1 ~ Graduation
The snow crunches beneath my boots as I dart outside the academy dorms. I do my best to run through the thick snow, ignoring the cold that is penetrating through my gown. It's days like this that I begin to miss the summer's heat. The rays of the sun. The clear skies. Shaking that longing away, I raise a hand to adjust the cap that is slipping off my head.
Behind me, my idiot of a twin brother runs at a slow pace. He keeps nagging at me to slow down, but I ignore him. We're minutes away from being late to the most important day of our lives, and of course, it's all his fault.
"Ten minutes Oliver!" I grit through my teeth, suppressing the urge to turn around and smack him for taking this situation so lightly. He's irresponsible. Last night he chose to stay up playing video games knowing full well we had to get up early for our graduation.
"Autumn chill, we can easily make it there in a few minutes," he says, yawning. I of course, do not chill; on the contrary I become even more agitated that Oliver has the nerve to act like everything is fine.
Which honestly, might be true but I am a perfectionist and I take my duties very seriously. Our Instructors at the Dark Moon Academy have trained us to be perfect at what we do.
"I should have left you to face the wrath of the Elders," I growl. It is a cruel thing to say considering they are merciless to any werewolf who breaks the pack rules.
I hear Oliver clear his throat. "Sister, thee wouldn't dare alloweth such faith bestow'd upon thy own flesh and blood, would thee?" Oliver says, attempting to speak the old language. I sigh. Of course my brother would make light of the situation.
"If thy does not hurry his ass up we will lose our positions in the pack. Imagine how devastating that would be!" I say, exasperated. Part of the reason he is taking his sweet time is because he knows he can make it right at the last second. That's how Oliver always operates, putting minimal effort in everything he does and despite that he always comes out on top.
"Adri is right; you're too much of a goodie-goodie," he says, trailing behind me.
"Wow, agreeing with Adri now? You two really make a good couple." I smirk, knowing that would shut him up. My brother and Adri are always going at it. They swear up and down they dislike each other, but I have a feeling that is far from the truth.
A sense of satisfaction washes over me when he remains silent the rest of the way. Both Oliver and Adri enjoy teasing me when they get the chance. This is my little way of getting them back.
Once we make it to the backroom of the auditorium, where our graduation will be held, I let out a breath of relief. We still have time to find our places. I climb up the stairs and open the door.
"See nothing to worry about," Oliver winks at me as he passes through the door.
I frown at his thoughtlessness but soon follow after him. Inside, there are many students in straight lines chatting among themselves. The backroom is spacious with enough room to hold all one hundred graduating students. I walk along the row of lines noticing each row is assigned certain letters.
"Autumn, Oliver, I almost thought you both wouldn't make it." I hear a deep voice from behind us. I turn around to face our combat instructor, Connor Beacon. "You both realize this is an important day right?" His eyebrows furrow.
I freeze. Shoot, we are in for it now. I am about to make up an excuse to save both our asses from being sent to the Elders of our pack when Oliver says smoothly, "Ah yes Mr. Beacon, forgive our delay, but my sister here was sick and we couldn't quite make it here early." Oliver leans into Connor's ear and whispers something loud enough for me to hear. "She's suffering from diarrhea sir."
My cheeks burn at Oliver's words. He leans back to his former stance with fake concern on his face.
Oliver pushes my shoulder urging me to elaborate. "…Yes, I uh, had a bean burrito last night," I say, feeling like a flaming cheeto.
Connor gives me an intense stare. He doesn't seem convinced at all but after a few moments of looking at both of us he shakes his head and says, "Go find your spots, the ceremony will start soon."
We take the cue and leave, quickly disappearing into the crowd of students. Once out of sight I punch Oliver on the shoulder.
"Ow," he groans dramatically. "That hurt Autumn."
"Not as much as my pride," I growl.
"You'll live." He says and ruffles my hair. I smack his hand away.
"Lines A-J please begin making your way to the front of the auditorium," a female voice says through the intercom. Soon a few rows of students begin to march out of the backroom.
"Shoot, we need to find our spots," I tell Oliver as I scan my surroundings.
After a few moments of searching, I spot a piece of paper with the letter H written on it. I grab Oliver's hand and pull him towards the line of students that is beginning to leave.
"Good luck," I whisper as we merge into the chain of students.
This is it; the moment we have all been waiting for since we entered the academy. Today, every student at Dark Moon Academy, age twenty, is going to be given a rank and role among the pack. I am aiming for the highest rank a Dark Moon Academy student can get. An Epsilon. In our pack high ranks mean good roles, or in human terms, good jobs.
A twinge of excitement starts to surface through me. Ever since I was a pup I have admired the work of the Epsilons. They are the pack's fighters, trackers, and defenders. Anyone with those titles is highly respected among the wolves. I am confident I will get a high rank. I've spent endless nights studying and stayed hours after classes ended. I spar with my brother and my best friend Adri to ensure my position. The rank Epsilon is within my grasp.
