CHAPTER 2

1703 Words
As I walked through the school gates, a wave of disbelief washed over me—I wasn’t late. I had braced myself for a frantic arrival, fully expecting that Arlo’s bullshit this morning would have thrown off my schedule. To my surprise, when I stepped onto the campus, I spotted my best friend Hadley standing beside the school's brick façade. She looked radiant as always, her laughter ringing out like music, and there she was with her boyfriend, Brody, a confident 21-year-old destined to become a Beta. Next to them stood his best friend Zane, also 21, whose presence exuded a certain authority that hinted at his future role as an Alpha. The scene was familiar yet comforting, a perfect snapshot of our little world. Brody stood tall at 6 feet 4 inches, his towering frame accentuated by his striking reddish-brown hair that caught the light, and his deep brown eyes that seemed to hold untold stories. Beside him, Zane loomed even larger at 6 feet 7 inches, his dark brown hair contrasting sharply with his piercing green eyes, giving him an imposing presence. Among werewolves, such massive physiques and bulging muscles were considered the norm, a testament to their strength and primal nature. In stark contrast, the she-wolves, including myself, didn't typically share this towering stature. At 6 feet tall, I was an anomaly in my own right, standing out in a world where slender frames were more common. Yet, despite the striking differences, I found solace and comfort outside of my home, away from the confines of my family. It was an essential refuge I yearned for, a craving that they remained blissfully unaware of, oblivious to the depths of my longing. As I drew near, I caught Hadley’s gaze, a puzzled look flickering across her features. I offered a slight shake of my head, fully aware that she could read my moods as if they were written in the stars. It was a skill she had honed over the years, sensing my discomfort without me needing to utter a word. Still, I preferred to keep my troubles under wraps, especially in front of the guys. Hadley was currently dating the future Beta, a position that lent her an air of importance, while I enjoyed a close friendship with the future Alpha. Yet when it came to his sister—my peer and an intriguing enigma—our dynamics shifted entirely, spinning into a narrative quite different from the bonds I shared with Hadley and the boys. “Zane, what the f**k are you doing here with this total loser?” His sister Saylor shot out, a sharp edge to her voice. “I’m just visiting my friends. And she’s not a loser.” Zane replied, his tone defensive, trying to stand his ground. “She is to me.” Saylor retorted, her eyes narrowing as she glared at the girl beside him, disdain written all over her face. “Or maybe you’re the loser and are just too f*****g stupid to realize it.” I said. Zane's gaze was fixed intently on her, his eyes piercing through the silence that surrounded them. She met his stare with equal intensity, her heart racing as she encountered the depth of his expression. Each held a world of thoughts and emotions, unspoken yet palpable, creating an electric connection that filled the air between them. “Are you really going to let her talk to me like that?” Saylor snapped, her voice sharpened by frustration, her eyes blazing with indignation. Zane, leaning casually against the wall with an air of unimpressed coolness, scoffed in response, “You started it.” His tone was dismissive, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth as he shrugged nonchalantly. He understood all too well that she was a pampered princess, having been indulged to the fullest by her parents. With a twinkle in her eye and a pout that could melt steel, she had a way of charming her way into acquiring anything her heart desired. It was this relentless entitlement that truly defined her—she was a spoilt brat through and through, accustomed to having her wishes granted without question. She is the cherished daughter of the Alpha, a position that she wears like a crown, believing wholeheartedly that the typical rules of the pack are beneath her. With a haughty air, she takes every opportunity to flaunt her status, reminding those around her of her lineage with a smug confidence. As if her elevated position could somehow compel me to care. Saylor slammed her foot down in frustration, reminiscent of a petulant child in the midst of a tantrum. With a huff, she pivoted on her heel, her long hair whipping around her shoulders, and marched into the building, her so-called friends trailing behind her in a mixture of surprise and reluctant support. The sharp click of her heels against the floor resonated with her anger, each step amplifying the storm brewing within her. “You know she’s going to make you pay for that