Chapter SIx

Elle Pov 

"I was thinking the same thing, but I don't believe so; maybe we just look like other people we know?" I say, trying to explain the feeling in my gut telling me to trust this guy I don't even know.

"Yeah, maybe." is Theo's response, but I can tell he isn't convinced. "So where should we start this tour?" he asks, going along with my plan to talk about anything else, and I am grateful for it. I hate trying to remember the time before living with the Ledgers. 

"Have you gotten your school schedule yet?" I ask. That way, I can see what areas of the school to show him and the best routes. 

"Yeah, I met with the principal, the Alpha, and the guidance counselor yesterday, where they went over my schedule," he says as he hands over a folded-up piece of paper. Opening it, I see we have every class together except training, which I am not allowed to participate in. 

"Well, oddly, we have every class together, so it looks like you'll be sticking next to me all day," I say, handing the paper back to him. 

"That doesn't sound like a bad place to be," Theo says, giving a heartwarming smile, causing my cheeks to flush instantly. While it's nice to have such a cute guy flirting with me, I couldn't help but wonder how Damon would respond to this if he heard. I should be more interested in this cute guy standing next to me than Damon would think. He is singlehandedly destroying my life. 

"Um, well, let's head to our homeroom. Follow me this way," I say, turning away from further embarrassment and walking back to the main foyer. I walk up the stairs to the second floor, turning left to go down the hallway filled with yellow and blue lockers till I reach the last door on the left. "This is Mrs. Baisden's room; you'll come here for homeroom and fifth-period AP English. She is pretty cool, although she is a stickler on tardiness,  so don't be late if you can help. Were you able to read the summer reading?" I ask him as I lead us to the seats in the far back by the windows. 

"Yeah, I read most of these books in ninth grade. My dad moves around a lot because of his job, so making friends has always been difficult. So I read a lot. I own so many we need a separate truck to move them," Theo chuckles, and I feel at ease knowing I am around a fellow nerd. 

"Oh really? What's your dad's job?" I ask. It's rare for werewolves to move between packs frequently. 

"Oh, my dad is a council representative." I already see myself getting along with his easygoing nature. "He goes to different packs on the council's behalf. I don't understand what he does at each pack as it's confidential, but his job has allowed me to see the beauty in the world, so I am not mad at constantly moving." Theo answers, shrugging his shoulders, signaling he doesn't mind routinely packing up his life for a new adventure. 

When the door opened, I was about to ask him another question, and Mrs. Baisden walked in with a rolling bag behind her. 

"Good Morning, Mrs. Baisden," I greet her with a warm smile, and she looks at me, confused for a few seconds before realizing who I dawn on her face. 

"Oh, Elle, is that you? I didn't recognize you! You look so different than last year!" she says, looking me up and down. How she looks at me, you would think I'm an alien.

"Yeah, Luna Olivia took me shopping for new clothes yesterday. She demanded I update my wardrobe." I chuckle; it's not a secret in the pack that Luna Olivia loves shopping, always the most fashionable woman in the room. Turing my attention to Theo, I introduce him to Mrs. Baisden.  

"Welcome to Timberlake High, Theo. I hope you enjoy living here. The Alpha informed me that you moved into the pack on Saturday. Do you need time to complete the summer reading list?" Mrs. Baisden asks Theo. 

"No, I have already read the books on this list a few years back," he responds warmly. Mrs. Baisden is about to say more when students start trickling in, and she directs them to find their seats. I can see the looks the students are giving me. The other girls look threatened or envious as I sit next to Theo, the jaw-dropping new kid. The guys are looking at me with lust while shooting daggers at Theo. I wonder how long it will be before one of the kids run to tell Damon about my outfit and that I am sitting next to Theo. They won't say anything if they're smart, missing Damon's wrath. Damon is a "kill the messenger" type of Alpha. 

*****************

After twenty minutes of classmates finding my new look more interesting than the new kid or the class news, I was desperate for the bell to ring. As soon as it did, I was out of my seat with Theo hot on my heels. Theo doesn't say anything as he follows beside me silently, not asking about the kids in homeroom. Luckily it's a free period, so I can exit this hellscape for forty minutes before running into Damon. 

Walking across the courtyard to the forest, Theo grabs my arm to make me face him. 

