Romance: The Campus Player: A College Romance

by Caroline Lake

  Miranda took the piece of paper the woman had handed her. Written in the parchment was the time scheduled for her to leave the place. Marcella even wrote down the address where her father was staying.

  “I will tell you his whereabouts when I get out of here safely,” she spoke, placing the piece of paper in the pocket of her jeans.

  The woman nodded before giving her an impish smile. “Thanks. I had your dinner prepared. Eat. You’ll be needing energy later.”

  Miranda was left alone in the dark-lit room once more with a tray full of food. Amazed with the generosity of her cousin, she helped herself with the steak and soup that was served for her. More than anything, she was going to need energy for her escape.

  There was a letter on the piece of tissue, saying that the barracks she was in was heavily guarded with Marcella’s father’s henchmen and it was not going to be an easy task to get away. But her cousin reassured her that she would be able to leave the place safely.

  After mulling over things, Miranda came up in a resolve to trust her cousin, Marcella. The woman might not be trustworthy enough but it was better than letting herself rot in that four-cornered room. She would risk her life to save her father.

  I don’t have anything to lose after all… Llewis… No… He’s Jacob… He was never mine in the first place.

  When the night has grown late and quiet, Miranda stayed alert more than ever. She did not sleep or even relax. She was nervous and anxious and scared. But she needed to make a move or else it would be too late.

  In her analysis, her Uncle Jomari was a ruthless man. He never cared about anything except for power. And it would not be impossible that she might end up food for the worms the following morning if she stayed there.

  Hours have passed when the steel doors finally opened again. This time, a tall and bulky man with a scary face came. His expression was empty, making her feel a bit hesitant to follow him.

  “Where are you taking me?” she cried in pain when the stranger grabbed her arm forcefully.

  “The boss is waiting for you,” the man growled, revealing a fake silver tooth.

  The man took quick and large footsteps, literally dragging her out of the dark room. It took a moment before her eyesight could adjust to the brightly laminated lobby.

  She was in Wakerlin all along.

  What happened to the people here?

  Following the way led by the scary guy, Miranda held her breath until they reached the lobby where her father’s study room was located. A surge of anger and fear covered her. She would be meeting her uncle who betrayed her father for the first time.

  Two others were standing right by the doors of Marco Walker’s office. Filling her lungs with air and gathering all the courage she had left, Miranda entered the room without second thoughts.

  The room was dim-lighted and very quiet. She felt goosebumps when the large sliding window behind the swivel chair opened as a black and white wolf entered it.

  “L-Lewis…” she murmured, pressing her eyes closed when she saw the black wolf jumping to assault her. For a moment, she thought she was fine but when she felt blood trickling down her left leg, a tear escaped from the corner of her eye to the carpeted floor.

  7 Rebirth

  “Mira… Mira… Are you okay?”

  Miranda opened her heavy lids. She felt tired. She was naked and her body felt cold and lifeless and she didn’t have the energy to move an inch.

  “W-What are you d-doing here?” she mumbled weakly.

  “I came to take you back,” Llewis replied. Sweat has covered his face and she could see blood on his forehead.

  “What happened?” she inquired before her vision went dark and blurry again.

  Miranda felt creepy when her body hairs started growing abnormally. Her eyes were closed but the sensation coming from her pores were way too great for her not to notice. And the pain she had on her left leg wasn’t helping at all. Her heartbeat was erratic and she could feel her body getting hot.

  As nails starting to grow longer, Miranda sensed her teeth have become sharper. Her weakened body was in excruciating pain and she couldn’t stop screaming. She felt like she was dying and there was nothing she could do about it.

  A few more moments have past and she found herself standing on her feet, catching her breath after making a loud and long growl. Her consciousness was present but her body wouldn’t move the way she wanted it.

  “M-Mira…” she saw Llewis looking at her with horror. He raised his hands in the air taking a few steps away.

  Miranda balanced herself, limping with her left hind leg. She had turned into a wolf. And she didn’t have any idea how. The last thing she could recall was when a black wolf jumped on her.

  “What happened to me?” she said remorsefully. She was in her wolf form and she didn’t know if Llewis could understand her.

  “What happened?!”

  She could hear Llewis’ heartbeat as well as his heavy breathing. The breaking of twigs from the tree in the garden was clearly audible. And if she was right, there was someone else struggling with pain in that room.

  Looking around, Miranda saw her cousin, Marcella lying lifelessly on the carpeted floor – next to the black wolf.

  “She saved you,” Llewis spoke softly, watching his mate wither away like a dried flower. Marcella lost so much blood and was beyond saving.

  “Why?” she whimpered, feeling guilty.

  “Because her father tried to kill you,” he mumbled softly. Llewis’ expression was empty. And she knew how much pain he must be feeling. Marcella was his mate and he was not able to save her.

  Because of me… She died because me…

  Feeling her eyes welling up with tears, Miranda settled down in one spot. She never knew wolves could shed tears, too. She never knew animals could feel pain and remorse as well. And now she’s one of them.

  She became a wolf.

