Athènia's POV
We finished breakfast and were getting ready to leave. We were already outside the building when Uncle Kevine's car stopped in front of the entrance.
Kevine: "Alright kids, I have an important meeting in Europe, so don't cause any trouble. And Garth, keep an eye on your cousin—you know what can happen during the first change, when powers awaken."
Garth: "Yes, Father."
Uncle Kevine said goodbye and got into his car. We headed to our own vehicle and drove off toward the university. I just hoped no one would notice the changes—especially my hair, which now had several silver strands, and my eyes… they were colors that were far from normal. If it were one of those medical conditions where eye colors differ, I could accept that, but mine were different—each eye carrying two different colors. To cover it up, I wore sunglasses, and as for the silver strands, I could easily pass them off as a new hair dye experiment.
Mara: "Sunglasses… in a university?"
Athènia: "Got a better idea?"
{Kora: The sun burns my eyes.}
Athènia: "You mean our eyes."
Asher: "Doesn't exactly match your obsession with everything white."
Athènia: "Obviously. Sunglasses are supposed to be black."
Garth: "You know everyone's going to notice you're wearing them."
Athènia: "I know."
Asher: "Especially your former allies. They'll think you're hiding your red, tear-stained eyes after your alliance was thrown away."
Athènia: "I don't care what they think. That alliance only gave me more knowledge about wolves and vampires. It didn't harm me in the least—because I'm a werewolf."
Mara: "And besides, that alliance will help you defeat Im."
Athènia: "Exactly. Our alliance was never meant to last until the end, but ours will—because we're fighting for peace among supernaturals, and a place for us hybrids."
Asher: "You're right, Lis."
We arrived at the university, and I parked my car. As expected, stares immediately fell on me—well, I was wearing sunglasses indoors. We headed to our usual classroom. Since today was Thursday, we had classes until 5 p.m., which was great. We took our usual seats.
Mara: "Lis, everyone's staring at you."
Athènia: "I know. They probably think I'm still mourning Tevi's death."
Asher: "Yeah, probably. Most of them thought you were sleeping with him."
Garth: "Honestly, if we weren't your friends, we might've believed that too."
Mara: "Even I sometimes wondered if it wasn't true."
I paused dramatically.
Athènia: "Ouch, such trust."
We burst out laughing. Ah, we were crazy.
The professor—whose name I still didn't know—walked in.
Prof: "A little silence, please."
I rolled my eyes mentally. Even if I did it for real, they wouldn't notice.
Prof: "Miss Gronds, could you remove your sunglasses?"
Athènia: "No, thank you. I'm fine like this."
He sighed and began the lecture.
MJ leaned toward me.
Mara: "I can't tell if you're being cold or arrogant," she whispered, covering her mouth with her hand.
Athènia: "I'm just being straightforward." I whispered back.
After endless hours, it was finally noon—time to eat.
Garth: "Hungry?"
I nodded.
Asher: "Not surprised. You're always hungry."
Mara: "Especially when another life is growing inside you."
Oh—did I forget to mention? I'm three months pregnant. I found out two months ago, and though I was happy, I didn't tell anyone—not even Kemran. Only my pack here knows. As for the other wolves, I'm sure they haven't noticed my scent, since it's masked. Garth also uses his magic to hide my belly, which is already round.
{Kora: I just figured it out, Lis.}
Athènia: "What do you mean?"
{Kora: The fetus is developing faster than normal. It's already nearing the final stage, and since it's a dihybrid, you'll probably give birth much earlier—by the fourth month at the earliest.}
Athènia: "What?!"
{Kora: Normally, a she-wolf gives birth around the sixth or seventh month at most.}
Complicated, right? At least no one has noticed. Which means that after the birth, I'll just need a few days to recover.
We walked to the cafeteria, and again I felt the stares. Not because of the pregnancy—no one knew—but because of my sunglasses. We grabbed our meals and sat at our usual table. And there he was—Kemran, sitting with that b***h Evera. Seriously, what an idiot. Not even a day, and he's already back in her bed. I don't know why I have such a problem with her, but one thing's for sure: I don't like her at all. I started eating like I was starving.
Garth: "Eat slowly. Keep your anger under control, or it could get dangerous," he said in his reassuring tone. Ah, Garth, my brother—I adore him.
I took a deep breath and kept eating, but this time much more calmly.
Asher: "Good. Don't get upset. We're here for you."
His voice was full of love. I don't know why, but ever since he learned about my pregnancy, Asher has wanted to protect me all the time. He's the one who worries most whenever I have cravings. I can't help but feel he has stronger feelings for me than friendship. When I looked up, he was giving me the sweetest smile. I wasn't imagining things—he definitely has feelings for me. Just like I'm certain MJ is my twin's mate.
{Kora: No, she isn't.}
Athènia: "Why don't you believe me?"
{Kora: You only dreamed about it, because you wanted to imagine them as mates. But I'm not so sure.}
Athènia: "Whether you're sure or not, I know they're mates."
From the corner of my eye, I saw Kemran leaving the cafeteria. We finished eating and left too, heading to our next class.
Garth: "Feeling better now, or still hungry?"
Athènia: "I'm better. And you know we can always sneak out if we want."
Mara: "Of course."
We entered the classroom and sat in our usual seats, waiting for the others. After several minutes, everyone—including the professor—was there. He started talking about something I couldn't care less about. My mind drifted, my eyes empty, my thoughts scattered.
And that's how I spent the rest of the class—lost in my own world.