Chapter 4
1188 Words
Riley
I sit down in the cafeteria alone to eat lunch. Josh and Teagan gave me the stink eye when I passed their popular-people-only table, and now I'm anxious. They will come for me later, I know it.
The worst part is that Linda is afraid of hanging out with me at school. Josh would come for her too, so I don't blame her, even if there are days when I wish I could disappear.
I'm unhappy.
So most days, I tell myself not to cry. Act tough and keep on a brave face, Riley. Nobody will save you—this isn't a fairy tale. You have to handle yourself in the real world.
I open my milk and dig into my food, freezing when William's smooth voice echoes inside my head.
'Hello, sweetheart. Missed me?'
I hate to admit it, but his voice cures some of my loneliness. 'I left the classroom ten minutes ago...'
'And I've been lonely ever since... Do you want to come and sit in my lap and make it all better?'
'WHAT?!'
My cheeks burn as I shove food into my mouth. A traitorous part of my brain got excited at the idea of straddling William. He has such large thighs, and I bet the thing between his legs—
No!
I'm not going there.
William chuckles inside my head. 'You're imagining it now, aren't you?'
I take a deep, calming breath. 'Do you get a little rise from angering me or something?'
'Is that bad?'
'Yes.'
There is more laughter inside my head. 'It's so easy to ruffle your feathers, though. I can't help myself, sweetheart. It's fun getting a reaction from you.'
I would glare at him if I could. 'Does it make you feel powerful?'
'No, I have a hard-on, actually.'
I choke on my milk, and it runs out through my nose. Somewhere down in the cafeteria, William is laughing in real life.
'Are you alright?' William asks. 'I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were the shy type; you were not shy this weekend.'
'I'm not shy!' Around William, I'm not shy but terrified. Beautiful people frighten me, especially the alpha teacher kind.
'Then I will continue,' William teases.
I gobble down my snarl and press it down my throat. 'No, you're going to get out of my head!'
'Okay,' William sounds disappointed. 'Let me just say one thing first.'
I sigh. 'Fine, but only since I'm a nice person.'
'I can't stop thinking about you.'
My eyes bulge out of their sockets. I've never had someone confess to me or even ask me out on a date. Is William serious? We are mates, yet I didn't expect him to want me...
'Are you still with me?'
I shut my eyes, feeling my heart clamor inside my chest. 'Y-yes...'
'I don't care that you're my student, Riley. It won't matter. I don't want to have a relationship. I suck at those, but I can't stop thinking about having you in other ways...'
I'm barely breathing. 'Such as?'
'I want to spread your legs, place them on my shoulders and go down on you nice and slow. Long, agonizing licks to drive you mad and have you shaking. I want you to moan my name.'
My heart picks up speed, and when I say nothing, Willian continues. He has a painfully sexy accent.
'I want to take my time and get to know you, taste you, learn what sounds you make. Are you a silent lover, or are you loud?'
I take a deep breath, thinking it is the end, but William adds more.
'I tortured myself thinking about your perky t**s earlier. But let's not forget about your innocent eyes and those lips—I would love to shove my member into your mouth.'
I hate to admit it, but I'm turned on. 'Could you not tease me at school? You're my teacher—this is highly inappropriate!'
William chuckles inside my head. 'Do you really think that I care that you're my student? Please, I'm an alpha; I get what I want, and my mind is set on you.'
'You're so cocky...'
'But sexy.'
'As much as I wish that weren't true... I can't deny it—you're gorgeous, but I can't lose my scholarship.'
It's my ticket out of this town and leaving my mean pack members and my alcoholic mother.
'No one will ever suspect a thing. I can't lose my job either. Come on, I will make you feel good; I promise.'
I smile tentatively. 'Let me think about it...'
'Sure,' William sounds happy. 'You know where to find me.'
I'm about to head out of the cafeteria. My heart is sappy, warm, and fuzzy after my conversation with William. He wants me; it puts a big smile on my face.
Until I see Josh getting up from his seat.
Panic hits me like a tidal wave, and I get rid of my tray before running for the doors. I can hear Josh telling the others to find me, which sends my heart bolting at my ribcage.
Shit-s**t-s**t!
I had entirely forgotten about the beta's promise to punish me!
I run past various students like a maniac. Adrenaline is gushing into my ears. And my blood is burning in my veins, begging me to shape-shift even though it's forbidden. Someone could see me!
Josh is behind me, laughing. "You can't outrun us, shrimp, and neither is there anywhere to hide! We know where you live!"
It baffles me how every student gives room for the popular werewolf s***h quarterback to beat me up. No one dares step into Josh's way, and it makes sense: the guy is massive.
I grab the handle of the door and rush out of school. I don't want anyone to see me get beaten. It pains me when people give me looks of sympathy yet never dares to step up.
"There you are, little shrimp!"
Alex, another pack member, grabs me by the shoulders. I freeze and hold my breath as I hear Josh approach from behind. He is laughing and pushing up his sleeves already.
I swallow back tears. Alex grabs my wrists and forces me to turn ahead and lift my chin to face Josh.
"Riley, Riley, Riley," Josh walks to stand before me. His eyes convey mayhem, and his lips are cruel. "Didn't I tell you that there was nowhere to hide?"
"You did." I'm smart enough not to lie. Josh would see through it.
He dips his head, leaning closer to whisper into my ear. "Then why did you run away from me, little omega? Don't you understand it only pissed me off further? Because, boy, you're not walking away from here after we are done with you."
Fear grips a wise hold of my throat, but I won't cry, not even when I know I will end up with broken ribs again. It's whatever. I'm a werewolf; I will heal with time.
The knowledge that I'm alone is what hurts more than any punches ever could. Sometimes it makes me wish I were dead.
- Writer
