Chapter. 4 Rejected
Caroline POV
I became depressed because of their tomato throwing. Apparently this is what made Logan force me to stay here. He really has no heart.
"Stop it!" Logan's two best friends suddenly stood up to stop their anarchic actions.
"If you keep making noise. We'll drag you out of here!" snapped the man.
"Alright. All right. We won't do it again." Grace sounded forced to say this.
"Use this to clean your face." The other man held out a small piece of cloth. I couldn't resist grabbing it. Of course, I didn't want this rotten tomato to linger on my body. But I wasn't going to thank him. Because this all happened because of his own friend, Logan.
Time flies. I'm bored here. I'm not really interested in basketball. Even though people cheered every time, Logan scored a goal. But since there was nothing else to do. I finally decided to continue reading the Pack's history book. It was more fun than watching a bunch of people running here and there chasing that round thing.
In the book I was reading, there was a fairy tale that was quite famous among the pack members. In fact, I'm sure almost every parent would tell it to their children. My parents did too. They've told it to me many times. But it still intrigues me.
It was about a kingdom cursed by the Moon Goddess because Alpha and Luna were fighting over power. The name of the pack is unclear, but the palace of the pack is called Exousia, which means power in Greek, and is located on Royal Hill. A place that also remains a mystery. Alpha and Luna are also unnamed, although I've read such tomes. The story is full of secrets. That's what makes me even more interested.
As I sat there, something suddenly hit my chest.
"Awww! Shit! Who was that?" I grumbled while looking around for someone who could fool me again. But no one answered. They were silent as if nothing had happened.
Ish. Why do I have to be around these annoying people? I got up to leave immediately.
"Who gave you permission to leave?" one of Logan's friends said while holding my arm.
"You're not my parents. I don't need your permission to go wherever I want!" I showed him my courage as I let go of his hand.
"I'm not your parent! But Prince Alpha has given me orders to keep you here. His orders cannot be broken. Not even by your own parents!" It was his response that made me even more annoyed.
I had no choice but to shake his hand. Then I sat back down with a thud. I glared at Logan. Instead of being scared, he smiled at me. You're very kind. With your power, you can manipulate those who are innocent. If only the Alpha's appointment could be democratic. I would never have chosen this creature to lead my pack.
I get annoyed when I see women going baffling over him. Because it makes his head even bigger. After all, what good is he? Just because of the family throne and his handsome face, with its firm jaw, sharp nose, and sapphire blue eyes. Wait, wait, wait. Why am I flattering him? No, Carol. He's been bothering you all this time. I shook my head quickly as I tried to turn my attention back to the thick book in my hand.
I'd rather learn the history of the pack than think about Logan being so arrogant. He deserved to be called that. Logan, the arrogant Alpha. It didn't take long for my focus to return to every word in the book.
I turned to the next page. Suddenly, something hit my head again. The culprit could no longer escape. Because it bounced right in front of me.
"A basketball?" I muttered while looking at the object that had just hit me.
I picked it up and stared at the court. There was Logan laughing with satisfaction with the others. That's enough! My patience was gone. I took out a cutter. Then stuck the sharp object into the surface of the ball until it became deflated. My behavior shocked everyone, but Logan smiled triumphantly. I couldn't understand what was going through his mind. But suddenly a gym teacher approached.
"Carol! Come with me immediately and take responsibility for your destructive behaviour!" he snapped.
"What? But, sir-"
"Don't argue! Or your punishment will be even more severe!" I couldn't dodge it anymore. This was already part of my bad luck. I passed dozens of cheering people while pelting me with more rotten tomatoes. Every now and then, I glanced at the field. Right where Logan was looking at me with a sly smile. Watch out Logan! I promise I'll never forgive you!
A while later....
"Hahaha. You think so?" Logan said with his signature laugh. I didn't intend to eavesdrop. However, I was the one who was cleaning the Alpha class boys' toilet. I didn't think the boys' match would end so soon. That's why when I heard them coming, I immediately hid behind the door.
"It's clear. Yesterday was the final written test. And you still came out on top, Prince," Logan's best friend praised. I sneered at that. If he wasn't an Alpha candidate, I'd be ahead of him.
"Well, maybe you're right! But, to get the perfect mate. Only the Moon Goddess knows," said the arrogant alpha candidate. It seemed they were chatting in front of Logan's locker, which was separate from the others.
