Justin Reyes

Arthur’s Pov

Clocking seventeenth and heading back to school might just be the most gut-wrenching thing I've ever experienced.

I don't know why I should be in school anyway.

I've been alpha even before I could talk or walk, and in just seventeen years of my life, I have become one of the highest-ranking alphas in the continent.

Mum and Adrian said I have to finish school, even though everyone knows that I am not going to university.

I have a pack to lead. I don't have time for something as unimportant as tertiary education…

“Oh my God, he is here!"

"Who? Arthur Blackwood?!"

"Look at the jaw line!"

"By God, I'm going to pass out if he even looks at me!"

“Oh no, you won't, because he is never going to look at you!"

“Why do you have to kill the vibe? Let me admire my dream man.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you. It's not like he will ever notice you.”

I roll my eyes, pretending that I did not hear a word of that lust-driven conversation.

I cringe at the sight of the ribbons and confetti, what a waste.

Everyone is wrapped up in their own little circus, girls were beaming over pointless gossip, boys acting like mad dogs, couples practically glued to each other, disgusting.

I can’t be seen doing that, I will lose my respect as the alpha. Their behavior is agitating.

Many times have I heard them say a lot of things about me.

“He’s such a snub.”

“He’s so full of himself, I don’t know why girls would want to fall for that.”

Well, you don’t expect me to stoop so low to play around when I have a pack to rule.

They should be grateful for my presence in their midst, I shouldn’t be in the same school or class with any of them.

I am better than them, in school, in human or werewolf form, no one can take my place.

Walking past all their lousy and sweaty behaviors, I paused in front of my locker when I felt the ding sound of my phone.

It’s my brother’s voicemail.

“Trust you’re doing well at school and at home. Make sure you keep your grades up and stay out of trouble. You have a lot of people looking up to you, don’t set a bad example for them.”

Kylian thinks I’m too proud and arrogant. Everyone seems to think that way.

“That’s why they fear you and don't want to have anything to do with you.”

I know that they fear me and it’s a good thing, an alpha should be feared, not loved. Fear is worship.

I scoff at the voicemail, take the books I will be needing for the first four classes, and walk to class.

“Babe!”

Before I could process what was going on, Ainsley jumped on me, wrapped her legs around my waist, and her hands on my neck.

“I miss you so much, babe.”

I almost forgot that I have a situationship, a clingy and talkative one.

Ainsley is not my girlfriend per se, but she does well to act like she is, and she doesn’t know what privacy means, she’s always in my space.

I see my desk buried under a huge pile of chocolates and sweets, and there’s a small vanilla cake on the desk. It is unnecessarily organized.

“You didn't have to do this.”

“Oh please, it’s nothing. I made the cake myself, hope you like it?”

Liar, she can’t even open a tap for water.

“I bet I will.”

No I wouldn’t. It’s embarrassing and too much attention, even disgusting to look at. I get tired of it every time, but Kylican had insisted that I give it a try.

Ainsley is sitting on my desk, talking nonstop, I don’t even know what she is talking about, she’s just talking.

“Oh, one time…”

“Don’t you have to go to class?”

“Yeah, I thought I should keep you company before class started. I don’t want you to be alone or with anyone.”

“It’s fine Ainsley, we will meet for lunch okay? You don’t want to be late for class. I’ll be fine on my own.”

“When will you stop calling me by my name?”

“But Ainsley is your name.”

“I know that. But couples are supposed to have pet names they call each other, like babe, baby, sweetie, named like that.”

“I prefer Ainsley, honestly. It's pretty, just like you.”

I would never call her that, she'd better get used to it.

“Alright, don’t miss me too much. I love you.”

“Yeah, take care.”

I caught the disappointed look on her face when I didn’t say “I love you back”, I wasn’t going to lie about that. She knows I’m not in love with her, but she just keeps pushing.

And she keeps the other girls away, those that are brave enough to approach me and confess their feelings anyway.