by Tamara White
Both guys are just staring at me. From the corner of my eye, I see Mr. Parks approaching. Great, already in trouble with the teacher and the wolves.
He sniffs the air, as do the other two. Nate and Pete both look at the other guys in shock. They’re just as confused by the sniffing as I am. Pete must sense my tension because he reaches over, touching my arm. Mr. Parks and the two new guys start a low growl.
“No! If you don’t stop it, I will castrate all of you. I don’t know why the hell you’re acting this way, but, if you don’t back off, none of you will live long enough for a mate!” I hiss angrily, hoping not to draw attention. I can see the girls up front have turned to listen, completely forgetting that we’re all in class.
It’s going to be hard to remember that wolves can hear me, even with a lowered voice. I’ve never had to worry at the other schools, they’ve all been human.
Pete’s grinning at me, while the others all stare, gobsmacked. I guess a girl has never threatened to castrate them before.
“Now, you’re definitely my kind of girl,” Pete winks at me. Great, he’s not even a little threatened.
I sigh, looking up at Mr. Parks “Is there anything I need to catch up on? I’ve only missed the first month, but, if I do need to, could you make me up a list please?”
He’s finally sobered up a bit, nodding before heading back to his desk, stopping at various students on the way so it doesn’t seem suspicious that he only approached us.
I try to focus on my work, but I can still feel their eyes on me. I am so screwed. Throw me in a school with one or two wolves and I could probably handle it. One of those wolves being my mate, I can still deal. But throwing me into a school with at least seven wolves and five of them think I’m their mate? Kill me now.
Staring at Mr. Parks, I admire him. How did someone so young become a teacher? He looks only a few years older than me, maybe nineteen or twenty.
While he’s looking through his drawers, I see him sneaking glances my way. Why do all these wolves have to be so attractive? It would be much easier for me to pretend I wasn’t interested if they were ugly or mean, but they’re actually not that bad so far.
Feeling the weight of someone’s eyes on me, I glance up expecting it to be one of the boys but they’re all absorbed in their work. I look around for the source, landing on the two female wolves at the front of the class.
“Pete, why are they looking at me like that?” I gesture at them with my head, so Pete knows who I’m talking about. He whips around, making the others all look over.
“Very inconspicuous, guys,” I mutter.
A growl starts, sending shivers down my spine. I glance at each of the boys, to see it’s Nate. It’s not me he’s growling at though, it’s the girls. They immediately turn back to their work, while the guys all get back to it, as if nothing happened.
Pete however, is kind enough to explain what happened. “They’re jealous. Melanie and Sarah have been trying to get one of us to mate with them for over a year now. We aren’t that stupid though, we know what they’re like, and I don’t think anyone would tie themselves to one of them willingly. It doesn’t make things easier considering there are only six high ranking unmated males in our pack and five of them are in this room.”
Just great. Could my day get any worse?
“Danielle, could you stay behind please? I have the course material you’ll need,” Mr. Parks announces, grabbing the class’s attention. I nod my head trying not to blush at being singled out so obviously.
Damn, stupid hormones! Just because he’s hot doesn’t mean he should affect me like this. I hear the guys around me sigh. They all look blissed out with grins on their faces.
Oh, shit! I forgot they could smell my arousal. That’s even more embarrassing. Being around wolves is going to be hard. I haven’t had to practice controlling my scent because I’ve been around humans at my other schools. Obviously, I’m going to have to try while I’m here, otherwise things are going to become very heated.
The last twenty minutes of class drag on, making me wish I could escape. At the bell, everyone packs up, heading out the door for lunch, except for me and the boys that don’t seem to want to leave.
Instead of staying at his desk, Mr Parks comes and crouches down in front of my chair, moving it so I’m looking down at him, “I’m sorry I embarrassed you in front of the class. You caught me off guard coming in with the others. I also didn’t expect the new student to be my mate,” he apologizes, staring at me with his deep hazel eyes.
