Chapter 3

One week after the death of my parents and here I was at the foot of The University of Maine. These past few days have felt like a dream, one that seemed more like a nightmare that I could not wake up from. Several times I woke up screaming and searching for my parents, but I was alone. Nathaniel was kind enough to let me stay with him and he was patient with me when I had moments of sadness. He drove me to my new apartment last night. I am 18 and never lived on my own, but somehow I needed to learn how to survive on my own from now on.

My wolf has grown silent, and I don't know why. She had always been my strength when things were too hard to handle, but since that night she has barely spoken.

Something about that night has left her afraid, and when her thoughts break through all I feel is fear. I think she is trying to protect me from her emotions, but I wish she would talk to me. Because if I don't have her than I really am alone.

The entrance to the campus makes me feel small and the crowd of students brushing past me makes me feel invisible, but that's what I should be. Nathaniel warned me to try to keep a low profile while I am here, to do my best to blend in. He doesn't think the Alpha wanted to hurt me, but he is still unsure. No one here knows what I am and hiding among humans seems to be the safest bet right now.

So I step forward and wander in search of some kind of sign that points me in the right direction. This campus feels bigger than I remember, and I can't seem to remember where the administration office is. Someone must of sensed my utter confusion because a handsome guy walked up to me and asked if I was lost. As I looked at him and then around me I noticed he was with a group of guys who all looked equally handsome. What kind of group has that man good looking guys in it?

"Hey are you new here?" One asked me.

I nod my head but can't seem to speak.

"Cool! I am Tommy, I am a junior! Can I help you find where you need to go?" The first guy, Tommy asks.

"Yeah thanks! I am trying to find the administration office." I reply trying to seem confident.

"Sure, take this path down to that building and it's the first door on the left!" He says pointing in the direction I need to follow.

"Thanks so much." I say beginning to walk away.

He grabs my arm before I can, not tight enough to hurt me but enough to stop me.

"What's your name?" he asks with a charming smile.

It made me wonder how many girls he used that smile on before he saw me.

"Maya." I say trying to seem interested.

"That's a really pretty name! Hey, here is my number, text me or call if you need directions again!" He says handing a small piece of paper he had written on.

I took the paper a little surprised by how forward he was, and he and his friends turned and walked away. One of his friends patted his back as if to congratulate him on yet another conquest. I was sure I would never call him. I decided to keep the number in case I did need directions again, but that would be the only reason I would ever contact him.

I walked down the path he had shown me and I glanced at different groups of students occupying the grass areas along the path. Some were lounging around with their friends laughing and smiling together, and others were reading or writing in notebooks. I could imagine myself finding a comfortable spot under a tree near here and studying. I had wanted to major in business so I could find a stable job after I graduated, but since my parents had left so much money for me I decided to major in art.

Art had always just been a hobby for me, even though many of my past teachers said I had a natural ability and eye for it. My parents always encouraged me to pursue the things that made me happy, but I wanted to be responsible and practical. Now it seems like such things are meaningless, and I have no reason to pursue the future I had once planned. In truth I didn't know what I wanted my future to be anymore. Deciding on being an art major allows me to enjoy something I love while I try to discover what my new dream is.

I had heard that the University also offered a foreign art program for Sophomores, and that sounded like something I definitely wanted to try. After about 10 minutes of walking and taking in everything I finally found the right room, and slowly opened the door. After a tedious process of enrollment, I take my time and observe all the sights along the way to my apartment that was across the main street. My parents must have paid a fortune to get me an apartment so close to campus.

When I entered my new apartment I flipped down on my new couch and scanned the room. Everything was new, and the apartment was furnished from the light fixtures to the toilet paper holders. I still couldn't believe that I had lived a middle class life all these years and now was living as some kind of trust fund kid.

I really didn't know my parents at all. The secret behind them was killing me.