Chapter Nine
"One minute" he mouthed, holding up a finger to emphasize his point "Get your food and hurry that ass back to me. I'll be waiting."
I shot him a look, turning on my heel and heading into the breakfast line.
My stomach growled at the trays and trays of delicious looking food, my eyes snagging on the custom omelet and waffle bar.
"Oh my god" I groaned, grabbing a togo box and pilling food into so high I'm sure it wouldn't close "I think I've died on gone to heaven."
A masculine chuckle sounded from behind me and I turned my head to find a handsome guy staring at me in amusement.
His long dark hair was pulled back into a small ponytail at the back of his head, his sea green eyes looking at me in equal parts mirth and surprise.
I smiled at him, glancing down at the wheelchair he was currently in "Nice ride."
"This old thing?" he moved them from side to side, the sunlight glinting off the custom painted frame "It's not as nice as the one I'm working on."
I looked at him in surprise, reaching for another serving spoon as I heaped another scoop of homestyle potatoes in my box.
"You make wheelchairs?"
"I make my wheelchairs" he corrected, reaching for a box and the egg scooper "You should see what I can do with my wrench."
His voice trailed off at his last words, making me glance at him.
His cheeks were pink as a blush streaked across his face.
I bit my lip at his reaction, barely holding in my giggle.
"Was that supposed to be an innuendo or something?" I asked after I couldn't take it any longer, full out laughing as my words caused his expression to shift from barely concealed horror "Because if it is... I don't think I want to see anyone's wrenches anytime soon."
He groaned, dropping his head back on the top of his chair "That's so not what I meant."
I sent him a wink, walking a little further down the buffet line.
"I know" I grinned at him "I was just pulling your leg."
"Ah, so the new girl's got a sense of humor" he said, grinning as he followed me "How refreshing to know that not everyone is either a total douchebag or apart of the sympathy committee."
I curtsied with a dramatic flare "Why, thank you good sir."
His grin widened.
"So...what's your name new girl?"
I stepped towards the counter and was about to pull out my wallet when the guy's arm shot out quickly as he handed the cashier a black card.
I paused my movements to send him a nasty side eye "I can pay for my own meals."
He didn't bat an eye "I know you can but I'm about fifty points away from scoring two-hundred travel miles. Your food plus mine would send me over that limit. So in actuality, you're doing me a favor."
"I still don't like the thought of someone buying my food" I pointed it out "Or having to owe someone."
"Think of it as a welcome to school gift" he shook his head "Now are you going to tell me your name willingly or will I have to earn it by throwing some of my favorite jokes your way?"
His upbeat attitude was seemingly contagious because I couldn't help the small smile from gracing my lips.
"Nova" I finally said, "Like the star."
"Hmm..."
I raised an eyebrow "And your name?"
Those sea green eyes of his took on a mischievous glint "How badly do you want to know new girl?"
I smirked at his little game, schooling my features quickly.
"Not bad enough" I say with a shrug as I grabbed my boxes and twirled on my feet, striding towards the exit "See you later!"
"Wait!" he called out and I could hear the tires on his wheelchair squeak on the marble floor as he made his way quickly towards me "Hey! Wait up!"
"No, I don't think I will!" I called over my shoulder "Thanks for the trade!"
"You're really going to run away from a guy in a wheelchair?" he called after me "Those legs of yours walk faster than what my arms can wheel!"
I paused my steps, sending a glare over my shoulder.
"You are so not using the wheelchair card on me."
"I got you to stop, didn't I?" he exhaled, a single piece of hair falling out of his neatly pulled back hair "I think the wheelchair cards works for me in some cases."
I shot him a mean glare but all he did was grin at me and hold out a hand.
"I'm Pluto."
"Like the non-existent planet?" I cocked my head, extending my own hand to shake his "Or the animated dog?"
"The God actually," he laughed "But most people guess the dog. You're probably the first person to guess the planet."
