It’s Sunday evening.

After Headmaster Lockwood gave his passionate and emotional speech about the time in which he got mated to a woman of a different ethnicity than him back in 1982, students started to file out of the auditorium moved by his incredible speech.

However, I noted something much more troublesome from his speech. It’s the fact that he and Jayden are going back to Georgia next Friday, on the day that he was supposed to take me to his pack to introduce me to his parents.

Given the Headmaster's resistance to the two of us together, I can only presume that Jayden forgot about his grandfather’s upcoming birthday and no longer plans to take me home with him this particular weekend.

I think it’s too soon anyway, so I am not complaining if that is the case. It would be that much easier if his grandfather wasn’t there when he takes me to his pack. Goddess only knows how much trouble I will have convincing one Alpha, I do not want to have to take on two of them at the same time.

It's funny. If you heard Headmaster Lockwood's speech about embracing differences and how he faced abuse when he was mated to an African American girl, you'd think he would be much more accepting of me and his grandson being together.

I mean, can anyone seriously believe that he sent his daughter to Ravenwood with no expectations, supposedly only telling her to make the best decision for herself?

For real? I don't buy that!

I do believe that he made no distinction of race when he sent his daughter to study here. That would be hypocritical of him if he did. I just don't buy that speech of “I only cared about my daughter's happiness”.

Sure you did, as long as she brought home an appropriate candidate to meet you.

Anyway, that is not my problem. He should not be my concern except for his role as the Headmaster of Ravenwood Academy.

“I am sorry! I completely forgot about his birthday being this weekend. Raincheck?” Jayden approached me as we exited the auditorium, looking guilty.

“I figured as much.” I said, already expecting this conversation to take place as soon as I heard the passionate speech. I have no problem waiting for another date to go to Georgia.

“I promise you I am eager to introduce you to my mom, as soon as I am able, we are going to Georgia together. Just not this particular weekend.” He was filled with remorse for making a promise to me, while I was feeling relieved, to be honest.

“No problem, Jay. I am here for you. Whenever, wherever.” I smiled at him, secretly relieved. He kissed me and we walked the way back to our respective Houses.

Some time later…

“Hey, here is a thought. If you are no longer going to Georgia next weekend, how about coming with me to Texas? I had promised to take you to my pack and I am going back this coming Friday.” Seth proposed the trip once we walked into our dorm room in the Gamma House.

“Really? Are you sure I wouldn’t be a bother? I can’t afford to travel right now…” I wondered, tentatively. The last thing I want is to be a stowaway in their pack and his house.

“You could never be a bother! Are you kidding me? Of course not! You wouldn’t spend a dime on this trip, at best you’d be hitching a ride with my brother and me. You don’t have to worry about anything, I got you!” He assured me, sounding ecstatic at the prospect.

“Well, as long as you clear it with your parents first. I wouldn’t want to impose my presence on their house.” I told him, a bit fearful of springing my presence on their territory. I am sure they are not going to mind it, but who knows?

It’s not like Skylar is bringing me as a prospect… *eye roll*

“Done. I will text my mom right now.” He agreed, ecstatically happy. He immediately grabbed his cell phone and started typing into it.

Later, during dinner, Jayden was still feeling guilty about not being able to take me along to Georgia next weekend. Little does he know, I am so relieved by this. His grandfather’s 60th birthday could not have come at a better time…

“Are you taking Victoria home to your parents next weekend?” One of the Alphas questioned Skylar in their section of the dining hall. Victoria is the latest candidate to be his prospect. She is a Beta from Arkansas.

“No! It’s too soon for that! What psychopath takes a prospect to meet their parents in September?” Skylar protested, taking a jab at Jayden in the process, who glared daggers at him. All of the other Alphas knew Jayden intended to take me to his pack, so they were looking uncomfortable at their standoff.

“It’s not my fault if you need time to convince someone to put up with you! I don’t have that problem, I am a nice person. I am not a friendless asshole like you!” Jayden shot back, fuming.

“I have friends!” Skylar raised his voice at him.

“Did you buy them too?” Jayden shot back, sarcastically.

“I cannot wait until Alpha Lockwood tells your mother to block your silly crush! Then you’ll have no choice but to give up your charity Omega!” He snapped at Jayden and the two of them were about to pounce on each other when Mr. Kirchner interrupted them.

“STOP THIS RIGHT NOW!” The tall Beta screamed at the both of them, interrupting their fight, as it was just about to explode. Mr. Kirchner is the Head of Security here at Ravenwood Academy. If reputations are to be believed he is a fearsome warrior.

“Students are trying to have dinner in peace, they don’t need to listen to you bickering over things neither of you can control. Who approves or doesn’t approve marriage contracts is not up to either of you but your parents! Headmaster Lockwood has bigger things to worry about, interfering in his family’s choice of partner is not one of them. Get a grip, boys! This isn’t high school!” He reprimanded them both, furiously.