I follow the string of students up the stage. It is a pretty big place. The stage itself is wide enough to hold all of us.
Looking out into the audience, I am mesmerized by the amount of werewolves gathered here today. The crowd is made up of family, friends, and many curious academy students that are hyped about the ceremony that will one day be theirs. My observation is cut short as I hear murmurs from behind me.
"Alpha Lazaro will be attending the ceremony today," a girl whispers to another as we find our seats.
"I heard! I'm so nervous I have never been in the same room with him," she whispers back.
The Alpha? Well that is news to me. He usually never has time for simplistic matters such as a graduation. He is the leader of our pack. He is usually busy forming treaties with other packs, expanding borders, or keeping vampires and hunters away. What could have brought him here today?
I take a seat at my assigned seat marked with the name "Hayes". Oliver follows suit and sits next to me. It's only then I notice he has been quiet for quite some time. I nudge him gently with my elbow. He jumps a little, caught off guard by the sudden touch.
"Thinking about Adri?" I ask teasingly.
He gives me a half-hearted smile. I tilt my head, silently asking what's wrong. He slowly turns to look at the audience.
"I wish they were here to see us."
I immediately know who he is referring to. He means our parents. They died three years ago defending our pack from hunters. I feel a heaviness in my chest. I still remember the burning hatred I felt towards those hunters and the anguish of hearing the news. I miss them. They raised us to be the wolves we are today. It is thanks to them that I can sit here with confidence.
I grab Oliver's hand gently and give it a squeeze.
"Me too."
"Ladies and gentlemen!" the principal announces. "We are gathered here today to witness the rite of passage each student here will undergo." He raises a hand.
"You have all been trained and taught the necessary skills you will need to survive in this pack. Some will be our warriors fighting in the front lines, others will be our hunters making sure the pack is fed, and let us not forget the ones who will take care of our children. Whatever the rank and role you are assigned, remember, we are all united as one. The Dark Moon pack needs each and one of us to keep a balance. Without one another the pack would not exist."
The principal stops speaking as the crowd goes wild. Among the students I can scent a mixture of enthusiasm and dread. Up until now we have been treated as equals but that will no longer be the case. Once we are ranked, some of us will hold higher positions than others.
The principal waits for the crowd to calm down before speaking again. "Today we are honored with the presence of Alpha Lazaro. He would like to share a few words with the students."
The Alpha walks onto the stage. The audience remains silent, offering him the respect he demands without him having to say a thing. I take a moment to observe him. Our Alpha is tall and very built. Perhaps in his 30s. He has some rough edges to him but it doesn't take from his beauty.
"Good morning Dark Moon pack," he greets. "First, I'd like to congratulate the latest students entering the ranks." He motions a hand towards us. "I look forward to meeting those whom I will be working with on the field."
Cheers erupt and excitement bubbles in my chest. I'm so ready for this. Once I am ranked Epsilon I will be able to fight for my pack. Just like my parents did when they were alive. My heart tightens at the thought.
"Second, the reason I'm here," he looks out into the crowd, "is because today I received a letter from The Hunter Association. They want to discuss negotiations. To those students who will graduate, I shall take them directly to the front lines as guardians. I have personally hand-picked them."
My heart begins to beat hard against my chest as murmurs break out all around us. Oliver sits up straight on his chair.
The Hunter Association.
It is a group of humans that gathered together centuries ago to kill any and every supernatural being. They hate us. They want us dead. They are also the people that are responsible for my parents' death. I have a personal vendetta against them. Now they want to discuss negotiations? Possibly a treaty? I ball my fist. No way in hell.
The Alpha turns to the students. "I have reviewed every file concerning your education and have determined that out of the 100 students here only 12 will be Epsilons." He points to a chair. "Look under your chair. There you will find an envelope that contains your rank and role. Meet me outside the auditorium when the ceremony is over. That is all." He steps down from the podium and exits the building.
The moment he leaves, everyone lets out a breath and begins murmuring amongst themselves. No doubt outraged by the audacity of The Hunter Association to demand negotiations after all they've done. My hands shake as I bend to search for my envelope. When I find it I hold it in my hands unwilling to open it just yet.
Oliver on the other hand has ripped the paper envelope and pulled out its contents.
"Yes!" he shouts and flashes me the paper. Written on it are the words, Designated Rank: Epsilon, Tracker.
Suddenly I don't feel confident. Like all these years of training mean nothing. What if I'm not good enough? The possibility is real and it claws at my chest.
Oliver senses my uneasiness and puts a hand on my shoulder. "You're going to pass Autumn. You are brilliant." The corners of my mouth lift slightly. Oliver is right. I am brilliant. If anyone will pass it will be me.
I tear the envelope open. My eyes widen when I read the words written on the paper.
Designated Rank: Epsilon, Fighter.