I laughed.
"Where you going in such a hurry new girl?" he asked, his eyes glittering "Why aren't you eating your food while its hot?"
"Because I'm currently in the middle of a stupid tour" I rolled my eyes "And why aren't you in class? I thought it ended in five minutes?"
"I'm allowed to get out of class ten minutes early to beat the crowds" he gestured to his wheelchair "The hallways are a bitch to navigate with a million wolves sauntering around."
I groaned "Don't tell me that."
"Not a crowd person?"
"Nope" I shook my head "Not even a people person in general."
He was about to say something else when a familiar voice rang out behind me.
"I was gone for less than a minute..." he said gruffly "And somehow you still disobey..."
He stopped talking when he noticed Pluto was right behind me, looking between the two of us with a curious expression in that turquoise gaze of his.
"Mr. Aidon" Phoenix inclined his head "I see you've met the newest addition to Crescent Academy."
Pluto's nodded, sending me a grin "She's rather refreshing to be around."
I snorted "You make me sound like a lemonade."
His eyes lit up "If the wheel fits..."
I laughed at his stupid joke, making his eyes light up even more.
Phoenix huffed, wrapping his meaty hand around my upper arm.
"If you'll excuse us" he said "We have a tour we need to continue."
I sent a smile over my shoulder, waving to Pluto as Phoenix all but dragged me out of the cafeteria.
The turquoise eyes glimmered with an unknown emotion as a crooked smile graced his face.
~~~~~~
"Slow down" I grumbled as Phoenix continued to drag me down the hall "I'd really like for my arm to remain in its socket so that I can eat this food."
He stopped suddenly, whirling on me with a nasty glare.
"Stay away from Pluto" he ordered "That kid is nothing but trouble."
"Him?" I scrunched my nose in confusion "He seems sweet...And funny."
"That kid has broken more hearts around here than there are female shifters" he shook his head "Apparently that smile and charm of his has a way of worming its way into girls...hearts."
"I was talking to him" I rolled my eyes "Not begging him to date me."
"Just stay away from him" he gritted his teeth and turned away from me, slamming open the double doors that led outside.
I grumbled, flipping open my box before scooping a handful of potatoes and eggs into my mouth.
Apparently, now that I had the food in my hands, this asshole wouldn't let me eat it.
"Where are we going?" I muttered around my bite of food "And when were we going to stop?"
He shot me a dirty look, pointing towards a large stadium like building "That's the Fenrir Coliseum but it's known around here by everyone as the Cages"
"Why the Cages?"
"You'll see" he said gruffly, stomping towards the arena "And whatever you do, don't touch the fences."
"Why?"
He didn't answer me, instead making me follow him inside.
He expertly navigated through the coliseum, making me think he's been here too many times before from the way he knew exactly where he was going, which turns to make and everything, as he lead me into the large arena floor.
I gawked when I saw the hundreds of cages lining what would be the gladiators entrances onto the arena floor.
"What is this place?"
"Our Shifting Center" he said "It's where all our shifters practice their shifting, whether it be for the first time or the hundredth time. It's also where we hold our tournaments."
"Tournaments?" I blinked up at him "What kind of tournaments?"
"Think of them like flag football but with wolves instead of humans" he said slowly "But instead of capturing the opposite teams flag, you either have to incapacitate them or make them submit on their own until there are no members left on the opposing team"
"You start off with five players on each team and every three minutes, one of the cages releases a competitor" he pointed towards the cages "It's always random of which player, from which teams, gets released first so it's essential that you make as many players from the other team submit first."
"And if you don't?"
"Then you risk having the max amount of players from the opposing team gunning for you" he said "Which is difficult because not even the best shifter can take on twenty players at once."
"Twenty wolves?" My eyes widened "Twenty freaking wolves? All at once?"
He nodded and I took in the cages with a fresh set of eyes.
