Chapter 3: Hangover. 

Betty's POV. 

The rays of the sun suddenly flashed in my eyes, piercing through the thin curtain by the window.  

The first thing I felt was a great pounding in my head, like someone beating a drum inside my skull.

 My mouth felt dry, and my tongue heavy with the bitter taste of last night's drinks.

I groaned and rolled over on the bed.

A sudden urge came.

"Oh no..."

I jumped up, holding my head, and staggered toward the restroom on my weak legs.

By the time I reached the sink, I was already gagging. I bent forward, grabbed the cold porcelain, and threw up. 

When it stopped, I spat and wiped my mouth, ready to leave the restroom, when another one came and forced me to stay there for a while. 

When I finished, I looked at my watery eyes and my hair stuck to my sweaty face in the mirror.  I cursed under my breath, whispering things I don't understand. 

When the urge finally ended, I leaned against the wall, clutching my stomach.

 I felt my pounding head and my throat was dry from thirst.

I walked out of the bathroom, still rubbing my aching head, and almost dropped my towel in shock when I saw Grandma. 

 She was standing by my bed, holding a tray with a steaming bowl of soup.

"Grandma?" I whispered, blinking at her.

She gave me a small smile. "It's hangover soup. You need it."

She smirked. "Ah, the great party queen finally wakes up, thought you would outdrink yourself, uh"?

My cheek immediately turned red. " It wasn't that bad."

Grandma let out a laugh, shaking her head. "Not that bad?

 You were literally walking like a duck with one leg last night.

 "Claire brought you home last night... drunk and wasted."

My eyes went wide, and I quickly sat on the bed, holding the blanket tight. "W-what? She told you?"

 You were singing and talking nonsense the whole way in. Oh, poor Claire had to carry you like a baby."

I covered my face with both hands. "Grandmaaa..."

She only chuckled more and pushed the bowl closer to me. "Here, drink this. Hangover soup. It will help your head before it breaks in two."

"I know the signs, dear. Sit and eat before your stomach gives you more trouble."

I couldn't stop the embarrassed laugh that slipped out of me.

I finished the soup quickly and set the bowl aside. My hands shook as I picked up my phone.

I opened the school portal, and my heart started racing. I typed in my details slowly, afraid I might get something wrong.

My palms were sweaty, and I wiped them on my clothes before pressing "Enter."

The page soon began to load as I anxiously waited.

The loading bar crawled to the end, and then the page opened.

I stared at the screen, hardly believing what I was seeing. 

I jumped up from the bed so fast I almost dropped my phone. My heart was beating very fast, and I couldn't stop smiling.

Without thinking, I ran out of my room. With my bare feet stomping against the floor as I shouted, "Grandma! Grandma!"

The words came out of me before I even reached her. "I got in! I was admitted!"

I laughed breathlessly, with my heart full of excitement.

I quickly dialled Claire's number, my hands shaking with excitement, and the phone rang, but she didn't answer.

"Come on, Claire pick up," I muttered, pacing around.

When the call ended, I tried again, but couldn't get through. 

"Claire! It's me!" I said, almost out of breath. "Please call me back the moment you hear this. I have something really good to tell you."

Chapter 4: Admission. 

Claire's POV. 

The meeting hall was filled with tension. 

Alpha Damien is at the head of the table, strong and serious. 

The Betas sat beside him, the Elders close by and omegas standing while others spread out the maps showing borders and patrol lines.

"We can't leave the east side unguarded again," one Elder said. "The rogues will see us as weak."

One of the Betas agreed. "We need more patrols, but we are short of warriors."

I was about to speak when my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I wanted to ignore it, knowing the rules that no one was supposed to be disturbed during pack meetings, but my phone continuously buzzed, causing a distraction in the meeting.

I quickly hid the phone to avoid further distraction. 

I gave a small, awkward laugh, trying to cover it up. "Uh... I'll... come back to that," I said, forcing a smile.

Alpha Xavier raised a brow while the Elders exchanged quiet looks.

Alpha Damien's sharp eyes stayed on me as if he knew something. 

Inside, I was cursing myself just one message from Betty, and I had forgotten everything I meant to say.

For the first time, I wanted the meeting to end so badly that I ignored it even with the Alpha watching me closely.

When the meeting finally ended, everyone started to leave the room.

 The Elders and betas bowed to the Alpha, and they talked quietly as they walked out. 

I gathered my papers, trying to act calm, when Alpha Damien's voice rang.

"Claire," Alpha Damien's voice stopped me.