“I don’t think any of us dreamed we’d meet our mate today, or that we’d have to share her. This is probably overwhelming for you too, so, if you need to talk, my door is always open. And take it easy on these idiots. They can be rough around the edges but I promise they’ll take care of you.”
His smile is so genuine that I know he means it. It’s nice knowing someone is on my side. Even if he’s my teacher.
“Like I’ve told Pete and Nate, I need time to process. You’ve all been grabbing, sniffing, and staring at me. I don’t even know your names yet,” I add, looking at the two boys that have stayed silent since joining us.
The brown-eyed hottie blushes. “Oh, sorry. I’m Mitchell, and this is Jonnie,” he says gesturing next to him.
“Are you brothers? You just look so similar.”
“Yeah we’re half-brothers. Same father, different mothers,” he explains, showing me a gorgeous smile.
“No, you guys can’t do that to me. You can’t just smile and distract me. Obviously, you are more accepting of this sharing thing, but it’s a lot more complicated than that.” I sigh, rubbing my temples to stave off the headache that’s starting.
“Look I’m sorry for being a bitch, I just can’t say anything until my father and I talk to your Alpha. Actually, can one of you give me his number? If we can talk to him tonight, then I can tell you what’s going on.”
“Well you’re in luck, sweet pea, because my father happens to be the Alpha,” Nate gloats, shocking me.
He pulls his phone out, tapping away, getting his father’s number I assume, while the others murmur to each other.
“Dani what’s your address? Dad and the rest of us will be there after dinner.”
I rattle off my address while quickly texting Dad. I know he’ll be upset that it’s already planned, but we need to be prepared in case the Alpha wants to kick us out of town. After what he told me, I wouldn’t be surprised if no Alpha wanted to deal with us in case of the repercussions.
Dad, I kind of, sort of, maybe organized for the Alpha and my mates to come to the apartment tonight after dinner. Sorry.
I hold my breath, waiting on his reply when my phone beeps. Everyone stops to watch me read his reply, and I let out the breath I didn’t know I had been holding.
Ok, honey, but only the Alpha and your mates enter our building. Your mates are allowed in our place because I doubt they would have it any other way, but no enforcers. I’ll be home early today. Do you need me to pick you up from school or do you want to walk?
I let the guys know and their Alpha is more than okay, seeing as he’ll have five of his wolves with him, enforcers or not. I text Dad back, while they’re discussing tonight, letting him know I’ll walk. My wolf may not be overwhelming most days but she still likes the exercise.
“Okay, so I’ll see you all later.”
I quickly grab my stuff and bolt out of the room before any of them can catch up to me. I know the way to the cafeteria from the time I spent studying the school map last night. Not that I plan on eating the food. All cafeteria food tastes like chopped up cardboard, so I always bring my own lunch. Besides, just because I don’t shift, doesn’t mean I don’t need the meat. And it can be a little awkward asking for rare meat on a burger. It gets you labelled as an outcast very fast.
Sitting down at a table in the back corner with the wall at my back for protection, I watch the students go to their designated tables or cliques. I smell four wolves over
at a table on the other side of the room, glancing their way curiously. They’re not exactly making their distaste of me unknown, especially when my hearing is almost as good as theirs.
It’s the two girls that were staring at me in class plus another two that look just as mean. They all keep glaring at me while making fun of my hair and face, which doesn’t surprise me one bit.
I know I’m not as pretty as those girls, they look like curvier, prettier versions of Barbie dolls. I shrug, I never really liked Barbie dolls to begin with. I was more of a G.I. Joe fan myself.
A zap goes through my body as my mates enter the room. I can feel their energy. Strange, I’ve never felt anything like this before.
They’re over near the girls’ table, watching me as the girls try anything possible to get their attention. Nate’s saying something to Pete and he looks back at me. He gets on his knees, making a begging gesture while mouthing ‘Please?’ at me. They obviously want to sit next to me.
