Forty six- The Weight of Home

Forty six- The Weight of Home
Aria’s POV
"Aria, where have you been? Lev and I have been looking everywhere for you," Elara said, breathing heavily like she had just run a marathon.
"I have been in the library. What’s wrong?" I asked, confused. Being trained in the medical field sometimes gives me a little free time compared to the others who are being trained to be on the field. They fight, I save and revive them, and in the werewolf world, that automatically makes them the special students and we in the medical field the necessary ones. I have never really had a problem with it though. I am comfortable exactly where I am.
"I am not sure what it is exactly, but Principal Verya has asked us all to go home early for the day, and also she said there will be extensive field training for the rest of the week in preparation for next week’s Howl Games," she responded, still struggling to put herself together.
"Hmm, that’s odd," I voiced out.
This isn’t the first time we have been given the rest of the day off, but it happens on very rare occasions. This is the second time it is happening since I have been enrolled here, and the first one was because someone raised a false alarm that we were under attack, and sadly we were actually attacked that same day but much later.
"Did she by any chance state the reason for the day off?"
"No. She was being really vague and secretive. Even Lev said he doesn't have an idea what the issue might be," she answered. That only makes things worse. What could the issue be?
"Okay, well we better get going then. Let Lev know to meet us outside," I said. Elara nodded as she pulled her phone out, quickly sending a text to Lev. I have always known the fact that she and Lev don’t share a mind link the way I share with him bothers her, but that’s totally Lev’s decision, and I guess he isn't ready for that yet.
"It seems like this week would be free for me since you guys would be doing lots of training," I piped up as Elara tucked her phone back.
"Oops, sorry, I forgot to mention. Verya says this week's training involves everyone, including the medical specialists," Elara said.
"What! Why? I have no reason to be part of all of this," I exclaimed in shock. Is Verya playing pranks on me, or does she honestly just want to mock me in front of the whole school? The last time I was on the field for training, I flopped every single thing, even the littlest sparring. I was the talk of the school for weeks, and since then I never went close to the fields again.
"I really don’t know why, but I feel something is up, and we might find out what it is soon."
I don't like the sound of this in any way...
"Lev?" I called out softly as he slowly drove up to the prison I call home. It’s barely 1 p.m., and I still have at least two hours before my session with Kael today, and I am in no way interested in spending it inside that place.
"Yes, Ri, what’s the issue?" he answered, briefly looking at me before looking back on the road.
"Can I go home with you instead? I still have a session today, and I just want to stay out till I am totally done for the day," I asked, hoping he wouldn’t ask many questions.
"Hmm, is everything okay, Ri?"
"Yes, Lev, everything is fine. I just want to go with you," I said smoothly.
"Okay, if you say so. My mum would be more than excited to see you. She has been complaining that you haven’t been visiting," he agreed, his lips spreading into a smile.
I smiled back, sighing quietly at his lack of many questions. How am I expected to explain the fact that I am running away from a place I am supposed to call home?
"Aria," Bethany, Lev's mother, called out. Her eyes lit up in happiness, a big bright smile on her face.
"Bethany," I beamed, running into her wide-stretched arms, unable to hold myself. She hugged me tight, placing a kiss on my forehead, and my heart warmed. The only woman who has given me even the slightest feeling of what motherly love is like. She has never failed to show me how much she loves me and is always willing to help me out of any situation I bring to her knowledge.
When Dad died, she had taken me to live with them for a complete month after Mum had disappeared. Everyone said Mum was only grieving, even though she went about it the wrong way, but I knew better. She was always that way. When Mum returned, she made everyone believe she had changed, hence why Bethany released me to her—a decision I am sure she would be regretting now if she knows even half of what I go through in that house.
"How are you, my child? How is the Academy treating you?" she asked softly, stroking my hair as I remained in her arms, not wanting to pull away.
"I am okay. The Academy is fair," I shrugged, not wanting to bore her with any details.
Lev's eyes met mine, his contempt and disapproval with my answer evident.
‘Fair?’ Lev said in my head, making me sigh. Is he expecting me to tell her all that has been going on?
‘Yes, Lev, fair,’ I replied back.
"What are you two gossiping about now?" Bethany asked, noticing our zoned-out eyes. I glanced at Lev, silently pleading with him.
"Nothing serious, Mum, just how she has stolen your attention away from me without even having to do anything," he said, his gaze still fixed on me. I hated having to lie to his mother, but I just can't worry her.
‘Thank you,’ I appreciated.
"Oh, come on, Lev, don't be like that. I don’t get to see Aria a lot these days like before. You can’t blame me for wanting all of her now," Bethany said, laughing.
"No grudges, Mum. It’s just not every day you get ignored by your mother because of your best friend," Lev pouted, making us all burst into laughter.
"Your best friend here is such a baby. Sometimes it is so difficult to believe he is supposed to be the next Beta of this pack," Bethany laughed at her son's tantrum.
"I totally agree," I joked, making us all burst into another round of laughter. A flicker of happiness filled my heart at our little conversation. This is what family should feel like, but then I can only get these opportunities anywhere that’s not home. A pang of loss hit me at the thought of what could be if Lev had ended up being my mate like we have always wanted. A part of me wanted us to be mates so badly so I’d have a more valid reason to call Bethany, Mum.
"That reminds me, Aria, how was your birthday as an official adult? Did you find your mate yet? Lev wouldn’t tell me anything," she asked with so much anticipation. My heart hurt at the thought of everything. She was one of the many who always hoped Lev and I would end up being mates. As far as I am concerned, she has been our biggest supporter. So how am I supposed to tell her I ended up being mated to someone who I am not even sure wants me?