Unleashed

Welcome to the Academy

Aliyah

As we drove up to the castle doors, thousands of eyes watched my departure from the safety of the car, making unease crawl along my skin. I could feel eyes coming from everywhere and looked up to see people peering through the castle windows just to get a glimpse. ‘Welcome to the Academy, Lia’, I sighed as I realised, playing new girl was yet another challenge to overcome.

“This isn’t your first rodeo, Lia. We’ve got this.” Feeling the panic rise in my throat from hearing that random voice in my head again, I tried to stamp it back down, and pretend I didn’t notice it. Can’t look like I belong in the looney bin on my first day.

“Relax, princess,” Carter genuinely smiled as he draped his arm over my shoulders, “just stick with me and we’ll make it through the rest of the school year.”

Leading me through the throngs of students, I felt a collection of emotions; curiosity, caution, but one stuck out more than the rest, envy. The simple gesture of friendship displayed by Carter, provided me with a one-way ticket to social suicide among the female population.

Knocking on the door to the Administrators Office, Carter leaned against the frame and turned to look out among his peers. 

I turned to ask him a question when a blonde-haired barbie attached herself to him like a succubus and practically began eating his face beside me. Scrunching my face to avoid bringing my breakfast back up, I sighed loudly as I waited to be let in.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there,” a sickly-sweet voice reached my ears and I turned to see they’d finally separated for air.

“Right, of course,” Carter cleared his throat, “Aliyah, this is Harmony. Harmony, meet the new girl, Aliyah.”

“Welcome,” Harmony practically sang as she reached forward to embrace me. “Stay away from my boyfriend, witch.” She whispered aggressively in my ear, just enough for me to hear.

My back stiffened from the warning and I frowned as she plastered on a fake smile to not raise Carter’s attention. “I’m sure we’ll be get along… fiercely.” She smirked just to me.

The door to the Office opened and a thin woman with her grey hair curled up into a tight bun and sharp eyes stepped into view. “You may enter, Aliyah.” I bristled at her knowledge of my name, although I suppose the council had to alert them of my attendance.

Taking a step forward, I felt Carter’s warm hand on my lower back, signalling he was right there behind me and it gave me comfort knowing I wasn’t in this alone.

“Not you, Mr Baden.” She noted tersely and I felt the loss instantly.

She seemed to glide effortlessly before me, as I was led to the chair in front of her desk. “Says here you’re from an underlying coven. My, my, surprised you know how to read.”

“Yes, well, I-“ her hand, raised silencing me instantly.

“It wasn’t a question.” At her bland statement, I felt my lips practically zip themselves shut. “Your file seems sparse, but I guess that’s to be expected not coming from a mainstream academy like this one.” Her eyes seemed to pierce through me but I’d sure as hell learnt my lesson to keep my mouth shut.

“This school is renowned for delivering top level students to work in their retrospective covens in various fields,” she walked around to sit behind her desk. “Tardiness and sheer laziness will be punished. Don’t expect your new status to guarantee you warnings Miss DeLoitte, you will be expected to meet the same level of commitment and grades as the rest of your peers.”

Leaning forward, she checked a page on her desk before sitting back, waving her hand. I felt the thud of books fall into my lap and thankfully caught the stray piece of paper floating down on top.

“Your class schedule and your books. You may leave.” She didn’t bother to watch as I left her immediate office space, struggling with the weight of the books. Reaching the office door, I wondered how I was going to manage opening it and decided to try balancing the books with one arm against the door, while jiggling the doorknob.

I just heard the click of the handle pulling down when I felt a strong impact against the door, knocking the books and myself precariously to the floor. I cried out in shock but more-so in anger at the callousness of this imbecile who obviously didn’t even look before bargaining into the room.

“What the hell, you i***t,” I turned to collect my books while yelling at the guy now standing in the office, “you could have seriously hurt someone. Look where you’re going next time!”

“Ooh feisty,” his voice washed over me like an ocean breeze, and I paused with my packing to turn and get a better look. His delivish smirk screamed trouble as it twitched with interest, light stubble gracing his chiselled jaw making him look more man than boy, but it was those burnt brown eyes that held me captivated. I watched him breath in as though taking in my scent when I realised, he’s a wolf.

“Aliyah are you alright?” Carter came racing in and crouched down to help collect the rest of my books, “move along Ryder.” He came to stand between myself and wolf boy, Ryder.

Ryder quirked his lips with a quick snort and cast one last glance towards me, “until next time, new girl.” And dropped himself into the Administrators chair I’d just vacated.

*

Ryder

Even as I watched her leave the office, I couldn’t quiet put my finger on it but there was something tugging at me inside. I’ll be turning 18 in 2 months and my wolf Axel, was ready to find his mate. From stories I’d been told, once you met your mate, you’d know the instant you saw her. But Axel didn’t call out in my mind, he seemed just as lost as to our interest in her, as I was. I mean, she was sexy as hell. The way that blouse stretched across her chest and her defined legs spilled from beneath that short pleated skirt, she was the definition of temptation. And that fire, she was definitely a little pocket rocket ready to be set off, maybe I should be the one to stoke that fire, I grinned mischievously at that thought.

“Mister Carmichael, you could at least pretend to listen to the words I’m saying,” the Administrator sighed. “As the Alpha’s son, you are destined to lead one of the biggest packs across the country. It may be wise to learn the discipline this honour requires.”

Tuning back in, I tried to keep my mind on what the old duck was saying, but I couldn’t help but drift back to those ocean blue eyes.

*

Aliyah

“Carter, are you alright?” I asked concerned as I placed my hand on his shoulder to slow his pace.

“Yeah, princess,” he sighed and reduced his pace for me to keep up, “that guy just annoys me, is all. Promise me, you’ll avoid him at all costs.”

“I’m pretty sure this school is plenty big enough for that to happen.” I laughed and watched as the tension left his shoulders. I mean, what are the odds I’d see him again any time soon.