Chapter 9

Zahra's POV

Sabrina, Kelly, and Rosa; otherwise known as the High Heel Hyenas, have made my school life a never-ending nightmare since I set foot in high school.

Here’s a little nugget of wisdom about me: I’m actually quite the brainiac. Technically, I should still be in 8th grade, but two years ago, my middle school recommended I skip ahead. I managed to get my hands on the paperwork and fill it out before my dad even noticed. I’m pretty sure he still doesn’t realize I’ve been in high school this whole time; Zach’s been blissfully silent on the subject, and my dad would have to speak to me to acknowledge it, which is, frankly, not on his to-do list.

When I started high school at 12, it was clear that 9th-grade work wasn’t going to cut it. My teachers quickly advanced me to sophomore classes, and by the end of my first year, I was already taking junior-level classes. Now, at 14, I’m in my senior year, set to graduate at the end of this academic year.

To make things more interesting, I’m also taking online college courses in Computer Tech, Math, and Economics through the state university. Mr. Varner, my math teacher, helped me apply to their dual-enrolment program for gifted students. He’s always there if I need help, though honestly, I rarely do.

My schedule is packed and varied, but I actually love it. School used to be mind-numbingly dull, but now it’s finally challenging… sometimes. At the rate I’m speeding through my credits, I’ll finish high school by the end of the year and dive straight into a degree. I’ve already applied to a handful of colleges to study Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) online. It’s a perfect fit for what I want to do with my life. There’s no way my dad, or the Alpha, for that matter, would ever let me leave the pack to go away to college at 14, so online is my only option for now. It works out well because it also means I can continue my training. By the time I finish my degree, I’ll almost be old enough to try out for elite training, and I’ll have everything I need to build a life of my own.

So why, you might ask, do I put up with the High Heel Hyenas? Well, it’s not that I couldn’t take them, I definitely could. But honestly, they’re so small-minded that engaging with them would be a waste of my time. Their sole ambition is to be mates with the future leaders and become ranked members. (eye roll) Plus, fighting back would inevitably draw attention to my high school status and, who knows, reveal more about my situation to my father. So, for now, I’m keeping my head down, enduring their nonsense, and biding my time. As the saying goes, sticks and stones may break my bones, but their petty words? They can’t touch me.

The morning drags on as per usual, and before I know it, I’m swept along with the rest of the adolescent herd toward the cafeteria. I grab a tray of food, not bothering to check what’s on offer; at this point, mystery meat and soggy vegetables are just part of the deal. Food is food, and this is the only proper meal I can count on each day. Most days, it’s this, a granola bar, and an apple in the morning; barely enough to keep me going, especially with how much I train.

I plunk down my tray at our usual table and wait for Sienna and Abby to show up. The cafeteria might not serve anything fancy, but at least it’s consistent. Honestly, I don’t care what’s on the plate as long as it fills the gnawing ache in my stomach and keeps me from passing out during afternoon training.

Abby is an omega. Her mom works at a local restaurant, and her dad is a community gardener. They’re the kind of people who make you feel like you’ve stepped into a warm hug the moment you’re in their presence. Abby and I have been friends since I was in kindergarten and she was in first grade. On my first day, I showed up with my hair an absolute mess—no one at home had bothered to help me get ready. Abby didn’t hesitate; she sat me down and braided it for me like we’d known each other forever. She’s been my best friend ever since.

We’ve never shared any classes, but she’s like a sister to me. Being able to have lunch with her again is amazing. I missed her terribly when I moved to high school so early.

Sienna and I met on my first day here, and we’ve been inseparable ever since. She’s had a much more conventional schedule, so we don’t share any classes anymore. Her parents are pack warriors—strong, skilled, and seriously impressive fighters. It’s obvious she’s following in their footsteps. She joins me for some of my extra training sessions, but not with the same obsessive drive I have.

Let’s face it: Sienna has a social life, a family that actually likes her, and none of the relentless need to escape this pack that keeps me running on four hours of sleep a night.

Lunch is our time to catch up, swap stories, and briefly escape the daily grind and the endless circus of teenage drama.

While I wait for the girls to show up, I sit at our table, half-heartedly scraping the last remnants of frosting off my science textbook. At the same time, I shovel the questionable excuse for food they’re serving into my mouth without really tasting it. I’m blissfully tuned out from the world around me.

That is, until a voice so smooth it could butter toast breaks through my focus.

“Hi, you’re Zahra Larkin, right? Beta Larkin’s daughter?”