The saying of time flies when one is having fun never really made sense to me before, but I get it now. Marie and I have already finished a semester here, including the first round of exams. That's nearly six months, and it went by seemingly so fast I can hardly believe it. It was grueling those first few weeks, but so worth it. I wouldn't change it for the world.

We'd finished up the last of the exams yesterday, it falling on a Friday seeming to be a stroke of luck everyone was thankful for. While many had hit the buses shortly after for short trips home to see loved ones before the next semester, we stuck around. We actually have jobs keeping us here now. Laying back in the grass as I stare up at the clear sky, a smile spreads over my face as I think of all I've accomplished so far.

While Marie and I couldn't land work together like we'd wanted, mainly in the library in a setting like we had before, she was able to get in. The library hadn't updated their listings from what we had originally been given, so while the bookstore next door still had an opening, the one for the library was already filled by the very girl who'd helped me the day I'd showed up. Apparently that was her first actual day. I got a job, just not there.

I became the new cashier at the local gym, a place that caters to both humans and those with augmented strength. While Werewolves are able to mingle in the small pool, rock wall, Yoga classes, and a few other minor activities, there's a large area where the equipment is off limits to normal humans as it would be dangerous for them to attempt using it. Rules are reinforced by a pair of co-owners, one human and one a wolf, each holding direction over their domain. Cashiers are pretty universal though, so I'm in the middle.

"Earth to Wynter, calling Wynter, anybody home?"

Looking over at Marie as we lounge on the crisp grass in front of the main building, enjoying the sunlight that's becoming more and more rare as it gets late into the season, my brow raises at her. She's sitting in front of me while Sasha is lazing next to us, all stretched out. This is the time of year people will really be able to tell us apart from humans as we run hotter, so even though they'll be decked out in coats, gearing up for the colder days, we're still in our summer wear.

"Nope. My brain is fried. Try again later."

She giggles at me while I smile at her, her blue eyes dancing with mischief.

"Well, good news is, after the first semester, we can change up our classes if we want. I know we were talking about it weeks ago, but nothing's really been said since. I was able to print out an updated list, but the pickings will be slim since we didn't submit sooner. Was there anything you wanted to change up?"

I debate for a moment, as there are a couple of classes I'd love to get rid of. Not so much because I hate the subject, but because the teacher is one I can't seem to get along with. Well, I could get along with them just fine, but they seem to have issues with me so they make being in their class a chore. Nodding I look over.

"Is it possible to drop Applied Mathematics? I'll take a different math class, just as long as Mr. Trance isn't teaching it."

This seems to get Sasha's attention as she turns her head towards me, brows furrowed.

"That dog still giving you problems?"

I grunt over her derogatory term. Carter Trance was the first Werewolf from the local Pack to approach me upon getting here, here's also the professor that'd warned me not to flaunt being what I was and how they did things and where to go when I needed to shift. I don't flaunt myself, but since I am a Loner, a Runt, and all but go out of my to avoid his Pack, he's taken a dislike to me that even others have noticed.

"What is his problem anyway?"

Marie asks and I dart my eyes over to Sasha and she smiles while flipping over to her belly.

"Oh, you mean the fact Wynter isn't dropping to her knees in love with him like every other female around here? Present company excluded of course."

She had to amend herself when Marie started to get huffy, but when the girl nods in acceptance I can't help but chuckle at their antics. Marie loves Weres and the idea of a romance, but when it comes to her friends, she's very protective. Especially when it comes to me, I've realized.

While they bicker about the professor, I look up and around, feeling eyes on me. There are still many students hanging around, some in small groups while others are by themselves doing much the same as we are. Enjoying being outside and done with exams. Being amongst others without being crowded together in a room. Mingling without having to acknowledge.

The weather is brisk, the various trees turning into their rainbow shades heralding fall is upon us. Already fallen leaves dance along the ground and play among those who stands' legs and feet. Voices raise in laughter from around us from the different huddles of people.

Corben and Shark are amongst a few of their buddies on the sidewalk, joking around and being boisterous. They could have joined the others in returning home for the weekend, but opted to stay for more training. My eyes slide from them to another group yards away made up of Weres that're friends of Sasha's. A mix of wolves from various Packs that'd come here for school, rebelling against rules not to commingle with outsiders. Kind of hard not to in a setting like this, but different Packs have different rules.

While Sasha and I are Loners, as well as a few of the others, the majority aren't. While I've been accepted by a few of them, a couple are wary, which is understandable. We can't help how we're raised to view others, and while I'm hopeful some of them will break from the closed view of their elders, I know some never will as they have to return to it.

The group is talking amongst themselves and laughing as well. They're so absorbed in what's going on in their own space so my eyes move on. A spattering of others hold my attention for a few seconds before it moves on, no one seeming to hold us in their sights for long enough to cause the hairs on the back of my neck to rise. For the past couple of months it's been happening, but I can never find the eyes that seem to cause it.

I'm about to tip my nose up to scent the breeze coming towards me when Marie waves her hand in my face, breaking my concentration. Blinking at her, she again huffs as she leans back on her folded legs. The promenade is full of people, trying to distinguish a specific scent would be a lost cause, but it's instinctual. Giving my best friend a charming smile, she throws her arms in the air and has me chuckling at her.

