Chapter 6 NOT GOING

Amber’s POV

The gigantic walls of my room felt like they were closing in, pressing in with every beat. I kept quiet. My mother’s soothing voice broke the silence, followed by a loud bang on my bedroom door.

“If you don’t open up and share your pain with us, how will it be solved, honey?” she pleaded through the door.

“Go away!” I screamed, my voice already fresh from holding in everything I didn’t know how to say.

“Okay, fine,” she mumbled softly, still outside. “If you don’t want to talk, at least come out and eat, you can’t sleep on an empty stomach.”

“She is too stubborn. Just leave her,” Daniel cut in, his voice muted but calm. “Give her food, she will open up when she smells it.”

“I am confused, I didn’t know it was this hard raising a young adult. She didn’t say a single word to me the whole ride back.” My dad commented, sounding almost hurt.

“That’s because you are not free to talk to,” Daniel answered without hesitation.

My father let out a grunt. “Is that so? I always thought I was easygoing, but… maybe I was wrong.” He replied, and his footsteps faded away.

“Wait, what are you waiting for, Mom?” Daniel added, “Where is the food? We need it to lure her out of her room.”

“I will get it,” Mom replied with a sigh, her footsteps trailing toward the kitchen.

Inside my room, I yanked open my school bag and dumped my things on the bed. My books fell out like useless weights, the corners poking my thigh as I stared at them with pure anger.

“I didn’t even understand anything they taught today,” I muttered under my breath. “Why does my first day have to be this cruel?”

“It isn’t your fault, girl. It’s those fucking elite wolves they need to fix their attitude.” Raven said inside my head, “They are nothing but a gaggle of rancid cunts, they—”

My phone rang, interrupting Raven. My stomach hollowed when I peeked at my phone, it was Bella calling, her picture was bouncing across the screen.

“Not now, Bella,” I snapped, cutting the call.

But it rang again. Of course, it did.

“I’m not going back to that awful school. Never!” I shrieked, shoving the books to the floor with one sweep of my arm.

I finally answered on the third ring, pressing the phone to my ear with quivering fingers. “He…hello,” I muttered, my voice fragile.

“Amber? You sound weird. What’s going on?” Bella inquired, her voice gentle and familiar.

“I’m… I’m not okay,” I mumbled, the words falling as my last thread of self-control shredded. “Everything’s wrong, nothing is going my way.”

Fat tears rolled down my cheeks, freely now, soaking into my shirt collar.

“Damn, girl. What happened?”

“I was attacked... by a privileged white he-wolf at school today,” I whispered, my voice hoarse. “H-He tried to force himself on me. If not for my survival instincts flaring up or the last night's martial arts classes with my brother. I don’t know what would have happened. That school isn’t for someone like me. I don’t belong there, Bell. I’m not going back.”

She paused for a beat. “Girl... what do you plan to do?”

“I will drop out of school and find a job, I will do anything. I can’t go back there knowing what that asshole that my stupid wolf thinks is our mate might do next.”

“You don’t run from your problems,” she said firmly. “You face them head-on. You are the strongest she-wolf I know, what has gotten into you?”

I bit hard on my lower lip and didn’t respond.

“Guess what? I will be moving to your new pack tomorrow,” she added, trying to lighten the mood. “I applied to a university nearby, and your parents will have to accommodate me.”

“Let me guess—it’s not because of me but your mate.”

“It’s for both of you,” she said with a giggle in her voice.

“Whatever,” I mumbled. “I will see you tomorrow.”

I ended the call, still trembling. Maybe a shower would cool me down. I stripped off my clothes and stepped under the spray as soon as I entered the bathroom.

The cold water ran over my shoulders and down my spine, but it couldn’t wash off the fear clinging to me like a second skin.

My wolf growled in the back of my mind, disturbed and restless. When I was done, I pulled on a yellow shirt and black leggings, grabbed my phone, and plugged in my earpiece. Soft pop music filled my ears, but it didn’t soothe me.

I stepped out of my room, the hallways empty and noiseless. Had they all gone to bed already?

I headed for the main door, but my mother appeared like she always did, right on cue.

“Honey, come and eat. Where are you going?” She questioned, holding a steaming plate of mac and cheese.

I forced a smile. “I just need some fresh air.”

“But it’s late, honey. Eat something first, then go,” she offered with a gentle smile.

“I will be back,” I muttered, walking past her.

Behind me, I heard Daniel rushing in, his voice alarmed. “Where is she going? I need to go after her—”

“She needs space, son,” Mom interrupted, tugging him back. “Give her some room. Maybe she will come around.”

“It’s not safe,” he rumbled under his breath. “She is just a little girl, who will protect her from those hungry rogue wolves out there?”

“She is a she-wolf,” Mom corrected him. “And she is strong. Just like me, let her be.”

The night air outside hit me like a soft slap to the face. The bright streets were empty, but that didn’t mean I was safe. My wolf perked up as I walked down the road, watching and sensing through me, alert to any danger.

My stomach growled with hunger, and I clutched it, letting out a sigh. The streetlights glowed against my skin, turning my brown skin golden. I spotted a restaurant a few blocks away, something fancy and way out of my budget. But it was open, and I was hungry. I guess I would have to order the cheapest dish on the menu.

I stepped inside the fancy restaurant, my confidence wavering at the sight of gold-rimmed tables and rich wolves whispering over overpriced wine.

My eyes drifted over to an empty table close to the window, and I settled into the seat and grabbed the menu on the table.

A neatly dressed waiter approached me, all courtesy. “Welcome, Miss. How may I help you?” He beamed, flashing me his perfect teeth.

I browsed the menu, heart plummeting until I saw something cheap: macaroni and cheese, the same food I have refused to eat at home.

“That one,” I replied, pointing at it.

He bowed slightly and left before coming back a few minutes later to drop the dish on my table. I dug into the waistband of my leggings, pulling out a bundle of wrinkled cash from the hidden shorts ’underneath. Barely enough but just the right amount I needed.

Then.

I.

Saw.

him.

Alpha Mason.

He sat at the far end, dressed to impress, his alpha aura screaming dominance and power. A beautiful she-wolf was seated beside him, clinging to his arm like a tick.

Shit.

I ducked my head and covered my face with my hand. Maybe he didn’t notice me.

Nope. Not my luck tonight.

The sound of his loud footsteps echoed before I felt his presence. His scent hit me like gas and spice, uniquely Alpha.

Raven howled in excitement inside of me. “Let’s get him to mark us, get him to fuck us hard and go balls deep inside our virgin pussy.”

My cheeks heated up from the nasty comments of my wolf, and I groaned.

“You are really good at pretending, aren’t you?” His voice was arrogant and loud. “You think I wouldn’t recognize you? Why are you stalking me, ugly duckling?”

I didn’t answer. I focused on my food.

He slammed his fists on the table. “Why are you stalking me, little omega?”