Chapter 1. Urges.

Naya's Point of View

The clock’s slow ticking was pure torture for me, each minute stretching like eternity. I sat on my chair, my grip tightening on the desk. Sweat trickled down my forehead, my fingers trembling as I fought hard to retain my composure. I could hear my wolf cry out in my brain…  

Let me out!

This shouldn't be happening. The lecture hall was filled with the hum of the air conditioner, which did little to reduce the heat my body was currently generating. 

My wolf wasn't ready to back down. She wanted to take over and run wild, but it's forbidden.  

I couldn't focus. My mind was stuck within this inner battle, and I hated it. My depressant shot wasn't due for another week, but my body didn't care about the schedule. 

Neither did my wolf...  

The strong scent of my pheromones wafted through the air, mingling with the sweat that trickled down every student close to me. It might be not so noticeable to human students but when it came to werewolves like me, that was another completely different issue. Sooner or later, they'd find out I am the cause of their “discomfort”. They wouldn’t know what it was of course, thank the goddess, they couldn’t identify where the strange scent was coming from. However, It was only a matter of time before someone said something about it, and I couldn't afford that. Not here. Not now... 

Breathe, Naya. For the love of all that’s holy, relax, or they’ll all know that it’s you. 

My lips parted, as my warm breath flowed out from them. I tried my best to calm my nerves, although, I felt that the air felt too thick around me. And, sadly, with each passing second, my body continued to pulse with my monthly hormonal heat.  

“Miss Damon,” I heard Mrs. Charlotte, our science teacher, call me out sharply.  

Her voice jolted me out of my thoughts. I forced a smile onto my lips, trying to mask my uneasiness.  

“May I have a word with you outside?” she asked, her face grim. “And please your things with you.” 

My stomach churned as I slowly got to my feet. Taking my books and backpack, I felt the wary eyes of every students burning into me as I walked after my teacher. The beating of my heart increased as I left the lecture hall, my legs heavy as lead.  

She leaned against the wall near the door and adjusted her thick-rimmed glasses on her straight but pointed nose. Miss Charlotte waited until we were face to face, her green eyes boring into my blue ones.  

“Miss Damon, do you have any idea how disruptive your current situation is?”  

I flinched back at the harshness of her voice. She crossed her arm as her eyes narrowed and her lips forming a stern, thin line.  

“I… uhhh…” I stammered, unable to find the right words. “I’m sorry… I didn't mean to…” 

But before I could continue, she crossly cut me off.  

“You didn't mean to?” the older she-wolf snapped impatiently, “Naya, you are a Lycan. You know the rules. Suppressants aren't optional. If you can't control your heat, you have no business being here,” she reminded me sternly.  

“I did take them,” I whispered, my lips quivering. “I took them early this week. And I don’t know why this is happening. Honest!”  

“Oh, really?” she asked, a hint of skepticism in her voice. “Then explain why most of your classmates are distracted and uncomfortable in the middle of class?” 

Her look of distrust as she studied my flushed face, made things worse. I fought hard to suppress my shameful trembling while trying to keep a straight face.  

“If this happens again, I won't have any other choice but to escalate this matter!” my mentor threatened, her brow furrowing as she walked towards the classroom’s open entrance. “And you know what that means, of course.” 

Mrs. Charlotte punctuates her statement by violently slamming the door.  

I pressed a hand to my chest, willing the frantic beating of my heart to slow down. The urge to shift, to let the wolf take over and run far, far away, was overwhelming. But I shouldn’t. Not with this many humans around. They wouldn’t understand. They’d fear me. 

Or worse, report me… then I will be captured and experimented on.

Yes I’ve heard the horror stories about fellow werewolves who were discovered, abducted and was never seen again. Such is the life of shifters who have chosen to live among humans. And I have no intention of being one of those unfortunate ones…  

Taking a shaky breath, I slowly stumbled toward the exit. The sunlight outside was blinding. I winced as the sun’s heat intensified my own. My wolf snarled in protest, her restlessness growing with every step I took out into the open.  

I took a deep breath, as I decided to approach the school gate. I could hear the students with my enhanced wolf hearing, giggling and murmuring in low tones as I walked past. And like in any place in this country, humans and werewolves co-exist, the latter totally unaware of course. And to keep your Lycan identity a secret, you needed to keep your abilities in check. Transforming into a werewolf out of the blue would mean more than just getting kicked out of the school… 

I must avoid getting skinned alive so shut up wolf!  

“Naya!” 

I heard a familiar feminine voice behind me. I froze then instantly turned towards the speaker. It was Clara, my completely human friend.  

“You don't look so good,” my blond friend noted. she came closer to me. “What’s up, girl?”

Regrettably, I was incapable of controlling myself at that moment. With my wolf, Merna, clawing her way out so I did the next best thing…

I ran! 

I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, running away from humans and into the woods t the edge of our quaint suburban town. And it was the only thing I could do. Without my suppressants to control my heat, I'd be overwhelmed by my wolf;s erotic thirst.  