"Elle, are you okay? Your classmates were staring at you the whole time, like your the crazy pack murderer or something," Theo says to me, his thumb running over my arm as he tries to comfort me. 

"It's complicated," I say, and that is when my nose is invaded with Damon's scent-- eucalyptus and sandalwood. It reminds me of a library filled with old books, oversized leather chairs, and laundry. As much as I deny it, his smell is comforting, and I have missed it in his absence. I turn from Theo, looking for Damon, hoping he hasn't noticed me yet and we can get away before he does. I look towards the other end of the courtyard to see him throwing a football with Matt and Andrew. His back is turned; as I am about to turn around, a gust of wind blows past me, carrying my scent right to him. Then I hear Matt practically yelling, "Holy Shit! Is that Elle?!" Fuck. There is no getting away from him now. 

While I hate to admit it, I have always found Damon attractive, but something changed during his time at camp. He has gotten taller, probably 6'7" now, which is tall even by Alpha standards. He is still lean, but his muscles have filled out, becoming more defined, and he has a sleeve tattoo on his right arm going up the side of his neck. I can see him stiffen and then turn, searching for me; as if our eyes are magnets, his blue orbs find green ones almost instantly, and I feel the air leave my lungs. 

He looks almost relieved to see me, but then his eyes scan my body, and he finally notices Theo's hand still resting on my arm. Double Fuck. His eyes shift to full black as he wastes no time striding over to us. I can see his eyes shooting daggers at Theo, who still hasn't released my arm, adding to Damon's anger. 

Damon's eyes of death never leave Theo, who surprisingly doesn't seem to be afraid like most kids around us, who can feel the Alpha aura pouring from the pissed-off Damon. It doesn't seem to affect Theo or me, but even Andrew and Matt look uncomfortable standing close to him. 

"Elle, why are you showing him around? That has always been my job with new students," Damon says, his eyes still boring into Theo's, who doesn't blink or turn away. With Damon's attention still on Theo, he doesn't notice me roll my eyes at him. 

"Talk to Alpha Charles. I understand he is trying to be nice, but he is making things worse for himself and me. He is the one that told her to give me a tour," Theo answers. 

"I don't recall my father introducing you as Elle when we met yesterday," Damon snaps at Theo, "Do you? No, then keep your fucking mouth shut. Elle can speak for herself." Damon finally shifts his eyes for the first time since talking to us, and I swear butterflies are having a dance party in my stomach. Why am I so attracted to this man? I hate him. 

"Elle, is that true?" Damon asks me, still looking in at me, and I can barely catch my breath. 

"Yes." This is the only response I can croak out. 

"And you must dress like a slut to show this mutt around the school?" Damon demands as he stares at me. 

"No, I didn't even know I was going to do this until this morning," I fire back, starting to get fed up with his controlling bullshit. 

"Oh, so you decided to dress like a slut for any male wolf that looks your way, then?" he steps closer, forcing me to look up at him. 

"Maybe I did, Damon; what will you do about it?" I shoot back at him, crossing my arms over my chest in defiance. It is disrespectful to call an Alpha by only his name, regardless of his age. I know calling him by his name will set him off; I heard the sucks of air coming from my classmates, watching our interaction with interest. 

Damon leans closer to my face, his lips right near my ear, and I swear I can't breathe from his closeness. His presence and scent have me completely frozen, terrified, and excited about what he might do to me. What the fuck is wrong with me? 

Growling lowly, Damon responds, "It's Alpha to you, biscuit, and don't make me show you what I would do to you." His answer sends shivers down my stomach. I stay completely still as his head tilts, and I see him take a giant breath like he is smelling my hair. What the hell is happening right now? My stomach is in knots of confusion; what the hell is happening?

As I am about to give him some snarky response, despite the butterflies ruling my stomach when the bell rings in the distance letting all the students in the courtyard know it's time to move on to the next class. 

I feel like I can breathe again as Damon releases my arm to step back and look me in the face before saying, "Better run along to class, Elle. We all know a nerd like you cannot tolerate being late."

Throwing one last murderous look at Theo, he strides past him. Damon shoulder-checks Theo on his way back to the school doors. Matt and Andrew, who have watched the entire interaction without saying a word, follow behind Damon. 

Theo and I are left speechless as we watch the backs of Damon, Andrew, and Matt disappear into the building before following ourselves.