The Royal Wolff

Chapter 8: SOS Send Help

The second I opened my eyes, there was another tray of food patiently waiting to be eaten on my bedside table. I say ‘another’ because my brother had been giving me breakfast in bed for a couple of days now. The smell of freshly toasted bread and curated ham instantly filled my nose and no doubt I was awakened.

I pushed myself up off bed and a smile formed on my lips when I spotted the note that came with the tray.

Morning, sleepyhead. Thought you’d like some ham. First day of school! If you’re not feeling well, I can totally vouch for you if you can’t go yet. I’m really sorry I left you the other night. Hope you feel better. MatMat.

“MatMat.” I chuckled at the name.

It was Mathieu’s secret name that only he and I know. The name he only used whenever he did something to upset me and that gave me the right to call him something stupid like that. In this case, what he thinks he did was that he fell asleep on the night I went out and Magnus brought me home.

The morning after that, or more like afternoon, Mathieu came barging in my room all worried and apologetic. He said the jetlag and Spanish alcohol got the best of him and he was sorry he couldn’t pick me up after what happened. The guilt and worry on his face was evident, but I reassured him constantly that he had absolutely nothing to feel bad about. If it was to be anyone’s fault, it should be me for being so carefree waving my phone around in public like that. Lesson learned, Anita.

I walked over to the plate and happily took it before making my way to the literal mini table in the room. This place was a whole Queen’s bed in pink and I was not complaining. It was thrice the size of the one back in my Little Love House, but with just as much pink. It was nice, but I still need a little time getting used to such an excessively grand room.

Before stepping, I looked down at my feet and was relieved to see the bruises I had from that night were no longer there as well because walking during that time was not pleasant at all. Remind me not to run barefoot all over the street ever again.

I sat down on one of the chairs and took a bite out of the toast and it was like being reborn by the delicious mix of curated ham and toasted bread. What kind of drugs do they put in their food here? It’s too addictive!

As I was eating, I decided to check my phone and I saw there were a bunch of messages from Mathieu last night. I opened it and he sent me pictures of places with Magnus. I half-smiled as I scrolled through all of them.

There were pictures of bars, beaches, an amusement park, quiet streets, glass buildings, and a lot of food. Looks like I missed out on a lot when I decided to stay indoors the past two days.

Well, can you blame me? Seeing as I was robbed on the night I first went out, I didn’t really feel all excited to go do that again. As much as the two kind boys in my life promised no harm would come to me again and Santino still continuously apologizing to me about his phone dying, I just… couldn’t. I wanted to stay indoors with my own peace.

I heard footsteps right outside my door and then a knock just before there was a sound of the door opening. Based on the footstep sounds, it would have to be…

“MatMat.” I greeted my brother whose expression went from happy to acceptance that I was going to call him that ridiculous nickname for quite some time.

“How’d you know it was me before entering?” He asked curiously.

“Super sense of hearing, remember?” I pointed to my ear with a proud smile.

He chuckled lightly. “Right, right. Well, anyway. Uh…” Mathieu rubbed his neck sheepishly. “I came to ask if you were, you know, ready to conquer the day? Not that you have to be! I can- I can tell mom and dad that-”

“It’s fine.” I cut him off, my nervous brother looking at me slightly surprised. “I can go. I’m totally fine now, and besides, I already have enough schoolwork to catch up on. It’s not like you’ll let me copy your homeworks.” I looked at him with a raised brow, knowing full well my righteous brother of mine would never let that happen.

Years of being in the same school and having all the same quizzes and schoolwork, there was never a time he let me have just one clue on an answer. He helped me study from time to time, but Moon Goddess knows I’m the slowest learner of all.

“Um… I can give you a pass this one time.” He smiled at me awkwardly, like he was suffering inside just giving that proposition.

I have never seen my brother look so guilty. Should I take advantage of it? Nah, Anita. Let’s be nice.

“Gracias, but it’s okay. I’ll get ready after this delicious breakfast. Thanks, by the way.” I smiled at him.

“No problem. The ham was Magnus’ idea. He even chose it in the market and all.”

Oh, well that’s surprising. Why was Magnus so nice all of a sudden? I wasn’t sure if it was all of a sudden or if he was nice all along and he was just starting to show it. Whichever, I was touched.

“Thank Magnus for me too then.” I told Mathieu.

“Thank him yourself, lazy butt. We’re all going to school at the same time. Be ready in half an hour!” He said hurriedly before disappearing in half a second.

Well, so much for that guilty brother of mine. I guess it was nice to see him a little less constricted now, though.

After that little morning talk, I unfortunately had to hurry eating my toast and ham as much as I wanted to take my time and enjoy it.

The shower was colder than the Arctic region, but I made it that way so I could fully get myself awake, or maybe I just wanted to focus on something else, to distract me, and freezing to death seemed like a good idea.

I let out a deep exhale as I blankingly stared at myself in front of the mirror. Is this seriously me? I blinked my eyes repeatedly, waiting for me to suddenly change, for me to look like myself, but nothing.

