Chapter 6

EMAL'S POV

I pick up my pace, walking as fast as I can to school. I wouldn't like to be the center of attraction again after what happened yesterday.

I finally get to school quite not long and sneak into my class without anyone noticing. We all settle down, awaiting the teacher. If at all one would make his or her presence.

"How was the game yesterday? Who won?" one of Blake's minions comes to taunt me in my seat. Not again today. I swallow hard on nothing.

I don't know what I bought from them without paying for them to act like this towards me. It's not a new thing to be bullied by my fellow pack members. But I feel depressed and sometimes wish things would change overnight.

I open my slouch bag, picking up a book from it. I badly need to ignore them and to do that, I need something to ward their taunts off my mind. I ransack the lower part of my bag for a pencil, and finally see it in the folded part of my item.

"Hey Alpha?" he mocks again. "No, should I say future Alpha? Alpha-to-be?"

Everyone laughs loudly to my hearing, but I ignore them and try to concentrate on my drawing. I like to draw and I've long seen it as a hobby. Though, I mustn't be caught by my father. The Alpha counts it as a useless hobby that won't help me grow to be strong, but it's a talent I found myself to love since my early teens.

"Can you let me be?" I speak to the annoying figure troubling me.

"Woah, he sure knows how to speak."

He drops some money on my desk, making a loud sound as he bangs the furniture in front of me. "Go get us some snacks."

"What did you say?" I ask. Is he joking? Do I look like a slave to him?

"You heard me right, go get me some snacks. No, I mean you should get us some snacks. Or would you like to buy them for us? I guess the Alpha's prince should have lots of cash to squander right?" my classmates laugh as he trailed his index finger and thumb across my chin, taunting me. A girl in black hoodie enters the class but I didn't mind her presence. It's not like her presence would change anything. After all, she's also part of my mates who bully and make fun of me.

"...Or, are you poor because the Alpha doesn't pay attention to a worthless prince?" he grips my neck trying to choke me. I didn't do a thing or raise a finger at him. I am so sure he wouldn't dare to kill me. Despite being a bullied prince, killing a royal of any sort is considered a heinous crime and the punishment is a death sentence.

I pick up the money, standing on my feet. "What snack do you want?"

If at all I don't want to go, I've got no choice for the sake of peace. The slap I received from my mum last night still lingers in my mind. I wouldn't want to receive another for no reason.

I can't wait to see Matilda. She's my only source of joy and peace. Sometimes, I wonder what makes her so different from others when it comes to relating with me.

"You should think of what we want with your head and quit asking. Go!"

I turn toward the entrance about to exit. I'm not sure of what to buy, but I can try getting what I do see Blake eat. From what I used to know him to be, he loves meaty snacks –snacks containing lots of meat and less spice. I can just get some beef rolls for them.

A step across the entrance, I feel a strong force holding me back. I'm not expecting it at all. I thought it was a tap to tease me again, so I didn't look back until I feel the force concentrate on my wrist.

"Are you a fool?" I hear and whirl around to face the person. It's a girl's voice. The voice of the girl in hoodie. I can't see her face clearly due to the hood covering her black hair.

I try disengaging my hand from her grasp, but she tightens her grip on me. "What do you want too?" I ask, thinking she's another bully sent to me by Blake. I don't know why, but for some reason, Blake sees me as his opponent.

"I want nothing from you. A royal can't run errands for just anyone. Return to your seat" she utters calmly. That voice sounds familiar but the situation doesn't offer me the time to think about it. Who does she think she is to speak without caution? I place my second hand on hers which was gripping mine. She's human.

"It's none of your business. Let go of me" I jerk my hands away from hers, moving ahead to buy what I was sent. After all, I don't have a choice. If I get them what they want, I might be free from their torment. People think I'm a fool but I don't care. The royal reputation matters a lot and I don't want to have a fall out with dad as it would be to my disadvantage.

If I make things worse for him, he would be put in a tight spot as other royal families are looking forward to my families' mistake to trample on us and probably kick us out of the Pack.

"Are you stupid? What the hell do you think you're doing?" she asks again, standing just a few meters away from where I am.

"I should be asking you that. Do you think you have a say in whatever I do?"

"What's up with you, newbie?" Blake finally stands up to her after listening to her runts for a while. Her face is still facing down, covered in her dark hood, her hands now in the hoodie's pockets.

"What do you want newbie? Why are you stopping him?"

"I should ask you why you bully him for just no reason." she answers and I turn to look at her with nothing but admiration. No one has ever stood up against Blake, not to talk of questioning him in return. That's how intimidating he is.

"What? Bully him for no reason? Little Alpha, am I bullying you?" he asks me but I keep mute.

"Speak!" he yells, wanting to hit me. Probably land me one or two blows.

"I..I.."

"You don't have to say anything, not everyone is so foolish like those here. I'm not blind and I can clearly see what's going on." She smirks and every other person present gasp at her boldness.

"So, what do you want to do about it?" Blake moves closer to her, making an animalistic groan.

"Let's see, how about I bully you for the day?" I can't believe my ears. Did she just say that? Damn! She's got some nerves.

"Are you insane? Who do you want to bully?"

"You!"

"You're wrong, you can't bully me." Blake smirks, "You're just a mere human. What's your stress?"

"Yes, I'm human. But not everything is about power or physical strength. Some things have to be done with brains and a strong mentality."

I gasp in awe. What she said is really what I need to hear at the moment. She's just so good. Blake raises his hand to hit her and I step in between them, glaring at him.

I don't know why, perhaps it's just reflex. He grits his teeth frustratingly, making a move to scare me as usual when the girl blows something that contains powder in the air.

Like a flash of lightening, we are out of the class. She drags me along with her to the rooftop. She stops running and I stand behind her listening to her fast, quirky breaths.

Her hood falls off behind her, showing a part of her face. It looks familiar like I've seen it somewhere. She turns to look at me as the breeze blows her hair.

"You? Little Lilly?"

"Yes, it's me. Are you surprised?"