CLAIRE'S POV
BACK TO PRESENT
"Alright, everyone, we have a new student joining us today."
All eyes were on me as Professor Edmund, the history and mythology professor, announced this in class. I blinked, feeling so small under everyone's gaze. They were staring at me like I was some kind of freak, some kind of monster.
"Claire is a peace ambassador, and she's here to join us for good," Professor Edmund continued. "Please welcome her with a gentle clap."
Silence followed. Not even a single person clapped.
I bit down on my lip, trying to keep my emotions in check. I had already cried my eyes out because of Zane and his rejection few minutes ago. And I wasn't about to cry again in my first class.
"Is she even a werewolf?" A girl in front asked, breaking the silence while twirling her hair. "Why should she join us?"
"Exactly," Someone supported. "She's a human."
"And a murderer's daughter."
"She should have never come here."
"She's worse than an omega."
"Why does she look like that?"
"She's uglier than I imagined."
The insults flew at me from all directions, each one sinking into me like a knife.
I clenched my fists, feeling tears prick my eyes. Their faces blurred together, morphing to look like the monsters from my nightmares. I wanted to shrink away, to disappear, but I stood frozen, fighting against the hurt that threatened to overwhelm me.
"Enough!" Professor Edmund yelled in a sharp voice but that did nothing to ease the tension in the room. The class did fall silent, but I could still feel their glares burning into me.
"She has a dormant wolf," He explained. "That doesn't mean she's not a werewolf. One day, she'll be able to shift and become one of us."
"One of us?" The same girl in front spat, eyeing me. "She can never be one of us."
"A dormant wolf is not enough reason for her to be here!"
"Fuck the peace treaty!"
"This class is for werewolves, not hunters!"
"She's a monster!"
"I don't feel safe around her."
"I wonder what it would feel like to rip her apart just like her daddy used to do."
"I said, enough!" Professor Edmund slammed his hand on the table, and I flinched. "If I hear one more word from any of you, you'll get detention!"
"Better I get detention than sit in a class with her," The girl shot back.
"Skylar, get out," Professor Edmund ordered, his nose flaring. "Head straight to the dean of discipline right now."
Skylar stood up unapologetically, grabbed her bag, and shot me a look full of hatred before striding out. I could feel the glares of the other students still on me, and it made my heart race. My mate had already rejected me, and their hostility was pushing me closer to breaking point.
Professor Edmund sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Go on and sit, Claire," He said.
I nodded thankfully, my heart racing as I shuffled toward an empty seat beside a girl.
"Taken," She growled, shooing me away.
"Sorry," I whispered under my breath and turned to look for another seat, feeling thoroughly humiliated.
I spotted an empty spot at the back where no one was sitting and walked over to it. With a sigh, I sank into the chair and placed my books on my desk, reminding myself that I could do this.
The introduction was rough, but soon enough, everyone would forget about me. All I had to do was keep my head down, just like headmistress Gretchen advised.
I wiped the tears forming in my eyes, sitting up and focusing on the professor.
"Today, you'll learn about the differences between werewolves, Lycans, and other shifters," Professor Edmund announced, and the projector whirred to life.
Carnemore was undoubtedly prestigious. It was the ideal school for supernaturals, but for someone like me, it felt like a nightmare.
As I tried to focus on the lesson, something hit me in the face. A paper. I picked it up after it landed right next to me and my heart sank as I unwrapped it.
"Suck my cock, you filthy hunter!" It read.
I glanced over at the boys snickering and they made nasty signs, holding up their middle fingers at me.
I felt myself getting angry, but I quickly turned away, reminding myself to just ignore the taunts. There wasn't much I could do about it anyway.
I pulled out my books and a pen, trying to take down some notes and just concentrate.
An hour later, the class finally ended, and Professor Edmund left the room. Not waiting to be taunted or bullied, I quickly gathered my things and headed to my next class: Medicine and Healing with Professor Thalia.