Instead, all there was was a gray and hazel-eyed girl with caramel brown hair and gray highlights wearing this ridiculous school uniform. It was a dark navy blue set consisting of a blazer, skirt, white undershirt, and red ribbon tie. The blazer had a V like collar that reached up to the middle of the stomach and there was red lining on it, but what stood out the most for me was the symbol on the upper left side.

It was the symbol of the Royal Family mixed with the colors of the school. It looked slightly daunting to me.

I placed my hand on my chest and felt my heart beating loud and fast. Nervous would be an understatement to what I was feeling right now. Was it too late to take up Mathieu on his offer to get me out of school until next week?

“Anita Wolff, get your butt moving or we’re going to be late.”

I jolted up in shock when the sound of Magnus’ voice suddenly echoed in my room. Where the heck did that come from?

I looked around and spotted something by the door that I didn’t notice until now. I thought it was a weird decoration, but it turns out it was an intercom.

“Ugh, fine.” I groaned in disappointment realizing it was too late for me to back out now. It was time to face my doom.

“Take off your blazer. That and the long socks that you look like you didn’t see in your cabinet are only for winter or colder seasons. It’s too hot for that right now.” Magnus commented as soon as I got in the car.

“Oh. Okay.” I followed as he said and gave Mathieu a nervous look.

It’s going to be fine. He linked to me and I smiled at him, at least the best smile I could muster.

“This is your bag, by the way. Magnus said the Headmistress' assistant put everything we need there.” He passed a backpack that was the same color as the uniform and at the front, there was that symbol again.

I couldn’t help but trace the symbol with my fingers. Something about it made it so… formidable.

“And I added an extra.” Magnus added with a wink and I looked at him suspiciously.

“If I find things here that will put me to jail, I swear-”

“Oh just open the front pocket, Anita Critica.” Magnus cut me off as he looked at me with a raised brow from his rear view mirror.

“Fine.” I mumbled as I started to unzip the pocket.

My forehead scrunched into confusion as I pulled out a white card with nothing but my name written on it. It looked like a credit card but the bank forgot to put every single detail on it.

“What am I looking at?” I looked up at the boys and they let out a laugh.

“You didn’t read the things I sent you, did you?” Mathieu asked and I gave him a sheepish smile.

“I was going to, but my phone got stolen!” I replied in defense and fortunately, my sympathy card worked as he let it go.

“It’s basically a VIP card. Just show it when you want to get something anywhere around the campus and they’ll prioritize you.” Magnus explained and it started to make sense to me.

“But what do you mean VIP? Isn’t everyone there pretty much important people already? It is a school for the elite.” I asked, wanting to make more sense of it at least.

“Royal, Alpha, Luna, Beta, Gamma, and then everyone else. Sometimes those who come from a powerful or famous family get in between one of those. That is the hierarchy there and it’s best not to forget it or you’ll be royally f****d. This card gives you immunity for when s**t happens. I went through a bunch of hoops trying to get that for the two of you so don’t lose it. Sometimes there will be someone who doesn’t follow the card rule and it’s most likely one who has some power or has formed a pretty solid reputation studying there. Word of the wise-” Magnus stopped at the red light and glanced at Mathieu and I.

“Do not under any circumstances fight back. It will make things worse and have everyone they know turn on you. I may be the heir to the Alpha title and can do my best to get you guys out of trouble, but if the Royals become involved that’s out of my jurisdiction, so just stay low and stay as far from them as possible. Alright?”

I got goosebumps listening to Magnus’ words. I have never seen him so serious and all I could do was nod in agreement. In the first place, laying low had always been my plan, but with all this trouble talk, it just made it scarier.

“No problem. Anita and I can do that. Right, Anita?” Mathieu turned to me with widened eyes and I knew what he was thinking.

He was thinking his all-time troublemaker sister wouldn’t be able to keep herself out of trouble, but I’ll prove to him I can. I know I can.

At least I hope so.

“Bienvenido a la Academia, mis primos queridos (welcome to the academy, my beloved cousins).” The second Magnus parked the car, I think I felt my heart jump out of my chest.

“Are you guys ready?” He turned to us as we stood in front of the humongous castle that was officially our new school.

The place was perfectly tucked in between nature and surrounded by a lake. If that wasn’t intimidating enough, all the students we passed by so far were all in expensive cars and looked like the highest in the food chain.

My palms were beginning to feel sweaty and knees turning into jell-o, but gosh darn it, I wasn’t going to let this get the best of me. I am Anita Wolff, I am strong and independent and I will get through this. I’m not going to let any wolf intimidate me, higher than me or not.

I looked over to Mathieu who was giving me a reassuring smile and we turned to Magnus.

“We’re ready.”

The normal high school halls we were used to looked like an ant’s place the second we stepped inside. The ceiling was so tall I feel like you could fit a giant here. Think Hogwarts, but even bigger and things were far more extravagant. I didn’t even think that was possible. Am I still in bed and just dreaming all of this? That was highly possible.

“Oi Mathieu! Bienvenido a tu primer día (welcome to your first day)!” Suddenly, a group of rowdy boys started running towards us and my eyes widened in anxiety and nervousness.