"You didn't hear a word I said, did you?"

Her accusing tone is exasperated, but there's no undercurrent of hurt or anger, so I know I'm in the clear. Sitting up, I turn all my focus on what it is she's wanting from me, but before she can get too in depth into anything, both her and Sasha next to me stiffen. Looking up from the papers in Marie's hands to see what's going on, they're both looking up and towards something behind me. As I start to look behind me though, I feel a physical presence stepping to my side. Turning my head, the blood drains from my face as I look up at the person looming over me.

Adolphos.

My brother.

Who I'd left behind in Grotto Falls, is now looming over me with a fierce scowl. My heart nearly stops in my chest as I look up at him, my eyes wide. Can just imagine how this looks, as I pretty much feel like a cornered rabbit. I haven't seen him since before Mythine dragged me to the basement. Where he allowed them to torture me.

Bile burns in my gut, then he surprises me even more by crouching down. The over six-foot male now hunched down next to me is not an improvement. From the corner of my eye I see Sasha sit up as she and Marie take him in, but he ignores them completely. Flicking my eyes out and around, other females are also sliding glances his way with appreciative murmurs.

His low growl has me directing my attention back to him. He's totally focused on me, completely ignoring everyone else around us. I wince at his growl, but then start thinking of all the other wolves I've had to deal with over the course of my time here. The other Loners and Pack wolves who threw their weight around while Sasha worked with me to better defend myself. I'm not the same girl he left back in that house to fend for herself.

Stiffening my spine, I look him directly in the face and raise an eyebrow.

"Hello, Adolphos."

He looks taken aback when I don't cower, then his light blue eyes darken in anger as he reaches for me. Easily evading him, I stand. Spine erect and head held high as he rises, eyes staying on mine the whole way as he once again looms his six-one height over my five-foot-three. His doing so catches the attention of others, I notice. Just off to the side, I catch sight of Corben and Shark looking at us pointedly, no longer wrapped up in their friends. A couple of the local wolves are also paying close attention. Not to mention quite a few humans, all who look ready to jump in if needed.

One of the things about my best friend, she's a very friendly person, making friends easily wherever she goes, especially if she takes a liking to them. With this being a co-species campus, she's in heaven. These are her people. Those that don't hold a species grudge anyway, and even them, she's proven to work her charm a few times. While I may not be everyone's favorite person, she's quickly becoming the one everyone will stand for if trouble arises.

Smirking at my brother who'd finally raised his eyes to see the precarious position he put himself in, Marie and Sasha also stand and put themselves a couple feet behind me, showing they have my back but are letting me handle this. When his gaze flicks back down to me, his eyes are hard.

"Careful, brother, we're not on your home turf here."

Adolphos doesn't back up, he doesn't even snarl like I'd expected, he instead frowns. The attempted reaching for me had stopped though. I finally notice that his appearance has changed, he's a lot thinner than he was before, leaner. His clothes, while not dirty, look old and scuffed. Threadbare. His hair is much longer as well, shaggy and down to his shoulders where before he'd had it styled short. I take it they got moved to the new place, doesn't explain why he's here though.

"Did you all get moved to your new homes alright?"

His jaw clenches before his eyes slide over to Marie and Sasha. Hell, he's even grown taller now that I take him in better, no longer the six-one I knew him to be, but probably around six-three now.

"Can I talk to you privately?"

His voice is deeper too. More gravely, as if he hasn't used it in awhile. My arms cross under my chest as my head shakes.

"I'm no longer part of your Pack. I'm not obligated to speak to you, I only asked after the others out of politeness, but you don't have to answer either. You all let me know just how you felt about me, I got the message loud and clear, so I released you from your burden."

He snaps out a growl mixed with a swear at me which has me raising my brows. I don't recall him acting like this before, so something's had to have been going on. Life in the mountains not quite the cushy life he thought it'd be, maybe?

"You're nothing but a selfish brat."

Adolphos' spit out words have my eyes widening in amazement, mouth dropping open. My complete amazement at his statement putting me in a state of shock which enables him to continue with a curled lip.

"Because of you, our family is in disgrace..."

"Beg your pardon?"

I fairly see red when he accuses me of being the cause of the family being in disgrace. He ignores me though as he continues on his tirade, blaming me for everything that's happened to them, but I notice he doesn't go into any specifics. My arms had fallen in my surprise, but they cross once more as he goes on. When he shows no sign of stopping, I shake my head and finally break into his rant.

"Adolphos, why are you here?"

His breath is heaving in his chest, as if he'd had all that pent up inside him for awhile, but upon my question, his eyes flicker. I know most of my brothers tells, watching him and my sister growing up. I knew how his mouth would twitch before he would laugh, how his brows furrowed when he felt guilt, and how his eyes would slide to the left just before he'd lie to our parents. Whatever he's about to say now is a lie, but by his body language alone, I know there will be more to it than just a simple falsehood.

"Nightsbane is threatening war if you don't return."

🌖🌗🌘🌑🌒🌓🌔

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

This will be the last chapter uploaded for awhile until I can figure out again where I want things to go, so once again, Wynter's Bane will go on Hiatus (Hopefully nowhere near as long as the previous one)