My father told me my mate would find it hard to be away from me. “It’s his instinct to protect you,” he would say. I’m going to pretend that’s the only reason I’m letting them sit with me. Not because I want four super attractive guys sitting next to me.
I sigh nodding, and he jumps up, giving Nate a high five before strutting his way over. I’ll probably regret it, but I’m curious. These wolves seem nothing like what my father has described, and, if I’m to eventually choose one for a mate, I need to know as much as I can about them.
Pete grabs a chair from another table before turning it backwards and sitting next to me, “Hi, Danielle.”
“If you’re going to call me by my name all the time, can you stick to calling me Dani? It’s so much easier and I’m used to that. I’ve never been called Danielle so much in one day.”
“Okay, Dani. So, what are you eating? Do you want me to make Nate to grab you something else?” he says just as Nate goes to sit next to me.
“No, it’s alright, I don’t need as much meat as you,” I say before taking a bite of my sandwich. I look up to see all four of them looking at me. Realizing what I said, I mumble, “I haven’t shifted yet.”
Hopefully they won’t question it and will just leave it alone but no such luck.
“You haven’t shifted yet?!” Nate blurts out, almost shouting.
Pete slaps him over the head “Dude, keep your voice down. Do you want the whole school to know what we are? Dani, what do you mean you haven’t shifted yet? You’re sixteen, right?”
This isn’t going to go down very well. I doubt they’ve heard of many wolves who haven’t shifted.
“I’m not sixteen. I’m seventeen. I turned seventeen two months ago. I haven’t shifted yet, and I don’t know why. My father has theories on why it hasn’t happened, but I would rather not discuss them while your followers are listening,” I gesture at the group of girls that are blatantly staring.
“Holy shit! I didn’t know it was possible to not shift on your sixteenth. How have you managed it?” Nate stares at me in awe.
I get that he’s excited by the prospect but, personally, it sucks. You constantly fear for your life and wish you were that bit stronger to protect yourself. Not that they know any of that.
“Well, I can still feel my wolf, though it’s like she’s muffled. I have her strengths, even if I don’t come off as wolf. Did any of you smell me and think I was a human that had been hanging with a wolf?” They all nod as understanding registers with them. “That’s because of my dad. We tested it once before, he stayed outside for a week. When he came back, I smelled purely human. Plus, I don’t need to eat as much meat as a changed wolf, I still have the cravings for it, but my body doesn’t need it raw. My temper is nowhere near as bad as a wolf, and I don’t like to hunt. Well, actually, I love to hunt with my father. But my human side tries to fight the simplicity of hunting, while my wolf begs me to tear into flesh.”
I’ve always wondered what makes me different. Dad always said we’ll find the answers when we need them. He’s never searched for them like I thought he would, but after yesterday, I understand why. He suspected all along it’s because of the trials.
Jonnie and Mitchell choose that moment to join us with a couple of trays of food. Surprisingly, it doesn’t look that bad. There are a couple of blueberry muffins that smell amazing! I wonder if they have any left in the fridge?
“So, we kind of heard most of that. How do you handle it? I don’t know what I’d do, if I couldn’t change into my wolf,” Jonnie mumbles, smiling slightly while placing a muffin in front of me. I smile back, digging into the muffin appreciatively.
“It’s hard some days, I guess. Seeing my dad as a wolf, I do get jealous, but I’ve been taught to defend myself, so I can survive without it. Even though I haven’t connected with her physically, I still miss her. I manage as best I can until the day I can shift, letting her free. Or in case I never can.
She’s always there in the back of my mind which means I pick up most of her intent. It’s not as if she is completely gone.”
The thought had occurred to me. I mean, what if I can’t ever shift? What happens if I get through the trials with a mate and still can’t shift? Something to talk to Dad about, I guess.
“I’m sorry. I guess we didn’t think of it like that. He didn’t mean to upset you,” Mitchell says to me sympathetically.
