Chapter 5 Arrival

• Anila POV
• As soon as we left the plane, a car was waiting for us.
• The first thing I noticed about this new place was the warm air. The second thing I noticed was that it was so dark due to it being late at night, however, the big moon and the bright stars lit up our pathway as we walked toward the car.
• Butterflies assaulted my stomach as I slid into the backseat of the car; Xaden was close behind me, closing the car door once we were secured inside.
• The driver started to pull away without a single instruction from Xaden. I leaned my head against Xaden’s shoulder, inviting him to hold me. It didn’t take him long to get the hint and soon, I was wrapped in his warm arms once again.
• Within 5 minutes, we were arriving at the school and my mouth dropped open at the sight of it.
• It was like being transported into a whole different world. It had to be the biggest university I had ever seen. The stone archway, through the buildings, led to what looked like a long cobblestone driveway heading towards a giant dark brick castle towering over the entire school.
• It looked straight out of mid-evil times.
• The school was structured into a circle with most buildings attached, despite the height differences, except for the large building, made of glass windows, in the center of the incredibly green and well-kept campus.
• The other buildings seemed to be made of rustic cobblestone and the road was made from gravel that crunched under the tires of the car. We only drove a short distance through the front gates before the driver stopped the car.
• After thanking the driver, Xaden stepped out of the car, offering me his hand. I took his hand without hesitation and allowed him to help me out of the car. As soon as my feet were securely on the ground, I welcomed the new surge of energy that coursed through my veins.
• There was something about this place that gave me this energy.
• “Come on,” Xaden said, pulling me along with him.
• He guided me through the large entrance. Huge archways with stone walls. Massive iron chandeliers that glittered with large orbs of white, shimmering, and shifting, cast halos of warm light onto the stone and violet rugs that stretched down three forking corridors.
• People were sparse, some casually talking, others rushing to classes. Some students spared glances in my direction.
• Looking at all the different faces, my eyes were wide.
• I knew that mythical beings were good-looking individuals, but I wasn’t prepared for how good-looking they were. They were all so fit with perfect skin; their blue, white, and gold school uniforms had unique styles that matched their personalities; and did everybody at this school have a hair designer?!
• I was suddenly feeling self-conscious about my appearance.
• As we walked down the long hallway, my eyes wandered around to the many portraits and pieces of art hanging on the walls. One in particular caught my attention and I found myself pausing to look at it.
• It was a tribute to the top students of the Lunar Academy with their names, species, and photos.
• Xaden Gresham, Werewolf.
• Zach Gresham, Werewolf.
• Harley Burlow, Werebear.
• Damien West, Wizard.
• “Wonder if I will meet your brother today.” I found myself asking, my eyes stuck on the picture of Zach.
• He had similar features to Xaden, such as his nose and lips. They also had similar body types. However, Zach had blonde hair and ocean-blue eyes, whereas Xaden had black hair and forest-green eyes.
• “He and I don’t get along.”
• His curt response made me flinch but just as I opened my mouth to respond….
• THWACK!
• “Ouch,” I cried, stumbling back as I realized something just hit me in the side of the face.
• Before I knew what was happening, Xaden was huffing and trying to capture something in his hands.
• “That pesky, stupid—” he muttered, trying to swipe at it.
• When my eyes adjusted and I was able to regain my focus on what was in front of me, I saw what looked like a wooden stick with strange gems on the bottom, flying around Xaden like it was teasing him.
• It was making it impossible for Xaden to grab it.
• Did that thing just whack me in the face?
• As confusion surfaced in me, it flew at me again and this time I was able to get out of its way before it hit me in the face again. Xaden attempted to grab it once more, but it kept dipping and twirling around his fingers.
• I had never seen anything like this before but telling from those around us not really paying too much attention, I could tell this kind of thing happened often.
• Xaden looked more annoyed than anything.
• Stifling a chuckle at his angered face, I reached my hand out and tried to grasp the wand. To my amazement and shock, it flew directly into my hand.
• Just as my mouth fell open, it flew out of my grip and started to fly around me. Like it was playing excitedly. It was poking my cheeks gently and dancing around my body, using every opportunity to poke me and make me laugh.
• It was like it needed to be near me; to feel my flesh, to hear me laugh. The more I laughed and wiggled, the happier the wand seemed to have gotten.
• Others were starting to take notice and were gawking at me.
• I grabbed the leather handle, stopping it from poking me further, and it rested in my hand comfortably.
• I almost didn’t notice the loud gasping of those around me just as the warning bell sounded, causing everyone to scatter the halls.
• Examining the wand, I noticed that it was wrapped tight to hold the seven different colored gems, small and polished. Purple, indigo, sky blue, green, yellow, orange, and finally red, at the very base of the handle.
• They were the colors of Chakras, in order from crown to root. I read about this a while back during one of my visits to the bookstore just before work.
• My skin soon sparked, and a thrilling rush ran down my spine as its warm wooden features indented my flesh.
• I never thought I’d feel such a connection to a piece of wood.
• I shifted my gaze and met Xaden’s stunned expression.
• “No way. Only a wand’s master can touch it without feeling pain,” he said, furrowing his brows together. “How—”
• “Maybe I’m not a werewolf after all,” I said, only partly teasing.
• “Not possible,” he said, shaking his head. Placing his hand on my lower back and sending a wave of warmth through my body, he added, “Let’s go find out who this pesky thing belongs to.”
• We continued down the hall, with the wand secured in one hand, and Xaden holding my other hand.
• The corridor was wide, with iron stones on the walls that housed the shimmering orbs of light, which I assumed was magic. The same violet rug guided our path further down, my shoes abrasive against the soft carpet.
• Large floor-to-ceiling windows allowed in natural moonlight. It was so bright and lively that I couldn’t believe that it was nighttime.
• I assumed classes were held at night because everyone was in class currently. Although I could still hear some whispers around the hall, and I felt like people were watching me.
• Stepping into an open room at the far end of the corridor, I paused when 3 familiar faces appeared in front of me.
• Damien, Harely, and Zach.
• The same feeling, I felt when I first saw Xaden in person swarmed around me as I took in the men in front of me. That tightness returned to my chest and different scents assaulted my nose.
• When their eyes found mine, it felt like the entire world around me stopped moving.
• With wide eyes, and in unison, Harley and Zach both whispered, “Mate.”
• Damien only studied my face for a moment before his eyes shifted to the wand in my hand.
• “Why do you have my wand?” Damien asked, his eyes narrowing.