The Heir (on-hold)

5. Motive

Chapter 5

Everest Hills
Everest High School
Present

ARYN

"Everyone, this is Aryn."

There was an awkward silence before Anakin broke it off, "Hey, girly. Finally coming to your senses about giving me your number?"

I roll my eyes at his attempt. "Not a chance, blondie."

A few snickered at my insult and I sighed in relief that the awkward air finally lifted, silently thanking Anakin. The rest of them greeted me and introduced themselves. I dropped my tray filled with fries on the table and sat next to Anakin while Fae sat beside me.

"Aryn, are you still working your shift tonight in Wren's Café?"Jax asked from the table next to ours. "Perhaps you can sneak a milkshake for me tonight?" I could see Mr. Cold Blue eyes quietly eating his burger, not bothering to pay intent attention to any of the conversations.

"You work in Wren's Coffee Hub and Café?" Helios spoke up. I noticed my fries were lesser now and I slapped Anakin's hand away in an attempt of sneaking more some into his mouth, glaring at him in the process.

"Yeah. I'm an orphan. So I have to work my ass off every night." It wasn't a total lie. All I could remember was Aunt Lys and she died because of me.

Everyone in the table nodded in understanding without further prying for answers.

A bugging question that I've been meaning to ask appeared in my head.

"How many packs do they have in here?" That caught Mr. Blue eyes' attention.

Ares answered for me. "If you count Blood moon territory...about 4. There's my pack, the Eclipse pack, Midnight Howler's pack which is A.T.'s pack, the Werewolf council's small pack, and Blood Moon territory." My ear flicked at the familiarity of the last one. What really got a hold of my curiosity was when Ares listed the Midnight Howler's pack under A.T.'s name. Does that mean he's the... next-in-line Alpha? "But the Werewolf council's small pack and the Blood Moon territory are not inside Everest Hills. It lies in a whole new town altogether."

"Exactly, you should see the Blood forest, it's like half of Everest Hills, and the rest is occupied by our palace grounds. Mom's even renovating the palace and it's already big enough."

Her mother must be an interior designer of some sort.

"So how old are you, Aryn?"

"16."

"Oh, so you'll be finding your mate soon enough once you turn 17." Which will happen in a month or so.

"It's common knowledge, Fae. Obviously, she knows." Anakin piped in with a mocking voice and Fae turned to give him a death glare.

"Just because you are the future Lead Beta and the best friend of my big sist –" I was 100% sure that she was going to say sister when she suddenly realized what she was saying and decided to keep her mouth shut. Lead Beta? So he's part of the Blood Moon territory? The whole table grew silent and became extremely tense. First, it was Anakin who decided to leave my side before Fae took off in the other direction.

I rubbed my shoulder awkwardly and Helios met my eyes. "Long story," He mouthed. Shrugging as if not bothered at the fact that two of the closest friends I mostly spoke to the entire week and today left my side and I am now stuck with people who seemed to love chatting with their friends. I didn't mind it at all. I was fine with eating silently and I couldn't help but steal glances towards A.T. It explained the toe-curling experience I felt with him in the café. Maybe it was his sense of authority compared to the others.