ROBERTO

I don't know what happened.

Ever since I came here to Ravenwood, the Balls were just an excuse for me to be blown off by even the most ordinary werewolf. All the students knew that I came from a country that most of them have barely even heard of and so, they also knew I would have to return home with my choice of prospect.

In practical terms, that made me undesirable to all of them. No one wants to be shipped away to a foreign country where they don't even speak the language. I get that, so I never had my hopes up for any possible pairing. I came here for the experience, not with any hope of bringing an American back to Brazil.

I don't know if it was desperation sinking in, or the fact that most of the other queer Alphas and Betas were already taken, but something shifted in last night's Christmas Ball. When I approached the eligible Omegas, all of them were interested in me and what I had to say.

It was a complete 180-degree shift. They welcomed me for a dance where they asked me about my pack, my family, what it's like living in Rio de Janeiro, and what my father does for a living. I told them the truth, as it was expected of me, and every answer coming out of my mouth seemed to enchant them.

At this point in the game, there aren't a lot of people I could connect with who are available. I will not waste my time by dancing with any girl, and male Gammas or Betas are beyond my interest for the same reasons they are for every other Alpha, including Kyle.

Basically, I had three or four male Omegas - scholarship students - vying for my attention like I was the belle of the ball. I would like to say that it didn't stroke my ego, but I am only an 18-year-old boy. Of course, I was flattered by their attention.

I have been treated like a leper until now, but last night I was the most coveted Alpha of the entire academy. I mean, the most coveted SINGLE Alpha of Ravenwood. The prospected Alphas had the time of their lives with their respective partners. Skylar and Jacob. Jayden and Seth. Carl and Victoria. And so many more...

It was a proper "festive occasion" for them, while the rest of us, losers, had to scavenge for whatever was left. It's fine, I knew the deal before I signed up for this experience. But for some reason, I didn't feel like a loser last night. On the contrary, I felt like a King.

I know that this sudden popularity has to do with the fact that the parents are coming here today and they - just like me - don't have anything to show for. I get that. I am not delusional as to think they suddenly saw my worth as a partner.

With that being said, maybe our open conversations inside the cafeteria somehow moved the needle for me. Perhaps they saw me as a viable candidate to take back home, who knows? Or they are just desperate to have anybody to introduce to their parents.

I can relate to the feeling of being such a loser that nobody will even talk to you - something most of the scholarship Omegas experience in this prestigious academy. Jake was lucky to have Jayden's interest so early in the game, which made it possible for Skylar to see him as a possible match.

I hate to say this, but poor people in this school are practically invisible. When they hear the words 'scholarship student', all they understand is 'poor werewolf with no connections and nothing to advance my pack in any way'. It is preposterous if you think about it, even for a person like me who grew up in private schools.

Somehow, my most fun experiences were when I went down to the slums to have fun, dance, and do the things expected of someone like me - except for drugs, for the most part. I had a blast in the company of the poorest of the poor. When you have nothing to lose, you have everything to gain. You don't waste time worrying about other people's opinions in your life.

You drink, you kiss, you fuck with whoever wants you and that's it.

Around two in the morning, I couldn't stand up any longer for another dance. I was all talked out, so I called it a night. I had an offer from someone who wanted to spend the night with me, which was very enticing, not going to lie, but I politely declined it because I didn't want to take advantage of the situation. Sex with Omegas can carry strings that I am not prepared to deal with right now.

Which is not to say that I will always say no, just not right now. I won't sleep with anybody until I deal with the situation with Kyle, though if you'd ask him, there is no situation to be dealt with. We were just having fun with no strings attached.

Sure, there is not a problem with that. I can make other arrangements. I have nothing but options...

December, 14th. Saturday morning. All the students are walking to the cafeteria in the first tower to have breakfast before our parents arrive today for their special day. My mom already left me a voice memo before I woke up that she was on the plane to Denver, Colorado. I am so incredibly excited to see her, I cannot put it into words.

As it is expected, all the students were gossiping about last night's events and who managed to score a last minute prospect to take to their parents. It's do or die today. The Hunger Games of pairings have arrived.

Those who don't have anybody to present to their parents are in deep trouble.

"You were on fire last night. Anytime I was on the dance floor, you were there with one of the Omegas. What happened? Did they finally google your name and discovered that you're rich?" Jayden asked, poking fun at me in the process, as we sat down to eat in our section.

At this, some people turned their heads in our direction and whispered:

'Wait. He's rich?'

"I don't know what happened, to be honest with you. All I know is that people were interested in what I had to say for the first time since I got here." I replied, baffled by my newfound popularity.

"Wow! You deserved it, my friend. You are a great guy and I've been telling this to anyone who would listen to me." He cheered me enthusiastically.

"I guess someone will have somebody to introduce to their parents after all. Unlike some other people." Skylar commented, glancing at Kyle with a peculiar look on his face.

"Fuck you!" Kyle grunted in annoyance at that dig. Unlike me, he was not popular at all last night. He did what was required of him and that was it. He just watched other people have fun, which was so incredibly sad.

"Are you going to introduce any of the candidates you were talking to last night to your mom?" Jayden asked me with a salacious curiosity.

"I guess... If they want to, sure." I haven't given much thought to that until now, to be honest. It all happened so fast.

At this, we heard a few of them saying that they do want to, if that's okay by me.

"This is the part where you fight for the man you like or risk losing him forever. Stand up to your father, who the fuck cares that he is an Alpha?" Skylar encouraged Kyle, who was properly pissed off at this.

