I stared at Tilly, a shock rippling through me. A Mate? It felt unreal, a phantom sensation I dismissed as imagination. Let her come and go, I thought, let her drift in and out of my mind as she pleased.
Tomorrow was my first day at the new school. I needed to appear normal, to blend in. I prepared for bed, no longer afraid. The nightmares wouldn’t return; I knew it. Ryan came in, wishing me luck for the next day, and I returned the sentiment.
Ryan was heading to college, and I wouldn’t see him for a long time. I’d visit him in three weeks, on campus. I was excited to see what he’d been working on, all the changes he’d made.
I fell asleep quickly, enjoying the best sleep I’d had in months.
~~
The next morning, I stretched, releasing the stiffness from my joints. I got dressed, choosing casually. This school didn’t seem to have a strict dress code. A red flannel over a white shirt, paired with a plain grey skirt. I pulled on purple shoes, checking my reflection. I looked presentable enough for a first day.
I grabbed toast on my way out the door, running downstairs. I ate it in the car while my brother drove me to school.
“Have a great day, sis! See you in three weeks!” He called.
I hugged him goodbye, wishing him luck once more. Then I hurried inside the American school.
A girl greeted me with a smile.
“Hi, my name is Lunar, and I’m going to take care of you today. Sorry if that sounds a little formal. We don’t get many new students, so this is my first time.” She sighed, looking down at her feet.
She wore a galaxy sweater with black jeans, and her hair was dyed purple.
“Not at all. My name is Lyra.” We shook hands, and she led me to my locker.
“I love your accent.” She squealed. “Oh god, is that rude?” She asked, worry filling her eyes.
“Not at all. I’m sure I’ll hear it a lot.” I reassured her.
“It’s not often this school gets a British student.” She explained.
Then I felt it—a small tingle from my wolf, spreading across my body.
MATE!!! My wolf screamed in my mind.
A low growl came from behind me.
“Who is this Lunar?” a gruff voice demanded.
“A new British student.” She replied.
“Move aside.” The boy said. Lunar obeyed, stepping aside as he moved into the light.
He had jet black hair with a red stripe down his fringe. His eyes were a piercing brown, and he wore a blue hoodie over black jeans. He was built, broad-shouldered and tall—maybe 5’9”?
He stopped, staring at me. His eyes were alight with emotion. As I looked at him, the tingles flared again. The boy turned and walked away without a backward glance.
Lunar led me to my first class, the silence awkward between us.
“Hello everyone, and welcome back after summer break,” the teacher began. “I’d like you all to welcome our new British student, Lyra Callaye.”
Everyone clapped as I stood up and sat back down. It felt like I’d just earned a reward. After sitting, I felt more comfortable, and Lunar and I chatted all the way through ‘Home Room’.
After that, Lunar led me to all her classes. First, she had art, so we walked to the art room. I asked her about the town while we walked.
“Well, the town’- small but sweet,” she began. “But there’s so much more to know about you! Where did you move in?”
“Oh uh, with my grandparents on Autumn Road?” I told her.
“Ah, I know it. What house?” She replied.
“Twenty-one.”
“Aw cool! I used to help that old couple with their gardening. They really are great people.” We reached class. It was a long walk, but I sat at my desk next to Lunar’s.
We were given a blank piece of paper for an assessment—draw what we could see around us. Apparently, there was always an assessment on the first day back from a holiday.
In front of me was a white lily. I drew it easily, surprised by my own skill.
“Wow, that’s awesome!” Lunar said.
“Now now, Lunar, I get that you’re helping her, but I don’t want you to be helping with an assessment.” The teacher scolded Lunar.
“Oh no, she wasn’t helping me, in fact I’m done.” I replied quickly.
“Me too.” Said Lunar, I could tell she was lying but was trying to back me up.
“Oh okay then. Well hand in your sheets and then you can talk to her Lunar.” The teacher ordered. I was okay with this, but Lunar quickly added a few more things to hers.
We handed in our sheets just as the bell rang.
“Awesome! Break!” Lunar squealed with excitement. We sat at a table with a few of Lunar’s friends.
“This is Jayden.” Lunar indicated a brown-haired lad with a white hoodie. He had blue eyes.
“This is River.” She showed me a tall girl with brown hair and blue eyes, a lot like me. She wore a red flannel and black jeans.
“This… This is…” She stuttered.
Lunar indicated the boy from earlier.
The tingles grew stronger, and my wolf bolted, presumably to connect with whatever kind of werewolf this boy was.
It was all too strange, too good to be true. To just find my mate…