Chapter 138 Moving forward
Chapter 138
RAVENNA
"Online classes officially begin in two hours," Samantha read from her phone. "All wolf students have already been divided into their respective groups. Now it is time for us humans to choose."
I looked over her shoulder at the announcement. "What does it say?"
"A vote is being hosted. All human students must pick which group we want to join for online classes. Mooncrest or Silverthorn."
"Which one should we choose?"
Sam looked at me like the answer was obvious. "Mooncrest, of course."
"You are sure?"
"Absolutely. Most of our friends are in Mooncrest. And honestly, after everything that has happened, I do not trust the Silverthorn group."
"Alright," I agreed. "Mooncrest it is."
Sam pulled up the voting form on her laptop. "It says here we need to make wise choices because there will be no changing groups after we finalise our selection."
"That is fair enough."
We both submitted our votes for Mooncrest.
An hour later, the results came through. The majority of human students had chosen Mooncrest, including me and Samantha.
Only a handful had selected Silverthorn.
"Makes sense," Sam commented. "Most humans do not want to be associated with the pack that started all the violence."
The lecturers and professors had also been divided. Some would teach the Mooncrest group. Others would handle Silverthorn classes.
Our first lesson was Business Strategy with Professor Jane. The notification popped up on my screen.
Class begins in 5 minutes. Please ensure your microphone is muted unless you need to ask a question or answer one. Cameras should remain on. Have your pen and notebook ready.
"Are you ready for this?" Sam asked, settling into her desk chair.
"As ready as I will ever be."
We both logged into the online classroom. Squares filled the screen representing other students. Most had their cameras turned off as instructed.
Professor Jane's face appeared in the main window. "Good morning, class. Welcome to our first online session. Today we will be discussing how war affects business and economic systems."
She paused and looked down at her roster. "Darius, can you give us one example of how conflict impacts trade?"
Darius's voice came through clearly. "Supply chains get disrupted. Goods cannot move freely between territories when there is active fighting."
"Excellent. Samantha, your thoughts?"
Sam unmuted herself. "Consumer confidence drops. People stop spending money when they are worried about their safety."
"Very good. Marcus?"
Another student answered about labour shortages.
"Ravenna?"
I unmuted my microphone. "Businesses have to spend more on security, which cuts into their profits."
"Precisely. Thank you, Ravenna."
Professor Jane launched into her full lecture about economic impacts of the ongoing war between the packs.
"Raven," Sam whispered beside me. "Darius is staring at you."
"What?"
"Look at his camera."
I glanced at the small square with Darius's name on it. His camera was on, unlike most students. And his eyes were fixed directly on where my camera as I had also turned it on.
He smiled when he noticed me looking. Then he made a heart shape with his hands.
"Oh my God," I muttered.
Sam burst out laughing beside me, quickly muting herself. "Smile at him at least!"
"Absolutely not."
I looked back at Darius's square. He had leaned back in his chair now. And he had pulled his shirt off completely, showing off his abs and lean build.
My eyes travelled over his chest and stomach before I could stop myself. The defined muscles. The way his skin looked in the lighting of his room.
When I finally looked back up at his face, he was grinning widely. He had caught me staring.
I glared at him and turned my attention firmly back to my notebook.
"Nice view, though," Sam whispered.
I smiled despite myself. "Shut up."
Professor Jane wrapped up her lecture. "For your assignment, I want you to write a speech about how this war has affected everything economically from your own perspective. I will be pairing you up for this project. The partner list will be posted in the general group this evening."
The class ended and everyone started logging off.
Almost immediately after I closed my laptop, a knock sounded on our door.
I opened it to find a security guard standing there. "I am here to escort you both to the ice rink for hockey practice."
"Already?" I groaned. "We just finished class. Cannot we rest for a bit?"
"No, miss. I have orders to retrieve you now." He showed me his phone. A message from a number saved as coach clearly stated to bring us immediately.
Sam grumbled behind me. "This is ridiculous."
But we grabbed our water bottles and followed him anyway.
When we arrived at the rink, a woman I had never seen before stood waiting for us. She was tall with dark hair pulled back in a ponytail.
"Good afternoon, ladies. I am Coach Rebecca. You can call me Becca for short. I will be taking over your training now."
"What happened to our Coach?" someone asked.
"She requested a transfer. Too much stress from recent events. Now, shall we begin?"
About five security guards were stationed around the rink, watching us carefully.
"You have all rested for quite a long time," Becca continued. "But I will not push you straight into intense drills today. Instead, I want you to warm up by skating laps around the rink. Fast ones."
"Are you serious?" one of the girls protested.
"Completely serious. Now get moving."
I laced up my skates and took off. I skated hard. Reckless, almost. Punishing my body the way my mind had been punishing my heart.
Sam caught up with me halfway around. "Trying to kill yourself?"
"Just trying to feel something different."
"Fair enough."
She pushed harder, trying to surpass me. I matched her pace.
We went round and round until my legs burned and my lungs screamed. But it felt good. It felt like something I could control.
Practice ended after an hour. We were escorted back to our room by the same security guard.
"I am taking a shower," I announced, heading straight for the bathroom.
The hot water felt amazing on my sore muscles. I stood under the spray for a long time, letting it wash away the sweat and tension.
My phone rang from where I had left it on the sink counter.
I reached out and grabbed it, checking the caller ID.
Dad.
I answered immediately. "Hello?"
"Raven, sweetheart. How are you doing?"
"I am... I need you, Dad. I really need you right now."
His voice softened. "I wish I was there with you. Theodore just reported to me that you looked downcast when he saw you attending practice. He said it's a little bit odd. He did not know how to approach you about it."
"I am fine, Dad. Really."
"I do not believe you. But I am held up here with pack business. I will be back soon, though. And when I am, I promise to take you out for a proper dinner. Just the two of us."
Tears pricked at my eyes. "I would like that."
"I love you, Raven. Take care of yourself. Please."
"I love you too. And you better buy me new dresses and jewellery when you come back."
He laughed. "I promise. I'll buy you the best ones I can find."
"Thank you, Dad."
"Anytime, sweetheart. Anytime."
I hung up and finished my shower, feeling slightly better.
Sam and I had dinner together. She was glued to her phone the entire time, texting and smiling.
"Let me guess," I teased. "Dorian?"
"Maybe."
"Definitely."
She grinned. "He is just checking on me. You know, making sure I am alright."
I watched her type another message, her face lighting up when he responded.
I wished I could do this with Darius. Wished I could text him freely and smile at his responses. Wished things were not so complicated between us.
But they were. And I had no idea how to fix it.
Later that night, I settled into bed. Sam was already asleep, her phone charging on her nightstand.
I was about to turn off my lamp when my phone vibrated.
A text message from an unknown number.
Can we talk? Please. I need to explain.
I stared at the message.
Then another one came through.
It's Caleb.