"You are such a hypocrite! What do you suggest I do? Should I abandon my family and pack and go to Brazil, or should I tell him to abandon his family and pack to stay in mine? What happens when the Wolf Council decides that I can't succeed my father as Alpha because my partner can't give me any natural child?" He ranted, aggravated.

Kyle was furious at Skylar for proposing something that was impossible for him, that is to even consider prospecting me. He is right, though. It would be a tough sell.

"Just so you know, if you asked me, I would stay with you. But you are right, it's a non-starter. I wish you the best of luck." I told Kyle, breaking my heart in the process. *sob*

JACOB

I had a blast last night.

Without the pressure of searching for a partner, I could just enjoy my Alpha with no worries. All we had to do was to have fun and be ourselves. We ate some great food, drank an awesome punch, and danced the night away like we were supposed to.

Skylar could not take his hands off of me the entire night, it was almost embarrassing for me. Luckily, we are all teenagers here, so we get it. Horny is the new normal. LOL

As we enjoyed ourselves, I caught glimpses of Roberto being disputed by a few Omegas. I guess they finally caught up to the fact that he is a great catch. The only reason why I didn't pursue him, back when he was interested in me, is because I would never move away from my family. I mean, not that far anyway. But he is a great guy and any of them should be so lucky to prospect him.

Seth was happy with Jayden in his arms. Their connection has grown exponentially, and if you look at them now, you wouldn't be able to tell that he was in love with me until two weeks ago. I am talking about leaps and bounds.

I am happy for them, especially now that my roommate can have the boy of his dreams. Let's be honest here, Seth always wanted Jayden. It was never a secret, so if they are happy, so am I. Meanwhile, last-minute attempts to partner up were employed by the single students.

Nobody wants to be left behind when it comes to prospecting, we all want our names to be heard at the ceremony next year. Those who are left behind will be considered the losers of this experience. That would be a travesty, if you ask me. A missed opportunity.

Breakfast this morning is as eventful as ever with all the parents coming in later today.

Goddess knows I cannot wait to see my mom, I cannot even imagine what Roberto must be feeling... poor boy. I could cry right now after he told Kyle that he would stay behind if he asked him to. Legitimately, my eyes are misty at this moment.

In fact, all of us are perplexed by his declaration.

"Roberto deserves a good prospect. I hope the person that he chooses earns him because he is one of the good guys. If I didn't have Jayden, I'd already be booking a flight to Rio de Janeiro." Seth spoke in a joking tone. I laughed at that.

"I'm glad you do have him. It's unfair for you to take away one of the few Alphas who do not care about whether you are a scholarship student or not. He didn't even ask me about any of the stuff normal Alphas would have asked me, regarding my pack. All he cared about was me, not what I could bring to his pack. In the same way that Jayden was, to be fair." I commented, feeling a connection to the scholarship students who don't have many options for them at this point in the game. It's either him or Kyle, and the Latin boy is not interested in any of them. He never was.

"Dude, Roberto is killing right now! If Jake didn't love me, he would be regretting turning him down at this point." Skylar commented, wide-eyed at our conversation in the Omega section.

"He is right, though. You do deserve a great prospect. Not to be blunt, but did you sleep alone last night? I didn't see you coming in." Jayden asked him, curiously.

"No comment." Roberto responded, keeping it a secret. Well, good for him.

Kyle abruptly took his tray and left the cafeteria, fuming. I guess he did not sleep with him last night. Who would've guessed?

As we were preparing to take our trays and leave the cafeteria, Roberto revealed to Jayden that he had slept alone last night. He wanted to concentrate on who to present to his mother later on. Honestly, that only made me like him even more.

LATER THAT DAY...

We were all dressed to impress the parents of our prospects as the first couples arrived at Ravenwood, walking through the gate toward the first tower. Angela Lockwood was there to welcome them and offer a complementary mocktail for the occasion. The three towers have been scrubbed clean and are ready for the tour.

First, there will be a reception for the three hundred and twenty parental figures expected to arrive today. Then, Alpha Lockwood is going to take them on a tour of the facility for those who are not alumni like her, then a brunch will be offered for everyone. After that, they are free to do as they want, including negotiations.

Drum rolls, please.

I welcomed my mom with a tight hug as if I hadn't seen her in a month, even though it's been only two weeks. I am a mama's boy, sue me. She was marveled to see the castle up close and personal. She had only seen it in the brochure, despite living so close.

Quickly, I introduced her to Seth and she was radiant to see Skylar once again.

"How have you been, puppy?" She asked me, tenderly.

"Well, discounting the avalanche and the fact that Skylar was in the hospital while we didn't know if he would live or die, I've been doing great." I replied, trying to be humorous about it but failing miserably.

"Oh, Goddess! When I heard about the avalanche, my heart was in a pinch. How are you doing, pup?" She asked Skylar as we were all inside the lounge in the first tower.

"I'm okay now, ma'am. I am not going to lie though, that was the closest I've ever been to..." Skylar trailed off, thinking about it. We all understood from his tone that he meant to say 'dying'.

Mom hugged the blonde boy and he basked in her motherly nature. That is until we were surprised by an unwelcome guest into our mix.

"Good morning, everyone." Shawn greeted us as he stepped inside the lounge. All of us gasped in shock as to what the fuck this guy is even doing here.... Come on!

https://youtu.be/hbnPkK76Ask

A|N: BOOM!

We are going for the 100th and it's about to be epic!

You can hardly wait!

Next is a GAME CHANGER! BeAfraid

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Love,

Léo.