Aven's POV
When I first crossed paths with Aria on my way to the locker room, I never knew that she would be my mate.
I thought she was just like another clumsy newbie.
But then I saw her fight Tracy and her bully squad head-on and alone, and I hated to admit that she was different.
Unlike the other newbies who end up scared of Tracy's squad or fawn over me and my friends, she seemed different, and I couldn't pinpoint how and why.
But what annoyed me most was having to share my mate with Tristan or Damon.
Well enough of thinking, it's time to prepare for lectures. To be a strong successor to the stronghold my dad ruled, I needed to improve my grades, in addition to other physical training.
My dad is the Alpha in charge of the military—a major stronghold in the kingdom. Sometimes I hate being born into such responsibility, but the privileges are what have kept me going.
I could remember going to war with my dad at the age of fourteen, serving as the teenage delegate, fighting against vampires. It was a nightmare, watching soldiers die, and I couldn't do anything. I was rushed out of the scene because I was my father's successor, and of course, I needed to be protected.
Looking at it now, I am consumed by such regret that the incident has stolen my voice and joy; most of the time, I'm lost in my thoughts, and I can't stop hearing their voices.
My mind had drifted again. Well, I couldn't afford to be late, so I had to get dressed quickly.
I had my bath, dressed quickly, rushed through breakfast, and then knocked on Tristan and Damon's door. Seeing that they weren't bothering me, I left for lectures.
It was almost time for geography class, which was an elective, and I happened to be offering the course alone, with no Damon and no Tristan, so I could afford to leave them behind. I'm sure we will meet up in history class.
I sincerely wished Aria had chosen geography elective too; maybe I'll get to apologize for being rude to her earlier, although the concept of an apology seemed like an alien to me.
The hallway wasn't as busy as I expected. I walked to the locker room, got my books and headed to the geography lab.
Upon reaching the lab, the bell rang, and the school became busy. I could hear students rushing into the hallway at a rapid pace, and soon the geography lab began to fill up.
I was scanning the hall, hoping to see her step in, but she never appeared in the doorway; instead, Tracy and her squad of dummies were chirping beside me.
"Can I get a moment of peace at least before the lecturer comes?" I ordered them; I was tired of hearing their boasts.
The lecture began, and my attention was stolen now and then by the thought of Aria. Why and how could she get to me like this?
"She is our mate," Ardyn, my wolf, growled within. Ardyn has always been territorial and possessive about anything that belongs to it, and it has become increasingly possessive of Aria.
Since Aria isn't here, that means she is with either Damon or Tristan. Tristan has been acting strangely all day, probably due to the mate bond.
I got irritated just at the thought of Tristan desiring Aria, my mate, who is also my mate. I have questions for Fate, because I don't believe there is any moon goddess.
"You have to pay attention, because a question from this topic is likely to come out in your class test, and it's going to have the highest rating." I was called out of my thoughts by Mr Bryann's speech.
His class was over, and that was his way of telling us that he was done with his class and we needed to read up in preparation for the upcoming test in two weeks.
At least I can meet up with her in history class. I moved with precise motion to the general classroom, and there she was, seated close to Tristan.
If she is here and Damon or every other student who chose Agric isn't here, that means she has decided on literature. With the look of things, she is bonding with Tristan, which has just made Ardyn agitated.
"Holla", Tristan called out to me casually like I didn't just see him flirt with…our mate. My seat was close to Tristan's, even farther from Aria; Damon sat at her other side.
"So what are you doing, all too flirty with her? I thought we planned to bully her and then reject her, so why are you being nice to her? I asked him, part of me wanted to believe the lie I just blurted, I couldn't stomach what I just saw, even though they weren't even intimate.
"Well, that's part of the plan, get her to fall in love with us and then reject her, after all, who don't even know if she will be beneficial to us as a mate in the long run," he whispered to me, covering his mouth with one palm.
Well, that wasn't believable, because I have known Tristan long enough to know when he is lying about his true feelings.
"Holla!" Damon said, shaking hands with Tristan and me, I guess he must have sensed the energy because his smile changed to a serious look. He diverts his attention, and his gaze settles on Aria, and he understands the reason.
He walks to his seat and settles down.
I noticed that I couldn't smell her scent again, unlike before, although I had loved it. I think she is safe this way, at least from the Dravaris.
"Ok, class, listen up", Miss Clara, the petite history teacher, said. By next class, we will be administering a mini-test, so I would appreciate it if you all could pay careful attention.