Two Mates, Two Bullies

little squad trip over themselves whenever

, but after returning from their elite summer tr

King's estate, a tradition meant to prepare them for leadersh

l planning, and lessons on running a pack. I guess it keeps them ou

from allied packs all thrown together to form bonds, test limits, and size

Future Alphas are schooled in diploma

s when it matters. Betas, their second-in-command, take on major duties

d helping with female-centered pack concerns. Then there's the Delta, the head

ns and pressure, though most people

a reality check for these kids, stripping away the comforts of home and

lities-alliances, rivalries, potenti

the more power-hungry leaders, but pol

and alliances. That's why the King's training grounds ar

ach ruling a region, all connected to the

dy of our kind, stepping in dur

dn't look like boys anymore. They'd grown

ear through steel with their bare

his own feet, came back looking like

s radiate energy you can feel before they even speak-i

lf the student body practically lined u

ay since they got back. And I've heard enough suspicious

lifestyle, and from the way the janitor's closet keeps

sen by the moon goddess-someone perfectly suited for us. I can't imagine giving my he

with the wrong person, only to be tossed

nged pairings, especially for ranked mem

follow the bond. So, I'm waiting. Whoever they are,

t, are you ev

shattering in silence. I blink, pulled violent

culpted brows furrowed in a mask of rage, and h

y. "Not really

t me that apathy is armor. The more heat I give, the more s

friends need the hallway to walk. Your girl's the one who

t of st

trickling in a warm line down my chin. It'll be healed in a cou

ast year, I had to get creative-layers of makeup, long sl

he first time Raven left her signature behind. A fadin

tiff, formal appearances with the Alpha

He didn't want to know. He

arrass me again." No dinner that night. No school the next day. He waited unti

that he

s the lie I use

never forgiven the child that cost him his mate. He's never said it out loud, but grief has a l

irror," she called me once. Maybe that's the prob

er the table, whisper jokes when our father's lectures went on too long. But then the future Beta training started.

know

re everyone else

d what's punishable, and I've watched classmates shrink away from me with apologetic eyes and

High sch

ol wasn't m

routine. Raven's usual reign of terror feels less..

everything sta