My life had always been shitty, and I was starting to get used to mean and snarky remarks and treatments thrown at me. Nowhere was safe. These bullies followed me everywhere like that was their sole purpose for living.
After staying up at night, cursing at everything the Thornvalles stood for, I woke up thirty minutes past my morning time. Quickly, I jumped into the shower, and just when I tried to put on a cute, short dress, I remembered Rhydian's comment about my old women's clothes.
I put on a hoodie.
Mira waited for me as we caught up, so we could make it to class today.
"What classes do we have right now?" I asked her, as I picked out the drenched sweaty dog fur off my locker door with an exasperated sigh. Snickers echoed behind me, and I shot them a dirty glare.
"Don't you assholes have anything better to do?" I barked and they walked away, their giggles ticking me off in so many ways.
Mira looked through her phone, and read out loud, "Principles of Chemistry."
I swore under my breath. I thought I'd left everything that had to do with chemistry in high school, but somehow it'd followed me here, like my relentless bullies. Good thing I was a high-class student.
"I'll survive," I shrugged as I took out my notes and walked towards the lecture room.
When we got in, I took a seat at the back, to make me less detectable. Soon enough, chemistry classes started and I forced myself to pay attention whilst taking notes. I'd nearly forgotten all about the Thornvalle Alphas and their humiliating ritual when the door suddenly opened and one of them walked in.
Tavian walked in, and the air around the room immediately grew dense. My heart sank as confusion swept through me.
I thought all three of them were in their second year. Why was Tavian suddenly walking into the first-year lecture room?
Unless…he didn't pass the course.
"You're late, Mr. Tavian," Mr. Colden said, more like announced to the class. He aimed to humiliate Tavian and from the way his eyes narrowed, he wasn't having any of it.
An annoyed expression crossed his perfectly crafted features.
"And why should I care?"
He spoke back and my jaw literally dropped. Did he just speak to a lecturer like that? And to my utmost surprise, Mr Colden glared at him, then forced a smile.
"You can have a seat."
What the fuck was that?
This shit was getting ridiculous. They didn't only make the ground rules and had all the students on campus in a chokehold, Even the teaching staff licked their asses. Their rule was law, and that was final. They were an unstoppable force, and no one could reckon with them.
Tavian stepped further into the room, a confident, calm aura surrounding him. I shrunk in my seat, hoping that would make me invisible, but just as none of my wishes could ever come true, our eyes met and everything went still.
Shit.
Like he'd been looking for me, the moment he spotted me, he began to walk in my direction. His gaze didn't leave mine, and somehow, I had the inability to break eye contact at that moment. I said a silent prayer to the moon goddess, hoping this time, she'd hear me out, but she turned deaf ears when he settled in the seat next to mine.
Only then did I break eye-contact and focused on my notes, trying everything in my power to shut out his existence. A strong wave of his cologne and musky scent suddenly overpowered my nasal senses, suffocating me.
I was distracted the whole time.
Finally coming to the conclusion that it was best to leave, I stood up when someone gripped my wrists, stopping me. I realized it was Tavian and my body went rigid. His touch was cold, just like he was, sending chills through every pore in my body.
Our eyes met, and his held a void darkness that uneased me.
"Sit back down," he said flatly.
Anger seeped through my veins like steam. "I don't listen to you," I bit out as I tried to free myself from his grasp, but his fingers dug into my skin, making me wince. "Let go of me or I'll--"
"Or you'll what?" he cut in, and pulled me lower until his face was a few inches from mine invading my personal space. Suddenly, the short distance between us was all my mind could think of.
He leaned in, cocking his head slightly as he spoke in a mocking tone. "Report me to Mr. Colden? News flash, he takes orders from like a damn dog."
The confidence in his tone was patent, and knowing there was really nothing I could do was frustrating. I felt defenseless.
Finally making up my mind that I had no means to escape, I sat back and crossed my arms over my chest, doing everything to keep the storm brewing inside me under control. A notebook suddenly landed on my desk with a loud thud, making me jump. I sent a glare in Tavian's direction, while he paid me no mind as he played on his phone.
"Just in case you can't see, your desk is right in front of you," I said sarcastically, my fists clenching at my sides.
