Liam
"Hi, Trash-syte. Did you really think I'd forget about you?" - Jeb smiles mischievously at me, stretching out his muscles to gear up for a beat down.
"Please Jeb, you've almost killed me last time. Leave me alone!" - I pleaded with a trembling voice, as terror of the upcoming attack sinks in.
"I'll leave you alone, sure. When you're dead!" - He smirked, then threw me to the ground with a hard punch. He stares at me lying down in deep pain and moves to kick me...
I wake up in the middle of the night, panting. My shirt is wet with sweat and a chill runs cold in my spine at the thought of what just happened. Am I really to never be rid of this feeling?
Or worse, of him? Will Jeb try to follow me here and finish what he started some 50 miles away from this town? Could he try again here? I mean, I don't think is worth the hassle to travel all this way just to kill me. I'm not that important. And it's not like I forced them or whatever.
Goddess forbids! I didn't even know they were mated at the time. For Goddess' sake, I think I payed for my sins already, in spades.
I get up from the bed, take a sip of the water bottle on my night stand and go to the bathroom.
The accommodations here are very nice. The bedroom itself is simply decorated, but spacious enough to fit a large bed, a small wardrobe and even a desk and a chair for school work or using the computer. Not that I have any at the moment. My mom bought me one some time ago, but it was already old and it broke down, unfortunately. I need to find myself a job here.
Being broke is no fun. I don't even know if my mom has enough money to pay for our rooms here. But I'm confident she'll find a job in no time, especially since Beta Gutierrez already set up job interviews for her. That was nice of him. I can tell he's a good guy.
I take a quick shower, get dressed and walk downstairs to the guest dining hall.
Now let me tell you: the food here is freaking amazing!
After my mom and I arrived yesterday, we took a shower and got downstairs to eat something. It was past the hour for lunch - there's a schedule for everything here and if you don't show up at the designated time for meals, you'll be left without it. And the staff isn't gonna cook something just for you. They're not your private chef, not even to the Beta.
But even the leftovers from lunch were delicious. But when we arrived on time for dinner, then we enjoyed a gourmet meal like I've never been treated to before. I mean, the lamb chop was simply divine. I can tell I'm gonna have to watch my figure here with all this amazing food.
It's not because I'm mateless that I'm gonna let myself get carried away.😅
There's a separate dining hall where the Beta family eats and where they host important guests when they're visiting, like allied Alphas. The rest of the boarders eat at the guest one, but they were all nice enough to us yesterday during dinner.
This house is room to over 30 people, between warriors and other pack members. It's been a while since I don't stay among so many unmated people (some are mated without children). But still, none of them is mine. Not that I expected any of them to be. I know my mate got killed by this very pack a long time ago.
My mom enters the dining hall shortly after me. We greet the other guests as we take our seats for breakfast. On the designated time, the food is served and we dig in. There are a few options on the table, from pancakes to eggs and bacon. But these are the first one to go, so I need to act quick. Warriors are a hungry bunch.
"Did you sleep well, sweetie?" - Mom asked in between bites of her food.
"I had a nightmare with you know who, but I guess it's normal after what I went through." - I replied, honestly. Mom looked worried at me.
"It is normal. But if you need, principal Burke said the school can provide a councilor for you. Just say the word." - She explained, to which I thanked her.
"Are you all set for your job interviews today?" - I asked her with a radiant smile.
"I am, after dropping you off at school I'll go straight to my first one. It's at the Stonehold office. Apparently, the Alpha is loaded." - She smirked, though that's not exactly breaking news.
Everyone knows the Stonehold family controls a large portion of the town properties. They have literally build this pack from the ground up. Plus, it's the only werewolf pack that's named after its Alpha. The only one in the entire country, as far as I'm concerned.
Because of the secrecy we have to maintain as werewolves, packs and its leaders are built on reputation alone. You can't google a werewolf pack. But word of mouth goes almost just as fast.
Especially considering a 2 centuries old pack. Their reputation is fierce, even more so after they've decimated my father's old pack. If they were already feared before, now they're practically untouchable.
But then again, who would be stupid enough to attack a wolf pack this big?
