JACOB

Oh. My. Goddess!

Next Saturday is parents' day in Ravenwood. My mom and Skylar's parents are coming so there will be an opportunity for them to discuss our marital contract. I could be the first student in Ravenwood to be locked in a contract before the year is over. Can you imagine that?

I, Jacob Anderson, the scholarship boy who nobody wanted to talk to at the beginning of the semester. The unwanted Omega who depended upon Seth to gather some attention from the other students - not to say that I ever took advantage of our friendship, I was just noticed by association, but still ignored by most of the students except for Jayden.

Speaking of him, I noticed that he has been struggling to cope with our break up, as to be expected. Yesterday, he was bitter at Skylar for mentioning his belief that he and I could break the curse and Kyle could end up with Seth in the end, mated to each other.

The working theory among the werewolf community is that once one pair breaks the curse, all the other werewolves will be mated as well, depending upon them meeting their mates, of course. You have to be at least within half a mile from your mate for it to be activated by your (wolf's) scent.

However, I am not so sure if Seth and Kyle could be mated to each other. Then again who am I to know anything? Maybe he could be the one for my roommate. What I do know is that Skylar was right on one thing. Seth will never take a chance on him now that he knows he is tangled with a mystery boy. If Kyle wanted to have another go at Seth, then he should have made him his number one priority, just as Skylar did to me.

Here is the thing, when Jayden broke up with me almost two months ago, he spent an entire month alone here in Ravenwood. He did not pursue other eligible Omegas for a contract. He was too miserable to be without me, as I was to be apart from him.

That overbearing attitude on his part was what informed me that he was, in fact, telling the truth. It wasn't his decision and he was dead set on me. These kinds of actions matter in a romantic setting. So when he came around and wanted to get back with me, forcing his mother to come to see and learn about me, I went all in.

My point is: if Kyle wanted to have something with Seth, he should have pursued him from the minute Sean was shipped back to England. Had he done that since then, maybe he would have had a chance. As a fellow Omega, I know for a fact that I would not want to be with a boy who I just caught kissing another boy. That would never happen and the only reason Kyle is even talking about Seth is because he needs to make a good match here. And Seth is the most eligible Omega of the entire class.

I am sorry, buddy, but I don't like your chances. I agree with Sky on this, your best bet is to take it up with your secret boo, whoever he is.

It's Thursday, the fifth of December, here in Colorado. After that bombastic announcement regarding the parents' day and the final ball of the year, Christmas Ball, the students are all over each other trying to secure a match before the end of the week.

It is a race against the clock! There will never be a better opportunity, to discuss marital contracts, than with all the parents here for one single day. As I said before, there are already 68 matches made so far, but that means close to a hundred students are yet to link up. Get a move on, people, because you only have until April.

Now that Skylar and I are among these lucky few approved by our parents, we are good to go. We do not have to attend the Christmas Ball - but we will just the same, it's a date - and our parents can come to an understanding regarding our future together.

I am sure there will be some hard negotiations because Goddess only knows what Frederick Stronghold will want to put into our contract, but my mother has been ready for this for weeks. She will not be played a fool, and she has even consulted a lawyer.

Everything that I could do, I did, so it's now up to the adults to come to some understanding. What I do know is that nothing and no one is going to stand in the way of my happiness. Like I said before, I am not above eloping now. They better not get in my way.

Seth and I walk to the cafeteria together with the rest of the Omegas and Gammas from our floor. It's a caste system here in Ravenwood - it's the same in the werewolf world, but outside of being an Alpha, nobody cares what breed you are - so we always walk together.

I am surprised by Skylar coming up to me in the hall that leads to the cafeteria, he suspends me into the air with his strong arms and lays a kiss on me in the mix of all the other students. He greeted me and moved along with his Alpha posse. Jayden pretended he did not see us and I am okay with that.

"Someone's been happy lately." Seth commented with malice in his tone, as his brother practically skipped along the large hall ahead of us that connected the second and the first tower.

"Well, it's been hell for us lately, so I get why he's happy. I am thrilled as well." I commented, realizing the hellish journey that led us here. Ups and downs, like a roller coaster.

"Yeah... you sure went through a lot. I don't think I've seen my brother this happy since –" Seth was going to say a name but stopped himself before it was too late. Nevertheless, I knew who he was talking about right away. That wiped the smile right off my face...

"Since Mandy, did you mean?" I questioned him, slightly irritated at the mention of her name, though I am sure he did not mean to bring her up now. It was a lapse of the tongue on his part.

"I'm sorry for bringing her up, I know it's triggering for you and I apologize." Seth turned to me as we walked to apologize, looking remorseful.

"It's fine, Seth. I know that Skylar had a past. As long as I am his future, I am okay with that." I declared, trying to not let that bother me so much. Unfortunately, I cannot escape her, but I will try for sure. She cannot have any power over me.

The students were buzzing in the cafeteria about the proximity to the ball next week, so a few of them had the bright idea to throw a party next Saturday. Most of the students will remain here for the weekend anyway since they have just returned from a week long break. They have decided to take it upon themselves to get people mingling over heavy liquor. If this is not a recipe for disaster, I don't know what is!

Word spread quickly around the room and the text chain was running rampant to coordinate the details. Naturally, Skylar was the first person they talked to about beverages because he has a supplier from outside of the academy, his personal assistant, Jorge Santos.

"It's already Thursday. I don't know If I can pull off procuring this much beverage by Saturday, but I'll make some calls." He pledged, talking to other students in his section.

"I guess you have until Saturday night to make a connection. It's best if you try your hardest now because next year with your upcoming heat in January, it'll be extremely hard for you." I cautioned my roommate, who widened his eyes at the mention of his upcoming season.

