Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

But morning came too fast, and I woke up late for school, heart pounding as I scrambled to get ready. I quickly took my bath,wore my uniform, this time I wore a black trousers and a white tank top tying my hair up in a messy bun grabbing my jacket and backpack. I run into the kitchen,grab an apple and cookies and hurry off to school, about dashing out the head maid calls handing me a lunch pack with a smile,I smile back.

This was just the start—something told me things weren’t going to get easier anytime soon.

Alexa’s POV

The cold morning air bites my skin the moment I step outside the Blackwood estate. I tighten my jacket around me and start running down the long gravel path that leads away from the mansion.

I’m late.

Again.

My boots pound against the ground as I hurry through the tall iron gates of the pack territory. The forest surrounding Crescent Moon Pack is quiet this early in the morning, but the sounds of distant cars and students slowly coming to life remind me that school has already started.

Great.

Just great.

I clutch the apple and cookies the head maid handed me and take a quick bite while running. The sweet taste barely registers. My mind is too busy worrying about the bell.

If I’m late on the first week of school, Xavier will definitely hear about it.

And if Xavier hears about it…

I shudder.

Nope. Not happening.

I push myself faster.

The tall building of Crescent Moon High School finally appears between the trees, its gray brick walls glowing under the rising sun. Students crowd the front entrance, laughing, talking, complaining about homework.

Normal life.

Something I’ve never really had.

My chest rises and falls rapidly as I rush across the parking lot. A group of students glance at me, whispering quietly.

Of course they recognize me.

push myself faster.

The tall building of Crescent Moon High School finally appears between the trees, its gray brick walls glowing under the rising sun. Students crowd the front entrance, laughing, talking, complaining about homework.

Normal life.

Something I’ve never really had.

My chest rises and falls rapidly as I rush across the parking lot. A group of students glance at me, whispering quietly.

Of course they recognize me.

Everyone knows the Alpha’s daughter.

Everyone also knows the girl Xavier Blackwood hates.

Which basically makes me the pack’s favorite target.

The loud ring of the first bell echoes across campus just as I reach the front doors.

“No, no, no,” I mumble, picking up speed.

I slip inside the hallway just before the final warning bell rings.

Relief floods through me.

Barely made it.

Students rush past me toward their classes while I quickly check the folded paper schedule in my hand.

First Period — History

Room 214.

Second floor.

I hurry toward the staircase, trying to ignore the curious looks following me down the hall.

My heart finally begins to slow down as I reach the classroom door. I take a deep breath before pushing it open.

The classroom is already half full.

A few students glance up when I enter, their whispers spreading across the room like wildfire.

I lower my head and quickly find an empty seat near the back.

Invisible.

That’s the goal.

The teacher, a tall woman with silver-streaked hair and sharp glasses, turns toward the class.

“Good morning everyone. I’m Professor Hawkes, and welcome to Advanced Supernatural History.”

She writes something on the board.

Wolves & Witches: The Origins of the Divide

My eyes lift slightly.

Wolves and witches?

That’s… interesting.

Professor Hawkes begins pacing slowly in front of the class.

“As many of you know, the relationship between wolf packs and witch covens has been… complicated throughout history.”

A few students chuckle quietly.

Complicated is one way to put it.

“Centuries ago,” she continues, “wolves and witches actually worked together. Packs relied on witches for healing, protection spells, and guidance during difficult winters.”

I lean forward slightly.

I’ve never heard this part before.

“In return,” she says, writing on the board again, “wolves protected covens from hunters and rival supernatural creatures.”

A boy in the front raises his hand.

“So what changed?”

Professor Hawkes smiles faintly.

“Power.”

Of course.

“Some witches began experimenting with dark magic,” she explains. “Magic that could control wolves.”

The classroom grows quiet.

“That betrayal started the Great Divide between wolves and witches that still exists today.”

I feel a strange chill run through my body.

Something about that story feels… unfinished.

Before I can think more about it, the loud ring of the bell echoes through the hallway.

Students immediately start packing their bags.

Professor Hawkes sighs.

“And that is all for today. Tomorrow we’ll discuss the witch trials and their connection to pack politics.”

I quickly gather my things and step into the hallway with everyone else.

Next class.

I glance at my schedule again.

Architecture

Honestly, I’m not even sure why I chose it.

Maybe because designing buildings feels like creating something stable.

Something permanent.