"You're right. At graduation tomorrow. We'll shapeshift for the first time and find our mate from the Moon Goddess. That means all the girls in this school have a chance of becoming your Lunas. Have you never once thought about which woman is right for you?"
"You're not delirious. Of course, Grace is the right match. She's beautiful, smart and elegant. Perfectly suited to be our Luna," chimed in another of Logan's friends. Meanwhile, Logan hadn't made a sound so far.
"I was just talking about opportunities. There are hundreds of girls in this school. And all of them have the same chances. Including... the ugly girl. Hahaha!" Logan's friend laughed mockingly.
"That's right. What if your mate turns out to be the Ugly Man? Would you still accept him? Hahaha."
"Don't be stupid. Of course I'll refuse. I'd rather get the customary punishment for breaking the Moon Goddess' stipulations than have to live my life with a poor girl like her!"
Deg!
I knew her answer would definitely reject me, but I didn't think my heart would feel this painful.
"Never mind. Don't talk so much. You better get out, because I'm going to clean up!" Logan shooed his two friends away.
"Alright. Hurry up and pack and meet us at the usual place!" one of them ordered before leaving. After they left, Logan went inside his luxurious toilet. That's when I could escape.
Graduation day arrived. All the parents were called to Green Hill to witness our transformation into wolves for the first time. Really, I felt very nervous myself. Finally, after a long time of feeling lonely, I would soon meet my wolf, who could understand all my wishes and feelings. I put on the best clothes that mum had just bought me. The woman kept looking at me with a face full of happiness.
"You look very beautiful, darling," she complimented.
"Thank you, Mom. I'm very nervous and can't wait to meet my wolf," I said with a big smile.
"Yes, dear. Mom and Jaiden, mywolf, can't wait to meet her, either. I'm sure she'll have the same temperament as you. Beautiful, smart and kind."
I smiled. Mum can always make me feel comfortable. I made a promise to myself. After I become the best soldier. I will make you proud and raise our family pride.
“We require all students to gather in the center of Green Hill.”
"It's about time, dear." Mom grazed my cheek. I nodded. Then, before leaving, Mom kissed the top of my head lovingly.
Time passed. I groaned in pain along with the other students. As people said, it was indeed very painful. One by one, we began to transform ourselves into a wolf with pure white fur. However, I didn't finish my transformation for a few moments.
"Akhhh!!!" I groaned violently as a light covered my entire body. It felt like the pain penetrated all the way to my bone marrow.
Everyone seemed to close their eyes because of the blinding light. Soon the light gradually disappeared and revealed my figure that had turned into a wolf with silver fur. Everyone was shocked and so was Mom. But I was no less surprised than them.
"Hi, Carol. I'm Chloe, your wolf," the soft greeting imperfectly distracted me.
"Why is my fur different from the others? Am I really a bad-looking werewolf?" I retorted in a panicked tone.
"Don't worry about it, Carol. Believe you're special, not ugly." My wolf tried to calm me down.
"Special?"
"Yes. The Moon Goddess has specialised you. Believe me! Now it's time for you to find your mate!"
Amongst my confusion. I need to finish my other tasks before the event is over. I saw that many wolves had already found their mates. They looked so happy and loving. I wish I could feel it too.
When I felt like I was being called. I looked for the source. I burst in amongst the dozens of wolf couples who were feeling their happiness.
Soon I will feel it too. Soon I will find my life partner. I ran faster as the call grew stronger. A delicious aroma began to fill my sense of smell. The taste made me even more excited. I swung my four legs faster. Until I finally met him at one point.
"No. This can't be," I muttered, looking at Logan's figure right in front of me. I could see he was panting, too. Like he had just done the same thing.
Everyone looked at me with increasingly incredulous looks.
"That ugly is our Luna? Seriously?" one of them said. I looked around in all directions. It was true that the calls had stopped. It replaced it with a delicious, heart-stirring scent. Unfortunately, it came from Logan's still body. I'm sure he was more shocked than me.
"Yes. There's no way our Luna is that bad," the others said.
"We can't resist fate. Unless the Alpha Prince is ready to take the punishment," another chimed in.
I looked down fearfully at their babbling as they cornered me further. Soon, Logan would surely drop his denial and humiliate me in front of them. But before that....
"Stop it!!!" I shouted, causing everyone to fall silent. "I don't want to be with him!" I said out loud and managed to make everyone's jaws drop even wider. Logan was no exception. "I.... I reject you!!!" I added and ran away from Green Hill.