It was a mixed class with werewolves and Fae, and that made me anxious. I had my fair share of hatred from werewolves during the first class, and I was scared how the Faes would treat me. They were known for magic and I was just a defenseless human.
When I finally found the lab for my class, I was already late. I slowly pushed the door and it creaked open. I quietly slipped inside, only to find everyone already seated and focused on Professor Thalia who was already teaching.
"You're late," She said.
"I'm sorry. I got—" I started to explain, but she cut me off.
"Find yourself a lab partner and take a sit," She instructed.
I nodded, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks as I scanned the room.
Everyone was already paired up, and even if they weren't, the looks they shot my way made my stomach twist. I could feel the judgment and warning in their stares and it sent chills down my spine.
Just as I was about to give up, a voice broke through the silence. "I don't have a partner," someone said, lifting his hand. I turned sharply to see a boy looking at me.
I walked over and sat down beside him, grateful for the chance to be with someone who didn't seem to mind my presence. "Thank you," I murmured, quickly turning my attention to my books. I figured he wouldn't want to talk to me anyway.
After a few moments of silence, he surprised me by speaking up. "You're Claire, right?"
I turned to him, and that's when I really noticed him. He was strikingly handsome, with beautiful green eyes that seemed to sparkle and long silver hair that framed his face perfectly. He was obviously a Fae.
I nodded, feeling a bit shy. "Yes. Claire Hunter."
"Lorien Feyrune," he said, giving me a small smile.
"Thank you for letting me sit with you," I replied, feeling a little bit of warmth in my chest. A big part of me still ached from enduring rejection from Zane and I didn't even know when it would stop.
Lorien smiled at me. "No big deal. Besides, I heard you had it tough for your first class."
"You heard?" I asked curiously.
He chuckled softly. "Rumors spread fast in Carnemore."
"I see," I muttered, feeling a bit embarrassed. No wonder everyone knew who I was: I had been really hoping to be invisible.
Lorien leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "You know, everyone hates you here because of your father. But I don't."
My eyebrows lifted in surprise as I stared at him. "You don't?"
"No," He replied earnestly. "You're not your father. So, I don't think you should suffer because of him."
I didn't know what to say. I felt relieved that someone thought of me this way, that someone didn't hate me. "Thank you," I told him. "That means a lot."
After a second thought, I decided to add, "My father has changed though. Even though it's no justification for what he did in the past, I really think he won't hurt anyone ever again."
Lorien shrugged. "You'll have to convince everyone about that. You need to make friends or you won't make it in here."
I felt skeptical. How was it possible to find anyone to be friends with when my own mate rejected me? Everyone in my first class showed their hatred for me. Was it even possible?
"How can I make friends here? I'm the only human." I said.
"There's a way," he said and I saw a little hint of mischief in his eyes.
I leaned forward, desperate to know. "What is it?"
"There's a rave welcome party every semester, and it's happening tomorrow night." He said, then added, "You won't get invited, of course, because… well… you're you. But if you can come as my date, when they see you're making an effort, they'll forgive you."
I glanced at him, processing what he just said. His date? I didn't even know him and we had just met only a few minutes ago, and he was already asking me to be his date?
I leaned back and thought about it. If this party could really help me make friends, maybe it was worth it. If he was right, I could convince everyone that I wasn't bad and they wouldn't hate me anymore.
I turned my gaze back to Lorien, reminding myself that he was the first person today who didn't treat me like I was vermin. I could really use a friend like him.
"I'll have to think about it," I told him, trying to sound casual but deep down, my heart was pounding.
He nodded, "But you have to give me an answer at least an hour before the party."
"Okay." I agreed, smiling.
"Give me your phone," he said.
I hesitated for a second but slowly handed it over even though I didn't know what he wanted to do. He typed in some numbers and then dialed it. "Now, you have my number. Text me when you have an answer."
"Ummm…okay," I replied, and took my phone, putting my it back in my bag.
As I pulled out my notebook, I couldn't help but smile to myself. Did I just make a friend?