Bark Or Bite

Chapter 12

1 Week Later

I sit on the edge of my bed and rethink everything that had happened in the last week. I tried forgetting most of it, but I couldn't. Everything is engraved in my brain. Forgetting was never in the question. It isn't that I don't want to forget, believe me I've tried. Forgetting is just an internal conflict that I face on my own.

I hear a light tapping at my door. "Come in.'' My dad enters my bedroom holding a plate in one hand and cup in the other.

"Hey, Hannah." His empathy creeps through the tone in his voice. I hate making him worry. I know it has to be hard to see your supposedly strong alpha daughter locked away. But what am I supposed to do? Maximus left only a week ago. My wolf is hurting, crying.

Dad sits the plate of food and the drink on my nightstand before sitting next to me on my lumpy mattress.

"Listen Hannah, I know you've been going through a lot. I can't exactly say that I've been in your position, but I can't imagine what your wolf must be going through right now. I know school starts tomorrow, but if you need to take an extra few days, I'd be happy to talk to your principal." He stares at me, awaiting my response. Looking at my father, I ses nothing but myself. I see my eyes, my nose, and my round cheeks. Realizing I am just silently staring at him creepily, I speak up.

"No Dad, I'm fine. I think that getting out and being around people will help me to cope a little." I take a deep breath in before sending him a fake smile.

"Okay, hun. If you need anything just let me know. Eat and go to sleep. You'll be getting up early tomorrow." He embraces me. Feeling the warmth from someone who cares almost makes me cry, but I hold it in.

"Thanks dad." He leaves my room, softly shutting my door.

After I'm sure he is gone, I pick up the food he had brought me and walk to my closet. Opening it, I find the secret garbage can I put in there after Maximus left. I dump the food and leave the glass of water on my nightstand. Laying back down, I pull the thick comforter up to my chin and fall asleep.

******

Beep beep beep

I hit the snooze button on my alarm clock. Groaning loudly, I swing both my feet off the bed at the same time to force them to get use to the cold hardwood floor. I shiver. Why is it always freezing when I'm forced to leave my bed? I contemplate laying back down and having Dad talk to the principal. "No Hannah, you're better than that.'' I speak softly to myself.

Standing from my bed, I walk into the bathroom to start my shower. After I get out, I wrap one towel around my body and the other around my hair. The air in the bathroom is warm and steamy. All of that is ruined when the cold air of the rest of the house enters through the doorway.

I open the door to my closet as I hear a buzzing sound. My parent's alarm clock went off. Our house only has two bathrooms, so I always set my alarm a little bit earlier that theirs in order to have full, unrushed access.

I look in my closet at all the school clothes my mom had bought. I wasn't sure If I would ever even need them. She bought me jeans, leggings, cardigans, and t-shirts. My scarves and underwear were placed neatly in my nightstand. "Dad!" I scream.

"What?" He screams back.

"What does it feel like outside?" Every morning I forget to check the weather before taking my shower.

"60." He replies back.

"Kay!" Not too hot, not too cold.

I grab a pair of dark blue jeans, a white cami, and a thin grey long-sleeve polo. After getting dressed, I brush out my almost dry hair and let it fall in the dark brown waves down my back. I look in the mirror and smile, not applying make-up. I think I am pretty without it, but even with it I just felt uncomfortable.