Claws before crowns

Bennett's pov

"Bennett, you can't keep doing this."

I placed the wet napkin under my bleeding lip, it probably was laced with ethanol because it stung on contact.

"That son of a bitch deserved it. He is so lucky that I didn't beat his stupid grin in."

My Beta, Ryder shook his head. The lollipop between his lips making a 'pop' sound as he pulled it from his mouth.

"I know, but you should learn to ignore Lucas by now. I do the same with Kael."

Kael Rivers was the bastard's Beta, the only difference was that he actually knew when to shut up. Unlike a certain dark-haired idiot that derived pleasure in provoking me.

"If Lucas would be as silent as Kael, probably. But you know he never keeps his mouth shut."

I could see the way the students, the freshers shot me scared glances as they scurried towards the bleachers.

"See," Ryder remarked with a smirk. "Your outburst was too loud, it scared the new ones."

I rose from the seat.

"We are wolves, not pony princesses." I looked at the freshers. "If they can't handle a little brawl, then I hope that they aren't from our pack."

Kael sighed and rolled his eyes.

"We better get out of here before the principal calls for you. I am not covering up your ass if you get detention again."

I couldn't get detention again, it would likely affect my grades. This was senior year, if I wanted to graduate and maintain my role as Alpha. My grades mattered.

We started towards the hallway, the plan was to use the back, jump over the fences, and make our way out to the back gardens so that my wounds could heal before the principal called me in.

That way, with my wounds healed, I could fake it and say that nothing happened.

The plan was going well, till someone bumped into me. The wet napkin I held fell on the sandy ground.

"The fuck are your eyes made of, plastic?"

I looked up and realized that it was him.

Lucas Storm.

"What is wrong with you, I can see that you are itching for round two?" I stepped forward and extended my claws, Ryder kept his hands firmly on my shoulder to hold me back, and Kael did the same for Lucas.

The only problem was that holding us back never worked because whenever a Cross and a Storm collided, there was bound to be retribution.

"Bennett don't do this, let's go."

"Listen to your Beta, pup."

His voice was husky with amusement, and a smile stretched my lips. Before he could say anything else, my fist collided with his already bruised jawline.

Gasps and murmurs reverberated around us, I didn't heed Ryder though. I grabbed Luca's collar and slammed him against one of the lockers.

"My father is merely being lenient by not showing your father what we are made of. But I swear Lucas Storm, the moment I become Alpha, is the moment life becomes all the more miserable for you."

His blue orbs mirrored my grey ones,

"We are both eighteen pup."He gripped my neck. "In other words, we'll both be coronated Alpha's around the same time."

He threw me on the floor but I regained my balance almost immediately. He might've been taller by a few inches and stronger by a little clip. But I was faster.

He didn't see my blows coming until he felt their impact, in fact it was a screaming-bout till the principal showed up with an angry scowl on his face.

"You both, my office. Now!"

We paused and turned towards the lean tall man, his hair was constantly slicked backwards and the markings on his skin faintly glowed. He was our principal, Mr. Trent Loyd, and rumor had it that he was an original.

A descendant of one of the first wolves.

I could defy other authority figures, but as an upcoming Alpha, I couldn't defy him, and neither could Lucas.

We marched to his office shooting each other glares that told of unspoken manslaughter, or in this case, wolf slaughter.

~

"At this point, this has to be the fourth time this week you both are in my office." He sighed and sat on his seat, his glasses situated on the bridge of his nose.

"It's not my fault that pup here can't stop being in his emotions."

I nearly slammed my bloody fist on the mahogany table.

"Call me pup one more-"

"Enough."

He growled at us, his eyes bleeding golden with anger. "I am nearly fifty and you both have made me angrier these past few years than I have ever been in my entire life."

"Principal Trent-" Lucas began.

"I haven't finished" His eyes were hardened, obviously tired from the constant collision between us both. "If it was within my power, I would've gotten both of you transferred somewhere else, to different institutions even. But unfortunately, both your late grandfather's held shares in this institution alongside my father."

"Sir it wasn't my intention to cause problems. I just accidentally bumped into Bennett." Lucas said, I was in shock by how fakely-genuine someone could sound.

"I was about to apologize and then he started throwing punches. I had to defend myself."

If we weren't in the principal's office I would've landed a flying kick to the back of his head.

"You don't fucking bump into someone and smile smugly. It obviously means that it was intentional."

He leaned over.

"Had no plans to bump into you pup, but I'm glad I did."

"Principal Trent-" I began, "Lucas has always been trouble. I admit that I have a temper but only when it comes to this useless, spineless, retarded, numb-brained, fish gutted-"

"Language!" Principal Trent roared, a vein was visible at the side of his neck. It was a pity honestly that I had to attend this academy, if I had it my way, I would never share schools with Lucas.

But sadly I don't.

~

We were dismissed from the principal's office with a stern warning and a little punishment. He was to weed the school garden, I was to wash the restrooms in place of the janitor.

Yuck.

It was going fairly well for me with Ryder by my side teasing me about my hot head till Lucas passed by with his Beta.

He stopped at the open door and gave me a wink, my gloved hands resting on the sink itching to claw into his eyes.