  Before any emotion could devour her system, Miranda remembered her father. Where could he be? Was safe?

  She wanted to ask Llewis but when she opened her mouth, she felt a seasick and her limbs started growing back. Her fur had disappeared and her teeth went back to what it was originally. She was weaker than ever but her wounds have disappeared, like it was never there a few minutes ago.

  “Are you okay?” Llewis asked the immediately, wrapping his arms around her nakedness. She didn’t mind, he had seen her naked a lot of times anyway.

  Tears streamed down her face as things sank in her brain. Her cousin died to save her. And Llewis ended up killing her Uncle Jomari.

  It’s all because of me…

  What more reason could there be?

  ”Have you seen, Papa?” she managed to mumble in between light sobs.

  “He’s safe. He’s with Edmund.”

  “I’m sorry…” she grumbled, feeling guilty. She ruined everything for Llewis or should she call him Jacob?

  “Shh…”

  “I’m so sorry… I didn’t want this to happen.”

  “It’s not your fault.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  Pulling away, Miranda looked at Llewis straight in the eyes, trying to see any emotion from them. But those orbs were blank. And she couldn’t even take a guess what’s going on his mind.

  She felt his hands wiping away her tears, comforting her.

  “You don’t need to apologize. Nobody wanted any of this to happen…”

  Miranda started to recover her senses – this time much powerful than what she had when she was just a normal human being. She could smell blood all over the place and Llewis was literally bathed with it.

  “D-D-Did y-you k-kill all of them?” she gasped in horror, hearing the loud pounding in her chest. Her sorrow was immediately replaced with fear as she watched the man infront of her very intently.

  The man she adored killed over a dozen of people. She trembled in fear, moving away from him, dragging her body against the carpeted floor.

  “M-Mira…”


  “No… don’t come closer.”

  “I just-“

  “Stop there.”

  “Please-“

  “I don’t want to hear anything. Just stay away from me!” she shrieked. Everything happened too fast and she was not in the proper state of mind to absorb all of it.

  8 New Beginning

  “Are you sure about this?”

  Miranda heard her father, Marco Walker, ask her for the nth time. She had packed her bags and was more than ready to take the next flight to Italy.

  It has been two weeks since the incident of her turning. Over the past week, she had managed to control the wolf in her. And she wanted to get space and air away from everything.

  This is the only way to mend my broken heart.

  She had never seen Llewis ever since that night. Day after day, she waited for him to show up. But she couldn’t sense his presence. His familiar scent was not even around.

  Of course, he’s mourning for the loss of his mate. How stupid of you?

  She wanted to see him before leaving. But Miranda knew better. She never meant anything for him. The days they spent together were nothing. She was just a mere diversion. And seeing her would only remind him of Marcella – the woman he truly loves.

  A night before, she heard her father talking over the phone with Llewis. He was appointed as her father’s successor after learning that he was an alpha. He received praise and the trust of the pack, believing that he could take on the responsibility of her father in the future.

  Miranda believed in him.

  But she couldn’t imagine herself staying in the woods. She was born human and being a wolf wouldn’t stop her from living like she always did. She wanted to achieve her dreams and become a doctor. She would fall in love and have a family of her own – just like she planned.

  You already fell in love with someone, her alter-ego reminded.

  I could fall in love again when the pain goes away.

  She might have spent a short time with Llewis but she knew herself better than anyone else. Getting over him would not be an easy task. But she has to.

  “I’ll call you when I get there,” she said, kissing her father on the forehead.

  Going to Italy was not just about moving on or getting a new kind of environment. After learning about her mother, Miranda noted that she would find her. But that was a secret. She didn’t want her father to worry about her – worse, stop her.

  She wanted to meet her mother so bad.

  “You know you can visit me anytime if you want,” she joked, giving her father one last kiss on the forehead. She felt him pet her head and nodded.

  “I will, princess.”

  With that, Miranda left Wakerlin with a smile on her face. She felt good to have her father back. But her heart felt empty.

  Goodbye, she uttered quietly, getting on the private plane, a few minutes after arriving in the airport. She was not expecting to sense Llewis but she was half-heartedly waiting for him. But there was no trace of his scent.

  He is not coming, idiot.

  Miranda settled on her seat as the plane took off. She wanted to cry but it’s useless. She had decided to forget about him and leaving was the only way.

  Spending hours in solitude, she pressed her eyes closed and tried to plan the things she wanted to do when she arrives in Italy. Her father have arranged everything for her comfort and bought her an apartment in Venice. She was also told that a man named Mason Jones would be waiting for her arrival in the airport.

  Excitement started to crawl in her body as her mind drifted to the places in Venice. The possibility if finding her mother was the best thing she could ever imagine. She tried to relax and rested for the whole journey, expecting a new chapter for her life to get written.

  "For your safety and comfort, please remain seated with your seat belts fastened until the Captain turns off the Fasten Seat Belt sign."

  Miranda shot up from her seat upon hearing the message. She was in a deep sleep. Thirty-two hours have passed but she was not able to eat a thing. She spent the entire flight sleeping.

  We’re here!

