6. Breakfast

Atalanta’s pov

“I can’t be there tomorrow,” Suzie whispered.

“What do you mean?” I replied.

“I have practice tomorrow. Very early. I’m sorry.”

At the academy, they had special werewolf training, but they also had other teams you could join. One of them was tracks, where you, I guess, run on a track? They had a few other clubs; some weren’t athletic either, but since I wasn’t going to stay long, I had not looked into those.

It wouldn’t help with my mission anyway. And I was already behind on homework since none of the werewolf classes were mentioned in the homeschooling I received. And even normal classes like math were hard for me because mom would often make me do chores while she taught Archer. She said I didn’t need to know any of that anyway.

So I wouldn’t have the time to join a club, even if I wanted to.

But this meant that I would be having breakfast with Raiden and Zev, and whoever else would join us, by myself.

Thus far, Suzie has stuck up for me. I wasn’t sure why, but I really appreciated it. She's the first person who has ever defended me.

We would be in a public space, so it would be fine, right? It wasn’t like he would hurt me. Would he?

If he did, who would stop him? He’s an alpha heir, and I’m a nobody. A pretend Luna wannabe.

According to my fake bio, which I had to remember by heart, I’m Atalanta Brown, the niece of the current Alpha of a small pack in the north of the country. My grandfather was the previous alpha, which gives me the right to join this school. My pack is called the Midnight Howlers, and we’re so small that we are forced to interact with humans.

It’s so small that I had to attend a regular school because there aren’t enough kids to fill an entire school with. Also, the pack is struggling financially. I guess they added that part to explain why all my clothes are old and don’t fit properly.

They bought me a few new ones that I really needed. An outfit for gym class, some new underwear, and a warm sweater. But most of my clothes belonged to my mother or brother. Usually the older sibling has the new clothes, but since I’m smaller, I always get his hand-me-downs.

But I don’t really care, because the bigger the clothes, the better I can hide in them.

That’s why I hate the outfit they picked out for gym. Like really hate it. It’s form-fitting, and I can’t hide in it.

I’m terrible at anything sports-related. I’m not strong, although I can carry heavy groceries or mop the floors, which gives me some muscles in my arms. But I am not used to running around. I don’t have great aim or any experience in anything sport-related.

But I can’t skip class. I thought about it, though. But werewolves don’t get sick. Their immune system is so much stronger than ours. And after they get their wolves, it’s even better. So unless you break something, there is no excuse to not attend class.

The “twins” weren’t here last week when I started. But I pray to God that I am not stuck in their class during gym. It’s bad enough to sit at a desk near them, but Raiden will tease me so badly if he sees me do anything sporty.

Not just tease me. He might actually see through this act of mine and realize it’s all a big lie.

“Atalanta? Will you be okay?” Suzie asked, and I nodded, despite not knowing if I would.

That night, after calling back home, I went back to sleep. I hadn’t told them about Zev or Raiden, simply because I wanted to wait until I actually had some information for them.

But as soon as I closed my eyes, I had a nightmare where my parents were yelling at me and chasing me through the house.

“You’re a slut!” Mom shouted.

“A filthy werewolf lover. A whore!” Dad yelled before slapping me hard across the face.

“But I didn’t do anything,” I tried to reply before they threw me to the ground and began kicking me.

Two hands held me down, shaking me back and forth, while the other kicked me against my ribs.

“Atalanta.” A soft voice spoke, and the shaking continued.

“Please, no.” I pleaded.

Finally, I realized I was dreaming, and when I opened my eyes, Suzie was holding my arms. “You were having a bad dream. I was trying to wake you up.”

I put a fake smile on. “Thank you. I’m fine.”

“What was the dream about?” Suzie asked. “It looked really bad.”

“I don’t really remember.” I replied, pretending to yawn. “What time is it?”

“Almost five in the morning.” Suzie said, walking back to her bed. “You sure you’re okay?

I nodded and tried to go back to sleep.

While none of what happened in my dreams actually happened, it still haunted me. I would never get involved with a werewolf, but if I did, my parents reaction would be like in my nightmare. They would kill me for embarrassing them; I was sure of it.

I tried my best to sleep, but all I kept doing was tossing and turning and trying to listen to Suzie’s breathing to find out if she was asleep or not.

“Since we both can’t sleep, let’s just go for a run.” Suzie suggested it suddenly from across the room, scaring me. I had no idea she was just as awake as I was.

“Run?” I asked. Saying no wasn’t an option. It wasn’t something I was ever allowed to do, so it didn’t come naturally to me.

“Yeah, it clears your head. Come. Let’s brush our teeth, and we’ll run before you need to head to breakfast. Maybe we can finish our conversation about the twins.”

After taking turns getting ready, I put on my leggings, a sports bra, and a big shirt.

“It’s hot out today; leave the shirt.” Suzie said.

