This is the day students await for the most out of the whole week. It's the day they get to go home after classes - at least those who can afford to.

Not all students who attend Ravenwood Academy are rich, necessarily. Some come from a powerful pack or are strategically selected for their potential, that’s why they are so meticulous with their admission process.

Arguably, some packs are fixer-uppers. Not exactly fearsome yet, but with the potential for more. Maybe they just never had the right Alpha or a powerful Luna to boost their chances.

The school committee looks at each application and depending on your pack’s reputation, they may decide to throw you a bone if you are the Alpha's heir.

Don't expect a no-name Omega like me to be chosen, I was just lucky to offer them the opportunity to fill out a quota. Two quotas, as a matter of fact.

The reality of the matter is that Alphas tend to send only one child to this school. It's expensive as I said before, so they place their bets on the best chance they have of making a solid match.

The Strongholds, on the other hand, have no money restriction so it was easy for them to send both sons. But if you can only afford to send one child to this academy, it's a far better bet to send an Alpha than a Beta, Gamma, or Omega.

With that mentality, it is easy to see why they need scholarship Omegas like me. Because there are a minimum of spots to fill and not enough applicants who are willing to pay.

Yes, when you send your application you already specify if you need a scholarship, just like you would for any college.

It's rare for the academy to admit two or more applicants from the same pack…

By the way, I should point out that the Alpha of my pack could not send his heir because he is younger than me. Ravenwood only accepts legal adults already out of high school, so from my pack, there was no better candidate than me. I mean, a paying candidate.

For the students who live in the nearest states, it's cheaper to go home. Just take a few buses and you're gold. But if you came from the West Coast, for instance, no parent is going to fly you out every weekend just to see your face.

Unless of course, they own a private jet.

The holdovers are less enthusiastic about the weekend, but at least it's a chance to check out the local town - students are free to come and go as they please on weekends, but there is a curfew for the gate to close and you don't want to be left alone in the woods…

I am sure there is a hotel, motel, or B&B that you could stay, but again no parent is going to pay for you to stay away overnight when there is a perfectly nice bed for you to sleep in that they are already paying for.

Even rich people draw the line at wasting money. Or so I think. But as long as you are back to the Academy by ten p.m. knock yourselves out…

I am looking forward to going home. For me, it's just a few hours away from Boulder. No need for a plane or helicopter, I am perfectly capable of getting on a bus.

“So, at what time does the chopper arrive to pick you up today?” I asked Seth while we were eating breakfast in the Omega section of the academy's dining hall.

“There's no helicopter picking us up today. Our father is sending a car service to the airport, then we’ll get on his plane to Texas. From there, our chauffeur will drive us back to our pack.” He replied, not exactly sounding excited about it.

“Wow. That sounds like a lot!” I noted, already tired from hearing about the long journey.

“Yes, it is. Dad already told us we will have to stay over a few weekends here.” He said with a disheartening tone.

“That's okay, Seth. I'll take you to my house in Boulder for the weekend when that happens. You won't be left alone here.” I offered him with a kind smile and he lit up.

“Thanks for the offer. I am sure I am going to love it there.” He told me, feeling cheerful.

“Actually, I would love to take you back to my pack sometime.” He proposed with an enthusiastic grin, surprising me.

“I don't think I can afford the plane ticket, to say the least.” I told him, feeling a bit embarrassed about it.

“We’ll take our plane. Don't worry about it.” He assured me with a gentle smile.

It's funny. I did not expect to find such a cool guy as my roommate, not at all. Especially being as rich as he is. He could be intolerable like his twin brother, but instead, he is so humble and down to Earth. It's really amazing.

“I would be honored to visit your pack.” I told him, humbled by the invitation. Though I opened the door, I meant what I said. I wouldn't want him to feel lonely here.

After breakfast, I went ahead to my first class of the day. On the way, I was approached by a familiar face. A handsome one at that.

“Good morning, cutie. Are you excited for the weekend?” Jayden asked me as we walked towards the classroom together.

“I am very excited. What about you? Are you going back to Georgia?” I asked him, remembering that is where he is from.

“Yes, I am. I have a free period this afternoon, so I'll go right away. I am anxious to see my family back home.” He replied, sounding homesick.

For many students, this is the first time that they ever spend this much time away from home. I understand it can be daunting.