“No, it’s okay. I’m fine, just wondering about the future I guess. Hey, what’s up with those girls? Is there any way to stop them being so nosy? They keep staring at me every time one of you isn’t looking.”
I’ve been watching the group of girls that flagged down the boys when they entered the room. I’m guessing the girls have a thing for them, because, ever since they ignored them and came to sit with me, they’ve been staring daggers my way. Oh sure, not when any of them were looking, but every time no one was paying attention to them they glared, obviously eavesdropping.
I can tell by the blushes on their cheeks that they heard me ask and are embarrassed to be put on the spot. I know it has something to do with unmated males and females in packs. I’m just not used to that dynamic yet. Hopefully, none of them were interested in the girls before I came along as their mate. That would suck.
“Oh, they’re mainly just jealous. It’s hard to know when you’ll meet your mate and none of them have. I think they thought if they sat with us every day, we’d eventually choose to mate with them by the end of school. Now that you’re here, they know there’s no chance of that happening,” Mitchell says.
“It’s okay, I got this,” Nate whispers, unleashing a growl that sends shivers through me. I should be terrified, but, oddly, I feel safe. The girls, however, all shrink toward the table, whimpering softly. I’m across the room, but I still hear it.
“What did you do?” I’m curious how he could have that effect so quickly.
He faces me with a heated look in his eyes. “I’m the Alpha’s son. It will be my job one day to make them submit, and if I’m not strong enough to handle a few girls, then we’re all doomed.”
I try not to swoon, but I don’t know if I manage it. Just as I feel like melting into a puddle, I’m startled out of my daydream.
“Okay, Dani, we all have to go to football practice, but we’ll see you in gym. Just yell if you need one of us, and we’ll hear you,” Pete winks grabbing his tray. The others follow his lead, before walking away. At the door, they wave good bye. Pete blows a cheeky kiss my way. Shaking my head, I realize just how doomed I am.
Chapter 4
After the boys left, I decided to wander around to check out the rest of the school. Hopefully, I can find my way to the gym by myself. It would suck needing help after how adamant I’ve been that I don’t need it.
I’m down the hall from the gym entrance when I smell them. Four wolves, waiting for me. I sigh internally. Great, this day is about to get worse.
I steer clear of where they’re hiding walking as fast as possible to the gym doors. I’m happy I
make it in without them bombarding me. The last thing I want on my first official day is conflict. Knowing my history, it will happen sooner or later.
The first thing I see, crossing the gym, is the glass wall that shows the field outside. It’s so beautiful, but it makes me wonder who the hell thought a glass wall was an okay addition to a gym? Balls are being thrown and kicked around wouldn’t they be worried about it breaking? Surely the glass would shatter on impact?
Out on the field, Pete and Nate are doing drills with their other teammates, while Jonnie and Mitchell are on the side stretching out. Man, they’re so hot!
All wolves are naturally stronger, but they don’t have the muscles to show it. We tend to metabolize too quickly for our bodies to retain the fat for muscles. The boys, however, definitely have no trouble keeping up with their metabolism. They’re filling out their football jerseys so completely that, I admit, I’m drooling a little. Even my wolf is at attention while I watch them.
Nate sees me watching and stops his pass to wave at me. I smile, waving back at him. Pete turns to see what Nate’s waving at, when he sees me. He runs off the field towards me, a huge smile on his face. I can’t help but smile when he busts open the gym doors, running towards me. The instinct to fight is there but so is the feeling of safety, so I let him lift me up and spin me around. I laugh when he puts me down.
“Hi,” I beam.
He looks as happy as I feel, “Sorry, I just couldn’t resist. You looked so cute in the window staring out at us.”
“I wasn’t staring. I was just checking out the field.”
“Oh I know what you were checking out,” he winks cheekily, making me blush. Damn it! No guy should be so playful and cute all at the same time.
“I have to get back out on the field. You’re welcome to come watch though. Otherwise, we’ll come over when training is finished. Wait for us,” he kisses me on the cheek before running back on the field.