2 A New Beginning

Some people are in such utter darkness that they will burn you just to see . Try not to take it personally.

-Kamand Kojouri

" Wake up, wake up my monsters. Wake up from your beauty sleep. " Sarah appeared to be full of energy while she sang.

" Somebody ought to give this girl sleeping pills so that she'll let us have some decent shut-eye. " Tamsyn muttered.

" I can hear you, darling. " Sarah giggled.

" I know. " Tamsyn groaned. " Does nothing affect your good mood during the early hours of the day!? "

" Nooooo..... "

" You better get up, Syn. She's in one of hyper modes. " Cassie said in a sleepy voice. " Stop that damn alarm for God's sake, Jo. "

" Good. Now everyone's up. Let's go for a jog. " Joan suggested with a grin.

That did perk up everyone. Tamsyn was about to rush to get a change of clothes when she remembered something.

" I don't think it's a good idea afterall, Jo. This place is new. We can't just go for a jog without knowing the topography first. "

" Oh, yeah. It's true. " Joan couldn't help but agree.

" Wish we could be reckless, but aren't we supposed to sort of protect the people of Rauland? " Cassie pointed out.

" Well, no bother. We'll get Lorenzo or someone else to give us a short tour. The classes will be over by 1:30 pm. Then let's go explore. "

" Yayy! That's a good idea, Sarah. " Jo high-fived Sarah.

" Let's get on with our standard stretches and meditation. We've got an hour for it. Got to be ready for college by 7:30 am. Lorenzo said that his younger brother will accompany us to the college. Apparently, he's also a student. " Syn said while getting started on their routine stretching exercises.

" So is Aurora. She's in Jo's class. " Cassie spoke up.

" Yeah, she is heavily into being a veterinarian and considers this degree as the starter course. "

" Jo, did he call you? " Syn asked out of blue.

" Nop. " Jo sounded dull all of a sudden.

" Oh, I'm so sorry gal. I should have done something. " Syn sounded frustrated.

" You know that you couldn't have done anything. Just take a chill pill babe. I know my man. He'll call me soon. He must've been missing me too much already. " Jo said in a smug voice.

" As if she doesn't miss him too. " Cassie rolled her eyes at Sarah and Syn. " Nop, she doesn't miss him. She didn't steal most of his hoodies and t-shirts. She doesn't sleep in those. She doesn't stare at his pic and gradually falls asleep. Nop, she doesn't miss him at all. "

The other two girls were already rolling on the floor laughing hearing Cassie pointing out the facts in a droll voice. Jo was blushing furiously. Her cheeks resembled a red apple in its prime.

" Fine. I miss him and I want to call him, okay? But... "

" You are afraid that he won't pick up the call. " Syn finished the sentence for her.

" Yeah..... "

" He is not a jerk like Robert. Oops... " Cassie's palms flew to her mouth to prevent herself from saying anything more.

" Oh, please!! I have moved on, okay!? It has been almost nine months since our breakup. And yes, I've mourned enough. Don't you think so? " Syn rolled her eyes.

" Yippe!! I'm so happy! He was a jerk. No, he is a jerk. Our Princess is too good for him. " Cassie said in a haughty manner.

" Yeah, I know right? " Syn winked.

"Narcissistic witch." Jo said in a teasing tone.

" Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but I'm the best among us. " Sarah said while striking a stylish pose.

The four went into fits of laughter and Sarah glared at them with twinkling eyes. Their friendship was which gave them power, the strength to fight against the odds in their life. A group of seven young witches; a friendship forged from their childhood. Now they had to be separated. But it was just for a while; or so they thought.

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" Oh no….what am I supposed to wear? " Sarah wailed, while pulling a resigned looking Cassie into her room.

" Why don't you call Eva? " Cassie suggested after scanning Sarah's wardrobe.

" Yes!! That's what I should do. When it comes to fashion, you guys are useless. " Sarah concluded while Cassie rolled her eyes.

Sarah took her mobile and made a call to one of the three friends left back at Egypt.

" 'Cause I-I-I'm in the stars tonight

So watch me bring the fire and set the night alight

Shoes on, get up in the morn'

Cup of milk, let's rock and roll

King Kong, kick the drum, rolling on like a Rolling Stone."

" Which is this one? " Cassie had a pondering look on her face while she asked Sarah about the ringtone that Eva had set.

" Dynamite, BTS. Her current favourite song. She loves it too much that she have set it for others to hear it too. " Sarah replied. " Hello, love."