Midway the thickly wooded area, the scent of the lake easily reached my heightened senses. My wolf calmed down a bit as I walked toward the placid blue waters. I then gingerly sat on a rotting fallen tree trunk near the lake’s edge. 

Around five minutes later, I could smell Clara's scent as she walked towards me. I should have known that she’d go after me.  

“You should be at school, Clara,” I said, my eyes still fixed on the water body before me. She ignored me, sitting close to me on the log. “You’re about to enter the 10th grade and shouldn’t miss any miss any of your classes if you want to go to college. 

“Are you feeling better now?” she asked not mentioning about my initially ignoring her and running into the forest as she sat down beside me.

Placing my hand on hers0, I gave her a quick nod and a small smile. “I’m fine,” I replied, my voice a little shaky.  

Clara noticed my uneasiness, and she pulled me into a warm hug, placing a kiss on my forehead. She also stroked my long dark hair then softly patted my back.  

“Don’t get to bothered with what others tell you, okay?” my dainty friend whispered while still holding me in a tight embrace.  

Clara had been the only friend I had ever since I stepped my family had moved here. Despite knowing her knowing that I was a werewolf, she stood by me through thick and thin.  

Suddenly, my ears perked up, and I sat upright. I swiftly got to my feet, my squinted eyes scanning the woods. 

We weren't alone…  

“Clara, hide,” I muttered beneath my breath. Without a second thought, Clara quickly stood up and hid behind a huge mahogany tree.  

I could smell them and hear the leaves crackling and twigs snapping under their steps…

Rogues!

My eyes darted around the woods. I could hear more tell-tale sounds coming from beneath their paws along with their snarls that were carried by the wind. They were close. As a matter of fact, they were too close for comfort.  

“What’s wrong, Naya?” Clara asked, her voice barely a whisper from behind the ancient tree trunk.  

“Keep yourself hidden, Clara,” I replied. “And whatever happens don’t come out.” 

I was scared, really scared. I tried my best to hide it, but deep down, I was terrified. I was a just a freaking Omega and am unstable to stand against rogues, who have fought to stay alive all their lives. The worst part was, I knew that this was my fault. They had tracked me down to these woods because of my scent, and now Clara was dragged into this.  

Just then, I heard their formerly slow motions turn into a run! I bolted toward Clara, grabbing her by the wrist and dashed swiftly, half carrying and half-dragging my friend with me. I was unfazed by the numerous tree trunks standing in our way as I skilfully dodged them using my wolf-speed with Clara right beside me.  

I gritted my teeth, my breath coming in short, haggard gasps as branches tore into my skin. Clara struggled to keep up with my speed, her breathing shallow.  

“They’re catching up!” she screamed, glancing over her shoulder.  

Let me out! I can save you and Clara!

The temptation to let my wolf take over along with her “suggestion” was very tempting. After all, If I shifted, I could protect Clara. But very near the presence of humans? That would break every rule that we’re required to obey and I have worked so hard to follow.  

“Not an option, wolf!” I muttered under my breath and screamed in my mind, pushing forward with everything I had.  

A wave of relief hit me as I sighted the cream-colored school building. I could hear them halt in their tracks. Turning around, I saw their glowing eyes in the dark.  

We rush towards the school’s front lawn, Clara and I collapsing on the grass.  

“What... the... hell was that?” she asked, still panting.  

I bent over, placing my hand on my knee as I gasped for breath. “Rogues,” I replied, a hint of anger in my voice. “They... they tracked me,” I managed to say between gasps.  

Her eyes widened in surprise.  

“Because of your scent?” she asked immediately.  

“What? You can smell it too?” I asked, surprised.  

She gave me a nod.  

That meant only one thing: my scent has now grown so powerful, that humans could easily smell it too. Shit!  

“I need my suppressant,” I mumbled while walking away. “Like yesterday!” 

Clara stood up and quickly ran after me.  

As soon as I stepped into the school hall, with my smiling friend right beside me, I felt all eyes on me. The hallway erupted with murmurs from our schoolmates as I fought hard to hide my anxiety with a resting bitch face.  

“Damn! She’s really in heat…”  

“What the hell is that smell?”

  

“Didn’t she take her meds?”  

I tightly clenched my fists, my slightly long nails digging painfully into my palms. My wolf stirred within me, restless and agitated. I badly need my suppressant!  

I reached my locker, and tried to turn the safe-like knob of its lock. However, my shaking hands made impossible to open it.

“Let me,” my slightly chubby pal volunteered as she twisted the dial for me. 

Since we were the best of friends we both knew each other’s locker combination. As soon as she opened the door, I hastily scanned its crowded but neatly-arranged shelves… 

My heart sank to my stomach. All my prescription drugs were missing!  

This couldn’t be happening. It shouldn’t! I clearly remember keeping them here. How could they suddenly disappear?  

I tore through the contents of my locker, searching every nook and cranny, but I couldn’t find them. My wolf rejoiced, while I almost wailed aloud in the hall. 

I was slowly transforming and was at the verge of actually begging anyone who was willing to have sex with me just to ease my heat!