Don't get me started...🙄
"Good luck today, mom. You're gonna knock it out of the park!" - I wished her well as I left her car in front of the high school. She winked at me and drive off.
I take one good look at the establishment and baffled at its building. It's very well preserved, for starters. It seems almost like a private school, instead of public. Students were arriving as the buses dropped off hundreds of eager teenage werewolves.
As I expected, as soon as I passed the gate I got stared at.
At this point, all the student body knows everyone who attends here. So, when a new boy arrives it's bound to get their attention, which I already expected. But to have a hundred pupils looking at you at the same time is as daunting as you can imagine.
"Hi, Liam. I'm Miriam Tavares, senior class president. Welcome to the Stonehold pack." - This dazzling looking brunette stands in front of me, looking welcoming.
"Nice to meet you, Miriam. How do you know my name already?" - I asked, a bit surprised.
"Principal Burke told me to welcome you into our school. So, if you have any questions please fell free to ask them. I'm at your service." - She replied, very forthcoming.
I smiled at her awkwardly and let her guide me through school. I do look lost, anyway. It is very big here. She takes me to get my class schedule, directs me to my locker and show me around. She even introduced me to some of her friends.
But the stares continued all trough my classes this morning. I guess this is normal for a newcomer. Anyway, I have nothing to do but to endure.
"Are you the kid who almost got killed because he fucked someone's mate?" - An annoying strong looking dude asked me point blank after the fourth period ended.
"I didn't fuck anyone. We made love. And I didn't know they were mated at the time." - I replied with a deeply uncomfortable tone. I honestly don't know if I wanna get it out of the way or to flip him off. In any case, it's best if I don't make any enemies on my first day.
Especially ones who look as strong as Jeb. Gulp!
It's like I said, reputations are built and destroyed all the time. But word of mouth always prevails. And I should've known my situation would become story here at this school.
"Who is they?" - He asked me quizzically, frowning in confusion.
"That's enough, Stockwell! He doesn't own you any sort of explanation. Last time I checked, you're neither the Alpha or the Beta of our pack. Back off!" - A hot looking dude intervenes. He's one of the people the class president introduced me before.
The annoying boy grunts and walks away from me. The other boy smiles awkwardly.
"I'm sorry you had to face that guy. He's obnoxious!" - Justin told me with a soothing smile. Damn, this dude is gorgeous! Couldn't he be my mate? I'd take him if he's available.😅
"Thank you for the save, Justin. I knew there'd be people curious about me, I just didn't expect them to be so blunt about it." - I said, feeling unease.
"You don't owe explanations to anyone. You're here now. If they wanna know anything about you, they can ask nicely. Not interrogate you like they're our Beta." - Justin informed me with an empathetic tone. We started walking towards the cafeteria together for lunch break.
"Beta Gutierrez was actually very nice to me. But I guess he must have interrogated my mom when she applied for sanctuary." - I realized this with a somber tone as I walked. Well, he'd have to make his due diligence. He's not gonna let any random person into his pack, especially someone with my last name.
"Probably, yeah. I'm sorry for what happened to you, by the way. Even though I didn't see the photos, I'm told they were gruesome." - He spoke with a troubled tone.
Damn! These kids have a mouth on them! I'm telling you: word of mouth is very powerful!
"Thanks, Justin. I appreciate the warm welcome. I didn't know what I'd face once I got here, so thank you for standing up for me." - I thanked him as I got in line for food.
"You're most welcomed! I'm gonna meet my friends, but you're welcomed to seat at our table if you'd like." - He said with a charming smile and walked away.
Well, that's better than I thought. Here I thought people would be mean to me.
I take my food and go to their table to eat. At this point, I shouldn't refuse any attempt of friendship. The school year has only just begun and it can be lonely if you don't have anyone to talk.
"Hey, Liam. If anyone gives you grief, come talk to me, okay? I'll sort them out for you." - Miriam told me with a soft smile.
"It's fine, Miriam. I'm not ashamed of anything. I didn't do anything wrong. I didn't know they were mated." - I explained to her with a confident voice. And even if I did, still wouldn't be my fault. I didn't cheat on anyone, not that I blame them for not wanting to let go of me.
