The Bad Girl in Boots

Psycho Cover

A nudge interrupted my peaceful sleep. I ignored it, stuffing my nose deeper into my jumper and scrunching my eyes tighter shut. The nudge persisted, harder this time. I growled lowly, pushing back against it before sliding further down the bench. I heard a heaved sigh, and a sharp elbow dug deep into my ribs. I yelled loudly, shooting upright in my seat. Blinking the sleepy haze from my eyes, I froze, feeling a class of eyes on me.
"Merde." I muttered, lowering my eyes.
"Excuse me, madam?" I jerked, having forgotten about the teacher.
"Szar (Hungarian: shit)." Hesitation flickered in his gaze.
"I don't know what you just said, but I'm pretty sure it was a profanity. Apologise right now, or get sent to the headteacher's office."
"Sorry." I bit out.
"Nicer than that. Say it like you mean it." The stupid cover smirked at me. I scowled.  He was being difficult for no reason.
"Is this really necessary?"
"Don't cheek me, madam." A vein started to pulse visibly in his neck.
"I wasn't cheeking you, I was simply asking if-"
"Stop talking back and I might consider not punishing you for the rest of the year." The vein became more and more apparent. I was done with this shit.
I raised an eyebrow, leaning back in my chair and folding my arms across my chest. 
"Mate, you might want to calm down, you look like you're about to have a coronary."
I heard a few sniggers scattered throughout the room. The cover teacher looks around, nostrils flaring. The snickers increased.
"EXCUSE ME? THAT'S IT! Follow me, now. The rest of you are dismissed." He strode towards me, grabbed my upper arm and yanked me out of my chair. I grunted at his extremely tight grip, eyes immediately stinging with tears. As I blinked them away,  I heard cries from the rest of the class.
"Hey!" Kaylee exclaimed, and she and a few others got up and started to run after us as I was dragged painfully through the door. The teacher strode quickly down the corridor, leaving me to stumble after him, desperately trying not to trip over my own feet. The ligaments in my shoulder had already begun to tear in his hold and adrenaline hadn't yet kicked in, leaving me to gasp roughly at the jolts of pain running from my elbow to neck.
The shouts from my classmates faded and I fought the sobs rising in my throat. I needed to stay calm.
Calm. Calm. Calm. I chanted in my head.
"Let me the go, you fucking psycho!" I whimpered through my teeth.
Calm? Not so much.
The son of a bitch didn't answer, instead twisting my arm and yanking me harder. Finally, the sobs were released as I felt my shoulder start to dislocate. My breath was robbed from me and I couldn't form words, just silently scream in my head.
Help me, save me, please. Anyone, please-
Every breath was like a jagged knife in my lungs. I couldn't even manage to stumble along anymore, simply being help upright by the iron grip on my arm, dragging my feet along the floor, up the stairs.
Who the hell employed this guy?
He burst through the door at the end of the hall, pulling me in behind him.
I only saw a flash of Mr Hadfield's shocked face before the door slammed open yet again, shattering with the impact as it hit the wall.
Through the blur of pain, I registered Hunter's frame, instinct driving me to reach my good arm out to him, pleading silently.
The sub's eyes flashed with smugness.
"Ah, good, Alpha Flynn!"
He didn't seem to register Hunter's increasingly furious expression.
"This she wolf-" he tugged on my arm to emphasise his words, eliciting a pathetic groan from me."- has disrespected me in my class. She needs to be punished and I would like to take care of it-"

"Take your hands off of my MATE!"

Hunter's livid roar blasted through the room, and with an ear-splitting crash, the glass lamp on the table shattered. Glass flew in all directions, clattering to the floor around me but strangely not piercing my skin.
Suddenly, the sub seemed to realise his mistake.
His mouth popped open, and yet his grip still did not loosen on my arm. I whimpered, unable to hold it in anymore. Tears were still coursing down my face, and with one look at me, my begging eyes, Hunter flew across the space between us.
With a strong, agile swing, his fist cracked into the teacher's jaw. His head snapped to the side and he stepped backwards, groaning. Hunter quickly roundhoused him in the ribs, and I heard a few answering snaps as they fractured under his powerful kick. Hunter tensed as the man fell to the floor, not even bothering to fight back. He towered over him, trembling with rage. "You no longer work here. If I see you ever again, you will not survive the encounter, do you understand me?"