Something that doesn’t fall apart like everything else in my life.

The architecture classroom smells faintly of wood and paint.

Large sketches of buildings cover the walls while small models sit on display shelves.

The teacher, Mr. Dalton, greets us as we enter.

“Welcome future architects,” he says cheerfully. “Today we’ll be discussing the basics of structural balance.”

He spends the class explaining how buildings stay stable using weight distribution and support systems.

For the first time all day, I actually relaxed.

No one bothers me.

No whispers.

No stares.

Just quiet focus.

It’s… nice.

But of course, good moments never last long.

The bell rings again.

Lunch time.

My stomach immediately growls.

I realize I never finished the apple earlier.

The cafeteria is loud and crowded when I walk in.

Students fill every table, laughter echoing through the massive room. The smell of fries, burgers, and milkshakes fills the air.

I hesitate near the entrance.

Eating here always feels like stepping into a battlefield.

But I’m hungry.

So I walk toward the food line.

Maybe today will be different.

Maybe—

“Oops!”

The sudden impact sends something cold splashing across my shirt.

I freeze.

A thick pink liquid slowly drips down my white tank top.

Milkshake.

Of course.

I look up slowly.

Joan Carter.

Standing right in front of me.

Behind her, her usual group of minions snicker loudly.

Joan tilts her head with fake innocence.

“Oh my gosh,” she says sweetly. “Alexa, I didn’t see you there.”

My fists tighten slightly.

You ran straight into me.

Her friends burst into laughter.

One of them whispers loudly, “Wow, the Alpha’s daughter looks like a walking strawberry smoothie.”

More laughter.

Heat burns in my cheeks.

Joan looks at my stained shirt dramatically.

“Maybe you should learn how to stay out of people’s way.”

She flips her blonde hair and turns back to the line.

Her friends follow her like obedient shadows.

Just like that.

Like nothing happened.

I stand there, milkshake dripping down my clothes while half the cafeteria watches.

My chest tightens painfully.

Part of me wants to scream.

Part of me wants to run.

But instead…

I just stand there.

Because deep down I know something.

This wasn’t random.

This wasn’t an accident.

This is just another day in my life.

And somehow…

Something tells me things are about to get even worse.

Joan’s friends continues to laugh behind her.

Something inside my chest tightens painfully.

Usually I would just walk away.

That’s what I’ve trained myself to do.

Ignore it.

Pretend it doesn’t hurt.

Pretend I don’t hear the whispers.

But today something inside me refuses to stay quiet.

Maybe it’s because I barely slept.

Maybe it’s because this morning already felt like a nightmare.

Or maybe I’m just tired of being everyone’s punching bag.

I wipe some of the milkshake from my shirt and lift my head.

“You did that on purpose.”

My voice isn’t loud.

But it’s steady.

The laughter fades slightly.

Joan slowly turns toward me, one perfectly shaped eyebrow rising.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” I say, my heart pounding so loudly I’m sure everyone can hear it. “You ran into me.”

Her minions exchange looks like they just found something hilarious.

Joan tilts her head, studying me like I’m some strange new creature.

Then she laughs.

A soft, mocking laugh.

“Well look at that,” she says loudly. “The Alpha’s daughter finally found her voice.”

More laughter spreads through the cafeteria

My fists clench at my sides.

“I’m not afraid of you, Joan.”

The moment the words leave my mouth, I regret them.

Joan’s smile slowly disappears.

“Oh really?”

She steps closer.

Too close.

Her perfume is sickeningly sweet.

“You should be.”

Her eyes flick down to my stained clothes.

“You know what I don’t understand?” she continues, speaking loud enough for everyone to hear. “How someone from the most powerful family in the pack can look so… pathetic.”

The word hits harder than the milkshake.

Laughter erupts again.

I try to stay calm.

“Just leave me alone.”

Joan smirks.

“But I’m not done yet.”

She reaches for a tray from the nearby table.

My stomach drops.

“Oh no…” someone whispers.

Joan lifts the tray slowly, making sure everyone is watching.

“Oops,” she says sweetly.

Then she flips it.

Everything falls at once.

Mashed potatoes.

Gravy.

Macaroni.

Bread rolls.

The food splatters across my jacket and hair,sliding down my shoulders and arms.

The warm gravy drips down my sleeve.

Someone gasps loudly.

A few students laugh nervously.

My vision blurs.

