Two Mates, Two Bullies

han-one of his closest friends. They barely notice I'm the

jacket. The chatter of students fills the air-loud, excited voices mixed

sible-as if I'm just a shadow, a ghost

long as I can remember, like a quiet guar

o start, I wonder what life would be like without her-if I'd be even more alon

nd-a powerful role, but one that keeps him tied up in meetings,

e a proper lady. That basically means keeping quiet unless someone

type, and honestly, she's more of a friend than a teacher. Sh

s long as I put on a good show when

uture Alphas, Max and Jade, the future Delta

mes they're worse than some of the girls here. Their confidence, their easy way

e and scrapes on my arm, Lila made sure my brother wa

-but she didn't believe me. I didn't want to get anyone in

in a werewolf pack where hierarchy and dominance rule everything, so

, who's faster, who's the most respect

kids without ranks who try to show off to

elves by being mean or loud. It's like they think if they can just g

were born into-not because of anything they've earned. They don't have to

at's the peak of popularity. My brother, Leo, and Eth

and have Beta blood, I'm the reason my mom is dead, and tha

s seen how openly kids treat me, and no adu

allway and walking slower than a turtle. Are

oot out, tripping me sideways. I crash headfirst into a locker,

way. All eyes are on me, but the onl

eye contact, then just shakes his

he kids scatter-some laughing quietly, ot

hit the metal locker. I glance around, hoping someone, anyone, will s

tighter. My heart is pounding-not just from t

-

Gr

r students again!" Raven shoves me into a door that le

old you that hitting kids just because they're in your w

only makes her angrier. But she

iends and came back late for third period-the class of a teacher who'll

own the hall. But before I can take two steps, Ivy-one of Raven's min

us grows louder as

brother and his frie

if you trained harder and lost some of t

iends, she calls out, "Hey boys, are w

means everything and nothing all at once. My brother an

eeks-not from embarrassment, but

the popular kids, with whoever keeps the power. But he

humiliation, surrounded by laughter that

ather tonight, away from me, away from

just govern strength and status-they shape how I live, how I survi