s progressed a lot further in her studies than I thought she would.

Although we’re not as close as we used to be, a part of me can’t help but feel a bit proud of her.

I stop outside her classroom, processing what I just thought.

It’s so strange. Even after everything we’ve been through; all our cringey and embarrassing moments we shared, the times we’ve cried, laughed, and screamed together, it all went up into flames the moment she decided to be like her sister.

Back then, she never really cared much for appearances, so it came as a shock to me when she started hanging out with the same crowds as Taylor. A part of me always wondered why she never asked me to join her. Even though it wasn’t my scene, I probably would’ve gone if it meant we could still be friends.

But she walked away, and didn’t look back.

I bite my lip, feeling my nails claw into my skin. The bitterness crawls back into my heart.

Times have changed. She’s not the same Anna I used to know. Although Ray’s taken a liking to her, I doubt I’ll ever feel the same again. She’s hurt me once, I’m not going to let her do it again.

Never again.

The sound of doors opening and people flooding out of the lecture hall catches my attention. Her class is finally out. Ray had to stick with patrols this afternoon, so he’s assigned me to pick her up for him today.

I let out a dreary sigh.

Why do I have to play the babysitter? This is so annoying.

“Please, Anna, can I talk to you for just a minute? It’s really important.”

My ears perk at the male’s voice.

“I’m sorry, Adam. Maybe another time, I’m kind of busy today.”

Hearing their voices get louder, I hide behind a pillar, glancing back at the two of them.

The guy, Adam, seems to have trapped Anna between him and the building, not letting her have any way of breaking out unless she wanted to cause a scene.

“You’re always busy lately. Claire said you haven’t spoken to her or the girls in days and are always off campus right after your classes. Do you really hate us that much?”

Wow, talk about gaslighting. Of course she can’t say that she does, she’s too nice.

“I-I don’t hate you guys, I just…need time by myself.” She sighs. “Sorry, I need to go now. Take care-”

“Wait!” Adam grabs her wrist. I feel rage flare in my chest. “If this is the last time we talk, I at least want to make it up to you somehow.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Anna tries to pull away, but his grip is firm.

Stay calm, Sam. There’s no reason for you to get involved. You hate her, remember?

“Please. I want to try and make this right. I’ll leave you alone and we don’t ever have to talk again if that’s what makes you most comfortable, but I truly want to make amends.” His eyebrows furrow in desperation.

More like you want to make amends for your own sake. Don’t act as if you’re actually doing it for her.

“Can we just get a drink of coffee real quick? Obviously, it’ll be my treat.”

Anna, you better reject him.

“Um..”

“Please, Anna. I’m so sorry. I just want to do this one thing for you, and that’s it. I promise.”

Anna, don’t you dare.

“I…”

Please, Anna. Don’t fall for this again-

“I guess that’s alright if it’s for a little bit. I do have somewhere to be later though, so…”

Damnit.

“Of course! No worries at all, it can be brief.” He grabs a hold of her hands, squeezing them lightly. “Thank you so much, Anna. And again, I’m so sorry for all that I’ve put you through.”

“It was a pretty tense situation,” she says through her teeth. “I understand.”

Reluctantly, I watch them walk over to her original group of friends. They all crowd around her and hug at her desperately, whining with apologies and fake tears. Something about them irks me more than ever.

It doesn’t sit right with me.

I pull out my phone, scrolling through my chats until it lands on Ray’s.

‘Hey, when you’re done with patrols, come to this location ASAP. Anna’s in trouble.’