Chapter 43
Julian
I still remember that day as if it had just been yesterday even if it had been years ago.
***
I got up from my bed in excitement, my eyes shining with hope. Today was going to be a big day for me.
I hurriedly rushed inside the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and took a quick shower before putting on my clothes.
“Julian, at least finish your breakfast first” Mom called out to me while I heard the sizzling of the stove as she made pancakes for me.
“No, mom. I am not hungry” I muttered and grabbed my bag before stashing in the books, my water bottle, and some dollar bills that I had saved by working overtime at malls and cafes.
I looked at my reflection in the mirror and saw a lanky guy staring back at me. I grabbed my old and slightly rusty pick–up truck’s keys and hopped into the driver’s seat as Mom came rushing outside.
“Julian!! Eat a bit at least” Mom shook her head but I waved my hands at her and replied, “I cannot eat until I find the result, Mom.”
I smiled and waved happily at her as she shouted back. “Inform me when you reach there.”
“I will” I screamed back and drove happily towards my academy.
There were different academies for students based on their pack, social status, and family background.
I studied in the lowest tier academy that would run on generous donations. awarded by the other notable alphas.
But that was going to change. I knew I had studied hard, excelled in all the physical examinations, and learned everything I could about pack laws and
treaties.
I wanted to change my life and get into a bigger, prestigious academy that had better facilities, and funds.
I wanted to be an alpha of a pack, not some lowly warrior who would get enlisted as a soldier after a pack suffered casualties and had to fill in the ranks.
Smiling to myself, I kept driving and reached the academy after which I hurriedly parked my truck and climbed up the stone staircase that led me through a big hall.
There were students anxiously waiting inside the hall, staring nervously at each other. A huge blackboard was placed at the far corner and covered with a drape.
That board had the names of all the students who had passed along with the marks that would decide my future.
I looked at my watch nervously and saw that there were still fifteen minutes. to 11 am.
Not wanting to talk to anybody because I was socially awkward, I leaned back on a pillar in a corner and just waited for the clock to tick faster.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
There was a commotion outside and I turned back to see what was going on. There were a few men dressed in nice, crisp suits and they had arrived in sleek black vehicles.
The huge vehicles stopped outside the gate and a few men dressed in immaculate suits stepped out, looking around cautiously.
Slowly, all the car doors opened and more men stepped out. Then from the 3rd car out of the five stepped out a young man.
He was not dressed in suits like the rest of the men but he was no doubt wearing branded clothes, and costly shoes and looked prim and proper with his hair styled neatly.
I got bored of watching the silly entourage as it often happened that some alpha came to our institute to do some charity and look at us pitifully.
I hated that look. I did not want anybody’s pity.
Just as I was beginning to turn away, my eyes fell on a figure stepping out of the car. Unlike the rest of the people who stepped out of the car, this was at female.
I watched in a trance as I saw a slender leg wearing a heel reveal itself and soon a girl, unlike anybody I had seen before stepped out of the car.
She closed the door behind her but the young man from earlier rushed to her side to do that task for her.
She smiled at him politely and my heart skipped a beat. I had this mad urge to do something that would make her smile at me.
The girl was fair, slender, and extremely pretty. Her long hair was left opent and earrings were dangling down her car.
She was wearing a decent blue colored dress that was modest and reached. her calves. She had a perfect face, flawless skin, and full lips. Her smile was radiant and she walked gracefully.
I had never paid any girl much attention as all my focus had been on getting into a top tier institute. I did not have many friends either.
But something about her was so mesmerizing that I could not take my eyes. off her. The young man fell in steps beside her, and there seemed an ease. between the two as she let him guard her.
There was some noise behind me and I looked back to see that everybody was gawking at her as well.
I heard whispers of excitement between students as they began talking to each other.
“Who is that beauty?” One of the guys wearing glasses asked.
“Not sure but I know that guy wagging his tail behind her.” A blonde haired guy answered.
I grew interested in the conversation.
“He is Sean Nordik. Son of the beta of the Nightfall pack.” Blondie added. “Wait, a beta won’t walk like that just around anyone. So she has to be his mate.”
Mate? She could not be his mate.
The very idea was stupid and I felt disappointment gnaw at me.
“No, if she was his mate, he would be holding her hand or something. He is just walking with her so she must be someone important.” Mr. Glasses concluded.
I mentally nodded at that and was surprised that I cared who she was mated. with or not.
“But how do you know him?” Mr. Glasses asked the blonde guy.
“Nordik is a prick and thinks too highly of himself. He is going to be the future beta of the most powerful pack. However, I’ve heard he likes to bully people in general”
Mr. Glasses nodded thoughtfully and added, “What kid from an influential background doesn’t behave like him?”
Blondie shrugged and I hoped the girl was not like Nordik. Again, I was surprised why I felt like that.
The two continued walking through the academy grounds and climbed the flight of stairs leading them to the big hall where we all were waiting
All of the students stepped aside to give her room but I could see everybody staring at her. She also seemed to notice that and I saw her grow a little uneasy as she pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear nervously.
She looked even prettier up close. Though I wouldn’t say I was standing too
close to her.
The bell rang and with that, we heard the academy head walk outside the office with some of his staff.
My gaze flicked to the noticeboard, and I gulped nervously. A lot was riding on it
The academy head’s eyes fell on the girl and he immediately rushed to her. “Miss Anastasia Gilbert. When did you arrive?” He asked with a shocked exclamation and immediately ordered his staff member to get her some refreshments and make her comfortable.
somebody ran to get a chair for her to sit on. But I just kept looking at her.
That was the first time I heard her name.