I am sure the liberty of college is promising, but werewolves are family oriented beasts. And Ravenwood is not the same as college. But it is much freer than high school, of course.

“Do you have a big family?” I asked him, curiously.

“Just my parents and a little sister. But there are also my grandparents who are very active in our lives.” He replied, sounding nostalgic.

“I love my grandparents too. They were the last mated couple in our town before the… you know.” I informed him, missing them too.

“Yeah, my grandparents are mated too. They are so affectionate to each other. I love my parents, but they are not like that at all.” He told me with some dread.

“At least they are still together. My father abandoned my mother even before the claiming ceremony. I mean, he didn't even bother to claim her.” I admitted, vulnerably.

Jayden hugged me for a moment in a comforting embrace.

“I am sorry to hear this. I hope that never happens to you.” He soothed me.

“Well, that's why am I here.” I said, awkwardly.

We entered the classroom where Seth was looking at us with hearts in his eyes. We took our seats and he was smiling at me.

“I ship this. Count me in for a housewarming gift when you move to Georgia. #Jayke” He encouraged, causing Jayden and me to blush.

“Like his grandfather would ever let him claim a scholarship kid! Wake up, brother! We are not here for charity!” Skylar scoffed from his seat in the classroom.

Whispers broke out as Seth and Jayden glared daggers at him for the comment. I am mortified by being called out like this.

“Skylar, shut up! It can't be always about the money! That's a lesson you should have already learned by now!” Seth snarled at him, protective of me.

“Oh, my naive brother… It is always about the money! What do you think we are doing here?” He scoffed, dismissively.

“Oh yeah? Good luck claiming a Matarazzo then.” He poked fun at his epic fail the other day.

“Thank you, little brother. It's good to have goals.” He mouthed off as if that was legitimate support. He is not letting the rejection get to him.

“Why did he say his grandfather wouldn't let Jayden claim me?” I asked Seth, confused about this. If he would have said father, I would have understood. But grandfather seems too specific.

“I have no idea, to be honest. I don't know why he said that.” He replied, puzzled like me.

Skylar laughed at our innocence.

“Do you seriously not know who his grandfather is?” He questioned his twin brother with a smirk plastered all over his smug face.

“Skylar! Don't!” Jayden pleaded with him, afraid to have his grandfather's identity revealed for some reason.

“Wait, what? Who is your grandfather?” I turned to him inside the busy classroom, positively intrigued by this mystery.

“It's not relevant to the conversation, cutie. Forget about it!” He tried to evade the issue, sounding troubled.

Seth and I looked at each other confused by this.

“Who is his grandfather that you think won't let him claim Jake?” Seth asked his brother, impossibly curious and annoyed at him.

Skylar laughed at his brother's ignorance.

“I'm gonna give you a hint: he's big, scary, and runs this school?” He replied and I gasped in shock at the revelation.

I turned to Jayden who was looking uncomfortable.

“But you said your name was Jayden Johnson!” I exclaimed in an accusatory tone.

“It is!” He insisted.

“Jayden Lockwood Johnson. His mother is the Alpha of the White Claw pack, the most powerful wolf pack in Georgia. There's no way he's gonna claim a scholarship student!” Skylar dissed, causing tears to form in my eyes.

“Oh my Goddess!” Seth shouted, shell shocked. I was too baffled to say anything, too shocked to even enunciate.

“Thanks for letting me dream that I was enough for you!” I told Jayden, just before I bolted out of the classroom in tears.

I am so embarrassed. How could I allow myself to be so naive? I rushed to the nearest bathroom and Seth followed me worriedly.

“This doesn't have to mean anything! There's no reason to believe he was being insincere when he flirted with you.” He tried to reason with me as I bawled my eyes out inside the male restroom.

“Seth, you know as well as I do, if he's the headmaster’s grandson then he will need to set an example in regards to his claiming. Alpha Lockwood will never let him claim me! Not in a million years!” I yelled at him, though I was not mad at Seth at that moment.

I just had to get my hopes up. I knew I was trying for the moon here, but he let me dream. Jayden made me think for a brief period that it was about genuine connections and not always pedigree.

“You don't know that! Maybe he is a romantic at heart.” Seth argued in a light tone.

I do appreciate his support, but I have been awakened now. I was just dreaming, but now I know what will happen.

