When I step off the bus amid the few other people also getting off at the stop, I'm the only one that doesn't immediately have a destination. While the others trundle on their way, I move forward a little bit, but then I stand there and look around. With a bookbag already on my back and a suitcase in my hands, I look like some kind of runaway amongst all the others walking around, but I try not to let it bother me as it's essentially true.

I have a bit of a walk ahead of me before getting to the actual college yet, the bus stop itself is situated outside the grounds. Don't see why they didn't make it any closer, but I suppose those who get dropped off that don't need the actual college don't want to have to walk off the property. Oh well. Allows for me to get a look at the place if nothing else.

Others are walking around as well, some even have bags, but I don't see anyone else carrying suitcases. Classes won't start for another couple of weeks or so, which means plenty of time to get a jump on looking for a job and get everything else done that I need to do. First things first is finding my way around.

I'd made up my mind on the bus ride here that I wasn't going to attempt to 'hide' in any way, as there really is no way to. I can't hide the fact that I'm a Loner now, as I don't carry a Pack scent. A collection of smells that all wolves carry that gives away that they're in a Pack. Even if they are on the outskirts of it. While I don't think I'd be termed as a Sigma, I'm not a Rogue either. The scars on my back are not the types of marks given to those who are banished.

The anger that rises in me at the thought of those marks has me trembling. They should fade even more given the time, but after having gotten a look at them in the plane bathroom, I knew Jay caused them purposefully. Wanted them to scar. To leave his mark. He'd talked to me while he did it, when I could actually register his words, anyway. For them to scar on wolves, they would have been disfiguring for humans.

Even walking along the road, I can feel them. Thinking about the sound of the whip before it sliced me open. I can feel my temperature rise and I have to stop and kneel to get a hold of my breathing. The way the werewolf had laid the whip into my skin, he'd cut a design into my flesh from my shoulder blades down my sides. A butchered set of wings.

Three hours.

He'd spent three hours cutting the design into me. I didn't even know that's what he was doing until I saw it myself. Marie didn't say anything either. Whether she noticed or not I'm not sure.

He'd also bitten me, the next morning as Kent was getting there. Not sure if it was an act or what, but luckily, even though it was hard enough to bruise and draw blood, no mark was left over. While I'd never thought of getting mated, he is not one I would ever consider, so the offhand remark he'd made was a serious threat, whether he'd meant it as such or not.

Breathing away my panic attack, I stand and start on my way. If it weren't for Jay, I probably wouldn't have gotten away, true, but that doesn't mean I have to live indebted to him. Not him. When I finally look up, I can see I'm getting looks from others, especially those who're obviously wolves, but I avoid them and keep going on my way. Their sneers follow me for a time before finally looking away, but the weirdness I don't understand are the looks I'm getting from the human males.

They can't be all that different from highschool boys, yet their eyes say differently. I've had school boys look at me before with interest, but it wouldn't last too long once getting turned into the cur of the schoolyard. Besides, next to my sibling, she tended to shine brighter and soaked up as much attention as she could, which explains part of her problems now, I think.

Without the other Lunar Soul wolves here to bog me down, I'm free to make my own way. I'll still have my given label of Runt no matter where I go, I can't help that, but it would seem not all human males care for tall females. They're seriously barking up the wrong tree, however, as I really have no interest.

Ignoring their speculative glances as I get ever closer to the main building, I take in everything around me. It's obviously a co-specie campus and from what I'm gathering, co-ed as well. The closer to the buildings I get, the louder the chatter. While I'm sure it'll get busier as it gets closer to classes, there are already club set-ups advertising for members and early enrollment.

I glance over it all while staying on the outskirts, not wanting to get swarmed while my arms are full. So instead I make my way into the administration building. Easily found thanks to the massive sign out front. Not to mention the cheer squad practicing in front of it which draws the eye.

Just like with every school I've ever been in, the inside seems to be made up of a maze of hallways with too small signs. The bustle of people is a bit surprising, but no one is pushing or shoving as they hurry along to where they're going. Well, some are hurrying, others are strolling calmly. Seeing the various ages has me relaxing more than I thought it would.

