False Confidence

The Olive Branch

Azriel Huang

Whispers and murmurs traced my every step down the school's halls, glances and unconcealed stares following me wherever they could. It was no secret what had happened that night at the party and at Lindsay's IceCream Bar. Trent was probably boasting all about how he got Alpha Azriel's little human boyfriend to bend over with such ease. It bruised my ego but more importantly I felt a ceaseless anger about the rumors of Alex's body floating around.

Even after he cheated, I despised every word about how his lips were filled with filler he paid for with my money, and that his head was large because he'd given too much of it. That was the most tame of them too. Some giggled about how Alex always had lube and condoms tucked into the waistband of his boxers, or how he'd do anyone in the school if given the chance. I got away with little criticism, most sympathizing with me, but some still sneered about the disrespect of Wren stepping in on the fight. Claimed I was too weak to finish the lesson I had set out for Trent. Mostly a wolf thing of course, humans didn't care about a mere "boy" hitting his friend off of another "boy."

Sometimes I dreamed of it being that simple, to be human. Even more so when there was a particularly nasty rumor about Wren being here to take my position as the next Alpha. Idiots, really. I felt it in my bones that even if I was smaller that I could beat Wren in an actual fight. I had more combat experience without a doubt, all the martial art lessons and skills always at my disposal. My wolf was most definitely more powerful guessing from that one evening resting in the backyard, the sun setting beneath the line of trees.

"Your wolf is a lot more impressive than your human form." Wren had commented, his voice still deep with a rasp. A purr of humor was heavy in his words, his black wolf standing tall beside me. It was a force to be reckoned, muscle stark beneath long, obsidian fur. Wren's wolf was majestic, big as a full grown lion. Steel eyes remained, looking down on me.

"Don't mindlink me, your voice in my head upsets me." I had growled, willing my wolf to stand upwards to properly meet his gaze. A primal thing, instincts always coming out to play in this feral form. Shockingly enough, I stood barely a centimeter over him. He seemed to be stunned as well, fighting a cower in his eyes. For the first time I seemed to have an unending well of confidence.

"You enjoy my voice" Wren retorted plainly, as if it were nothing more than a fact. His stormy eyes trailed the tall length of my wolf. Noting pure white fur with hints of natural silver and grey, and piercing citrine eyes. The muscular build that I always desperately wanted for my human form.

I hadn't responded, no denial because I felt there was none needed. No matter how he worded it or how much truth he willed into the sentence it would never actually be the truth. Wren knew it and I knew it. We disliked each other. More of a hate on my part but that was it.

"How ya holding up." Aniya questioned in a hushed tone, dragging me from the memory. She looped a steady arm around my waist, guiding me towards the direction of the lunch room.

"Just fine. I get a lot of attention but you know I love that part." I purred with a wink, wrapping my hand over her shoulder. "Plus, Alex is getting the worst of it."

"Good, you better not be pitying that stupid son of a bitch." Aniya seethed, as if she had heard my thoughts from earlier. At times, she was so intuitive that it scared me and I wasn't exactly frightened easily.

"Whatever, I wasn't." I grumbled, shoving her off me, wringing a joyous giggle from her. Deep brown curls bounced merrily on her shoulders, her nose tilting skyward with the noise before moving back down.

"Why're you in such a good mood." I huffed, nearly envious of her lighthearted happiness. Aniya only smiled brighter, the act usually making me want to run for the hills.