Humiliation burns in my chest like fire.

Joan presses a hand over her mouth in fake shock.

“Oh my gosh,” she says dramatically. “I’m such a klutz today.”

Her friends howl with laughter.

I stand frozen in the middle of the cafeteria.

Food clinging to my clothes.

Hair sticky with milkshake.

Eyes stinging.

Don’t cry.

Don’t cry.

Don’t cry.

Joan leans closer so only I can hear her.

“You should remember your place, Alexa.”

Then she turns away like I’m nothing.

Just another joke.

My throat tightens painfully.

And that’s when I hear a voice cut through the room.

“Are you serious right now?”

The laughter stops instantly.

I look up.

Chloe stands near the cafeteria entrance, her expression dark with anger.

Chloe Bennett.

The Beta’s daughter.

And the only real friend I have in this school.

Her dark brown hair is tied in a high ponytail, and her sharp green eyes are locked on Joan.

Joan rolls her eyes.

“Oh great,” she mutters. “The Beta princess.”

Chloe walks straight toward us, her footsteps confident and steady.

“You’ve officially crossed the line, Joan.”

Joan shrugs.

“What line?”

Chloe gestures toward me.

“That line.”

Joan laughs.

“She started it.”

Chloe raises an eyebrow.

“By standing in the cafeteria?”

Joan’s friends shift awkwardly.

Chloe doesn’t look away from Joan.

“You should leave before I report this to the principal.”

Joan scoffs.

“Please.”

But I notice something important.

She steps back.

Joan may be a bully.

But Chloe is the Beta’s daughter.

And that still means something.

Joan flips her hair dramatically.

“Whatever. She’s not worth the trouble.”

She and her minions walk away, whispering and laughing.

The cafeteria slowly returns to its normal noise.

But I’m still standing there.

Covered in food.

Chloe turns to me, her anger fading into concern.

“Oh Alexa…”

I try to laugh.

It comes out weak.

“I guess lunch got messy.”

Chloe gently grabs my arm.

“Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

She leads me out of the cafeteria before anyone can stare longer.

We head toward the girls’ locker room.

Once inside, Chloe grabs a stack of paper towels and starts helping wipe the gravy from my jacket.

“You didn’t deserve that,” she mutters.

“I know.”

“You should have told someone.”

“Who?” I ask quietly.

She pauses.

Because we both know the answer.

No one.

After a moment she sighs.

“Good point.”

Once most of the mess is cleaned off, Chloe opens her locker.

Good thing I always carry backup clothes.”

She tosses me a folded outfit.

Black leggings.

A soft gray hoodie.

“Go change,” she says.

“You’re a lifesaver.”

“I know.”

I quickly change in the bathroom stall. When I step out, Chloe hands me a small lunch container.

“Peanut butter sandwich, fruit, and chips.”

“You packed extra lunch?”

Chloe shrugs.

“I had a feeling you’d need it.”

My chest warms slightly.

“Thank you.”

We sit on a bench while I eat quickly.

The food tastes better than anything from the cafeteria.

Just as I finish the sandwich—

The bell rings.

“English,” Chloe groans. “Let’s go.”

We hurry through the hallway together.

English class is quieter than the others

Our teacher, Mr. Whitaker, is already writing on the board.

Classic Literature — Power & Identity

Chloe and I take seats near the window.

For the rest of the class, we read passages from an old novel about a girl fighting expectations placed on her by society.

The irony isn’t lost on me.

When the bell rings again, Chloe nudges my shoulder.

“Last class.”

“Thank the moon goddess.”

Our final class is Biology.

Thankfully it’s peaceful.

The teacher talks about wolf genetics and shifting cycles while students take notes.

For the first time all day…

No one bothers me.

No whispers.

No laughter.

Just quiet.

Finally—

The final bell rings.

Student

s immediately start packing their bags.

The long school day is finally over.

Chloe stretches beside me.

“Survived day two.”

“Barely.”

We walk out of the classroom together into the afternoon sunlight.

The sky glows soft orange above the school building.

Students scatter toward buses and cars.

Chloe bumps my shoulder lightly.

“You okay?”

I think about the cafeteria.

About Joan.

About everything.

Then I nod slowly.

“Yeah.”

But deep down…

I know something.

Today was bad.

But somehow…

Something tells me the real storm hasn’t even started yet.

And when it comes—

My life might never be the same again.