(Amaia)
I almost spit out the tender chicken piece I have plopped in my mouth. My luck keeps getting shittier and shittier.
Perfect, as if I don't have enough problems as it is.
Alnilam hates my guts and now he is in charge of our guild. He is going to make my life a living hell, not that it already is.
My head turns and I glance in his direction. He appears to be still in deep talks with the headmaster, oblivious of my existence.
Kacir kindly offers me a napkin, seeing that I struggled to wipe my face.
"Thank you!" I answer while cleaning my face with the white napkin.
"He appears tough but he is very just. You will see once you get to train under him," Kacir offers calmly, seeing that it has upset me. He picks up a drumstick and takes a large bite out of it.
"I don't think he likes me. There was a misunderstanding when we met and he formed an opinion without hearing my explanation." I sigh.
"Give it time, Amaia. Everything becomes better with it."
My eyes flicker towards my mates while Mintaka is lost in eating and conversing with Rahria and other senior members of our guild. Alnitak's gold-dusted eyes are focused on me.
The usual mischief and charm he carries seem dulled. I sense questions in his gaze.
I try to smile again, but his lips remain flat, and then he gets up and begins to prance towards me.
Slowly covering the distance, like a predator, stalking its poor prey.
The appetite dies in my belly while knots appear as he nears and places his hands, palms down on the table.
"Scoot," he orders the boy on my left side and he obeys without any hindrance. Tilting the empty chair he sits with his chin on the backside of it. His long legs prop on both sides.
The mind-numbing scent of his, accosts my senses. I gulp but don't break eye contact.
"Why did you join Orion Academy?" He asks.
Picking up the chicken piece from my plate, the one I was eating, he begins munching on it. The traces of any humour that always linger in his voice are nowhere to be found.
"To train and become a better hunter. Our world is not a safe place, especially for females." I place my hands on the table and observe him, trying to understand where he is going with this.
"Where is your family, Amaia? Who are you? Did you have a lover before coming here?" He asks a string of questions and I see doubts birthing in his eyes. That warmth he had for me is gone.
Someone has spoken to him and there is only one person who could have. Who warned me to stay away from the twins?
Alnilam.
My anger rises like mercury in the thermometer.
"Why do I feel like being judged? I will speak about my family and any potential lover if I feel like it, not because you demand to know," I answer with a huff.
He rakes his hand through his gorgeous hair, pushing back the free strands and scoffs. His lips tilt up on the right side.
His hand suddenly comes forward and grabs my chin, not in a hurting manner but with enough force that I can't set myself free.
Sparks dissolve into tingling warmth from where his rough skin makes contact with mine, filling my veins with wildfire.
Dissolve, I wish to dissolve in his hands.
"What are you hiding Amaia? It's a dangerous game to play. Tread cautiously here because you will burn before you know it. There will be more foes than friends. Don't say I didn't warn you." A fire smoulders in his eyes which makes me weak not only in the knees but my whole body.
He can burn me with just a simple touch, a fleeting gaze, and what will happen when he knows we are mates.
With that, he places the chicken bone back and lets go of my face. Getting up, he strides away on his long legs, and out of the hall without a back glance at me.
Mintaka's eyes find me for a second as he also observes his brother storming off. A few creases appear on his forehead. Getting up, he also leaves the hall.
"What was all that about?" Kacir asks and I just shrug my shoulders.
"I have no clue."
"Your business is yours. No one should be questioning you like that. And I am always going to be by your side," he murmurs, returning to his plate.
Something assuring in his words and I can sense. Seems like I have found a sincere friend in him. Maybe one day I can confide my truth in him.
Finishing the dinner, we get up, and our Guild Captain, Chastin, hands us parchments with our weekly schedules and a map of Orion Academy.
"Here, study them carefully and ask whatever," he says with a smile. Chastin has that comforting presence about him that makes one at ease.
"Thank you!" I offer and accept the ivory-shaded parchments from him.
"Books will be available in the library and a list of whatever you need should be handed over tonight so all your stuff can be delivered tomorrow," he informs us before moving along.
I open the map, which has the Orion constellation drawn on it with the main stars mentioned with names, and I am left stunned for a while.
It can't be a coincidence, can it?
My thoughts swirl as I stare at the names when Rahria brushes past me and her high-pitched voice has my head turning. She is standing in front of Kacir.
"Kacir, you can't keep ignoring me. Please, at least hear me out," she pleads with her hands on her hips. Her gorgeous hair is let loose today. Kacir only huffs at her.
"What do you want, Rahria?" He calmly asks but there is an edge to his voice.
"Can we talk? Just give me five minutes of your time." She is almost begging him now and his left eye finds me.
"I will find you in the room Amaia. Give me five minutes." I nod at him while Rahria offers me a glare. Both of them walk away.
I close the map and my schedule. I will study them in detail later; first, I need to return to my room and prepare the list of things I need.
Leaving the hall I walk outside. The moonlight scatters over the cobblestone floor. My feet make small sounds against them when something flutters and zooms down from the sky right into my feet.
I scream and instantly jump back in fright, before my eyes focus on what has dropped down.