There was a scar on my back from when I dropped a jar of pickles while cooking. Dad had thrown the pan with burgers towards me, and I had quickly turned my back. The hot oil had splashed against my back and upper leg before the pan fell to the floor.

I never understood why dad wasted even more food punishing me.

Werewolves can get scars before their eighteenth birthday. They heal much faster than humans, but not as fast as when they have their wolves.

When they get hurt as adults, the wounds barely ever leave a scar.

Apparently our scientists have been testing their healing abilities, using their blood and DNA for the serum that’s currently running through my blood.

I am not sure I’m supposed to know about those tests, but I overheard General Sweets talking to my dad about them before our mission.

It’s also how they learned about the school. They found one of the former teachers of this school in our woods. I don’t want to imagine what they did to the man to make him talk.

But he probably deserved it.

Right?

Right.

“Lana, we need to go.”

“Lana?” Did she mean me?

Suzie winked at me, “or Attie? I’m trying to think of the best way to shorten your name. I officially go by Susan, but everyone has always called me Suzie. What about you?”

They call me Atalanta. Or nothing, really. You there? They don’t really speak enough to me to say my name a lot.

“Just my full name.” I replied. “I’ve never had a nickname.”

“Do you want a nickname?” Suzie asked, looking at me with such kindness that it made me shy.

I nodded, unable to speak. My first nickname. Well, unless you count little mouse.

“Then I pick Lana. It suits you better than Attie, I think.” Suzie said with a big smile. “Cute sports bra, by the way. Is it new?”

I nodded, “yes, I didn’t have many clothes to work out in.”

“Maybe we can go shopping soon. Get you some new clothes.”

I didn’t have the heart to tell her I couldn’t afford it. My parents had given me ten dollars for food for the month, and I wasn’t sure if they would be sending more soon. Or ever. That’s why I’ve been rationing and skipping meals like breakfast.

Suzie walked towards the door, “Let’s go!”

After she gave me some pointers on how to place my feet and how to move my arms, we started running. That was after she scolded me on my form first, but, like I said, I have no experience running. I don’t even jog.

I thought I would be out of breath in no time, but the serum was helping me keep up. Okay, not keep up, because Suzie is really fast. But go a lot faster without getting winded than I thought I would.

By the end, I was sweaty, sticky, and a bit sore. But I did feel good. It was really pretty here, and while we ran along the track, I could hear the birds chirping, see the sun coming up, and feel the air shift from cold to warm. It was going to be a hot day today if it was already this warm.

We were so busy running that we barely talked, which may have been a good thing. The more Suzie tried to talk to me about the twins, the more uncomfortable I felt.

“O shit,” Suzie said. “I need to head to training, it’s almost seven.”

“But you just ran for an hour with me….”

“That was just the warm-up,” Suzie winked at me. “See you at class!”

I checked my phone to see that I only had ten minutes left. It would take five minutes to get back to the building. There was no way I would have time to shower and change. Raiden had said to be there at seven, and I couldn’t be late.

Being late to anything was a big sin in my house, and it  made me start early to avoid any issues. The less I was in the way, the better. So I woke up before everyone, made breakfast, cleaned up, and then did the rest of my chores while they ate.

Whatever was left over, I ate.

I walked to the mess hall, putting my arm up so I could see if I smelled like sweat. It wasn’t too bad, thankfully. But werewolves have enhanced noses, so they would probably think I smelled awful.

I rushed through the building, thankful I got there in time. There’s a big clock hanging above the cafeteria, telling me I still have a few minutes left.

After looking around the room, I saw they weren’t there yet, and I breathed a sigh of relief. My relief quickly faded when I felt a finger go from my neck down to my spine. My very sweaty spine. It made me shudder involuntarily. 

“Little Mouse is full of surprises this morning. You actually worked out? Wearing that?” Raiden teased me.

I turned around to see the two men staring at me. God, they made me feel small when I was standing near them. Like a little girl staring up at two adults who were scolding here.

Only they didn’t look upset. They had a weird look on their faces. Similar to the face Raiden makes before attacking all the food he buys.

“She smells nice, doesn’t she?” Raiden said to Zev, holding his finger in front of his best friend's nose, before taking the finger to his lips.

What was wrong with werewolf men?! Was he actually going to lick something that had my sweat on it?

He was.

He did.

O, my god.

His eyes raked over my body, as did Zev’s, a lot more discreetly.

“Well, let’s eat.” Raiden said, after his eyes went up and down twice. “You two walk ahead and pick a table. I’m going to enjoy the view.”

I didn’t realize what he meant until I noticed Raiden following behind us closely, his eyes glued to my backside.

Stupid leggings.

Then, out of nowhere, Raiden sprinted, grabbing my arm to stop me. Zev paused next to me with a curious look in his eyes.