Skylar scoffed at his statement, doubting the veracity of Lockwood’s laissez-faire attitude towards Jayden’s choice of partner.

“You know, it’s past time you discover what we do here to boys with an attitude like yours, Mr. Stronghold. Please see me after dinner.” He told Skylar with an evil smirk. Then he turned around and told his men:

“If he doesn’t come voluntarily, drag him to my office! Either he complies or gets expelled. I don’t care either way.” He stated, purposefully doing so that the Alpha boy could hear.

This is not a good look on the privileged Alpha. This is a private school, and everybody is held to a higher standard. You can’t just think daddy’s money is going to save you from the consequences. Not this time and he should have known that by now.

“Can I be your roommate after Skylar gets expelled? Jason farts.” The Alpha from before asked Jayden and literally everybody laughed at that except for Skylar and Jason [another Alpha, his roommate].

“I am not getting expelled, dude! And even if I would, you can’t change rooms!” Skylar seethed in anger at his proposition.

“You should leave Jay alone, bro. You have absolutely nothing to gain from antagonizing him. Unless you have a secret crush on his Omega.” The same Alpha boy told Skylar, who laughed at his words.

I mean, he snorted out loud like he just told the biggest joke on the planet. He did not have to laugh so loud, in my opinion. That is just overkill. It was not even that funny… *eye roll*

“Good one, Kyle! I needed to laugh after that! Crush on his Omega… Goddess protects me!” He laughed it off.

“You are not going to laugh so much if their union turns out to break the curse.” Kyle declared with a hopeful gaze.

“They are not going to break the curse, Kyle! The fact that Jayden is black and his Omega is white would not be a shocking pair since his grandfather got mated in the 80s.” Skylar shot back, scoffing at the notion.

Jayden was glaring at him for that characterization.

“That was not what I meant at all! I was referring to their difference in backgrounds, not their ethnicity. I swear, Jay! I don’t even see color!” Kyle justified himself to him, mortified by that comment. It was not his intention.

“It’s fine, Kyle. I know what you meant. Thanks for saying that. It would be nice if Jake and I were the ones who broke the curse. We would rub our love in everybody’s noses, even the haters!” Jayden told him, sideways glaring at Skylar.

“I don’t hate you, roomie! That’s a misconception! If I did, I wouldn’t want you to claim my brother!” Skylar spoke, confusing people as they listened to that. Meanwhile, I was uncomfortable listening to all this discussion as I ate my dinner at the Omega section.

“Your brother has half a dozen students contending for him. He doesn’t need me to join the race. Let Seth be happy and leave me to date whoever the fuck I want!” Jayden glared at him.

“Maybe Seth and you could break the curse! Have you thought about that?” Skylar proposed, raising his eyebrow with a mischievous grin.

“Too boring, dude! The Goddess would never pair the two of them together.” Kyle rebuked him, not seeing any merit to his theory. Skylar glared daggers at him for the unwanted comment.

Mr. Kirchner was right. Who can stand these two bickering?

Oh, right. I have been meaning to tell you something.

Long ago, mate pairings stopped being a thing as we all know.

However, it has long been foretold that there is a prophecy that could change our world as we know it. Supposedly, someone dreamed this or the Goddess appeared before them, I don’t know exactly how it happened. No one does because it has been passed down from werewolf to werewolf, pack to pack, country to country for years.

But the prophecy goes like this:

'If any werewolf claims as their chosen partner the same person who the Moon Goddess would have selected for them as their mate, then they would break the curse and all werewolf kind would resume being mated once again.'

Of course, it goes without saying that the claimed individual would have to accept them too. It’s not a one sided event. It goes with the territory, as we all know by now. Nobody can be claimed against their will.

Unfortunately, for the last four decades, that has not happened as of yet.

Fingers crossed Jayden and I could be the ones who would break the curse.

Can you imagine the shock?

I would love that, not going to lie.

Alas, we are still far away from that day. This is only September and I have a lot of ground to cover by April’s claiming ceremony. Can Jayden and I convince his parents and make this happen?

I certainly hope so.

I can’t believe I am going to Texas next weekend, October 4th.

I am going to take a nap now.

Wake me up when September ends…

A|N: (KA)BOOM!

There you’ll have it.

The twist that changes everything!

Oh, my dear readers, there is so much yet to tell.

Let’s go to Texas, shall we?

I hear everything is bigger over there.

PS: Skylar does not have a secret crush on Jake. It was just a joke. Don’t get ahead of yourselves. Something needed to break the dark mood and it is a nod to “Mean Streak", my previous book.

Love,

Léo.