Kings of Hawkings [bxb]

Chapter 3

Jaiden had Jonas follow him to the cafeteria and sit with his friends. Jonas found at least five more guys in the group, joking around with Travis. His eyes flicked towards Hugh, who was lounging with his back against the table and laughing with someone Jonas didn't know.

Everyone noticed Jonas immediately and greeted him cheerfully. He responded with a steely nod, not interacting much and only listening to the conversations around him. A year of being a social outcast had caused a drastic decline in his social skills.

While eating, one of the boys knocked on the table excitedly to get everyone's attention. "Did you guys hear? St. Vincent's Wolf disappeared. Didn't show up for school today."

Jonas faltered for a moment but continued eating, unaware that Hugh's perceptive eyes were watching him.

"How the fuck do you know what's happening at that school?" someone asked.

Another person rolled his eyes. "We all know someone who knows someone who goes there. It's seriously the talk of the school today, both St. Vincent's and Hawkings."

Travis looked cautiously around the cafeteria. "Do you think it's true? You know, what they say about him?"

Hugh smirked a little, watching Jonas carefully. "There are so many stories about the Wolf. What have you heard?"

Travis loved gossip. The more outrageous, the better. He leaned in with a grin. "He used to be pretty popular, even a St. Vincent's Elite, but he just went crazy one day. Like something in his mind snapped. He almost killed some kid about a year ago."

Jaiden scoffed. "Everyone has heard about that. Some have said that he tore the kid to pieces. Literally. Half the school needed therapy after that."

Jonas rolled his eyes at the exaggeration. Was this really what people said about him?

Travis bounced in his seat as he continued. "They call him a feral animal. He was only able to attend school after threatening the staff there. He told them he would kill their families if they tried to kick him out. It was basically a hostage situation for an entire year. Everyone was scared to approach him because he was strong and volatile. He would run you down with no mercy if you got in his way."

Hugh shook his head. "You can't expect people actually to believe that, right? Do you think those St. Vincent twats would admit they are scared of someone?"

"Not at all," Travis laughed. "But that's what makes the rumors so much fun."

Jonas stifled a groan and tried to ignore the banter.

"Do you know how strong he is?" Jaiden asked. "He's never gone up against a King before."

Travis shook his head. "Nope," he said, popping the P. "His abilities are a mystery, but there are plenty of rumors. Like, one time, a classmate accidentally bumped into him, and the Wolf chased him through the entire school. The kid tried to hide in a storage closet, but the Wolf ripped the door right off its hinges. And then there was the time he trapped a group of students in an abandoned classroom—heads were slammed into windows and desks, blood everywhere. He didn't stop until five security guards finally restrained him. They managed to keep it out of the news, but he sent a lot of people to the hospital last year."

Jonas shifted uncomfortably. How would these boys react if they knew he was the Wolf? Would the chance for friendship slip away before it even began?

Travis continued with a smile. "From what I hear, his eyes are the most disturbing thing about him. They say they're dead and lifeless—like a true killer... a Wolf."

Jonas sighed softly. The rumors were wildly exaggerated, and yet, everyone cast him as the antagonist. Though he had been in plenty of fights last year, he rarely started them. Yet, he was always the one who ended up paying the price.