"Oh my Goddess, I didn't even think of that!" He gaped at me in shock.

"I didn't mean to put pressure on you. You still have until April to make your decision." I tried to remedy the state of shock that Seth was in after my remark.

"My father will never allow me to wait that long. If I don't pick a partner soon, he will come here and choose somebody for me himself, he already told me he would. And Frederick Stronghold is a man who keeps his word." He spoke, terrified with fear of being matched against his wishes.

"I am sorry, my friend. In that case, it's best if you try your best at this party then. Or the Christmas Ball." I advised him, worriedly. I hate that he is under pressure like this, but we all get an assignment when we come here. That is to make a match. His father will never let him leave this place without a contract. Period.

"When does his heat strike?" Kyle asked Skylar in the Alpha section of the cafeteria. The blonde boy glared so many daggers at him that a lesser person would cower in fear of him.

"I swear to Goddess, I'll slash your throat if you come near my brother while he is in heat. I am not joking!" Skylar was fuming at the impertinent question. His eyes shined in rage, protective of his brother. Kyle and the other Alphas around them were taken aback by the threat.

"Calm down, Sky! I am not a rapist! It was just a simple question!" Kyle defended himself, raising his hands as if he was surrendering.

It is not news to anyone how protective Skylar is of his brother, so it's not strange that he feels extra protective during the most vulnerable time for an Omega. Our heat cycle. Nobody should be around us before it hits and definitely not during it, at least not until we are medicated. Then, most of the effects get under control.

"It's rich to hear you talking about someone else going near an Omega in heat after what you did to Jake." Jayden took a jab at Skylar, not far from their table in the same section.

"And yet he is still a virgin, last time I checked. That would not happen if Kyle was near him." Skylar defended himself, peeved at him for being called out like that. The two Alphas glared at each other for a minute before breaking eye contact. It was uncomfortable to witness.

"I meant what I said. I was never opposed to you or any other Alpha wooing my brother. But stay the fuck away from him during his heat or you won't live to raise the baby." Skylar declared with a threatening glare at his friend. It is largely known there is only one outcome of an Omega being with someone during heat. Pregnancy; which is why we are so guarded during this period.

Wow. I can see now that January will come with its own trials and tribulations. *winks at the audience*

The day of classes went by like any other, preparing us for the exams next week. I was eager for the weekend to come, though I will probably stay here to support Seth. At least I will have plenty of time to spend with my boo. We may even go into town for an outing. It's been a minute since we did that.

By dinner time, we were gathered in the same old cafeteria where most of the single students talked about nothing else than the upcoming party. It'll be on the same rooftop as the last one. It's the perfect place to dance the night away with little to no supervision from the staff.

https://youtu.be/7H76GUB7m94

Later that evening, Skylar and I were plopped down on the couch of the common area in the Gamma House. It's not as private as we'd hoped for, but we could still make out because nobody wanted to stay there, playing third wheel. We talked for a moment about the upcoming party, what it would mean for us to have both our parents together in the same place, at the same time.

We agreed it shall be a memorable moment and he promised to speak to his father about his expectations regarding our contract. I told him to caution his father to not demand too much because my mother will not budge. She will not be intimidated by him at all, just the same as I am not.

Though Skylar was intimidating this morning - when he was defending his brother, threatening Kyle. I could feel his threat through his tone of voice. I did not need to see him to know that he was dead serious. Yeah, we Omegas are also tender, yet cautious about that time of year for us.

Anyway, we kissed and groped each other when no one was watching. It was wonderful to be in peace with him, I hope we get to live out the rest of the school term in peace and quiet. I actually am looking forward to this party - though it's not designed for me, obviously.

It will be our first school event together as a couple, as an officially approved couple.

That is something I never once dared to dream, regarding a Stronghold. Am I living some kind of a fantasy? If I am, I do not wish to wake up from it. I like this new phase of our relationship. I like that we are solid in our love for each other.

I reiterate that I do not want Skylar in any more fights with Jayden, or any other student. I want Jayden to be happy, I do. Especially if it means leaving Skylar alone. This feud between the two of them will never lead to anything good. It has caused enough damage already.

Skylar caresses my head as he plays with my hair. I am lying on the couch with my head on his lap as we talk. Every few minutes he leans in and kisses me. When his lips touch mine that is when I see Heaven on Earth. In his arms is where I need to be, where I belong.

I haven't the faintest idea of how exactly we got here, but I am loving this so far.

I did not come here thinking I would ever nab the most eligible Alpha of the academy. But if you ask me, I would have taken him in any shape. I love him for his essence, for what he has done for me in the sense of behavior and attitude. It was never about the money for me, it still isn't.

Skylar is just it for me, I cannot lie. He is the one I love, the Alpha with whom I wish to share my life, come what may. I just hope we can survive these contract negotiations. But I am hoping to have some fun this weekend. Goddess knows I deserve to.

"I love you, Skylar Stronghold. I am not so sure what I have done to deserve you." I told him, smitten by the visually stunning Alpha caressing my head.

"It's quite the contrary, actually. I am the one who must have accumulated enough good karma for someone like you to be put into my life. I love you, Jacob Anderson. You are the one I was meant to find here." He told me and I melted into a puddle. *smitten*

https://youtu.be/fPgf2meEX1w

A|N: I am in my peace and quiet vibes.

Or my romantic era, if you will.

OFF: It's funny how this whole book could have been summed up by the "Rewrite the Stars" song played some time ago. I never had a single tune as the soundtrack to a book before, but this song pretty much nails on the head the entire theme of the novel.

Now, let's have a kiki, shall we?

What happens next will surprise everybody.

Next is "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself".

Are you dying to find out what comes with the next chapter?

It's heart pounding!

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The truth you won't want to miss is next!

Love,

Léo.