As I sat there, my gaze was drawn to a towering man, about 6 feet 6 inches tall. In his 40s, he had dark brown hair slightly tousled over his forehead and piercing green eyes. A menacing look twisted his features, sending a chill down my spine as his intense gaze locked onto mine.
The atmosphere shifted as a smaller woman rushed in, her light brown hair framing her vivid green eyes that sparkled with energy. She took a seat next to Saylor, her 5-foot-4 stature contrasting sharply with his. The intense dynamic between them hinted at a deeper connection I could only begin to imagine.
“Sweetie, are you okay?” Luna Clara asked gently, concern etched in her voice as she sat beside Saylor.
“No, Mom, I’m not.” Saylor replied, her lips trembling as tears threatened to spill. The anguish in her eyes was a plea for attention.
Suddenly, Alpha Matias stormed in, his authoritative presence commanding the room. “Stevens, what the hell is the meaning of this?” He demanded.
“Well, sir,” Stevens replied cautiously, “there was another fight this morning. This time between your daughter and Tessa.”
“She broke my heel, Daddy!” Saylor cried, tears brimming in her eyes as she clutched her foot, a faint smile hinting at her enjoyment of the drama.
“It’s alright, sweetie. I’ll handle it.” Alpha Matias said soothingly, his expression shifting to intensity as he faced Principal Stevens. “What are you going to do about her?” He pointed decisively in my direction, his authority clear.
Principal Stevens shifted uneasily, sweat beading on his brow. “Well, sir,” he began quietly, “there’s really nothing I can do. Witnesses all agree that Saylor initiated the confrontation while Tessa was defending herself. During the scuffle, Saylor fell and broke her shoe.” His voice trailed off, the weight of the situation clear on his face.
“I don’t care! She hurt my baby!” Luna Clara shrieked, her voice echoing in the quiet office. Her eyes sparkled with anger and unshed tears as she glared at the principal.
Alpha Matias, imposing and fierce, shot me a deadly look, despite his daughter being the real culprit. The tension in the room was palpable.
“Well, I don’t care if she was defending herself.” He declared, his voice commanding. “A week’s detention.” His words hung in the air, leaving silence and unresolved conflict in their wake.
“Yes, sir,” Principal Stevens replied, his voice steady but tinged with a hint of resignation. The Alpha turned sharply, his commanding presence filling the doorway as he exited the room, Luna Clara gliding gracefully behind him, a determined look etched on her face. Saylor followed, her steps light and buoyant, a broad smile illuminating her features as she passed me.
I pushed myself up from the chair, the creaking noise breaking the silence. Principal Stevens stood firm, embodying the weight of his responsibility.
“I have no choice but to enforce any punishment the Alpha decides.” He said, trying to balance authority with understanding to ease the tension in the room.
“Why does he only get involved in fights that concern me and his daughter? It's odd; he stays away when she has issues with others. Have you ever wondered why?” I pressed, looking intently at Stevens for insight.
“I haven’t thought about it much.” He replied, confusion evident in his tone.
“Perhaps you should.” I shot back, my frustration bubbling over as I turned sharply and stormed out of his office, the door swinging shut behind me with a resounding thud.
As I made my way out of the office, I noticed that the familiar figures of Alpha, Luna, and Saylor were absent, leaving the atmosphere a bit more subdued. Leaning casually against the cool wall was Zane, his presence both reassuring and intriguing.
As I tried to walk past him, he grabbed my arm, stopping me.
"I can’t make it this afternoon." I said, frustration in my voice. "I have detention for a week."
He showed no outward reaction, but I saw understanding in his eyes. "I know. Saylor told me." He replied with a slight frown.
“Oh, so she was gloating to you?” I said, raising an eyebrow.
“Well, yeah.” He admitted. “But don’t worry. We’ll meet after detention. Just tell your mom you’re having dinner with me at the diner—she won’t mind.”
I sighed with relief, feeling a mix of anticipation and gratitude.
