Ravaged Wolf - Book 6

Chapter 2

"Um, I don't think that's a good idea." I murmur, looking down at my sandal clad feet.

"Why not? Everyone is eating but you." Caleb frowns.

I feel myself smiling at his generosity but one glance at his family and I notice his mother staring at me in disapproval, I take a few steps back with my head bowed, heart thumping in my chest.

"Please, excuse me." I squeak.

Before letting Caleb stop me, I run to his table and place the jar beside the Beta's mate, not waiting for a thank you as I rush back to my table, only to find my mother gone.

"She's gone to deliver a baby." Dad answers my unspoken question.

I nod once and sit down as he slides a plate of food in my direction.

"Thanks, dad." I beam before digging into the chicken and fries.

"Saw you talking with the new Alpha's brother."

Pausing, I look up at my dad who is casually chewing through his food.

"He wanted me to sit at his table but I excused myself."

"Good, I'm glad you know not to bring attention to yourself as an Omega."

Dad's eyes squint on a smile as the warm breeze ruffles through his blonde hair. It had been drummed into me that while other Werewolves would turn eighteen and find their mates, Omegas don't have that gift in order to keep their priority on the pack.

When I celebrated my birthday, I forced myself to stop daydreaming about finding a mate, knowing that I'd never have someone bound to me forever. The closest I could come to it was watching all other teenagers find their mates.

I wonder who Caleb's mate will be.

I find myself staring at him from afar and noticing a scar that ran down the back of his right ear and his toned arms and shoulders, his long legs splayed haphazardly as he leans back on his chair lazily. Suddenly, Caleb's bright honey eyes catch my light browns and he winks before I quickly look down at my food as I let my hair fall in a curtain.

~You're not allowed to like the Alpha's brother~ my wolf chides gently at me but I shake it off.

Looking back up, I'm disappointed to find Caleb facing away from me but shocked to find his brother, Micah staring straight at me, his hard hazel eyes unblinking as I find myself staring back.

My wolf cringes in fear and I blink once as I turn away. Shoving my food down my throat, I kiss my father goodbye, explaining that I was going to help mom before rushing off.

Crowds were bad enough but having the attention of Caleb and his Alpha was worse.

...

"When do you think Caleb Anderson will find his mate?" I ask my mom as I help pack all the medical equipment back into the duffel bag.

By the time I had found mom with Kate, our neighbour, groaning through the last leg of her contractions, she was fully dilated and ready to deliver. Now Kate and her mate were holding and marvelling at their newborn pup in their arms. It was almost unimaginable to think that something so small and fragile will become a ferocious creature of the night.

"Well, he turned eighteen a couple of months ago so it will happen anytime from now onwards." Mom answers my question.

"Why do you ask?"

"I was just wondering." I shrug nonchalantly.

"Your father told me that you talked to him today, apparently he took interest in wanting you to sit with him during the ceremony."

Of course she'd already know, the mate bond gave shifters the ability to form a mind line with each other.

"It's nothing, really." I insist.

"Careful Cass, we don't want you getting hurt." Mom's brows furrow in concern.

"I won't be, I'm happy as an Omega." I nod reassuringly.

"Let's go home then."

I would never tell my parents but I wished that even as an Omega, I could have a mate but I couldn't complain. The Ancient Council knew best when appointing Omega roles to Weres and I should be glad that I'm part of the minority.

When my alarm goes off the next day, I automatically slam it into silence but another alarm goes off across my room and I'm forced to stand up.

Senior year of high school starts today and I most certainly do not look forward to it, especially since I was held back a year. Whilst most in my year are waiting to turn eighteen or already are, in a couple of weeks I'd be nineteen.

Begrudgingly, I brush my teeth and shower before brushing through the knots in my hair and putting it up in a ponytail, pulling a baseball cap over my head to hide most of my face; keeping an invisible status is part of my high school. I shove my black jeans on and pull a navy blue hoody over my head, climbing into a pair of sneakers before grabbing my backpack and shuffling down the stairs.

"You ready for senior year, Cass?"

Dad beams when I reach the small kitchen, letting the welcoming scent of breakfast invigorate me into a more awake state.

"Never." I mumble, feeling my wolf agree with me.

"Are you having breakfast?" Mom holds out a plate of toast and eggs.

I shake my head and smile in thanks.

"More for me; have a nice day, honey." She calls as Dad and I walk out.

Dad pulls over when we reach the gates of my high school and I take a deep breath as I climb out.

"Bye, Dad." I mumble.

He nods and drives off when I close the door behind me.

One more year of hot classrooms, changing rooms with the permanent hint of body odour and a too small cafeteria, then it will all be over.

All of the teenagers in my pack went to the same school but I avoided them as much as possible and they never bothered to approach me; leaving me alone to deal with the humans that swarm the hallways.

I pull my cap low over my eyes as I enter the office to receive my new timetable, internally groaning in despair when I realise that I have Chemistry first thing dreadful morning.

Narrowly sliding past some burly looking football jockeys, I rush up the stairs, keeping my gaze on my feet as I reach my Chemistry room and walk into the open door.

Mostly everyone was already sat in their seats to friends, animatedly talking about what they did over the summer. I hear snippets of parties and going on vacation stories as I make my way to the back of the classroom, sitting by myself on a table. I notice Caleb's distinctive low but infectious laugh as the front of the classroom and I notice a swarm of friends sat around him; all Werewolves from the Mountain Crest Pack and they never noticed me walking in.

I watch as he charm his way through conversations, natural charisma flowing from his as he cracks another joke to his friends.

I would never be able to be like that.

Suddenly, all conversation stops as a woman in her late thirties strides into the classroom. Her tight, red bun pulling her skin back and black square frame glasses taking up most of her face, a permanent scowl etched on her small face.

We watch as she sets her bag on one side of the desk and straighten her charcoal pant suit as she faces us.

"Good morning everyone, I'm Mrs Coalman your new Chemistry teacher this year." She starts without a hint of a smile.

"It's nice to see you've all settled in the seats of your comfort zone but fortunately I'm about to change that." She cracks a cold smile, sending chills down my spine and I join the classroom's groan of despair.

When Mrs Coalman's green eyes lock with mine, I instantly know that I wasn't going to be sitting in my seat for long.