Chapter 6

• Allison's point of view.
• The next morning, I get up early. Last night, I had a terrific time getting to know my new housemates. We were up till two o'clock in the morning conversing. I can't recall the last time I felt so at ease and had so much fun.
• It would have been so simple to lie in bed today, but it is my first day of university. I can't wait to register and receive my schedule. Then Daniella and Tobby will give me an unofficial tour of Highland.
• They are eager to take me around their favorite hangouts and introduce me to their pals. They'll also point out spots I should avoid if I don't want to get into problems with the pack wolf.
• I like to keep it simple, so I usually wear jeans and a blouse with a halter neck. After giving my long, red hair a quick brush and putting it back into a ponytail, I give myself a very light application of make-up.
• As I make my way downstairs, I find Daniella already seated at the dining room table with a plate of toast in front of her.
• "Hey, sleep, OK?" she inquires.
• "Yes. Even though I've only been here for a little over a day, I already feel so at ease and, you could say, safe. Please accept my thanks."
• "That's good, because you won't be in danger here. This is one of the few spots where lone wolves are not harassed, so relax and enjoy yourselves!"
• "I will do," I answer with a smile.
• "Get some breakfast, and then we'll go into Highland." We can take you around campus and show you where we like to hang out. I say we, but Tobby hasn't shown up yet, and despite all the assurances he gave us last night, he isn't typically seen before eleven in the morning.
• "I don't know how he makes it to all of the courses. Doesn't he have any classes first thing in the morning?"
• "Some, but he chooses subjects based on lecture times and skips any that aren't in the morning." He relaxes. He only accomplishes enough to avoid being kicked out."
• I could see how staying somewhere where they didn't have to worry about getting attacked or kicked out was appealing to a lot of lone wolves. Staying in Highland rather of attending university could have been appealing, but it wouldn't have been enough for me.
• "It's unfortunate, but we can still have fun." "I can't wait to go exploring."
• "Cool. Have some breakfast, and then we'll be ready to go.
• "I didn't bring any food with me." We can just go, and I'll pick up something on the way."
• "No, you must first eat breakfast." I have toast and cereal for you. I don't want you to go hungry." Daniella states firmly.
• "I am appreciative. I will make it up to you." I guarantee it.
• "There isn't any necessity. Let's get you organized."
• -------
• We leave in twenty minutes and begin our walk towards town. As we drive by our neighborhood's run-down dwellings, I inquire, "Do any of the other wolves live out here?"
• "Yes, the majority of the lone wolves live in this area of town." Jaxon lives across the street. The pack wolves, on the other hand, are located closer to campus. They wouldn't be seen dead here, which is one of the reasons we like it here.
• The houses become bigger and more maintained as we go closer to town. "Is this where the pack wolves live?"
• "Yes. Each pack has its own residence where the students reside. They make certain that they acquire the largest mansions possible in order to accommodate all of the wolves in their pack who wish to attend university here. The Silver Light pack, the largest, can accommodate up to thirty pupils at a time. It's almost like a pre-packaged house.
• I've never been inside before. The Silver Light pack is perhaps the least friendliest to lone wolves of all the packs. We've had a few run-ins with them, nothing serious, but they want us all kicked out of university.
• They have reason to despise rogues; their former Alpha was slain by a rogue, yet they put all lone wolves together. Their new Alpha has an impact on them. I haven't met him, but I know he's determined to punish any outcast he encounters, and he's powerful and vicious enough to do so."
• "Thanks for the heads-up." I'm staying away from the Silver Light pack's wolves, especially their Alpha, if he ever shows up here.
• "You'll be fine." There shouldn't be many outliers in your year. Unfortunately, the Alpha's brother David and his buddies are in my territory, but I know how to deal with them," she smiles. Her voice has a steely edge to it. "David and his thugs should know better than to try to bully me."
• We leave the residential neighborhood as we continue discussing. We're currently heading down a street with a few coffee shops and pubs. I can see the gates to the university campus at the end of the road.
• We enter the open gates and find ourselves in a grassy square surrounded by buildings. Each one is distinct, with a distinct architectural design; some are three floors tall, while others are only one. They were obviously erected at different dates; some are recent, while others appear to be hundreds of years old.
• "The main student office is located here on the ground floor." Daniella says as she moves towards a massive red sandstone structure. I'm not going in with you since it'll be crowded. "I'll wait over there until you're finished," she adds, indicating a bench in the center of the square.
• "Thank you, and I'll see you soon." I enter the building. She is correct; it is packed. Dozens of humans stand around talking to one another. To my right, I notice a long line spilling out of an office door.
• I'm guessing this is the registration line.
• I move to the back of the line and wait my turn. A young human girl with dark brown hair and large green eyes stands next to me.
• "Hi," I reply as I turn to face her. Allison is my name. Is this the registration line?"
• "Hi. Linsey is my name. Yes, but don't expect to be seen anytime soon; I've been waiting here for half an hour."
• "That's OK. I'm just happy to be here."
• "Me too. "What are you here to learn?"
• "Do you practice medicine?"
• "Accounting and business studies." It's tedious, I know, but it'll be worthwhile if I end up working for one of the top management consultancies. Medicine, on the other hand, will be difficult."
• "Yes, but it's all I've wanted to do since I was a child."