Chereads / HOWL OF DESTINY / Chapter 2 - The Pull of Destiny

Chapter 2 - The Pull of Destiny

Morning sunlight streamed through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow over the breakfast table where Ivy Sinclair, the family's beloved -Violet, sat with her brother, Noah, and their parents. The smell of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the scent of pancakes, filling the air with a comforting aroma.

Ivy stretched, yawning as she pulled her hair into a messy bun. "Morning, everyone!" she chirped, her voice bright despite the early hour. She reached for a plate piled high with pancakes, drizzling maple syrup over them with a smile.

"Good morning, Violet," her mother replied, her eyes sparkling as she set a bowl of fresh fruit on the table. "Sleep well?"

"Like a log! I finally managed to finish that research paper," Ivy said, taking a bite of her breakfast and savoring the sweet flavor. "How about you, Noah? Ready for another busy day at the office?"

Noah, sitting across from her, smirked as he sipped his coffee. "As ready as I can be. We have a big meeting with potential investors today. Just trying to keep everything on track."

Their father chuckled, glancing at Noah. "Just remember to balance all that seriousness with a bit of humor. It makes a lasting impression!"

"Especially in a room full of suits," their mother added, grinning. "A well-timed joke can go a long way."

Ivy grinned at her brother, enjoying the playful banter. "Yeah, Noah, sprinkle in a joke or two. You know, to keep everyone engaged!"

"Hey, I do what I can!" he shot back, raising an eyebrow. "But when the stakes are high, it's hard not to take things seriously."

Their parents exchanged amused looks, clearly enjoying the sibling dynamic. Ivy felt a swell of warmth and contentment as they continued to eat, sharing stories and laughter over breakfast.

After a while, Ivy set her fork down and looked at Noah. "I've got a group project today with my best friend, so I need to head to campus soon."

"Sounds productive," he replied, nodding. "Make sure to keep things fun, too. Projects can get pretty intense."

"Always! I'll make sure to lighten the mood," she promised, smiling.

"Oh, and I might be meeting up with Eli, Liam, and Zane later," Noah added, stirring his coffee. 

At the mention of Zane's name, Ivy felt a sudden flutter in her chest, a mix of excitement and confusion. "There he is again", Eyra, Ivy's inner wolf murmured, a low growl of interest rising within her.

"Oh, Zane...and Eli," Ivy said, trying to keep her tone light. "Hope the meeting goes well." 

"Zane's a smart one," their mother commented, leaning back in her chair. "He's always thinking ahead."

"You should pay more attention", Eyra urged, her voice insistent. "He's important to us."

Noah raised an eyebrow, noticing Ivy's reaction. "You sure you're okay, Violet? You seemed a bit... off there."

"Yeah, I'm fine!" she replied a bit too quickly, brushing it off. Yet, inside, she wrestled with the feelings Zane stirred in her—a pull she couldn't quite explain. "Why does he make me feel this way?", Eyra pondered, curiosity mingling with a sense of longing.

"Right," Noah said, smirking slightly. "Just keep an eye on your group work. Those projects can be intense!"

As breakfast wound down, Ivy felt a mix of excitement for her day and confusion over her feelings about Zane. Her wolf, Eyra, was restless, sensing something significant. 

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After breakfast, Ivy grabbed her bag, glancing back at her family as they prepared for their day. "I'll see you later, okay?" she called out to her mother and father.

"Of course, sweetie! Good luck with your project," her mother replied, giving her a warm smile.

"Don't forget to have fun!" her father added, ruffling her hair playfully.

With a smile on her face, Ivy made her way through the bustling campus, the excitement of the day ahead filling her. She met her best friend, Kiara, at their usual spot outside the lecture hall. "Ready to tackle today?" Ivy asked, her energy infectious.

"Absolutely! So you remember we are making our project in my house ,right?," Kiara suggested, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

"Yessss!," Ivy agreed, feeling a rush of excitement.