  When Miranda exited the arrival area, a man in his late thirties was holding a placard with her name on it. He was tall and had black wavy locks that lay just on his shoulders, giving him a move masculine aura. His nose was sharp and crooked matched with a pair of deep brown eyes. His brows were thick as well as he stubble beard.

  An artist, eh? Painter, maybe.

  “Hi,” she greeted, extending an arm. “I’m Miranda Walker. Are you Mason Jones?”

  “Hello, welcome to Italy,” the man replied, shaking her hand. There was a weird smile on his face that was giving Miranda goose bumps. “I’m Mason. It’s nice to meet you. Finally.”

  “It’s nice to meet you too,” she found herself answering timidly when he squeezed her hand.

  Is he interested in me or something? Is he trying to flirt?

  She shook her head and swallowed hard before looking away from Mason. He was looking at her like a specimen under a microscope.

  “Shall we?”

  “Y-Yeah, sure.” Mason took her luggage and carried it to the cab that was waiting for them. He looked startled and somehow excited. And it’s getting on her nerves.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?” she questioned when it finally ticked her off.

  “Am I making you uncomfortable?” he inquired from the front seat. The taxicab driver was stealing glances of her from the rear-view mirror as well.

  “Yes, you do.”

  “I’m sorry, I’m just reminded of my little sister when I saw you,” he said, shaking his head.

  Miranda was surprised with his fluency. English was definitely his mother tongue with the way he uttered words. He didn’t sound like he was having a hard time talking to her.

  “Are you sure you’re Italian?” she voiced out.

  “Yes, why?”

  “You don’t sound like one.”

  9 Reunion

  It didn’t take too long for Miranda to feel comfortable with Mason. He was friendly, the kind that made her feel like she had an older brother. She also learned that Mason was a painter and architect.

  “What was your sister like?” she asked when they took a right turn in an alley.

  “I-I don’t really remember.” He smiled bitterly. “We were too young when we parted our ways.”

  “What happened?” she didn’t want to pry but curiosity was eating her.

  “Our parents decided to get separated.”

  She felt sorry for him. But she knew she didn’t have the right to. They were in the same boat.

  “That’s sad,” she commented, looking out of the window.

  “Nah, it’s okay. At least she gets to live comfortably with my Dad,” he said, chuckling softly.

  “Where are we heading?” They were in the suburbs. She thought Mason was taking her to her new apartment which was supposedly in Venice – city proper.

  “To your apartment.”

  “I was told that my apartment would be in the city.”

  Mason laughed.

  “Of course you were, or else you wouldn’t go alone.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Dad must have known your hidden agenda for coming here,” Mason answered laughing out loud.

  “What are you saying?” she asked confusingly.

  “You’ve grown so much,” Mason said, reaching out to pet her head.

  “Who are you?” she asked firmly, trying to snap out of Mason’s weird manner.

  “Hello, Miranda. I’m Mason Jones,” he spoke in an animated voice. “I’m your long lost big brother. It’s nice to see you.”

  With that, Miranda started dialing on her phone. Her father was the only person who could answer the questions that were popping in her mind. Was she really related to this weird guy?

  Pity, he’s such a good catch.

  “Hello, Papa,” she blurted the moment her father picked up. “I arrived in
Venice safely but unfortunately I’m with a weird guy who is claiming to be my brother. And you told me I would get to live in an apartment in the city. Why are you sending me into some god-forsaken-who-knows-where place with who-knows-who?” she in exasperation very quickly.

  Miranda didn’t get any answer to any of her dilemma because Mason took her phone away and started talking on the line.

  “Hello Dad,” he spoke with a sly grin on his mouth. “Yeah, I did expect a brat. But this is way too much,” he laughed heartily, making the younger sibling pout in annoyance.

  Mason nodded a few times before saying, “Yeah. I’ll see you soon.”

  “Give me that,” Miranda hissed pulling the gadget away from her newly-found relative.

  No wonder he speaks fluent English.

  She studied Mason’s face a bit longer and found out the resemblance he had with her father. They both had deep brown eyes and that crooked nose. He also got Marco Walker’s thick stubble beard. And their hair… they have the same hair.

  “Don’t get the wrong idea. We’re siblings,” Mason teased, wiggling his brows, snapping her back to reality.

  “In your dreams,” she growled, rolling her eyes. She had always wondered what it felt to have a sibling. But Miranda was starting to regret for wishing to have one. It has not been an hour and Mason was already getting into her nerves.

  Conceited.

  “They said you’re going to Medical School this fall,” she heard him spoke in a normal tone.

  “Yeah,” she nodded, “it has always been my dream to be a doctor.”

  “Are you sure you can do it?”

  “Of course.”

  “I mean, you know. It’s going to be really hard.” A hint of worry was in his voice and she knew what he meant.

  Yes, it would be an easy task if she was human. But now that she had turned into a wolf, smelling blood would be a nasty business to deal with. But she knew she could.

  What Miranda Walker wants; she gets – either by hook or by crook.

  I just need to get used to the smell of human blood.

  “I can deal with it.”

  “You can always think of something else, you know.”