Chapter 4

Rest of the day passed with the only topic in the air, which was surprisingly, note the sarcasm about Alpha Maddox and my dear brother Lucas.I hated each second of it.Not only do they talk about the fight, but how hot these two are.I get it, they are indeed handsome.But who in the right state of their mind would like to hear the fantasies about their sibling? It disgusts me the moment they start talking about my brother in a not so appropriate way.Sometimes I have to hold myself back from hitting one of them.

And what's so charming about two men fighting? I scoff, collecting my stuff before leaving the class room.

"She really has the guts to slap our Alpha" I freeze, overhearing one of the girls who was walking behind me.Guts, they say? A pure accident it was.Only I know the turmoil I'm stuck into.I slowed down and they soon walked past me while whispering to each other.

I sigh, fiddling with the strap of my bag as today's event flash in front of my eyes.Maddox surely would have choked me to the death had it not been for my brother.

"Annalise!" I frown, stopping on my track and turning my head upon hearing someone call out my name.He stood in front of me and flash me a small hesitant smile.Oh he is the student who was dragged by Maddox this morning in the stadium.Speaking of which, why did he drag only one student?

"Yea?" I ask.What if Maddox let out his frustration of me on this poor dude? My frown deepened, eyes flickering to scan his body for any injury.But it must've healed by now so I can't really make out anything.Besides, I should stop this awful habit of jumping to conclusions.Maddox can't be that bad.I hope.

"I... actually, I'll come straight to the point.I was the one who smacked you this morning.That was just a light smack, with no bad intention I swear" He blurt out so fast that I had to repeat his words in my head two times.Anger rushed through my veins once his sentence made sense to me.

"I'm sorry.. Annalise—

His words hung in the air, as I stepped ahead and reached out for the collar of his shirt before pulling him down with a jerk, earning a surprised gasp from him.I glare at him with much rage.

"Fun? I'm sure if I kick you in the balls it won't be as much fun?" I exclaim, my tone harsh and words wrapped with a blanket of warning.Just like my brother, I have very little self control when it comes to disrespect.

"I am here to apologize.. Please Alpha has already threatened to banish me, forgive me Annalise.. Please" He pleads, eyes filled with fear and guilt.I release his collar and arch an eyebrow, before stepping back.My anger dissipating at his words.

Alpha threatened him? Does he mean Maddox?

"Fine" I mumbled, still perplexed.He ran away right after while I made my way out of the school.Why would Maddox threaten a guy for such a small reason? I mean he hasn't threatened my brother ever.Maybe that student had to deal with Maddox's wrath after my slap.This kinda makes sense.

Why is my life full of torture? What was the need to slap him Annalise? I groan, arguing with my own self.

Maddox has already graduated yet he comes here every week only to mess with Lucas.How childish can he be? At least my brother is here to teach students self defense but look at Maddox? Mr.soon to be Alpha.Instead of focusing on his upcoming responsibility, he chose to annoy Lucas.All he ever does is show off.

I look up at the sky, humming in delight at least it won't rain today.Sighing, I continue my way back to home quietly.I shrug off the thoughts of Maddox, cursing myself for thinking about him.It gives me nothing but headache.He is so intriguing, it drives me insane.

My ears perk up after hearing some rustling noises coming from the bushes that separates the road from the woods.I didn't give it a much thought, it must be those students who shifts rather than walking back home.A deep pang strike in my chest at the thought of shifting.Unlike every other members of my age, I didn't have my first shift yet.I am almost eighteen and we start shifting from age fourteen.I might be very of those few who wolf out late but a part of me have started to doubt it.I wasn't so desperate to wolf out but the rumors are directed at my mother, assuming and cooking up stories that my mother might have cheated on my father because they don't happen to think of some other reason behind my problem.Apparently, me not wolfing out has become the whole Pack's problem than mine or my parents.

I often feel guilty for being the reason behind those rumors.However, yet again it is now nothing but adding to the reasons why I should move out of the Pack.Smiling delighted at the thought of going away from this place, I was too occupied to even notice the movements around me.

Until a big gray wolf jumped out from the bushes.Panic set into me.I stumble back, falling on my butt being taken off guard at the sudden appearance of a wolf.I wince in pain at the contact of my butt against the harsh surface but the pain was forgotten as soon as my gaze fell on the gray wolf who was staring directly at me.If it was not for the four steps distance between us then I must have fainted out of fear and anxiety.

This big gray wolf is Maddox after all.The same damn wolf who had attacked me once.The same wolf which haunted me for months in my nightmare.I have been instructed to never ever show up in front of his wolf, no matter what happens but here I am, stuck in an uncalled situation yet again.At this point, I am damn sure Moon Goddess has some beef with me.My fate was written in anger.I bet.

I should grab my bag, get up and run for my dear life like the way my mind is running with all the possibilities of him ripping my throat.But my body refused to move.He has never showed up in front of me in all these years, so why now? Gathering some courage, I slowly scooted backwards only to freeze once he moved his paw.Is that a sign that I should comply with his way of attacking me? Perhaps I will die less painfully if I don't move.

What have I even done to him? I never even scold him for fighting with my brother, no matter how strong the urge I'd felt.Then why am I his only prey?

Oh wait, there is something which answer the question.I freaking slapped him in front of all those students.Of course he would want revenge.I dig my grave with my own bare hands.There is no way, I could escape this situation.If I try to run, he would catch me easily.

Giving up, Annalise? How pathetic of me.

My heart rate pulse harder.Breathing turning shallow, almost at the verge of losing oxygen.The wolf started moving, the distance between us slowly decreasing.I stare into his familiar pair of light brown orbs, not sensing any kind of danger.Maybe that's the delusional part of me, making up things to ease my worry.My throat clogged, color draining my face when he was just a step away from me.His strong creamy scent of sandalwood filled my lungs.My thoughts faded and clouded with his intoxicating smell, I was left lightheaded.My breathing turned back to normal, the fear dissipating when he dipped his head and nudges his head at my ankle.

His actions baffled me.A shaky sigh of relief left my lips.His soft furs brushes against my skin ever softly.A shiver ran down my spine, my heart picked it's pace again.But this time, I know it is not because of fear.My palm moved from the top of my knees, as if having mind of it's own to touch his head.He shuddered, lifting his head up to look at me.His actions took me off-guard again.I retreat my hand instinctively.

He moved back, his head hung low as he turned to look in the woods.He turn back to look at me for a fraction of second long before running back in the woods.

Those light brown eyes were filled with agony.I wish to be wrong.