The Unknown Alpha

Chapter twenty

Bailey sat in the backseat of her dad's black Mercedes and peered out the window worriedly. Her coppery hair was pushed back behind her ears, held in place with a thick tie. Somehow she doubted her hair would remain restrained for long. It was always a good veil to avoid eye contact.

Bailey's emotions were all over the place, she couldn't figure out what to worry about first, but her emotions were squandered by what was happening outside the vehicle. There was so many emotions in the air.

Longing for the weekend that ended too soon.

Headaches from a few late-night study groups.

Dizziness from a few hangovers that hadn't entirely dispensed.

Bailey swallowed and leaned back into the leather seats. Conner had already been dropped off at school, now her parents were seated in the front, and Emily was to the side. Like Bailey, queasiness washed off them all.

"I don't want to go," Bailey said, just as the bell echoed through the air, the parking lot of Purefin Institute quickly emptying of students.

Amelia agreed. "It's too soon." She turned to her mate.

Joseph shook his head. "It's best if Bailey retains her normal routine. The Council agrees."

"Normal?" Bailey questioned harshly with a cross of her arms. "How can I go back to being normal? Those kids will never treat me as normal."

"And that's a bad thing?" Emily questioned wishfully, gathering up her backpack unto her lap. "Those kids were assholes to you. Now, they're gonna bow down to you."

Joseph twisted in his seat, a small smile on his face. "I like how you think, Emily. But no. Those wolves will not submit to Bailey if she is not their alpha."

"How do you know she isn't?" Emily asked, although everyone in the car knew the answer.

"Because Bailey and this other wolf would have recognised they belonged to the same Pack. Even before she became an alpha," Joseph said, straightening in his seat once more. It was clear from his posture. The time had rung out. No more stalling. Time to face the music. And the judgemental werewolves.

"Time to go," Emily said optimistically, opening the door and sliding out. She turned around and gave Bailey a narrowed stare when she didn't move. "Get out."

Bailey felt a sharp pain in her chest. Just thinking about entering the school building caused her throat to tighten.

"Bailey," Joseph said softly, his hand on the gearstick. Bailey met his eyes in the review mirror, and he gave her an encouraging smile. "Just remember, Bails. You're an alpha now. Above everyone else in this school."

Bailey disagreed but opened the car door regardless. Once outside, she turned back to her parents. "Not above anyone, dad. Just more of a freak than normal." Joseph looked like he wanted to argue, but Bailey shut the door before he could get a word out.

Emily linked arms with Bailey as the Mercedes pulled out of the parking lot. They were already late for class, neither of them in much of a hurry to get anywhere. "C'mon, my freak. Let's go."

Bailey scoffed as Emily laughed. At least things seemed to be okay with Emily. Bailey didn't know what she would do if her friend looked at her differently. She wondered how Adam and Brent would be like. They weren't in the same league as Emily, but they were still friends.

Emily's squeezed on Bailey's arm as they pushed through the front door of the school. The hallway, as expected, was deserted. The benefits of arriving late. No sudden gawkers just yet anyway.