"And this place doubles as the shifting center?" I asked "What does that mean?"
"New shifters are unpredictable when they first experience the shift" he explained "The heightened emotions take over and our wolves turn off the human parts of our consciousness in order to protect us from the pain and memories that come with the first shift. The Cages have a dual purpose. They give us enough room to shift but not so much were new shifters are able to ram the gates or rip open the doors. The fencing is also endowed with electrical currents that intensify when a part of a shifter's body touches it, forcing that shifter to either remain stock still or in human form."
I gave him a horrifying look "You torture the students here?"
He shook his head "The students are aware of the Cages purposes. They willingly sign the waivers before each semester."
"What if they don't want to sign the safety waivers."
"Everyone signs the waivers."
I narrowed my eyes at him "But what if they don't?"
"Then their admittance into the Academy will be put on hold" his lips twisted "But if the school admittance fills us before they're able to make their decision, than they lose their spot."
"Then they really don't have a choice when you look at it" I muttered, eying the cages like they were going to animate to life and chase me "Whether they want to or not, they have to sign that waiver or else they'll lose their spot to the most 'prestigious university' in the world."
Either not hearing my words or choosing to ignore them, Phoenix continued on his little practiced tour spiel.
"You're intro into Shifting class will be held here" he said, glancing at me "So I hoped you remembered how to get here because I will not be saving your ass from Coach Calhoun's wrath when you're late."
I glared at him.
Dickhead
~~~~~
The Moment I stepped through the Heir House, my stomach grumbled as loud as a roaring dragon, as I took in the most delicious smells.
The tour absolutely drained me and while I didn't go to classes today like I expected, because apparently Phoenix decided it was a good idea for me to know the layout of the Academy before I started to attend classes, my body still felt like it was hit by a big rig and I was exhausted.
Latin Music sounded from inside the kitchen and the closer I got, the more recognized the familiar tune.
I watched in equal parts surprise and amusement as I took in the scene before me.
Atlas was bobbing his head to the music as he stirred something that smelt absolutely delicious in a big pot.
Kassian munched on an apple as he sat haphazardly on a kitchen stool, scrolling through his laptop.
The moment I entered the kitchen, both of their eyes snapped toward me.
I took a step back, startled at their reaction.
Kassian's eyes lit up as he shut his laptop closed.
"Princess!" he cooed at me "You're finally home!"
"What are you guys doing?"
"My boo thang is cooking me some dinner" Kassian shot Atlas a smug smile, shooting an air kiss his way "Isn't he the sweetest?"
My lips twitched as Atlas scowled at him, throwing a large and heavy looking wooden spoon his way.
Kassian dodged it just in time, the spoon clattering to the floor with a large boom.
"Oy! His Mexican mother is showing!" Kassian cried out, "Watch out before he gets his size fifteen shoes and throws them at you!"
Phoenix choses the moment to walk in from behind me, freaking shirtless and sweaty, walking to the fridge and grabbing a water bottle before walking up to Kassian and slapping the back of his head.
"Stop antagonizing the guy that cooks your food" he said before sending Atlas a pointed look "And you, stop throwing shit. The last time you threw something, you put two holes in the wall and broke our window."
Atlas turned off the stove, reaching for what I assumed where the plates, right next to the stove.
"As long as he doesn't say stupid shit, I won't throw anything" he paused taking on a smug look "I can't say the same for poisoning him though."
"See that Princess" he whined, walking over to be and throwing a muscular arm over my shoulder "They're being mean to me!"
My lips twitched as I untied the stupid school tie from my neck.
Three sets of eyes followed the movement, making me stare at them in confusion.
"What?"
Phoenix was the first to avert his eyes, followed by Atlas.
Kassian's eyes were the only ones who remained on mine, his lips upturned in a small smile.
"Who would have thought you'd be exactly what we needed around here Princess?" he smile turned into a full blown grin "I can't wait to see how exactly you shake things up."