Chapter 33：Let’s Meet

"Dawn, what time does the ceremony begin?" asked Cole as he adjusted his bow tie while looking in the mirror. He was too excited to go to his sister's graduation ceremony. The fifteen year old had come to her room only to cheer her up. He was already as tall as Dawn and some of their features were similar. He had become pretty popular in his new school, mostly on the romantic front. And not because he was a brilliant child. Staying on the top was expected out of him. Studies weren't a problem but it was his relationships that were confusing. Clearly, he wasn't an average child. 

"At 11AM," she replied with a sad tone. Leaving the University that she had been a part of for the last five years was slightly disheartening. She looked at her pale green dress that matched her eye color and the black stilettos, which had managed to buy on discount with pain in her eyes. 

Where would life lead to from now on? She wanted to go back to her city - Bainsburgh. She had to put her brother back to where he belonged. There were so many plans she had in mind. She thought of completing her one year stint here and then hunt for a job in her country. But for now, she had to attend her graduation ceremony. She was supposed to join her new job within a week's time. 

Cole aligned the black bow tie with his collar. He walked to her and said, "Why the hell are you so sad? Don't be ridiculous Dawn. You should be happy that you have graduated with flying colors!" Then he looked at her dress and quipped, "This dress would make you look like a green leafy vegetable." He just couldn't help himself teasing her at every possible occasion. 

Dawn gritted her teeth. "Get lost!" 

Cole burst into laughter. "Get ready fast. I want you to look the best out there. And puhlease stop brooding." He looked at his watch. "It is already 9. If we don't start in another thirty minutes, I won't be able to find a good place to watch you go to the stage." He goaded her. 

"Okay," she replied with a deep sigh and slumped shoulders. 

Cole left and Dawn paced up to get ready. After getting ready, she looked at herself in the mirror one last time before leaving. Her eyes shifted to the photo that was placed on her table from the past five years. "Mom, I think I look a lot like you," she chuckled. "Sorry Dad, the only thing that I got from you is your wavy hair." She had opened her hair and brushed them well. Each strand was falling like a silk thread on her shoulders trying to break from the natural curl that they were supposed to form. Her hand went to the green emerald pendant that her mother had gifted. "I wish you people were here," she whispered. She took in a deep breath to stop tears and then walked out. 

Cole was waiting for her. He gasped. "Sis, you look presentable!" He just couldn't say that she looked beautiful. Well, someone had to keep her on the ground. 

"Humph! I look very pretty," she replied with a wave of her hand and turned her head to the side in a proud proclamation. 

"Hurry up!" Cole flicked her forehead. "I don't want to be late for my sister's graduation ceremony."

--- 

The auditorium where the ceremony had to take place was crowded with parents and students. It was an open-air auditorium. Cole found a place towards the end and went to sit there with a grin. More than Dawn, he was beaming with happiness. Soon, young girls were attracted to him and hovered around like bees. 

Dawn went to the area where students had to sit. She met Elize and Shina who were talking to each other in excited tones. 

"Oh my God!" Elize exclaimed. "We have graduated!" she pressed her hands to her mouth. 

Dawn laughed. She hugged her and Shina. Elize had got a Managerial position in a Sports Company. Shina was joining her father's business.

"Do you know who is the guy conferring the degrees to us?" said Shina in a melodious tone.

"No," Dawn shook her head as she pursed her lips. 

"Azura Fraziers. He is one of the prominent industrialists in America. He had given a huge grant to our University this year and so he was called as the chief guest," Shina said as though lovelorn. "He is so handsome that half the girls out here are crooning over her. See there," Shina pointed at the stage. 

Dawn followed her hand. She saw a man with golden hair, wearing dark glasses and a black suit. He had a strong jaw. With the rest of the face that was seen, he appeared very handsome. He had leaned to his right and was talking to the Dean with a pleasant smile on his face. 

Dawn stared at him - not because she found him attractive but because he was emitting a smell that she was familiar with – that of a werewolf. Her heightened sense of smell caught the whiff almost immediately. Her heartbeat raced and her eyes bulged with shock. How could that be? 

"He is like a Greek God!" Shina exclaimed.

Dawn tried to give her a tentative smile not following even a single word she was blabbering. Her eyes were fixed on Azura. Was he also a werewolf? Suddenly, Azura turned to look at her and she jolted. It seemed that he was staring in her direction and Dawn could feel his eyes boring a hole into her through those dark glasses. Yes, he was a werewolf. The thought was unsettling. 

"Jesus!" Shina squealed with excitement. "He is looking at us!" 

No. Dawn parted her lips but she couldn't exhale the breath that was choked in her throat. She licked her lips. 

"I am going to stash my number in his hand," said Shina shamelessly. Elize laughed.

The emcee announced, "Please go to your seats. The function will begin in the next five minutes." 

"I have to go," Dawn excused herself. She had to find her place, which wasn't too difficult to spot. The Management students had to sit in the third and fourth rows. She sat in the middle of the third row. 

All the while she walked up to her place, she could feel those eyes trailing her. 

Dawn lowered her head and sat quietly. 

Soon the audience fell into complete silence. The emcee who was a junior student, called the important dignitaries to give their speeches. As the Dean started with the proceedings with his speech, Dawn watched Azura taking off his glasses revealing his light blue eyes. He stared at her stoically and she looked down again. 

After the Dean introduced him, he came on the podium and addressed the crowd with confidence exuding out of every pore from his body. 

Once his speech was over, the emcee called him to give the degrees. 

"Thank you," she replied with a tight smile. 

Azura leaned closer to her and said, "I know you are a werewolf. Let's meet." 

Dawn's mind became numb. Her knees were wobbly. This was either very bad or very good. 

"Please don't leave after the ceremony," he ordered squeezing her hand. 

She stiffened. Bobbing her head, she quickly made an exit and went back to her place. She noticed that Azura kept looking at her every now and then as if to check upon her. Dawn was extremely uneasy and strained by now. She wanted to leave.