"Next!"

I gulp nervously at the sound of our drama teacher's harsh tone.

Mr. Droney is notorious for being very particular and heavily critical when it comes to casting.

He once asked another teacher to help cast the school's annual musical two years ago, but apparently she was too 'nice' according to him. From then on, he vowed to just cast members of the musical himself. He is basically a very flamboyant version of Simon Cowell, without the British accent.

I watch as Kenzie Peters takes the stage. She is also auditioning for the lead female role of Christine Daae in 'The Phantom of the Opera'.

I have always dreamt of playing the infamous role of Christine, but I have a feeling that Kenzie will most likely take the role this year. She fits the description of the character to a 'tee.' She has the whimsical eyes that hold curiosity and sweetness, and her voice is so light and airy.

Anytime I've ever heard her sing, she'd brings me to tears. So, it is kind of idiotic to even audition for the same role as her, but, like I said, it has been a dream of mine. Regardless, I know I'll get casted as some role whether it be part of the chorus or another character because Mr. Droney tends to favor me.

What a shocker, right?

"Miss Peters, please begin by singing the beginning of Christine's part in 'The Phantom of the Opera' main song."

Kenzie nods before singing.

"In sleep he sang to me. In dreams he cameEe ugh," she begins to sing beautifully until a hoarse and really gross cough overtakes the next line.

Everyone cringes at the sound, and poor Kenzie stops singing, bolting from the stage in pure embarrassment.

Mr. Droney stands up with a frown as she runs out of the auditorium, tears streaming her angelic face. His pale blue eyes reflect a hint of sadness before switching back to a passive and stoic face.

"Alright. Next!"

I look around, noticing I'm the next to go. Kaia nudges my arm with an encouraging smile. I only grimace in response, not feeling confident after watching Kenzie mess up. She is the queen of the drama department, and even she broke down.

"You'll do great, El! Just pretend it's only you and Maverick," Kaia says sweetly.

I think about Maverick just being here as he'd listen to me sing. My stomach twists into a bunch of knots at the thought.

"Yeah, no. That just made it worse." She rolls her eyes before shoving me towards the stage.

As I hesitantly walk up the stage, Mr. Droney's passive facade is replaced with a sincere smile.

See, I told you he likes me.

"Ah, Elora Waters. I see you are also auditioning for the role of Christine. Could you also please sing the same part. Try not to hack up a lung. I don't want to throw up my lunch again..." I quirk an eyebrow at his last utterance, nodding along.

"Yeah, of course."

I take a deep breath before I let the beginning of the song flow from my mouth. I manage to not cough, and I actually sound somewhat decent, which is good. Mr. Droney also seems pleased, giving me a small smile.

"Well done, Elora. Okay, next we will need Kaia Newall on the stage."

I walk down the stage, giving  Kaia a smile of encouragement. She is auditioning for the role of Meg Giry, the friend of Christine and more of a dancer. I have a feeling she will get the part since only one other person is auditioning for the role, and it's a Freshman.

Usually Mr. Droney gives priority to the upperclassman unless the younger student is simply astounding. Which is what happened with Kenzie Peters our Freshman year.

I, on the other hand, tend to be apart of the chorus.

For instance, last year, I managed to land the role of Mrs. Potts in our Beauty and the Beast musical. I got to sing my own song as Kenzie Peters, who was Belle—of course—and Marcus Drake, who was the Beast—he graduated last year—danced gracefully. The scene was everyone's favorite, including mine.

I think Kenzie and Marcus actually hooked up during the season because their chemistry was amazing. I assumed they broke it off since he must've found his mate or something along those lines.

It is a shame they aren't mates since they are so good together.

"Alright! That is it for auditions! I'll post the results tomorrow!" Mr. Droney exclaims, clasping his hands together quite dramatically. He appears relieved to be done, as is most of us. Kaia effortlessly sings her small audition piece before making her way down the stairs with a shy smile on her face.

As I approach her, I can't help but to feel excited for this production. This is our last year doing this together, and I can feel the excitement yet sadness for this to come and go quickly.

"You did such an amazing job! I'm sure you'll get the role of Meg!" I exclaim, giving her a small side hug as she shrugs.

"Maybe. I think you have a really good chance this year of getting Christine. And if you don't, he will for sure have you as another lead role."

Her honest words of encouragement make me feel good. We both know that Kenzie still has the advantage over me being a lead since our Freshman year, even with her poor audition today, but I honestly feel I have a chance this time.

