Chapter 44: Ex-boyfriend

Chapter 44: Ex-boyfriend
Calina 

Freya welcomed me with open arms, embracing me tightly as I entered into the doorframe. It was the second time that I’d been embraced by her. And just like the first time, I let myself be embraced. It felt comforting and warm. For a second, it actually felt as though a weight were being lifted off my shoulders. When I stepped into the house, I saw Erin, sitting on the couch and busying herself with a plate of food. She looked up at me and smiled awkwardly, probably feeling guilty for not helping me back then. But I smiled back as a sign of good faith. She was probably just as exhausted and emotionally distraught as I was.

“Your room will be next to Erin’s. It’s an old storage room that I managed to put a new bed in. I hope it’s not too small…” she said, showing me to a room that felt small but cosy. There was a single bed dressed in pale gold sheets. The walls were a soft blueish colour, a stark contrast to the dull walls of her living room. Although it didn’t have much in, it was more welcoming than the room that Vander had kept for me.

I took my time, settling in and setting my things up. I hadn’t really unpacked much when I moved in with Vander. But now, I made this little room my home. I set my clothes into a little chest of drawers to the corner of the room, and on top of it, placed two family photos, one with my father, and another with my stepfather. I wondered what repercussions he’d face back home. Would he face a suspension or an expulsion? Although I was worried about him, I felt relieved about one thing at least. My mother would still get the care she needed. Even if they moved away from Maverly, I’d be able to visit more too and perhaps even move back in with them. It was a pipe dream, to say the least. But still, I had to humour myself.

Then there was the matter of Mason. I was surprised that he’d broken up with Jenna. I really didn’t think he had the guts, especially when dating her came with so many LHS perks. But I suppose they were all useless now. Another thing Vander had destroyed.

Freya had made it perfectly clear that I couldn’t visit him anytime soon, but not knowing if he was okay was gnawing at me. Despite blaming Vander, I felt partially responsible too. And so, when he came back to his senses, I wanted to make sure I was right there to apologise. I’d go so him in the morning, bright and early. Hopefully by then, Vander would have left too.

As I placed my body against the comforting sheets, the events that had transpired today ran through my head. Escaping, Nova and Lana’s deaths, Caleb’s involvement and Vander’s reason for setting it all in motion in the first place. I hadn’t really thought about it then, but the more I pondered over our conversation, the more I began to realise that the name he mentioned sounded so familiar.

“Loraine…” I said out loud to myself. But where had I heard it before? My mind was too tired to recall. And the memories seemed too foggy to recall. I rolled over to my side and slowly drifted off to sleep, letting my tiredness take me. It felt good to be in a bed. 



When I awoke, Freya had already disappeared to carry out her duties. Erin on the other hand was still snoring in her room, clearly enjoying her sleep more than I had. I tread lightly towards the kitchen, surprised to see food under a mesh food cover. I looked through her cupboards to find a plate and then dished out some eggs and sausage along with a few slices of toast. Yesterday I hadn’t really had an appetite, and today, my stomach was punishing me for it. I ate as much as I could, while trying to leave some for Erin as well. But I just felt so hungry. So, just before I left, I grabbed a few fruit from Freya’s fridge.

Luckily for me, Taria had toured me around this place, and so I knew in which direction to walk to arrive at the healing centre. When I entered the building, a middle-aged woman with greying black hair and soft blue eyes turned to look at me. She seemed surprised and almost had a look of panic in her eyes.

“L-Luna… I didn’t expect you here today!” she said softly. I couldn’t recall knowing her, but she seemed to know me.

“Hi… and you don’t have to call me Luna. Have we met before?” I asked.

She shook her head and then said, “Not officially. I’m Mary, the head healer here. I looked after you before you…”

I nodded and stopped her from continuing.

“I’m here to check up on Mason, the guy they brought in yesterday who was mid transformation,” I said.

She nodded in recognition and motioned for me to follow her. But before she’d even begun to walk, I stopped her and asked if Vander was still around. Much to my relief, she informed me that he’d left a few minutes ago. I assume she thought we were madly in love or something because she asked if I wanted her to call him back. I politely declined.

“He already shifted into wolf form a few hours ago. Afterwards, the body usually goes weak so he should be back in his human form now,” she said. I nodded in understanding. When we arrived to the barricaded door, I took a peak through a glass panel. His naked, human body was lying there on the ground. Had Vander not informed them that he needed clothing and a bed?

Mary opened the door immediately, startled too.

“I should get some nurses to help carry him out and clothe him. Don’t look…” she said.

I looked up at her bashfully, taken aback by her words, before saying, “It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. After all, he’s my ex-boyfriend.”