HUNTED-Chapter 390: Aila’s Graduation Day! (2)

When they finally parted ways, Aila was among the students, keeping her head low as they walked in a row to their seats in the cathedral. That didn’t stop others from instantly recognising her and whispering gossip about her. Some of them were her classmates, half of them too afraid to speak to her, yet the others smiled and waved at her like they used to.

Jodie and Kelly were the first to come up to Aila and catch up as though they’d never parted, and she was not now one of the most powerful women in the room. She’d always liked the pair and forgot how close they once were. The last six months felt more like three years. Yet she enjoyed their company and took some photos with them.

Some ushers came by and politely told her old university friends to take their seats so they could start. It was then Aila realised they were one of the last ones to remain standing. Oops. She hoped the other students and people didn’t think she thought she was ’all that’ now she was Queen of all werewolves.

"Pfft, please. You ARE all that now," Malia howled in her mind with a slight giggle. "Don’t worry about these.. peasants!"

Malia especially pronounced the ’P’ in peasants to add more dramatic flair to her inner commentary. Aila had to refrain from laughing out loud lest those around her thought she was a ’luna-tic’ and gossip would spread.

Jodie hugged her quickly, followed by Kelly, who tightened her hold on Aila a moment longer. She pulled back and smiled at her, her hand moving a stray hair from Aila’s face. Kelly was back to being in her ’motherly mode’.

The girl was always looking after everyone on a night out, no matter how drunk she was. Kelly ensured everyone got home alright and put a few friends into the recovery position. Aila never went out that much, but when she did, Kelly was always there, ensuring she was comfortable and having a good time.

Kelly dropped her hand, holding Aila’s gaze. "Remember to stay in touch. I’m sorry I didn’t reach out sooner. I was stuck in my own silly world of booze, boys and drama.

"I hope you do, and I don’t say that so that I can gossip and sell stories to the press. I always thought of you as a friend, before and after everything that has happened. And keep rocking those white outfits. It suits your hair." She winked before stepping away, unable to stay to hear Aila’s answer due to the usher.

If there were two human friends she’d stay in contact with, it was Jodie and Kelly. Seeing them go to their seats now gave her a bittersweet feeling. They were a part of her past when she was an ordinary student with a normal life.

There was nothing wrong with what she had now, but looking back at them and other familiar faces in the room and understanding that their lives were completely different in such a short time was weird.

"Welcome.." And so, the graduation ceremony began with long yet inspiring speeches about the futures and paths each student had to take now and how the road to success was never easy.

Aila watched the audience of parents, guardians, and friends, her gaze swept over her own party, who were at the back but still looked slightly out of place with their figures, and the humans kept their distance, whispering and glancing at them. Their looks were not malicious but more in awe and afraid to speak to them. Aila shook her head and looked back to the school’s dean and other tutors.

Students’ names were being called out individually, and their walk and face were also shown on screens to those at the back of the cathedral who couldn’t see their beaming faces as they accepted their degrees. Aila was lined up now and felt nerves fluttering away in her stomach again. Now that everyone knew what and who she was, she felt an incredible amount of pressure.

Do not trip. Do not rush your walk. Smile like you’ve practised. It’s only twenty seconds on stage and twenty seconds to walk down the aisle.

"Woman.." Malia began her voice scolding and yet motivating at the same time. "You’re the freakin’ Alpha Queen. This is nothing. You had a whole tv crew and viewers worldwide watching your every move at your wedding. You’ve got this!"

Aila internally nodded her head at her wolf’s pep talk. "I do have it, don’t I?"

"Damn straight!"

"Aila Cross," the dean called out her name.

Aila felt all eyes fall on her and the whispers starting again about her attendance. Tilting her chin slightly higher and stepping towards the stage, her heels clicked loudly along the hushed whispers.

"WOOH!" Ajax’s tell-tale voice screamed at the top of his lungs, making Aila pause, eyes slightly wide and turn in her group’s direction.

The moment Aila did, she realised everybody was standing up, and the sound of their claps and shouts reached her ears.

"Yeah! Aila!" Nairi was next.

"That’s our girl!" Mandy and Andy called out to her.

"You’ve got this!" Esme shouted, with Gabriel giving Aila a small nod and wicked smile.

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"That’s my wife!" Even Damon! Who was the poster boy for being stoic and brooding!

Feeling a boost of energy and confidence, Aila continued her walk as more applause joined in. Reaching out, she shook the dean’s hand and accepted the graduation certificate. "Good luck in all of your endeavours Queen Aila." The dean then glanced at the audience. "You have quite a few fans."

"Friends and family," Aila smiled back, feeling her cheeks warm.

Facing the aisle, Aila walked down it gracefully, feeling more like a model on a catwalk with everyone’s eyes following her and strangers taking photos of her in her cap and gown.

It didn’t matter, though. Aila’s eyes rested on the man of her dreams, the love of her life, her mate and her husband. Damon’s eyes softened, and he mouthed, ’I’m proud of you.’ Her chest warmed at that, and her smile broadened as she came closer to her little group of friends.

The claps continued; her friends, who she considered more like family, did not stop even as another person’s name was called out. Aila shook her head, stopping for a moment before her family.

From Gabriel, Finn and Ajax, the O.G Prisoner’s Club, to her mate, Damon, Beta Kane and their mates and loved ones, all gathered to see her graduate. Her parents sitting beside Damon. Mostly everyone she loved and cared about was there, well and healthy, happy and content. Aila saw the different parts of her life in each of them and the collective strength they provided her.

Damon reached out then, ignoring the procedure whereby Aila would have to return to where the other students gathered. Aila fell into his lap then which caused more than a few people to look over and smile. Chiara had to quieten Ajax and his continued excitement.

Aila wasn’t paying them attention, though. Her mate held onto her tightly, watching her with such an intense gaze that made her almost swoon.

"Damon!" She scolded in a whisper. "You can’t-"

"Alpha King," Damon shrugged, unconcerned. Aila shook her head, her lips gradually widening into a stunning smile as she and Damon continued to gaze at one another, hidden messages sent between them without mind-linking or speaking.

In six months, Aila had never felt more alive in her entire life, from a whirlwind romance with her mate, two kidnappings, deaths, and the supernatural creature’s world being exposed. There had been many ups and downs to the utterly catastrophic and mortifying moments, yet still..

"I wouldn’t change any of it," Aila whispered, feeling her breath halt at the emotions welling up in her eyes and chest.

Damon smiled and pressed his lips against hers breathing life back into her with the sizzling effects of the mate bond. He pulled back then and caressed her cheek tenderly, eyes flicking between hers.

"Our story’s not over yet. It’s only just begun."

The End.