later.” Hadley cautioned, her voice laced with a hint of mischief as she leaned against the wall with Brody's arms around her waist. “I honestly don’t care.” I replied, my tone flat and sincere. At that moment, the weight of the morning’s chaos hung heavy on my shoulders, and the threat of Saylor’s retaliation felt distant and trivial. Zane, with his ever-curious expression, asked, “We’re all meeting up at the diner after school. Are you going to be there?” His tone was casual, but I could sense the underlying hope that I would join them. “Sure. I’ll be there.” I assured him, putting on a brave face despite the turmoil swirling inside me. “If you’re not stuck in the dungeon again.” Hadley chimed in, her teasing grin aimed at brightening the atmosphere. I forced a laugh in response, though it was more of a mocking chuckle than genuine amusement. The thought of Saylor still loomed over me like a storm cloud, but for a brief moment, I pushed it aside. “I’ll make sure to stay by your side at all times, so she can't claim that I started anything.” I assured, my voice steady despite the tension. “That's a smart plan.” Hadley replied, a look of determination crossing her face. Zane’s brows furrowed with concern as he added, “Alright. Don’t let my sister get away with too much shit.” “I'll do my best.” I replied, frustration creeping into my tone. “But that doesn’t stop her from spinning tales to your parents about things I haven’t even done.” Brody stepped forward, planting a gentle kiss on Hadley’s cheek before offering, “We’ll catch up with you guys this afternoon.” Zane leaned closer, his expression serious. “Seriously, be careful. She’s been in a real mood lately.” “Thanks for the heads-up.” I said, forcing a smile. “I’m sure I’ll manage just fine.” Hadley and I stepped into the bustling building, the atmosphere alive with the chatter of our classmates. We made our way through the sea of students and approached our lockers, which sat neatly side by side, waiting for us. As we emptied our backpacks, reminiscing about the events of the morning, a sound interrupted our conversation—a rhythmic click-clack of high heels echoing against the tiled floor, growing closer with each passing moment. I shut my locker with a solid thud and turned slowly, bracing myself for what was to come. There she was—Saylor, striding confidently toward me, a group of her loyal friends trailing closely in her wake, their eyes glinting with anticipation. Without uttering a single word, she closed the distance between us in an instant. Before I could react, her fist flew through the air, aiming straight for my head. Instinctively, I ducked just in time, feeling the rush of air as her punch sailed past. Instead of connecting with me, her fist collided with the metal door of my locker, creating a resounding bang that echoed in the hallway and left a dent in its wake. As she pivoted on her heels and caught sight of me lingering in the hallway, a fierce determination flickered in her eyes. Without hesitation, she lunged toward me, her fist swinging wildly in an attempt to land another blow to my face. However, this time, I anticipated her move; I swiftly reached out and grasped her wrist firmly, halting her punch inches from my cheek. “You picked a really bad morning to piss me off bitch.” I said, using all my force to push her backwards. She stumbled, her foot catching on an unseen obstacle, and lost her balance, collapsing backwards onto the unforgiving ground. The sharp crack of a heel snapping echoed in the air, signifying her misfortune. “What the hell is going on here?” A teacher roared, his voice cutting through the murmur of the gathered crowd as he hurriedly weaved his way through the throng of onlookers. The moment he caught sight of me standing there, his expression shifted. His gaze flickered to Saylor sprawled on the floor, and he let out a heavy, exasperated sigh that seemed to resonate in the quiet hall. “Everyone, get to class.” He commanded, his voice cutting through the thick tension. “You two, to the office.” With a reluctant sense of duty, Saylor and I began trudging toward the principal’s office, our footsteps echoing ominously in the empty corridor. Once inside, we settled into stiff chairs, the weight of silence heavy in the air. Principal Stevens sat behind his desk, a towering figure, his eyes fixed intently on the paperwork before him, as if it held all the answers. Time stretched endlessly until he finally stirred. Standing abruptly, he turned toward the door just as it swung open with a creak, revealing a shadowy figure—an imposing man framed in the doorway, radiating authority and strength. “Alpha.” Principal Stevens said, his voice shifting to one of respect and apprehension.
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