"Take down my notes," he ordered, not even sparing me a glance, and that infuriated me even more.
"And what happens to mine?"
"Burn it for all I care," he raised his head to glance at me, eyes, those sharp grey eyes piercing through mine. "Do what you're told, slave. Unless you want to get punished."
Slave. The condescending word made rage burn through me, its flame licking at my nerves. I had to fight everything in me to not drive my pen through his oddly beautiful pupils.
Heaving a defeated sigh, I opened his book and saw a breathtaking pen sketch of a girl was the first thing I saw. I raised a brow as I looked at him from the corner of my eyes. That caught me off guard.
The asshole could draw? How interesting. You'd think the only thing he was good at was bullying everyone in his wake.
Mira tapped my arm lightly, grabbing my attention.
"You can have my note after class," she said with a sad smile, and my heart warmed.
"Thanks."
Throughout class, I took down his notes against my will, grumbling each time I scribbled. When the first period was finally over, I dropped the notebook back on his desk and dashed out of the lecture room without glancing back.
Finally, out of his breathless space, I could breathe easily.
From the corner of my eyes, I spotted a flock of people gathered around the notice board. My curiosity got the best of me, and I walked towards their direction, to see what had everyone in a choke-hold.
I pushed myself through the crowd, trying not to drag anyone's attention, until I got a clearer view.
An announcement was posted.
Immediately I read through the bold printed words, my heart skyrocketed.
"The Ascension trials," I whispered, in complete awe.
My distant memory rammed through my mind, and suddenly I was plunged back into the past.
'The Ascension trials is a tradition that brings out the strongest and bravest of wolves.' Dad said, his excitement rubbing off on me.
'I want in! Do you think I'm strong enough?'
'Of course, Dahlia," he ruffled my hair, his smile reaching his eyes. "You have a fire in you no one can quench. Victory is already yours, all you have to do is take it.'
I was just past toddler stage, and I'd already made my mind on what I aspired to achieve.
The memory slowly faded, leaving an empty, sad sensation in my heart. My dad had participated in the Ascension trials back in his time, contesting against Alpha Thornvalle. I remember reading in his journal, seeing how he'd poured his heart into the trials, only to get beaten by his number one rival.
I felt his conflicting emotions through his words, inherited it as though they were mine. He'd left a legacy for me to take and hold unto, to make his dreams come true.
I would win for both of us.
Mira suddenly materialized beside me, and she let out a thrilled scream.
"It's finally here, Dahlia," she squealed as she held my hands and spun me around. "Let's submit our applications quick."
I couldn't help but feel excited too. "Sure. We've got to train though. We need to be stronger."
"Of course!"
My shoulders suddenly tensed as I felt his presence, even before I saw him.
I turned around to see Tavian behind me, casting his gloomy shadow over mine. Like poison, my excitement died down the moment he arrived, sending shudders crawling down my spine.
His expression was unreadable, except for the unmistakable glint in his eyes. Irritation.
He had a hand in his pocket, his posture causal, while every muscle in my body tightened as I got defensive.
"The Ascension trials isn't a game for weak, useless mutts," his tone was harsh, and his words cut deep, but I didn't let him intimidate me.
I raised my chin high, narrowing my eyes into slits. "Weak mutts like you, right?"
An angry look flared through his eyes, but he immediately composed himself as if realizing I wasn't worth his anger. He leaned in close, his presence daunting and cutting my breath short. He pressed his book into my chest, and I grabbed it instinctively.
"I'll need my homework done by tomorrow morning, " he ordered so casually like it was his birthright to boss me around.
Before he left, he turned back and shot me a dark look. "Don't even bother getting into the trials…You'll get crushed."
"Aww, are you that concerned about my well-being?" I retorted, my tone dripping in sarcasm. Mira giggled behind me but stifled it to make it go unnoticed. His eyes narrowed, but he didn't bother to respond as he walked away.
I watched him until he got out of my line of vision. I heaved an exasperated sigh.
Joining the Ascension trials would be placing a bigger target over the one I already carried around me for merely existing. But was that going to stop me? No way in hell.
"Mira," I called her name, my fists clenching at my sides, "Get your training gears on. We're getting into the trials."
I'd crush them first before I give them a chance to crush me.