They entered the classroom, taking their seats. Ivy tried to focus on the lecture, but her mind kept drifting back to the idea of spending time at Kiara's house. "This will be fun", Eyra whispered, her voice filled with anticipation.

They entered the classroom, settling into their seats as the professor began the lecture. Ivy listened intently, jotting down notes, but her mind kept wandering back to the mention of Zane. What's going on with me? Eyra whispered, a hint of eagerness lacing her tone. He's important.

Ivy shook her head slightly, trying to focus. "Let's just get through this class," she muttered under her breath.

After the lecture, the two friends headed to the library to work on their project. They laughed and joked as they gathered research materials, the atmosphere light and fun. Ivy felt grateful for the companionship, which eased the tension that had built up inside her since hearing Zane's name.

Once the final class ended, Ivy and Kiara stepped out into the bright afternoon sun, the warmth washing over them like a soothing embrace. The campus buzzed with energy, students laughing and chatting as they made their way to their next destination.

"I can't believe we're finally done for the day!" Kiara exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "We should celebrate with some pizza at my place!"

"Definitely! I've been looking forward to that," Ivy replied, her spirits lifting at the thought of relaxation and good food.

As they walked through the streets , Ivy couldn't shake the feeling that something significant was about to happen. He's near, Eyra insisted, her voice urgent and tinged with anticipation. 

"What's up? You look a bit distracted," Kiara said, glancing sideways at Ivy.

"I don't know... it's just this feeling I have. Like something is happening," Ivy admitted, her gaze drifting toward the nearby coffee shop. The inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, momentarily enticing her.

As they passed by, Ivy caught a glimpse of four familiar figures through the window—Zane, Eli, Noah, and Liam were gathered at a table, their laughter echoing into the street. Ivy's heart raced, a whirlwind of emotions stirring within her.

"I think I might need some coffee after all," Ivy said softly, her eyes lingering on Zane's figure, a mixture of longing and confusion swirling inside her.

"Want to go in?" Kiara asked, her expression curious as she followed Ivy's gaze.

Ivy hesitated, the magnetic pull toward Zane intensifying. "Go in!", Eyra urged, frustration creeping into her tone. "You need to find him!"

"No, let's keep moving. We have plans!" Ivy finally decided, feeling a mix of determination and disappointment. "I want to make the most of our time at your place."

Kiara nodded, but Ivy felt a sense of regret wash over her. "But what if this is our chance?", Eyra pressed, her tone insistent. I can feel him, he's close!

With a heavy heart, Ivy followed Kiara to her car, where she kept her car in the car storage facility near the coffee shop—a compact, sporty vehicle that always felt like a little adventure on wheels. They climbed in, the familiar scent of the car wrapping around Ivy like a hug. Though she owned her own car, her parents had insisted she take a break from driving after a minor accident, leaving her feeling a little restless.

Kiara turned the key in the ignition, and the engine roared to life. "Let's blast some music!" she said, shifting into gear and pulling away from the curb. Upbeat tunes filled the car, momentarily distracting Ivy from the pull she felt toward Zane.

As they drove through the streets, Ivy's thoughts drifted back to her friend and the inexplicable connection that lingered in her mind. "What is happening to me?", Eyra mused, frustration coloring her voice. "We need to understand this pull. What if he is...m-my soulmate?"

"Hey, are you sure you're okay?" Kiara asked, glancing over at Ivy with concern. "You seem a little out of it."

"Yeah, just thinking about the project and everything," Ivy said, forcing a smile. "I guess I'm just ready to unwind."

They took a turn and headed toward Kiara's house, the excitement of their afternoon plans battling with Ivy's lingering thoughts about Zane. The sense of adventure hung in the air, promising that their day was far from over.

As they drove past the coffee shop one last time, Ivy felt a pang of regret. She could still see Zane and the others laughing, their camaraderie evident even from a distance. 

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