Mated To My School Bully

As I watched the countryside pass by from the car window, a heaviness settled in my chest. My father's recent passing left a void that seemed impossible to fill. My mother, always the strong one, decided it was best for us to start anew in a small town where she found a job. 

The town appeared charming at first glance, with quaint houses lining the streets and a peaceful aura hanging in the air. But beneath the surface, I sensed something off. The townspeople's furtive glances and whispered conversations as we passed by made me uneasy. It was as if they knew something about us that we didn't.

I turned to my mother, who was focused on navigating the unfamiliar roads. "Mom, do you feel that?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

She glanced at me, her expression unreadable. "Feel what, sweetheart?"

I hesitated, unsure how to articulate the unease gnawing at me. "It's just... everyone seems to be staring at us. Like they know something."

A flicker of concern crossed my mother's face before she masked it with a reassuring smile. "It's probably just because we're new in town. People are curious, that's all."

But I couldn't shake the feeling of being scrutinized, as if the entire town was sizing us up. I turned my gaze back to the passing scenery, trying to push aside my unease.

Eventually, we arrived at our new home—a cozy cottage nestled among tall trees. The sight of it brought a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness of grief. Maybe, just maybe, we could find solace here.

As we unpacked our belongings, I couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy settle over me. Each item held memories of my father, a painful reminder of his absence. But I pushed through the ache, determined to make this new chapter of our lives a positive one.

That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the town in a warm glow, my mother suggested we take a walk to explore our new surroundings. Eager for a distraction, I agreed, slipping on my jacket before heading out the door.

The streets were quiet, the only sounds the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. We passed by a few locals, who nodded politely as we walked by, but I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

Suddenly, a wolf's howl pierced the night air, sending a shiver down my spine. I glanced at my mother, expecting to see fear mirrored in her eyes, but instead, she seemed unfazed.

"Is that... normal?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

My mother's lips curved into a small smile. "In these parts, it is."

But her answer only fueled my growing unease. What kind of town did we move to, where wolves roamed freely and people seemed to know more than they let on?

As we continued our walk, I couldn't shake the feeling that we had stepped into a world far stranger than I could have ever imagined. And little did I know, this small town held secrets that would soon turn my world upside down.

"Clara!" my mom called to me and added. "why don't you continue without me? I have somethings I have to do."