Jayden may play with my heart and give me hope, but he is not going to claim me next year. I should give up on this pipe dream of being claimed in this academy. No one will look at me here.

After some time trying to get it together and washing my face, Seth and I returned to the classroom where a teacher gave us the stink eye for showing up late.

After the class ended, Jayden approached me looking remorseful.

“I am sorry I didn't tell you this before, but I promise everything I told you was the truth. I am not playing with you.” He told me, feeling bad about the situation.

“I believe you. You made me believe it was possible for me to not be ignored here just because I am not rich or come from a powerful pack. But it was just a pipe dream. Soon you'll move on to the person you'll actually claim.” I told him, completely heartbroken.

Jayden tried to hug me but I pushed him off of me.

“It's okay. It was nice meeting you.” I spoke, then turned around to walk to the next classroom.

This day has taken such a turn. I don't know why I thought it would be any different. That he would be any different than the others.

“I am so very sorry. I really thought he was the one for you. I like that he saw past conventions and went for the one he liked, instead of what most of the other students are doing.” Seth tried to console me, though that only made me feel worse.

“I liked that too. But it was just an illusion. This is the Ravenwood Academy. There are no dreams here. Maybe I get a disappointed Beta at the end of the year. Or one of your disappointed suitors.” I told him, who scowled.

“You cannot think like that. You deserve more than scraps, my friend.” He encouraged me, but I was feeling so disappointed that nothing could cheer me up today. Not even the promise of going home later, though that certainly helped.

Jayden felt guilty for leading me on. I caught him glancing at me all through our classes together. I can appreciate the fact that he wasn't being a player. He wasn't toying with me just to break my heart when he announced another Omega at the end of the school year.

This isn't like one of those high school romantic comedies. He wasn't doing this for a bet or just to sleep with me. In fact, if there's one assurance I have in this place is that no one in their right mind will try to bed me just for kicks. Unless they have one million dollars lying around…

The last thing I would ever want is to be stuck raising another man's baby by myself, even if I wouldn't have to worry about money. I am here for a partner, not child support check. Goddess protect me!

“I am still not convinced there is no hope for the two of you.” Seth was still trying to keep me encouraged about #Jayke

“What it was that you said again? You can't be claimed by a Gamma or a Beta… why do you think you have such restrictions and he doesn't have any? Do you not think his parents sent him here to make an advantageous match as well?” I countered, playing into his own game.

I am not saying this to be bitter, but I did not enter this academy blindly. I know how the game is played. This is not a new strategy. The academy has been functioning for almost three decades now.

Seth grunted at my comeback.

“Maybe his parents are not so ambitious like mine.” Seth argued in a meek tone, trying to keep the hope alive.

“Right. That is why your brother was flirting with the only girl in this academy with just as much money as you guys. Clearly, he was after Helen for her beauty.” I smirked.

“I was trying to kill two birds with one stone. She is so damn gorgeous! You shouldn't try to encourage your charity case friend that he has any chance with Lockwood. There's a better chance that Helen claims him than Jayden.” Skylar interjected as he walked by our table.

I grimaced at his callous choice of words.

“Fuck you, Skylar! Who are you calling a charity case? Since when does money matter when choosing what kind of people we should have in our lives? It’s no wonder you don't have any friends, just sycophants!” Seth sneered at his brother, furious by his words.

His Alpha buddies all teased him about Seth's comeback.

“Your brother got game! Can I claim him?” One of his housemates said in passing. Skylar glared at him.

“He's not moving to Tennessee, dude! Get a grip!” He chastised him.

“Stop doing that, Skylar! For fuck's sake! No one will claim me because nobody is good enough for you!” Seth barked at him, livid. His eyes glowed in rage.

“I wish these bitch ass Alphas stopped asking for my brother's permission and started asking me about how I feel! What the fuck! I thought you people were Alphas, not punk ass bitches!” Seth growled at the group of boys.

Wow. So, that happened. This little interaction caught everybody's attention. My roommate is tired of being treated like a second class citizen and he's right.

This isn't Victorian Era London, his brother should not be consulted in who gets to claim him. Omegas are fierce.

I just hope to get a chance of having someone battling out for me the same way people do for Seth.

A|N: Revelations…

Love,

Léo.