" Oh, Hello! Where were you guys!? " A female voice shouted through the phone.

" Marge, calm down please. We are so sorry. But we didn't get a chance to call you guys, honest. " Sarah tried to convince her enraged friend.

" Yeah, you called your respective moms. But couldn't find a minute to atleast drop a message in our whatsapp group. " Laura's words dripped sarcasm.

" Hey, it's Cassie here. Guess the phone's on speaker, huh!? " Her voice had a resigned amusement laced in.

" Oh yes! " A I'm-bored-with-all-this voice came through.

"Eva!! My saviour." Sarah called out.

" I knew it!! She called because she needs fashion advice. Not because you guys felt like contacting us. " Laura's voice sounded rude but the two girls could hear the hint of hurt.

" We are sorry, sweethearts. I swear, we were going to call you yesterday night. But something unexpected came up. We'll make up for it this evening?? " Sarah pleaded.

" Alright."

"Okay."

"Yeah."

The three girls at Egypt shared a glance and responded in unison.

" Great!! " Sarah enthused while Cassie smiled with relief.

" Well, pair up your ripped grey jeans with the snow white hoodie. You'll look stunning. " Eva told Sarah.

" Love you. Mwuah. We are getting late. See ya tonight. Don't exhaust your data. Bye. " Sarah said in a happy tone.

" Sure, Ma'am. See ya. " Laura replied with a laugh and ended the call.

" Perfect for the first day in a place covered in snow. " Cassie winked.

" Then why are you wearing purple hoodie? " Sarah raised her eyebrows.

" Are we all wearing hoodies? " Syn wondered looking from one girl to the other.

" I guess we are. " Jo grinned. Her attire consisted of a dark green hoodie paired up with white jeans and Syn had gone for an all-black outfit.

" Cool. " Sarah whistled.

" Hey, we haven't yet called our trio back home. They are bound to get upset. " Syn reminded everyone.

" They are upset. Sarah had to have fashion advice from Eva. Habit! " Cassie rolled her eyes.

" They are mad at us. Aren't they? " Syn asked in a small voice.

" Obviously. We'll call them tonight. Now, hurry up." Joan said on her way out of the room.

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They took their backpacks and went to the dining room. Logan, Elora, Aurora, Lorenzo and a guy they haven't met yet was seated around the table.

" Good morning. Did you have a good sleep? We were waiting for you. " Elora said with a smile and gestured to sit. " There is no need for formalities here. Sit down and have food. "

" Good morning. " The girls chorused together and then grinned at each other. It was Syn who answered the question.

" Yeah. We had a good sleep. The rooms are so comfortable. "

" Glad to know that Syn. Do let us know if you need something. " Elora said with a bright smile.

" Well, actually, we would like to have someone take us on a short tour of this village, if possible? "

" Yeah. You see, we love to go for a morning jog every day and we were hesitant to do so today because we are not familiar with the territory. " Jo piped in.

" No problem. Leo, accompany them after classes this evening. " It was Lorenzo who answered their query. " By the way, meet Leonardo. My baby brother. "

Leonardo rolled his eyes and winked at the girls. " Big bro here is ancient. So he loves to call me baby. "

" Who are you calling ancient, pup? " Lorenzo glared.

" Same question. " Cassie winked. " He's almost 25, I would say, give or take a few months. "

Aurora and Leonardo looked at Cassie in obvious disbelief. Lorenzo had a smug smile on his face.

" Don't you know that werewolves age slow? " Aurora asked Cassie.

" Huh!? Meaning what? " Cassie looked lost.

" Meaning, Lorenzo is not in his twenties. He's even older than my brother, who is in his forties. My parents are almost one hundred and fifty years old. You see, we don't count our age according to the years we've lived anymore. The werewolves have a long life and also they age slowly. " Aurora explained.

" F**k!! Seriously?? " Syn blurted out.

" Language! " The three girls chorused.

" Huh!? You use it too. " Syn was confused.

" Oh, yes. But you chide us too. " Cassie answered in an ' isn't-it-obvious ' tone.

The rest of them chuckled hearing the banter. They were glad that the girls didn't freak out and took it in the stride. The subject of their long life had often made other species, especially humans, wary.

" So, who's Sarah? She's in my class. " Leonardo called out.

" That would be her. " Cassie gestured to her right. Sarah had her mouth filled with a big bite of pancake and could only wave weakly with an awkward smile.

" Moon Goddess! Look at the time! It's getting late. Have your food. " Elora brought the talk into halt.