"Yes, of course, Alpha." The angry figure growled out between gritted teeth.
Having recovered slightly, I clutched my bad shoulder, and said sweetly, albeit through a clenched jaw;
"Nicer than that. Say it like you mean it." I repeated his earlier words back at him, and clearly he recalled the moment as her glared at me, ignoring my request.
Hunter squatted, making the guy turn his head to meet his eyes, before remembering his manners and dropping them to examine the muscled chest at eye level.
"Do what my mate says." Hunter snarled. I smiled bitterly. The teacher's icy grey eyes burned with hatred as he met my tear filled ones. He smiled fakely.
"Yes, of course, Alpha." He forced his voice to be respectful, clearly decided his pride was worth slaughtering in this instance.
"Good. You are dismissed." Hunter stood up, leaning against the desk nonchalantly, but the cold rage in his dark orbs let me know that he was anything but calm. He watched with faux disinterest as the man struggled to his feet, picking his way over the pieces of glass and door. As soon as the shuffling noises moved down the stairs, Hunter rushed to me, sliding onto his knees at my side. His eyes were wide with panic and his hands fluttered from my face, to my good shoulder to gingerly pressing on my bad one. Finally he settled for cupping my face.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there, I got here as soon as I could. I'm so sorry." His eyes were grey with uncertainty, but his thumbs caressed my cheeks. He didn't seem to want to get too close, lest he scare me, but right then, despite my bitchiness at lunch, I needed him. I leaned forward, resting my forehead on his, and his eyes flashed with relief before he closed them, pulling my gently against him. My shoulder throbbed, making me flinch, pressing my lips together against a groan. I squeezed my eyes shut.
"Mr Flynn, take her to the onsite hospital while I make sure Mr. Taller packs his things and leaves."
"You don't have to fire him because of me-" I started to protest but quailed under his firm stare.
"Miss. Whitehale-Smithe, I don't know what kind of organisation you think we are running here, but Mr. Taller's behaviour and treatment of you was absolutely unacceptable. If you want to press charges against him, you have the school's full support." With a nod, he strode out of the room.
I struggled to my feet, Hunter hovering by me as if he thought I would collapse at any moment. I glared at him.
"I'm not fragile."
His gaze softened.
"I know you're not." He said simply. His warm hand met the small of my back, giving me warm tingles up my spine and gently turned me to face the door, adding pressure to push me forwards. I carried on walking, already knowing my way to the infirmary off by heart. I could barely concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other, my whole being hummed with electricity thrumming from his hand. I could feel it pressed against my back through the thin shirt I was wearing and my mind narrowed in on it. I slowed a little, making his hand press harder against me and had to force myself not to sigh. I wanted to be close to him. I wanted it so badly and I didn't know why.
Suddenly his voice broke through my thoughts.
"Jade? Sit down, love." He said softly, staring at me with worried eyes. I looked around, startled to notice we were in the infirmary already. I hadn't notice us arriving. I slumped in the nearest chair, settling down to wait. Hunter's eyes clouded over for a second and I raised an eyebrow quizzically. He didn't respond. I shifted forward, waving a hand in front of his face. Still nothing.
I sighed, leaning back against the back of the chair, examining him.
Suddenly, his expression cleared and he smiled warmly at me.
"Well, that was weird."
He cocked his head to the side, questioning, the movement purely lupine.
"You zoned out a bit there." I elaborated. Understanding smoothed his features.
"I was mind-linking one of the pack medics." As he spoke, he folded himself into the chair next to me, slinging an arm behind me.
"Mind link?"
He smiled, hooking an arm under my knees and pulling my legs over his, settling a hand on the outside of my thigh.
"I can talk into their minds."
A tremor shook my body at the imprint of his hand on my leg. He failed to hide his smile as he felt my trembling, and he made soothing circles with his thumb, trying, and failing to calm me down. The sensation only made me shiver more.
I tried to focus on what he had said.
"Can I do that?"
"If you joined the pack, you could speak to anyone within it."
"Am I going to join the pack?
His hand froze for a second and his face tensed, before he resumed tracing patterns on my thigh. He very carefully didn't look at me, muscles hard with tension, but schooled his features to look nonchalant.
"Do you want to?" His voice was soft, almost vulnerable.
I didn't reply, waiting for him to turn his eyes on my face. He looked at me from under his eyelashes.
"What would happen? What would it mean?" I asked.
