HOPE
In my entire fucking eighteen years of existence, I've never seen let alone heard of a student living in a school-provided duplex.
I mean, what the hell does Eli pay in tuition? The hierarchy in this place might be even more twisted than I thought.
He pulls off his shoes and slips on a pair of slides, tossing a look over his shoulder.
"Are you going to keep standing outside, waiting for an invitation like a vampire?"
I glance down. There's a rack by the door which has more slides in it — probably for guests, if he ever has any. I kick off my shoes and slip into a pair.
My brain short-circuits the moment I step in.
This isn't just a duplex. it's a fucking mini luxury disguised as a school residence. The living room alone is twice the size of my whole burnt house. The walls are sleek and white. There's recessed lighting, a glass spiral staircase leading upstairs, and tech-looking devices I don't even have names for.
A widescreen display showing data charts is there as well. And my face suddenly appears there with every one of my details.
Name, date of birth, age, height, last school, and that ridiculous picture I took in 4th grade.
"Welcome to the Dominant Quads' Residence, Hope."
I scoff. I can feel a wretchedness of mind I've never felt before. How exactly will I fit in? Hopefully, I adapt fast enough. I hold myself back so as not to embarrass myself by jumping at this amazing masterpiece of tech.
I don't want to look like a JJC.
There's a faint humming sound, like something's always running in the background. The couch looks like it cost more than my whole life's expenditure.
I take a deep breath, punctuated with several even gasps.
"You live here?" I ask, half choking on my own disbelief.
"Yes. Not like my own home," Eli shrugs.
Of course it's not. Cryptic much?
He walks into the open kitchen and grabs two water bottles from the fridge. He tosses one to me. I barely catch it. In fact, it falls and I have to bend and pick it up. Perhaps it's simply because of my own uneasiness.
I catch myself glancing uneasily around the room.
"Relax, cupcake," he says. "I know what's going on in your head right now—hierarchy in the school system, impartial treatment compared to the others and whatnot but this building is actually a Den for Alpha students. I don't live alone."
I narrow my eyes. "Alpha students? That some secret cult crap, or just elite nerd language? Or your werewolf gang?" I still honestly don't believe he's a werewolf until, of course, he shifts to his wolf.
Eli smirks, unscrewing his bottle. "Neither. It's a title earned. The Den is for students who've proven themselves… differently. And I can't shift until it's full moon. So keep your doubt until then."
Ughh. He's doing that mind-reading thing again. I swallow difficultly and find my voice. "Differently how?"
"Skills, power, intelligence, usefulness to the school. Your bloodline especially, most important." He gestures vaguely.
"Or you should just be badass rich." I figure every school will certainly still bend and kiss the ass of rich families.
"That too." He grins, like he's proud of it. "Everyone here is either a weapon or a shield. Sometimes both."
I take a sip, glancing toward the spiral staircase. "So who else lives here?"
"Three others," he says. "You'll meet them when they feel like being social."
"Great," I mutter. "Love awkward surprises."
"You're not staying permanently," Eli adds quickly. "Just until we finish our assignment. You'll be moved to your hostel after that."
That felt like he thinks I'm a fucking gold digger and will leech off him forever—but I'm not gonna let him belittle me to that standard.
"Okay, you might have gotten this twisted, but I'm only staying here tonight 'cause I broke out of prison thanks to you. And also, I wasn't allocated to any hostel. I need a place to crash in till I clear everything up tomorrow."
He doesn't respond. He just looks at me and gulps down the remaining contents of his water.
He crushes the empty bottle slightly in his hand before tossing it effortlessly into a bin across the room. Perfect shot!
As if on cue, something fast and white darts into the room—blurs between the furniture and jumps effortlessly onto the kitchen counter.
I flinch, only to realize it's a cat. A tiny one. Soft-looking white fur with gray ears and an oddly regal posture. It strolls up to Eli.
Joy suddenly bubbles in my laugh and I shine my eyes. "Oh my goodness! You have a cat?"
I blink, because somehow that's the most shocking thing tonight.
He strokes its head absentmindedly. "Picked it up from the street."
I squint. "Wow. I never thought you were the kind to raise stray cats."
"I'm not. I just said that to impress you."
"With a cat?"
He bends his powerful, well-muscled body to my height. "Aren't you impressed? Judging by your face, you very much are."
I open my mouth to deny it, but the cat curls up beside him, purring like a cute little thing—and damn it, I *am* a little impressed. But I'll die before I admit that.
I watch the cat curl smugly around his hand. I love cats. Always, whenever! I've always wanted to be a cat mom but... I couldn't bring my baby to suffer with me. But now\... I'm totally going for it!
"What's the name?"
"Luna."
"Oh my kidney! Such a beautiful name for a cute little bunny. Luna, come here," I say and extend my hand.
"Be careful, Hope! Luna doesn't like humans!" His free hand moves recklessly to stop Luna from coming to me.
Too late. Luna launches off his hands like a tiny, furry missile and barrels straight into my arms, purring loud enough to vibrate through my chest. I blink down at her as she rubs her head against my chest like we've known each other forever.
Eli stares, frozen mid-sip. "What the—"
I smirk. "You were saying?"
"She claws every human. Makes sure you end up hospitalized."
"She's clearly got taste." I scratch behind her ears and she melts into me like butter in the sun.
He watches in disbelief. "Okay… that's actually creepy. She doesn't do that. Ever."
I lean against the counter. "Maybe I'm just magical and toooo lovable."
"Or maybe you're just not human. That'd make more sense."
Luna flops in my lap, tail flicking happily. I glance up at him, half-joking but also not. "I love her already."
Eli doesn't say anything for a second. He draws back and leans against the fridge. "You can keep her then."
"Really? Please don't take those words back!" Swallowing the sob that rises in my throat as I bury my fingers in her fur, I look up at him, stunned and sickened.
"You can't have it and please don't let any liquid fall from those eyes to my pretty floor or cat"
I roll my eyes at him and blink back my tears. I never have any intention of crying before him in the first place.
My father actual promised to gift me one on my eleventh birthday but guess what? He fucking died few days before my birthday!
"Go take a shower Cupcake, my room is the third after the stair case" Eli says like I was beginning to disgust him. Or he probably read my thoughts and wants to distract me from bawling on his diamond floor.
Motherfucker!