"You're right. You didn't. How are you liking our pack so far?" - She asked me, before taking a bite of her food. Her other friends are looking at me expectantly. Justin as well.
"I've only seen very little because I arrived yesterday, but it seems very nice. The pack house is fantastic and the school looks very top notch." - I answered in a sincere tone.
"It is! Our principal is very smart and she fought very hard to bring some additional funding to us, that's why it looks so nice. It was painted over the summer." - She spoke like a true class president.
I nodded along as she spoke, eating my meal. We talked for a bit during lunch.
They were a nice bunch apparently, which is a welcoming break for all the shit I had to endure at my last school. Though the day is not over yet...😬
"I'm sorry you couldn't meet our other friend today. His dad sent him off on a mission, apparently important enough for him to miss school." - Justin said after we finished eating and start walking to return our tray and put the trash in the bin.
"Cool. Who is his dad, FBI, CIA or NSA?" - I joked.
"He's the Alpha of our pack." - Justin replied in a serious tone.
I gagged. Of course he is. Because what kind of father would send their son on a mission if not the Alpha?
"I see. Well, I hope his mission is a success." - I spoke after a minute in an uncomfortable tone.
I didn't have the greatest experiences with Alpha's sons so far, but I'm hoping he breaks the mold.
"I think he's gonna like meeting you. He pushed his father to accept your request. He was so broken up about it once he saw the photos of you in the hospital." - Justin said. He looked and sound enamored by his friend. I think their friendship is somewhat special.
"Well, I'll be sure to thank him once I see him." - I said in a contemplating tone. I realize now that it took a lot for the Alpha to let me come. And I'm glad I have unsung heroes who fought for me, even without knowing me.
The School Guidance Councilor spoke with me at length about my prospects after school. She was adamant I shouldn't give up on college, even though I told her - repeatedly - I couldn't possibly afford it.
'There're scholarships.' She told me. Right, sure there are. For geniuses who've been preparing for it since 8th grade or whatever.
Still, she wouldn't let it go so she convinced me to pick up some more classes for extra credits. Since I already had to come to school anyway...
It's fine, it was actually nice hearing her refuse to give up on me. I like when people fight for me. No one except for my mom ever did, so it's a foreign feeling.
Before the final period starts, I catch a strange scent inside the classroom. It's an unusual scent, but not unknown to me as it turns out.
"Hi, there. I'm sorry to disturb you." - I approached a girl inside my class.
"Hi, I'm sorry but I'm mated." - She replied, awkwardly. I giggled uncomfortably at this.
"I know, I saw you and your mate kissing during lunch. I just came to tell you I think you're in heat." - I informed her, to everyone's shocked faces.
"What?!" - Her mate shouted from another seat in the classroom.
"How can you be so sure? I haven't felt anything differently today!" - She questioned me with a suspicious tone.
"It's in the air. Your pheromones are infesting the classroom like crazy, trying to get your mate to complete the bond with you." - I elaborated, to her absolute shock.
As I said this, students are all taking instinctive deep breaths to assimilate what I was on about. And as they did, their faces changed features.
"Oh my Goddess! Thank you. I'll go to the nurse's office to get the medicine!" - She said after a minute, looking disgusted by some of the faces staring at her.
"Good luck!" - I told her as she walked away in a hurry.
"Thank you for saying that, Forsythe." - Her mate thanked me from his seat, looking appreciative. Though I could scent his lust for her.
"My pleasure." - I replied, shyly.
The world would be a better place if we all do our part in it. Maybe you can be the unsung hero in someone else's story. Who knows?
All I know is that I just helped a girl I've never met before and it feels great. Hopefully, everything goes well with her. But I'm sure it will.
Heat is just a medical condition for us werewolves. It happens when mated people withhold completing the bond for a long period of time. It's nature's push into that direction. Part of our biology.
I returned home with a content grin today. This is turning out to be a blessing in disguise coming into this pack. Who knows, maybe I could even be happy here? Fingers crossed.
A|N: This is my first Bowie song ever! I can't believe it was a complete accident (I looked up another version for this chapter and didn't even realize it was his song).
The mates are getting close to meeting and stuff's about to go down!
Love,
Léo.
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