They called out for my brother’s name and I figured they were a part of the soccer team because they were the only ones I know he met before.

“Hey, hey. Who knew you guys could clean up nice?” Mathieu said in a joking manner, but I turned to him shocked that he could say something so rash to people he hadn’t been friends with for a week.

There was a few seconds of silence and I started to think my brother might have already messed up until they all burst out into laughter.

“Tell me about it. This uniform is wack, though.” One of them commented as he loosened his tie.

“Are you Anita?” I was frozen in shock when one of the boys turned to me and asked a question. “Mathieu’s twin sister, right? You are way prettier than him.” Another one added and they all laughed.

I nodded politely. “Yeah, that’s me.” Although the comment was slightly awkward, I didn’t want to be that snob on my first day so I let it go. On a normal day back in my normal school, Jake and Sheila would know I would never let that pass, though.

I miss them.

“Your eyes are bloody cool.” A man with an English accent said as he practically stared me down. He looked nowhere near Hispanic or anything of the like. He even looked whiter than my brother and I with light blonde hair and steely blue eyes.

“My name’s Michelangelo.” He let his hand out and I shook hands with him.

“So like the-” He cut me off before I could finish my sentence.

“Yeah, like the Ninja Turtle.” He laughed and everyone followed.

I was going to say the painter, but if that’s the humor they have might as well join in. I gave a fake chuckle.

“Jokes aside, he’s my great great great, um many more great, uncle. My father’s Italian and my mother’s British. I think we’ll get along quite well, non sarestic d’accordo (wouldn’t you agree)?” His accent and mannerism completely changed at the end as he spoke to me in Italian.

I felt slightly relieved that someone was lightening up to me, but was annoyed that he was clearly obviously flirting and I did not like that one bit. Can’t a boy and girl just be friends?

“You are such a flirt, Michel. Leave the girl alone.” One of his friends pushed him to the side and he was now smiling at me.

“I’m Sota. Kotaishi’ Sota.” This time a man who was far from being western stood in front of me. Neatly brushed straight hair, dark brown eyes, and a charming smile. He had this youthful and soft look to him, much like what you see on television.

“Wait, did you say Kotaishi’? As in the Crown Prince of Japan?” I asked in disbelief.

“That would be me. One and only.” He replied with an amused giggle. “How’d you know what it means?”

“I watch my anime from time to time.” I answered. Technically it was Jake. He forced me to watch when we were supposed to be studying and I ended up liking it.

“You look like you could be part of one.” He commented as he looked at my hair and I chuckled softly, understanding what he meant.

Those who were in anime were known to have colorful hair and eyes. I didn’t really think about it that way, but now I could kind of see it.

“We should watch sometime.” He smiled at me and I nodded even more politely after finding out this man was literally royalty.

So much for not getting involved with them. Thanks a lot for not telling me, brother. I glanced over to Mathieu who was too busy messing around with the others to notice me.

“Um, who are you then?” I saw another person just standing and he didn’t seem to be as curious as the other two.

“I’m nobody.” He muttered under his breath and his friends just scoffed at him.

“Nobody? Yeah, if that’s what you call a Duke. Who are you trying to fool, Xavier?” Michelangelo teased him as he ruffled his hair.

A Duke? Does that mean he was related to the Royal Family of Spain?

“His cousin is the Prince.” Magnus showed up next to me and explained as if he read my mind.

Oh. Well, that makes sense. I probably should have known that if I read about them before. Oops.

“Nice to meet you, uh, I don’t know what I should call you. Duke Xavier?” I chuckled awkwardly, my hand mid-air into a handshake.

“Xavier is fine. No need for formalities.” He gave me a faint smile and it wasn’t that I was intentionally doing so, but the moment his eyes locked into mine, I could see in those soft and round emeralds of his a hint of sadness and I knew that because I had the same look before.

“Nice to meet you then, Xavier.” I gave our handshake a slight squeeze and smiled at him widely, hoping that he would somehow get the message I was trying to convey as I looked at him.

I hope you can be happy.

Xavier narrowed his eyes at me as if he was trying to analyze it and there was a few seconds of silence that felt much longer than that as the two of us held onto each other’s hands longer.

Until-

“Who the hell are you and why are you holding hands with my mate?!”

A screeching noise suddenly sounded off and I felt like my eardrums exploded, got fixed, and then exploded again. The two of us immediately jumped away from one another.

I turned around and came face to face with a woman that looked oddly familiar. Long caramel blonde hair and green eyes, almost the same hair and eye color as Xavier, but they definitely did not look related. Did she say her mate too?

“Anita Wolff?!” The angry woman screeched at me as she practically stared me down while two other girls stood behind her like a posse.

Wait, was that my name? How does she know who I am? What the heck is going on?

I looked around in panic as everyone around the group were staring at me. My heart started to beat like crazy and I was lost as to what to do.

That’s Sonia. Sonia Rossi, the Duke’s mate. I caught my brother’s link but wished it wasn’t who I thought it was.

Did I just get into bad terms with a Royalty’s mate and someone my family weren’t really on good terms with on my first day?

Help. Voglio andare a casa (I want to go home)!