THE ALPHA WHO HATED ME

pte

NE POINT

s. Through the rain-streaked window, Blackclaw Academy looms like a monster made of stone and shado

Students move across the courtyard in perfect groups. Their uniforms are

rom folding and unfolding it so many times. Uncle Marcus gave this to

pered with his last breath. "Pro

dead men who believed I could be

My worn backpack feels heavier than it should. Everything I need for school fits ins

s canvas and falling apart at the seams. The scent of their expensive perfumes mingles wi

. Each step echoes against the stone walls. The sound makes

y and future leaders. Not for girls like me who

r that catches light even in the rain. Skin that's never known hunger o

e woods," one of them says.

o step around them, but th

" another girl whispers. The word hits li

s," the first girl continues.

but I keep them at my sides. Fighting will only ma

s dominance presses against mine, making me want to bar

e lowest in our world. But the way she says it make

omes out smaller than

s off the stone walls and c

ys to the others. "She thin

another adds. "This isn't a

amiliar panic starts in my chest and spreads outward

re. No

My shoulder bumps against the blonde g

he shrieks. "You pr

s with shame. This is exactly what I expected. What Uncle Marcus trie

can see my reflection. Chandeliers hang from ceilings so high they disappear into shadows.

with the power of generations of strong wol

ay. Their families built this place. Their bloodlines earned th

ts. They chat easily about summer homes and family vacations. About which

dd jobs to help Uncle Marcus pay rent. My family consists of graves in an unm

he secret

s me up and down with barely hidden disap

am

eline

into her computer.

e says finally. "We don't have a

e check again. Marcus

eyes. Then something else

ays. "You'r

name. Like Uncle Marcus calling me

r assignment. "Building C. Third fl

t I take my papers and l

creams wealth and power. Students move between classes like they're walking on a

The cold metal of my locker key bites into my palm. The num

t," a voice s

e's pretty in a quiet way. Her uniform fits perfectly,

"You must be the new studen

ing about me. M

anage. "But my uncle

small smile. "I'll show you to y

"Advanced Literature

itious for a first day. Professor

this day coul

nts stare as we pass. Some whisper behind their h

etly. "They'll find something el

a in a school full of Alphas and

ne is already at the front, arranging papers on his desk. H

me. "Miss Cross, I presume.

urns to stare. I want to

r Kane continues. "We were just discussin

roups, leaving single seats scattered around the edges. I

. About hidden meanings in old stories. His voice is smooth and en

nds on my desk. I u

belong here," it says

it into my bag. Keep my eyes fixed on the fr

er lands. T

to the

wants yo

k re

ip to keep from crying. Show no weakness. That'

t quickly, chattering about their next classes. I stay in my

rofessor Kane c

haking legs. He studies

want you to know that in my classroom, everyone is judged by

voice almost breaks

l of your professors will be as understanding. Some

e of them will m

rstand,

ur next class. You d

y, a boy "accidentally" knocks my books off my desk. In Science, my lab partner refuses to w

s drained every bit of energy from my body. I want no

cus left me just enough money for rent and food. Barely enough. I can'

as sit near the windows where the light is best. Betas take the middle sections. And there, in

compared to what I'm used to. Real meat. Fresh veget

s taste like clouds. The roasted chicken falls apart under my fork. For a

other students. They look friendly enough. Normal.

day going?" Luna a

lenging," I s

standing. "It gets

she's

chers and assignments. About weekend plans and family

my sandwich when the

able by table until the only sound is the clatter of silverware

ich they probably do. They move with the confidence that co

tself seems to thicken with their presence.

ircle," Luna whispers beside me.

ze to the cente

world

h muscle that speaks of hours spent in wolf form, running wild under the

es that make my

rom within. They sweep across the cafeteria with cas

What power and strength and danger

e top of the food chain. His uniform fits him perfectly, emphas

d drifts across the room. My wolf sits up an

Authority. The kind of raw magnetism t

an't lo

re's something about him that calls to every instinct I

cafeteria. An elevated platform that sets them ap

riends arrange themselves around him like planets orbiting the sun

our world. The next

the wrong side of town, starin

n't stop

thing he does is graceful. Controlled. Even somethi

oticed by someone like that?

is dangerous

't help w

bane looks up from his plate. His stor

they fi

e s

ment. Just him and me and the ele

flickers across his perfect featu

t do anything but stare back at th

looking r