I turned around, and I saw him still sitting at the head of the table with a small smirk on his face.

"You seemed lost today," he said. 

I tried to smile. "Just a little tired, Alpha."

He raised a brow. "Or maybe your human friend sent something that distracted you?"

I stopped my movement for a while. "You... heard?" I asked, though I already had the answer.

His smirk grew lightly  "You wear your emotions too openly, Claire. Don't let a human pull you away from pack matters."

"Yes, Alpha," I said softly.

He gave a small nod, then stood. "Be careful," he added before walking past me.

 I watched him leave, while my fingers wrapped around my phone. "No warning could keep me from calling Betty," I said, smiling to myself. 

First of all, I need to hear the voice note to know what happened. 

Her voice played in my ear, full of excitement. "Claire! It's me! Please call me back the moment you hear this. I have something really good to tell you. You won't believe it!"

What news could make her that happy? I wondered. 

I quickly looked for a quiet hallway and around and made sure no one was looking.

My heart beat a little faster as I raised my hand and whispered the words. A soft blue and golden light formed in the air, slowly spinning until a portal opened in front of me.

Without looking,  I stepped inside  

The light quickly disappeared and I found myself inside Betty's apartment. 

Claire's POV.

The meeting hall was filled with tension.

Alpha Damien is at the head of the table, strong and serious.

The Betas sat beside him, the Elders close by and omegas standing while others spread out the maps showing borders and patrol lines.

"We can't leave the east side unguarded again," one Elder said. "The rogues will see us as weak."

One of the Betas agreed. "We need more patrols, but we are short of warriors."

I was about to speak when my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I wanted to ignore it, knowing the rules that no one was supposed to be disturbed during pack meetings, but my phone continuously buzzed, causing a distraction in the meeting.

I quickly hid the phone to avoid further distraction.

I gave a small, awkward laugh, trying to cover it up. "Uh... I'll... come back to that," I said, forcing a smile.

Alpha Xavier raised a brow while the Elders exchanged quiet looks.

Alpha Damien's sharp eyes stayed on me as if he knew something.

Inside, I was cursing myself just one message from Betty, and I had forgotten everything I meant to say.

For the first time, I wanted the meeting to end so badly that I ignored it even with the Alpha watching me closely.

When the meeting finally ended, everyone started to leave the room.

The Elders and betas bowed to the Alpha, and they talked quietly as they walked out.

I gathered my papers, trying to act calm, when Alpha Damien's voice rang.

"Claire," Alpha Damien's voice stopped me.

I turned around, and I saw him still sitting at the head of the table with a small smirk on his face.

"You seemed lost today," he said.

I tried to smile. "Just a little tired, Alpha."

He raised a brow. "Or maybe your human friend sent something that distracted you?"

I stopped my movement for a while. "You... heard?" I asked, though I already had the answer.

His smirk grew lightly "You wear your emotions too openly, Claire. Don't let a human pull you away from pack matters."

"Yes, Alpha," I said softly.

He gave a small nod, then stood. "Be careful," he added before walking past me.

I watched him leave, while my fingers wrapped around my phone. "No warning could keep me from calling Betty," I said, smiling to myself.

First of all, I need to hear the voice note to know what happened.

Her voice played in my ear, full of excitement. "Claire! It's me! Please call me back the moment you hear this. I have something really good to tell you. You won't believe it!"

What news could make her that happy? I wondered.

I quickly looked for a quiet hallway and around and made sure no one was looking.

My heart beat a little faster as I raised my hand and whispered the words. A soft blue and golden light formed in the air, slowly spinning until a portal opened in front of me.

Without looking, I stepped inside

The light quickly disappeared and I found myself inside Betty's apartment.

Claire's POV. 

The warm smell of soup and porridge instantly filled the air. Before I knew it, I saw Betty coming out of the kitchen. 

"Claire!"

Betty rushed toward me and wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug. I froze for a second, surprised, then slowly hugged her back.

"I tried calling you!" she said, pulling back a little. "You won't believe what happened!"

"I can tell," I said softly. "You sounded happy in your message."

 "Can you believe it, Claire? I got in! Texas Fashion University actually accepted me!"

I smiled, patting her shoulders. "I can believe it," I said softly. "You worked hard for this."

She grinned with her excitement lighting up the whole room. I waited for her to calm down a little before I told her mine.

"Actually," I said, "I got admitted too."

Her eyes went wide. "What? Claire! You too?"

I nodded. "I already saw my result earlier. I was just waiting for you to get yours before saying anything."