"Want to get some Wolfie's before you head back home?" Kaia asks, referring to a popular burger joint where most of us werewolves can hang out.

At most other places we aren't completely free to speak about pack and werewolf matters since some humans don't live within the area and surrounding areas, so Wolfie's is the only place we can actually be free. We can even show up in our wolves if we want to. Humans that are mated to wolves, which is pretty rare, are allowed to come in, but otherwise Wolfie's has a strict policy against human entrance.

"Is that even a question?" I smirk before we make our way to Wolfie's.

We decide to walk there since it's fairly close to the school. On our walk there, I text Maverick to let him know where he can pick me up. I know if I don't message him, he'd freak out at me and search all over the area.

"So, one of my friends within the pack, Liz, is having her eighteenth birthday party this coming week. She said I could invite some friends from my old pack. Want to come?" I ask Kaia, and her face falls slightly.

"What's wrong, Kaia?"

"Nothing. Just when you say that this pack is your old pack it makes me upset. But, yeah I'd love to come! I never turn down a party," she says the first part sadly before getting excited about the party part.

"I'll always have a place in my heart for this pack. That actually reminds me, I have to visit my family again..." I trail off feeling a bit guilty for not visiting my parents and siblings.

It's been a few weeks since I've last seen them, even though I've called them quite a few times since I've last left.

I make a mental note to go visit them sometime this weekend.

"Oh, yeah. I keep forgetting to tell you that Dante misses seeing you. He keeps bugging me about going on a double date with you and Maverick." She smiles a bit as we make our way into Wolfie's.

"Yeah, that sounds like a great idea. I surprisingly miss him, too. I'll ask Maverick about it..." I trail off as my eyes flicker over to the menu, and my mouth begins watering at the delectable smells coming from the kitchen.

This place has the best burgers and sweet potato fries ever.

"You getting your usual?" Kaia smirks. I nod in response before going up to the counter and ordering.

————

"I still don't know how you manage to eat three meals of the Alpha deluxe burgers with large sides of sweet potato fries. Every. Single. Time." Kaia eyes up my already empty tray of food while still struggling to finish her medium container of fries.

"I love food... what can I say?" I shrug, but then a familiar laugh resounds next to us. I turn my head to see Maverick with a coy smile on his face.

As he scoots into the booth next to me, he whispers, "I surpass food ... right?"

His breath tickles my ear, sending a shiver to crawl down my spine; my cheeks redden. Kaia coos at how adorable we are together in which I roll my eyes, a blush is still very prominent on my cheeks.

After about a couple more minutes of trying to coax Maverick into doing a double date with Kaia and Dante, we head out to his car, saying goodbye to Kaia. Before I can get inside, Maverick has me pinned up against the car door, his head lowering to the crook of my neck, inhaling my scent.

He groans in pleasure as his hand grazes up my neck and into my hair. He tugs at my strands, our lips almost touching.

"I missed you." His head pokes up as his beautiful golden eyes meet mine.

I cup his cheek with a hand, loving that he's leaning more into my touch.

"I missed you, too."

His lips capture mine in a sweet way, and I feel myself melting once again at how soft and tender he is being with me. I circle my arms around his neck, pushing myself more against him. He lets go, his eyes dark with lust.

"We better stop and finish this later."

His voice is deeper than usual as he pulls away. I nod in agreement as I really don't want to give anyone else a free 'show'.

"Mav?"

Who the heck is that?

His eyes snap up towards the source of the voice.

I turn around to see a gorgeous girl with flowing black hair and caramelized skin. Her eyes are a vibrant green, and she has a thinner shape with beautiful, hourglass curves. I feel myself getting jealous just by looking at her.

She looks like a goddess. Maybe she is a goddess?

At the thought, my wolf becomes uneasy, and she began to mutter profanities towards the girl. Thankfully, she can't hear us...or can she?

Well crap, I hope she can't. Her wolf probably is stronger than me....HOLD UP. She called OUR Maverick ...Mav.

"Faye?"

I look up at Maverick to see a conflicting emotion glimmering in his eyes. I snap my head towards her again, as she walks towards us.

Who the hell is Faye?

——————
Heyyyy
So, who do you think is Faye? Also who has a guess of what may be coming within the next updates?

Also expect to be seeing stuff about Liz's birthday party and more about the Dracs! Which will be coming soon! Ooooo

Thank you to those who continue to read, comment and/or vote! 🤗 seriously love y'all so so much!!

Much love <3
~Madelyn Joy

**edited 9/29/2021**