He traced patterns both with his index finger and his thumb now. He took a moment to phrase his answer right.
"You would be loyal to the pack. You would be part of our family. You would belong." His eyes didn't waver from mine as he spoke.
"I-We- would look after you and you would do the same for any pack member. You would be one of us." He paused, searching my eyes warily before continuing.
"And I would be your Alpha."
"What does that mean?"
He moved to cup one of my cheeks.
"It means that I would give my life for any of the pack. I am their leader and they trust me with anything and everything. Some Alphas rule with cruelty and force their pack to bend to their will." I grimaced, slightly leaning away from his hand. I noticed that his other palm had stopped tracing circles and had moved to cup my jaw tenderly. He turned my face back to his and I let him, if only to look into those beautiful green eyes again.
"I refuse to do that. I have an agreement with my pack that if I ever become like that, they will demote or kill me." I looked at him with wide eyes and he smirked slightly, leaning close to me, making sure to keep his eyes on mine the whole time her spoke.
"I'm not going to lie and say I never force a command sometimes, because I do occasionally. But it's only ever for their own safety and happiness."
I stared at him with new respect.
"How many people are in the pack?"
He grinned broadly.
"We have the biggest and best organised pack in the country- just over 500 wolves, with more joining and being born every day." His voice held a note of extreme pride.
My jaw dropped.
"But- but you're only what? 17? And you manage and lead all of that by yourself?"
"Actually, I'm 18, but for the most part, yes. I do have some help from my dad, the former Alpha."
"So why isn't he still in charge?"
He chuckled at my shock, pulling me closer and wrapping an arm around my back.
"Kitten, I've been training for this since I was born. When I was 16, the pack elders agreed that I was ready. I'm the youngest ever Alpha, but my pack is prospering and bigger than ever. You don't need to worry."
I scowled.
"I'm not worried. I'm just- wow." I had no words. I could barely comprehend the responsibility resting on those broad shoulders. His chest rumbled again.
"You're cute." He paused again, searching my face for any sign of distress before continuing.
"Do you think you'll ever join the pack?"
I snapped my head up to his. He stumbled on.
"There's absolutely no rush and you don't ever have to if you don't want to, but-"
"I think I'd like to belong somewhere. It sounds amazing. I'd like to. Someday." I smiled shyly at him. His eyes glowed such a bright green I almost had to look away. He leaned down, pressing his lips to my forehead.
His voice came out breathless.
"God, I-"
"No canoodling in the infirmary please!" The door swung open to reveal Robbie standing there, his huge shoulders filling the frame. Hunter growled lowly at him, flashing him the finger and tugging me closer. A rim of black around his eyes told me his wolf was present but that Hunter was still in control- for now.
Robbie rolled his eyes.
"Chill, brother. I've been sent to patch up Jade here." He strode to the cupboards at the sides of the room, opening and closing seemingly random drawers with slams and rattles. He chucked a roll of medical bandage over his shoulder, leaving Hunter to scramble to catch it before it hit the ground. Next came rubbing alcohol and I winced, not looking forward to that process. He kicked the last drawer shut and dragged a chair over to sit close to me. Hunter frowned but clenched his fists, fighting the urge to beat Robbie into a pulp for coming within a square mile of me. His instincts were clearly heightened with the fact that I was injured, and I leant into his warmth, silently reassuring him. Of what, I wasn't sure. I couldn't dwell on it.
"Right then, what seems to be the problem?" Robbie muttered, reaching for the sleeve of my shirt and pushing it gently over my shoulder to assess the damage.
"Oh. There's no blood." He said dejectedly and pouted. I shot him an incredulous look. He grinned, rolling his eyes.
"What? If you're gonna get injured, at least do it in a way that's fun for me to heal."
I growled, a real, angry growl, and kicked him in the shins.
He didn't even flinch, instead chucking the rubbing alcohol over his shoulder, not caring where it landed.
"Won't be needing that then."
I sighed in relief. Robbie looked at me.
"OK, I don't know if Flynn here has told you, but I can heal shit. Like really fast." He said nonchalantly, gently pulling my arm towards him.
I blinked, uncomprehending.
"What do you mean?" I narrowed my eyes.
"Like this." He clamped a hand on my shoulder before I could argue, and I bit my tongue to keep from groaning. Suddenly a flashing heat spread through my shoulder, escalating until it was almost painful.
