Hidden Affections

ALEXIA 

Being the only human-family in a werewolf territory had to be the scariest thing ever. But we had nowhere else to go after war broke out between humans and werewolves, apparently some over-bearing scientists thought they could just experiment on every species they encountered.

After kidnapping some werewolves, to carry out their so-called experiments, which became the beginning of a raging war. My family found ourselves on the supernatural side because my Dad rescued someone important in the werewolf clan—or is it a pack?

So far, it hasn’t been easy. I had to ignore every snarl and growl hauled at me each time I went out on the streets. They don’t trust us. We knew that, but since we had nowhere else to go, we just had to earn their complete…impossible trust!

“Lexi, have you given a thought about what I told you last night?” My mom asked, adjusting the pair of glasses she had on.

I pretended to be engrossed in the novel I was reading just to avoid her questions. She raised the subject about me attending the werewolf academy ever since a letter arrived, stating that since I am almost becoming a part of the pack, I should be enrolled into the werewolf academy. A place I will be trained, and groomed to be strong, shits, and all. It’s like they wanted to turn me into a werewolf or something.

Besides, I suspected it was also a way to earn our loyalty or whatever they are after. I can’t walk on the streets alone, how was I supposed to cope in a school full of werewolves?

“Alexia!” Mom hissed, her tone impatient as she stared sternly at me.

Letting out a sigh, I put the book away. “I don’t want to go!”

Sinking my teeth into my lower lip, I thought about just how wrong it is. I wished I could have a talk with the Alpha himself. Okay, that’s impossible because of the security measures it takes to see him.

Even though I’ve never seen the big bad Alpha before, I have heard an earful about him. People speak so highly of him—including my parents.

“The orders came from the Alpha, so I’m afraid you have no say in the matter.” That came from my Dad, who just walked in dressed for work, he’s a scientist by the way.

“What?” My eyes widened, that’s got to be the most dreadful thing ever. “Everyone has the right to do whatever they want! I am almost nineteen, Dad, meaning I’m legally at the age to decide what’s good and bad for me. I know schooling here is dangerous, and bad news for me!”

He chuckled like I said something funny. “Things are different here, Lexi. The Alpha makes the laws, questioning him means challenging him and we don’t want to do that.”

Without seeing the Alpha, I am already beyond terrified of him. Why is he oppressing people with so many rules?

“And—” Mom continued with a cheerful smile on her face. “The letter also stated that they guarantee your safety so you don’t need to be worried.”

“How can you trust their words? They are supernatural!” I rolled my eyes which made both my parents glare at me.

“That’s something about them, they’re very loyal and tolerate no betrayal, they don’t go back on their words.” Dad explained and knowing I already lost the so-called battle.

“And please stop referring to them as supernaturals, you should know better.” He added, inserting the usual sternness in his voice that gets me to behave.

“Fine, you guys win!” I agreed in a voice that’s forced.

“Good, since Alpha already permits you, you won’t have any issues getting enrolled into the school. I will speak to the principal on my way back from work, Alice?” He called, turning his attention back to Mom.

Realizing I was out of the conversation, I pretended to be engrossed in my book while eavesdropping to their conversation.

“Where’s the letter? I think I’ll need it as evidence to make things easier.” Dad said with a twinkle in his eyes like seriously he’s happy about me going to that school? I watched as Mom handed it over to him.

When he left, I was curious about the letter, so I inched toward Mom.

“Is that all the letter says?” I inquired in case there was something I needed to be worried about.

She made a face. “Why don’t you go down to the store and get groceries for dinner,” She responded, disregarding my question.

“Sure,” I answered somewhat dejectedly.

To say, I’m still not used to the way they looked at me, like I am the alien among them. It’s their world, I suppose I am. Ignoring their discriminating looks, I walked into the store. Distracted by my thoughts, I didn’t notice I was walking right into someone, and when I did in fact notice, it was too late.

“Oops—” The words hardly left my mouth before I was shoved away, staggering backwards from the impact, until I ended up landing flat on my butt.

A dark look flashed across her face as she growled at me, terrified by her reaction, I quickly got up on my feet. The way her eyes observed mine as if searching for something, she looked intimidating as fuck!

“I’m sorry.” I quickly offered an apology, hoping she will back off once she sees how sorry I was.

“You should be.” Her features relaxed, making her appear less scary. “You’re human.” Although the statement shouldn’t even be a question but somehow it was.

Still wary of her calm demeanour, I nodded. “Yes, that’s right.” At least she’s no longer making that scary animalistic sound.

“Why don’t I show you around the store?” She offered, entwining her arms with mine and spurning us toward the register.

My guard went up as my suspicious rose, no one around here has been that nice to me. In fact I’ve accepted that the people here weren’t capable of being nice even if someone paid them. I was proven right when the girl suddenly twisted my arm, causing me to cry out.

“Next time, watch where you’re fucking heading!” Shoving my face into the barrier, she lets go of me and walks away.

Rubbing my arm, I blinked the tears blurring my vision as I watched her disappear into the distance. Taking a deep breath and brushing the pain aside like I always do.

By the time I arrived home it was pretty late, I was the last person they attended to just because I wasn’t a freaking were-human or whatever name they go by! The injustice here is driving me crazy, but since the war with humans is still raging on, it happens to be the best place for us right now.

“Mom, I’m home!” I announced, stepping into the house.

The house was originally given to us by the Alpha, I guess kindness pays sometimes but they could never understand because they would rather snarl in your face. My Dad’s act of kindness happened to be what got us here in the first place, we have a house, protection, I guess being bullied is a small price to pay.

“Well that was quick.” She retorted sarcastically as I joined her in the kitchen.

“What do you think? I was the last person they attended to just because I’m not a freaking werewolf! Are you guys really certain of my safety if I go to this so-called school?” I made a face, folding my arms across my chest awaiting her response.

“Lexi, look on the bright side, we have a roof over our heads and we are safe. What more could you possibly want?” She asked in a tired, but stern tone.

“Freedom!” I bit back. “And the right to walk safely on the road without fear of my life, I feel like a cage animal and all the so called Alpha—“

“That’s enough! Enough!” She shouted, cutting me off with a frightened look on her face. The moment was then disrupted by a heavy pounding on the door.

“One of these days, you’re going to get us killed!” She hissed, hurrying out of the kitchen to answer the door.

I tagged along with her, a bit fearful of whatever might be the cause of that knocking, perhaps Mom was right, I had indeed gone far. Two uniformed guards appeared outside the door when she opened it, they briefly looked at her before their eyes moved past her shoulders until they landed on me! It stayed and lingered.

“We will be keeping a close watch!” Said one of them in a very ominous manner.

Mom turned around to glare at me, “There goes your freedom,” she remarked, disappearing back into the kitchen.

Still confused about what just happened, I stood there like what the fuck?