" Yes, mama wolf. " Lorenzo said tongue-in-cheek.

Elora mock glared at the Beta and all others had a difficult time holding in their laughter. The breakfast ended on a pleasant note. There were stacks and stacks of fluffy pancakes with maple syrup, butter and strawberry jam. There was a big fruit cake too. Everyone had a good drink of milk flavoured with pista and almonds. Altogether it was a feast fit for nobility.

Leonardo drove a dark blue Volkswagen golf into the porch of the alpha house. The four girls got into it while Aurora walked towards her Harley Davidson. The journey to the campus was a short one. Leonardo filled them in on the working of the university.

They parted ways after collecting the documents which were already prepared by Leonardo from the Main Office.

Syn walked towards her class in a gay mood. So far it's been good. She loved the calm soothing vibe of Rauland. The pack members were friendly too. The only one missing was Alpha. They hadn't met him yet. She was a bit curious about him.

"Hey, are you the witch?" A rude voice broke into Syn's musings.

"Huh!?" Syn was confused by the sudden question and the girl's threatening look. The rude voice belonged to a tall girl with dark purple hair. She was wearing a short dress and high boots.

Syn was about to enter her class. " Please move aside. " Syn said in a plain tone and entered into the class. Everyone was staring at her. She rolled her eyes in her mind with annoyance. She hated it when people stared at her. As if she's some sort of an experimental slide kept under a microscope. She smiled outwardly at the class in general and chose a seat beside the window.

The tall girl was seething with fury. 'How dare she ignore me?'

"Hey, you...."

"Can you please move from the entrance, Ms. Carter?" The professor had come.

" Sure, sure ma'am. " She went to her seat and sat down with a red face.

" Good morning class, we have a transfer student this year. Ms. Wolfe, Welcome aboard. I'm Professor Carpathia Jones. "

" Hello, Professor. " Syn stood up and greeted the gentle looking woman.

"Let's start the class." Prof. Jones said after nodding at Syn.

Three hours went by in a flash. Only five minutes were given in between as a break. Syn had introduced herself to everyone and they were eager to make friends with her. Except the tall girl, named Eliza.

The break after the third hour was comparatively longer. They were given 20 minutes. Syn turned to the girl on her right who was quite the cheerful type.

" Say Kate, how is your Alpha? "

" Alpha? Haven't you met him yet? " Kate was surprised.

" Nop. He was not home when we came. And it was already late by then. We didn't see him even at the breakfast time. " Syn answered naturally.

" Well, he's a busy man. He must have gone to the borders. He does that often nowadays. You know, we have to be wary of Him. " Kate finished in a whisper.

" Why are you afraid of your own Alpha? Why should you be wary of him? Isn't he supposed to protect you? " Syn felt incredulous.

" What? " Kate felt lost for a moment. Then she started laughing. " No, silly. I was not talking about out Alpha. I was talking about Him, the mastermind behind all the recent attacks, the one you have come to protect us from. "

" Oh, alright. " Syn chuckled. " Come now, answer my question. How is your Alpha? From your tone of reverence he seems like a good guy. Is he hot? I'm not talking about 'the-overly-muscular' kinda hot, but 'the-not-so-obvious' muscular and lean kinda hot. " Syn asked with a playful smile.

Kate let out an awkward laugh and glanced around. Most of the girls were trying to suppress their laughter at Syn's playful manner. They had all been listening shamelessly to the conversation. Boys were trying their best to not chuckle out loud at Syn's definition of hot and some were even checking whether they were 'Syn's kind of hot guy'.

" Oh please, Syn. You have super hot and handsome guys right here and you wanna know about the Alpha? Darling, you are breaking our hearts. " Alex called out in a mock hurt tone holding the left side of his chest.

" Cut the crap, Alex. " Eliza snapped at him and left the class after gathering her books.

" What's up with her? " Alex wondered out loud.

" Her parents, especially her dad was not so supportive of bringing in witches to help us. Apparently they had a bad encounter with a witch decades ago. " A girl named Amelia answered.

" Don't mind her, Syn. We are glad to have you and your friends here. " Kate said with an apologetic smile.

"Yeah." Amelia agreed with a smile.

" It's okay. I can handle a bitter pill anyday. Now, back to the topic. Oh come on guys. Please satisfy the curiosity of a damsel in distress about how hot the big bad Alpha is. " Syn said with a wink in general to everyone.

"Can I answer your question, Ms. Curiosity?"

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Lots of 💖

Mila_Alaia

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