Chapter 3 3

Anderson's POV

For the first time in six years, I actually slept peacefully. Usually, every full moon brought back the same horrific nightmare-reliving my first shift when I lost control and slaughtered everyone at the orphanage except Lucas.

He nearly died by my hands too, but somehow survived, which was how I turned him into a lycan and became my closest friend.

Unlike any other lycan in history, who lived their normal lives on every full moon, I had to fight these memories every full moon. They would leave me drenched in sweat, sometimes waking up screaming.

But last night was different, and I could not help wondering if it had something to do with meeting my mate at the club as I woke up.

I had kept this struggle hidden from everyone, even my adoptive family in the Shadowpine pack in another city. Whenever my screams woke them up, I would brush it off as nothing. Even Lucas didn't know about it.

After realising these nightmares followed a pattern-happened every full moon-I tried avoiding sleep altogether. But even the briefest doze would trigger them, so I had learnt to live with it.

I knew about mate bonds and how marking your mate could cure certain conditions or problems. But I had never connected that to my situation-never thought my nightmares could be solved that way.

The thought of "mate" tasted like ash in my mouth because loyalty, devotion, and everything that came with it were shackles I refused to wear.

Alpha Wayne of the Shadowpine Pack, my adopted father, was a perfect example. He's so buried in pack duties and family responsibilities that he's basically sacrificed his own happiness.

While werewolves might see these obligations as making them stronger, I saw them as vulnerabilities. They're just ways to make yourself an easy target for enemies. But for lycans like me, this whole mate system is ridiculous and should never have existed in our world in the first place. It was the reason I lied about the lady at the club last night being my mate.

Yes, I was into her. But it was just pure lust. If anything happens between us, it'll be nothing more than a hookup. No strings, no feelings, just sex. Nothing else.

"Anderson, you awake, man? We're gonna be late!" Lucas' voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Okay, sir. I'll be out of here very soon," I chuckled.

I heard his footsteps fading away.

"Seriously, we can't be late on our first day." He added.

I could not help but smile because he was always trying to act like my big brother whenever he got the chance.

While in the shower, I started thinking about another recurring dream since the day I turned eighteen that was about this city-the very reason Lucas and I relocated.

"Could it be connected to her? Is she the reason behind these dreams so that I can meet her?" I laughed it off, totally sceptical of the whole idea.

"Whatever, let's see what happens," I muttered to myself, feeling that spark of excitement about potentially tracking her down later in the day.

After grabbing a quick breakfast, Lucas and I hit the road in my blue Lamborghini Aventador.

"Seriously, this car is totally going to blow our cover," he complained for what felt like the hundredth time.

He had been going on about my dad's orders to keep a low profile since we started driving, and I had been completely tuning him out.

"Chill out. People will just think I'm some trust fund kid showing off his parents' money." I told him.

"You know this will totally attract attention, right?" He pressed.

"Especially from girls. And that kind of attention could bring other... complications."

I rolled my eyes and shot him a look of pure disgust before turning back to the road.

"You don't expect me to pretend like I come from a wretched family, do you? Come on, man!" I chuckled.

"You know I can't-"

Just a few kilometres from school, I spotted her-my mate-looking all flustered by the curb.

"No way," I chuckled.

The universe was definitely playing games because the moon goddess was definitely playing matchmaker.

"What's so funny?" Lucas asked but I ignored him completely.

I was not planning on sharing it with anyone-not even her.

I had only dropped a subtle hint to her last night, just to mess with her and see her reaction. And she had responded exactly how I had expected.

Pulling up next to her, I could see the confusion wash over her face.

However, the moment she realised I was the one driving, she scrunched up her face in total annoyance.

"Hey, sweetheart. Miss me?" I smirked, letting my eyes roam over her.

Her white shirt and black skirt hugged her body in all the right places. Damn!

She rolled her eyes. "Shocked you are still breathing. Looks like you actually listened to me. Good boy."

I chuckled. "Hop in. Let me give you a ride. You are clearly in need of one."

"No, thank you. I'm expecting a ride." She declined.

"Aren't you running late to wherever you are heading to? Come on! I clearly can't harm you. You and I both know that." A smirk played on my lips.

"That's none of your concern," she retorted.

Her gaze hardened. "And I suggest you stay away from me. This will be my last warning."

"Have you forgotten we have unfinished business, sweetheart?" I countered.

Her brows furrowed in confusion.

"The name." I reminded her.

I shrugged. "Never mind. We'll meet again very soon."

She scoffed. "You wish."

After waving my hand at her, a sly grin crept onto my face. Then, I rolled up the window, gripped the wheel, and pulled away from the curb.

"Okay. What the hell was that about?" Lucas asked me, his voice rising with curiosity.

"You don't need to know. It's not your business." I shot back, keeping my eyes fixed on the road.

He was not ready to back down and let out a frustrating chuckle. "I... I don't understand, man. We got into this city two days ago, and you are already caught up with somebody? A woman clearly older than you, for crying out loud! This is exactly why I told you not to hit the club last night. That's obviously where you met her. What happened to keeping a low profile, huh?"

My patience snapped as my grip tightened on the steering wheel.

"Lucas, please, just stop." My voice dropped low.

"If I knew you'd be like this... a pain in the ass, I wouldn't have let you tag along no matter my father's persistence. Just chill. I know exactly what I'm doing. I'm not a kid anymore."

The silence that followed was exactly what I wanted.

By the time we pulled into the wide, open grounds of Green Haven, I could feel the shift in the air as heads turned. Students stopped mid-stride, eyes tracking the car as if they had never seen one before. I caught sight of some guys elbowing each other, eyes squinting to figure out who had just rolled in.

"This is exactly what I was talking about." Lucas bemoaned, but I ignored him.

Whispers moved with us like a shadow as we stepped out. I took my time to let them watch. I was used to it-the eyes, the curiosity and the low hum of admiration from ladies. It was part of being that guy-the one that made knees weak, lips bite, and hearts race.

I ran a hand through my hair as I glanced around, locking eyes with a group of girls nearby. They froze, giggling behind their hands, sneaking glances like I would not notice.

Then I strutted up to them.

"Hey, angels. Can someone point me to the principal's office?" I asked, flashing my signature smile.

One of them, a short brunette with glossy curls, practically jumped to answer.

"Oh! It's down that hall, second left, then right after the big notice board," she said breathlessly.

Her friends nudged each other, all of them smiling way too hard.

"We can show you," another one added quickly, already taking a step forward.

But before I could answer, the P.A. system crackled to life. "All students, please proceed to your classes. The commencement of classes will begin shortly."

Their faces fell, disappointment clear as day.

I gave them a grin.

"Catch you later, then," I said, turning away, hands sliding into my pockets as I walked off.

Lucas shook his head beside me, muttering, "You just can't help yourself, huh?"

I shrugged, barely hiding my smirk. "They offered, and I obviously have to accept."

We reached the principal's office and went through the usual formalities.

He then laid out the rules to us.

"No tardiness. No fights. No trouble." His voice was as firm as stone, and his eyes locked on mine a moment longer than necessary, as if he knew exactly who he was talking to.

I nodded, offering a smile that did not quite reach my eyes. "Understood, sir."

He gave us our class schedules and instructions on where to go.

"A senior student will meet you at break to give you a tour of the school and to tell you the important rules to help you get settled properly," he added before dismissing us.

Lucas and I parted ways, heading to our respective classes.

Seconds later, I walked into my assigned classroom, and there she was. My mate!

From the way she stood at the front of the class, it was clear she was the teacher.

"This is going to be interesting." A smile spread across my face as I thought inwardly.