Finding my way to the main office, I retrieve the assorted information I need that will lead me to other areas to get the things I actually need. Talk about confusing. Giving that very expression to the receptionist, she chuckles and tells me I'm not the only one who's said as much and I won't be the last, but I've been one of the nicest about it. The only thing they're able to do for me in that office specifically is direct me to a side room for a temporary ID until the official one can go through. I'll be able to pick it up in a couple of days.

Once that's through and I have my handful of papers, receipts, information packets, and guide book, which is a glorified brochure, I head back out to where she directed the dorms are. Marie and I will be living on campus. Since we enrolled so early, a room was able to be procured for us to share instead of getting split up. Serious bonus.

Backpack on my back, suitcase in one hand and other wrapped around all the paperwork, I'm very glad the door is held open by someone coming out. Giving my thanks, they nod and continue on their way while I try not to bump into anything. The ground floor is open, looks to be an all around living or gathering area for everyone with couches and a massive TV on one side while the other has smaller seating areas, tables, and shelves.

The massive room is decorated in a bunch of different artsy styles with trophies and awards as well as a whole lot of pictures. I glance over it quickly before heading for the stairs. I can get a better look later when my hands aren't full. The building itself is five stories, our room number was listed as 4-6, which I was told meant will be on the fourth floor, sixth room.

There is an elevator, but I choose to use the stairs since there's a group hanging out by it currently. Heading up, I get to the second floor before getting stopped by someone asking if they can see my ID to make sure I even belong there. Setting my suitcase down between my legs, I rifle through my stack of papers for the one plastered with the seal they're looking for. Because they clearly can't see the rest of the stack in my arms showing that I'd gone to the office.

Finally pulling it out and looking it up, I catch the girl clearing the smirk from her face to alter it to a friendly smile. She takes it, looking down and even going as far as to study it as if it were fake. Inhaling deeply, I don't pick up any wolf scent from her, though there are some around here. Which means this is either a type of hazing or she's just a bully.

"Alright, you're clear. You're on the fourth floor. There's a curfew for freshmen. It's not enforced, but it's frowned upon if you're not on the grounds by 11pm. Just a heads up."

Blinking at the unexpected advice, I give her my thanks while taking back my ID. Dipping her head down with a smile, she goes back about her business which seems to be popping into various rooms and bothering people. Some kind of hall monitor?

The halls are decently wide, which is nice, considering some of the males I've seen are pretty wide themselves. The furniture getting moved around as well seems to be a bit ridiculous. Would seem not all the rooms are fully furnished yet, or some people are adding additions. Hope ours is at least equipped with beds, or we're going to be camping on the floor until we can buy some.

Finally reaching the door labeled 4-6, I juggle things in my arms to open it. First thing to greet my eyes is a pair of single beds, one on each side of the decently sized room, so that answers that question. I smile as I hurry in, a small handful of people coming down the hall chatting enthusiastically. The door gets closed behind me so I'm not disturbed, muffling all outside noises rather well.

Aside from the singles, there are a couple bookshelves on each side of the room, as well as a dresser, end tables, and desks. One side pretty much mirrors the other, down to the closet doors on each side. I'll have to search out the bathroom and kitchen later. Picking a side, I set my suitcase on the bed, followed by my backpack. The ease of pressure instantly feels much better.

There's a key on the desk, and looking over the one on the other side of the room, there's one there too. I collect that one as well since my roommate won't be showing up for a few more days at the latest. Hopefully. Setting the stack of papers on the tabletop, I sigh and take a seat in the chair, taking a moment to let it all soak in.

I'm really here.

I'm really doing this.

It takes several minutes, but once the butterflies and nerves settle, I'm finally able to smile again and enjoy the excitement of something new. Remembering everything I've still yet to do, I stand back up and start flipping through pages. Grabbing my temp ID and getting it put into my wallet so I don't lose it first thing.

I glance over to my things on the bed, but leave them for when I get back. Slipping one key into my pocket, the other gets used right away to lock the door as I step back out of the room. With a spring to my step, I go back downstairs and head back out with a destination in mind. I have to find the library.

🌖🌗🌘🌑🌒🌓🌔

✰ \(‾▿‾\) 𝔇𝔬𝔫'𝔱 𝔣𝔬𝔯𝔤𝔢𝔱 𝔱𝔬 𝔳𝔬𝔱𝔢 (/‾▿‾)/ ✰