As he stepped into the hallway, determination propelled him forward to catch up with his parents. Shadows danced on the walls as he followed his father, embodying the journey of discovering what it means to be an Alpha. Each step was a lesson in the complexities of leadership and the strength required for the role.
If Zane's father represents the Alpha archetype, I hope Zane carves out his own path, separate from that dominant example. The day felt familiar, with Saylor's absence noticeable—she likely left with her parents, as usual, getting to stay home over something trivial like a pimple.
I found myself in after-school detention, a quiet room shared with two classmates who were there for a recent scuffle as well. The tension was intense as we sat in our wooden chairs, reflecting on our actions. Or lack of.
Amidst the gloom, I focused on my homework, finding refuge in the assignments as chaotic thoughts swirled around me. The clock slowly ticked by, and at 5 PM, the warden announced our release. A wave of liberation washed over me as I stepped out, ready to rejoin the world beyond those walls.
As I stepped out of the building and into the cool air, my gaze fell on a sleek black Mercedes sedan, its engine softly humming as it idled right in front of me. Zane was behind the wheel, his expression focused yet relaxed, while Hadley and Brody occupied the plush back seats, chatting animatedly.
I settled into the front passenger seat, feeling the leather embrace me as we left school. My phone buzzed—my mother was calling and texting non-stop. I sighed and replied with a simple message:
I’LL BE HOME WHEN I’M HOME.
After the heated exchange this morning, a wave of indifference washed over me. If she believed Arlo over me, then she could just go to hell.
Zane ended up driving us away from the chaos of town, and soon we found ourselves at a secluded lookout point that, while still within our borders, promised a much-needed sense of privacy.
As soon as the muffled sounds of Hadley and Brody engaging in a passionate encounter filled the backseat, Zane and I stepped out of the car. The forest loomed around us, tall trees casting dappled shadows on the ground as we ambled away from the vehicle.
“I’m really sorry about my sister. I know she can be a real pain in the ass, and that whole performance this morning was just an act.” Zane admitted, his tone a mix of frustration and empathy.
“Thanks. It’s nice to know that someone actually believes me.” I replied, feeling a flicker of warmth in his understanding.
“Did you really think I wouldn’t?” He asked, turning his gaze back toward me, genuine concern etched on his face.
“No, I always knew you would.” I said, meeting his eyes with a sense of reassurance.
Just then, Zane glanced back at the car, then reached for my hand, gently pulling me to a stop. The simple gesture sent a rush of unspoken comfort between us, grounding me in that moment away from all the noise and drama.
He was intently scanning the woods, his eyes narrowing as he searched for any signs of patrols or the looming shadows or wolves from the pack that might be out for a run right now. The tension in the air crackled around us like static electricity. Suddenly, he pressed me firmly against the rough bark of a tree, his lips crashing against mine with an overwhelming urgency that took my breath away. The intensity of the moment surged between us, igniting something deep within.
“I’ve been wanting to do that all day.” He murmured, his voice low and laced with desire.
“Me too.” I confessed, my heart racing as I caught my breath, the warmth of his body enveloping me.
He pulled back slightly, his gaze piercing into mine. “I really wish we could tell people that you’re my mate.”
I felt a pang of longing in my chest, knowing the truth of our bond. “We agreed. Not until I turn 18. And I'm the one that gets to tell your sister.” I reminded him, the weight of our unspoken secret hanging heavily in the crisp air around us. But his chuckles cut through that weight at the thought of me telling his sister that I was going to be the next Luna of the pack.
“I know. But staying away from you is getting harder. My hands ache to touch you, especially after that look on your face this morning—it was irresistible. If you lived with me, you wouldn’t have to endure that house anymore.” His voice was low, filled with desire and concern.
I leaned in and kissed him softly, savoring the warmth between us. “Don’t worry about what happens at my house. I’ll be out of there soon enough.” I whispered, feeling a profound sense of safety and longing I had kept buried deep within me.