Betty gasped and laughed at the same time, pulling me into another tight hug. "We're going together then!" she said, her voice full of joy.

I laughed with her, feeling her excitement and warmth. "Yes," I said. "Together."

We were laughing and cheering in the living room and Grandma looked proud and full of joy.

"My girls!" she said, smiling. "Let me bring a tray of fruits to celebrate."

She stood up and walked to the kitchen, humming a song until we heard a loud shout "ahh!" coming from the kitchen.

My heart jumped. "Grandma?" I called.

Claire and I looked at each other very scared, then we ran straight to the kitchen.

When we got there, we saw Grandma already on the floor. The tray was beside her, and the fruits were scattered everywhere. She held her waist and looked like she was in pain.

"Grandma!" I cried, kneeling beside her. "Are you okay?"

She tried to smile but her voice was weak. "I slipped, dear."

Claire came closer and said softly, "Don't move her yet."

"Please be okay, Grandma," I whispered, holding her hand tightly as tears filled my eyes.

Claire and I helped Grandma stand up slowly.

"It's okay, Grandma," I said. "We'll take you to your room."

We walked her carefully down the hallway to her room. When we reached her bed, Claire helped her sit while I fixed the pillows behind her back.

"There, better?" I asked.

She nodded, but I could still see the pain in her eyes.

Claire went to get some balm, and I stayed beside Grandma, holding her hand. "You really scared us," I said quietly.

She gave a small smile. "I didn't mean to, my dear."

When Claire came back, we rubbed the balm gently on Grandma's leg and side. She winced a little at first, then sighed in relief.

"That feels much better," she said.

Claire smiled. "You'll be fine, Grandma. Just rest now."

I nodded, feeling calmer as I saw her relax.

Grandma looked at us and said softly, "I'm lucky to have you both."

I smiled and squeezed her hand. "We love you, Grandma."

The room felt warm again, and everything felt a little peaceful.

Claire's POV. 

After we helped Grandma lie down, I made sure she was feeling less pain using my power to ease her pain.

"She'll be okay," I whispered to Betty. "Stay with her, please."

Betty nodded. "I will."

I gave Grandma one last look before walking out of the room quietly.

Outside the house, the night air instantly engulfed me.

I took a deep breath and raised my hand. A soft blue light appeared around my fingers, swirling gently until a glowing portal formed in front of me.

I stepped inside and the portal led me to Alpha Damien's private room. 

Inside, the air changed at once.

 The smell of herbs and smoke filled my nose. The walls were made of dark stone, and fire from the torches flickered, lighting the space in a soft orange glow.

Alpha Damien stood near a round table, talking with the High Priestess. She wore a white robe that seemed to shine in the dim light. When she saw me, her sharp eyes met mine.

"Claire," Damien said in a serious voice. "You came just in time."

I nodded, feeling my heart beat faster as the room suddenly became quiet. 

Alpha Damien stood beside me with his arms crossed, his face was calm, but I could feel the tension in the air.

The High Priestess stepped closer, her white robes brushing against the floor as she spoke. 

"The next full moon falls in thirty days," she said. "That is when the ritual must take place."

My heart skipped a bit. Thirty days. That wasn't much time.

She turned her gaze to me, and I felt a chill crawl down my spine. "Claire, you and Alpha Damien must prepare in silence.

This moon only comes once in many years. If you miss it..." She paused, her tone turning colder. "There will not be another chance."

I swallowed hard, feeling my throat tighten. "Yes, High Priestess," I said quietly.

Damien nodded too, his jaw firm. "We'll be ready."

The High Priestess' eyes lingered on me for a moment longer, "Gather everything needed before the thirtieth night," she said. "The moon's light must meet the sacred mark before dawn, or there will be consequences."

Her voice echoed in my head even after she turned away. I could feel the weight of her warning pressing on my chest. One mistake could ruin everything.

As she disappeared into the dim light, Damien looked at me. "You heard her," he said. "We have to move fast."

I nodded, though my hands felt cold. "I'll start tonight. I'll make sure everything is ready."

You know what to do," he said.

I nodded again. "I'll start tonight."

I was lost in thought after the High priestess left, leaving Damien and me together, when he suddenly spoke. 

"Claire, I need you to focus on this ritual. It's very important. You'll have to give less attention to your human friend for now."

I blinked in surprise. "Betty?" I asked softly.

He nodded. "Yes. I know she means a lot to you, but she doesn't belong in this part of our world. If you get distracted, we might fail the ritual and you know we can't risk that."

His words made my heart burn. I didn't expect him to say that. Betty had nothing to do with this.