"This is going to hurt." That was the only warning I received before a blinding agony flashed through my shoulder and arm, making me slam my body back into Hunter's as he held me tight against him.
"Fucking shit that hurt!" Was the first thing out of my mouth when I was able to speak again. Robbie grimaced.
"Yeah, I didn't realise there was also an old injury below that, that must have hurt like balls."
"Your balls will hurt in a second." I snarled, clutching my shoulder defensively. He just chuckled and spun around on his chair. I continued to glare at him as my arm throbbed, only turning my face into Hunter's shoulder when his spinning made me dizzy.
"Just give it a few minutes and you'll be thanking me. And it means that old injury won't ever bother you again." Robbie pointed out in a smug voice that made me grind my teeth. I heard his snicker and growled, aiming a half hearted kick in his general direction. "I hate you."
"Aw, really? I'm heartbroken." He deadpanned, ignoring my quiet snarl again.
He continued.
"Rest for a while, then you should be good to go back to classes. Probably a good idea since you missed so many. We're covering some pretty fascinating stuff in HEC." I could practically hear the smirk in his voice, and readied myself to kick him in the shins yet again, but Hunter beat me to it.
"Shut up and leave, Robbie." he growled.
"I'm just saying!" The beta's indignant voice floated across the room as he reached the door, and with some effort I turned my head to see his broad shoulders squeeze through the frame for the second time in that last 10 minutes. I was exhausted, my eyelids drooping of their own accord. I vaguely felt Hunter's gaze scan my tired face and my view of Robbie's back was whipped away as he stood up with me in his arms, and started walking out of the other exit.
"He said I was meant to rest." I poked Hunter's chest indignantly. He rolled his eyes.
"He didn't specify where you had to rest and you spend way too much time in here."
"Where are we going then?"
"Sleep."
There was no further reply from above me. I sighed, knowing there was no point pushing any further. However, I stubbornly forced my eyes open, hoping to salvage some clue to our destination as the alpha wound his way through the halls, his long, languid strides eating up the ground. The smooth motion of his strides further pushed me towards the chasm of sleep, but I refused to close my eyes. Hunter frowned down at me, arms tightening around my body.
"Sleep."
I stared back, cocking an eyebrow. He sighed, face softening.
"I'm taking you to my room to rest there. Happy?"
His room? My eyes widened. I wasn't sure how I felt about that. Slight panic caused my body to tense against his.
He noticed my alarm and his purple eyes slid down, away from mine, the light in them dimming.
"It's okay, I can take you to your room instead." he said quietly.
My heart spasmed painfully at his dejected tone and slumped shoulders. I didn't debate my decision in my head before my mouth was open and saying;
"No, I want to go to your room." My voice was pathetically small, and I cursed myself internally for sounding so weak.
Any regrets I had however, disappeared a moment later when his shoulders straightened and his green eyes met mine warily.
"Really?" His voice was still quiet, uncertain. I rested my head against his chest, finally giving in to the exhaustion pounding me.
"Really." I yawned, mouth wide open and voice distorted as my eyes slid slowly shut.
I felt rather than heard his chuckle and smiled at his amusement.
His lazy walk was slowly rocking me to sleep, and try as I might, my eyes refused to open. I heard a door open and then shut behind me, and started as I felt cool sheets against my skin. Hunter began to detangle his limbs from mine, and I was past the point of caring what I sounded like, mewling in protest as his warmth left me. I squirmed into myself, only reaching out a hand to him, grasping his warm forearm, and tugging his bulk toward me. I could practically hear his silent debate with himself, but the desire to comfort me won out, and I heard him kick off his trainers and slide under the covers beside me. He was like a huge furnace, radiating heat towards me, and I wriggled closer, fisting his shirt in my hands before sliding them up and under it, onto his warm, smoothly muscled stomach. I moaned sleepily at the feeling, squirming myself impossible closer until his arms came around me, encasing me in his heat. I slid my freezing hands further up his shirt, and his huge body shuddered.
"Are you cold?" I mumbled, words barely intelligible even to me.
He chuckled.
"Something like that, sweetie." was all he murmured.
My eyes stayed firmly glued shut, but it didn't stop me from feeling a featherlight kiss to my forehead, or hearing the whisper in my ear, his warm breath fanning my face where it was tucked into the soft crook of his neck.
"Goodnight, moy malen'kiy volk."