Dark Twin Moon - The Awakening

Chapter 12:

Entering the school with James that day felt strange to Kayleb. It almost felt like the day before had never happened. Nobody gave him scared or disgusted looks, almost like they didn't think he was the monster he thought he was.

Only a few werewolves threw him angry looks here and there. The same people who want him killed or run out of town. Which made it easy for him to ignore them. He had to admit, though, they were pretty good at hiding their hatred for him. Not many seemed to see the darkness in her eyes. But he ignored all of their silent threats. Instead, he walked the halls like any other day.

For James, however, it was a bit more stressful. Unlike his friend, he saw the other wolves as a threat. Particularly, if the Alpha of the North Blue Pack, who thinks highly of himself, heard about James' involvement and leadership in the recent fight, he may seek revenge.

James was already strong. But this Alpha was in an entirely different league, stronger, faster, and his wolf form was much larger than anything he had ever seen, almost like he was the Alpha of Alphas - the way the older man sees and calls himself.

He felt fear in his bones at the thought of fighting this man. He might be able to hurt him, but win? Never.

"You did well."

James almost tripped over the sudden comment from his side. Kayleb looked at him with so much pride he nearly choked on his saliva. But he couldn't show emotions or reply to his friend in public. He just followed his gaze in the direction the lycan was looking at.

There, across the hall, he could smell the faint ode of blood and see some minor wounds on the bodies of the wolves he had fought not so long ago.

"When will they learn never to fight someone superior? Look how scared they are of you now." Kayleb teasingly nudged his newfound friend's side.

The only visible reaction was the glowing red cheeks, which James had no control over anymore. The praise and attention he got were just too much.

"You're such a big softie in there. Aren't you?" Kayleb taunted James as he poked his chest, where his heart lay beneath. After what James had done to him on his territory, nonetheless, he needed that satisfaction. Luckily, the other boy didn't seem to be able to do anything about it. Because he was like all the other times he saw or was near him: with a stoic expression and completely mute.

All the wolves around them looked at the two with interest, even the one who swore revenge on one of them. Never has anyone seen James, the strong, serious Alpha of the largest pack in the region, the 'Eastwood pack' with a faint smile. It crept them out.

***

The first six hours of the day were superb. Kayleb had almost all of his classes with James and at least one other person from the group. But James was his target that day.

He would try to tease the Alpha wolf at every opportunity. With faint touches, things he said and sometimes whispered in his ears, Kayleb was having the time of his life. It was getting harder and harder for James to hold it together, but he almost broke when Tarik - who was nearly as taciturn as he was - got into it, too.

He stormed out of the sixth period, leaving a lycan dying of laughter, nearly choking on air. And James' best friend, Tarik, who was no better, held on to Kayleb for stability while heartily laughing with him.

As Tarik and Kayleb stumbled out of the classroom together, it wasn't James who stopped them. Clara stood before them. It confused them because her class was at the other end of the school. However, the worried look she gave the lycan was enough to make his joy drop instantly.

"What happened?" His voice was cold, almost like snow in the cold seasons of his hometown.

She rocked back and forth on her feet, unsure how to tell him what she had witnessed. She struggled with herself about whether or not it was worth telling him what had happened. For fear, he would get too angry.