Chapter 6

LILY

Everything Anastasia said about the wolf grading turned out to be true.

When it was time for cafeteria break, the separation was obvious. The Class A wolves had the largest tables, better food, and more privacy. Class B wolves were almost the same, just slightly less glamorous. But Class C wolves were pushed to the back , smaller portions, squeezed seats, and the ugliest corner of the cafeteria where the lights flickered and the air felt colder.

I stared at the food in front of me, unable to eat. “How is this even allowed?” I scoffed and dropped my fork.

“They run the school,” Anastasia whispered. She pointed toward the center table. Sebastian was seated there alongside some others and of course, his twin brother . Our eyes met briefly, and I looked away immediately.

“That’s Rex. I’m sure you met him. He’s Sebastian’s twin brother and the future Alpha of this pack,” she said quietly. “He made the rules. And we don’t disobey them. So if the future Alpha says we get leftovers… we get leftovers.”

“He’s cruel,” I whispered.

Anastasia quickly covered my mouth. I pushed her hand away.

“You can’t say that out loud,” she warned.

“Whatever… I’m leaving.” I picked up my tray and walked toward the drop-off counter. Just as I got close, two girls blocked my path. One of them held a baseball bat casually over her shoulder and the other girl looked stunning , her beauty was ethereal , it felt like the first girl was her bodyguard.

“Do I know you?” I asked, confused about why they were standing in my way.

“Who are your parents? Where are you from?” the girl with the base ball bat asked with a raised brow.

Before I could answer, Anastasia rushed up beside me.

“She’s Doctor Amber’s apprentice,” she said quickly.

I rolled my eyes. I tried to move past them, but the girl with the bat tapped it against the table, blocking me.

“Amber’s apprentice, I see,” the other girl said slowly. “Amber never takes apprentices. You must be special. So who are your parents? You’re new. I haven’t seenyour face before.”

“I’m not special. I’m just Amber’s apprentice. I don’t belong to a pack. My parents were stray wolves and i am not originally from here ”

The instant I said it, the cafeteria filled with whispers. I hadn’t even realized everyone was watching.

“A stray wolf in Raven Academy?” the girl repeated loudly. “We haven’t had one of those in a long time. This semester is about to be fun.” She squealed with laughter.

I looked at Anastasia, but her face said nothing but disappointment. Maybe I shouldn’t have said it.

“Clara. Leave her alone.”

The voice came from behind. We turned. Sebastian was sitting on a window ledge like he had been there the whole time. Everyone looked at him. He hopped down and walked toward us. When he reached me, he placed a hand lightly on my shoulder. I shot him a look, and he immediately removed it.

“Leave her alone,” he repeated calmly. “She’s Amber’s apprentice. She’s only here for a year, and then she’ll be gone. Amber is my mother’s doctor and a treasure to the pack. She asked me to look after her. So stay out of her way.”

I blinked. Amber did what?

Place me under Sebastian? Without telling me?

I wasn’t a helpless child. I survived high school. I knew how to ignore bullies like Clara.

“And what if I don’t?” Clara asked, smiling. “This school year has been boring. The universe finally gave me something fun to play with, and you expect me to let it go? Oh please, Sebastian.”

“Excuse you? An instrument of fun?” I muttered.

Bang!

A loud sound cracked through the cafeteria. Everyone froze and i flinched at the sound of the banging noise .

“Is it so hard to let me eat in peace?”

The voice roared , it was Rex . .

Rex pushed his food aside and stood up from his table, irritation poured across his face. His jaw was clenched. His eyes sharp. His fists tight. Even the air and tension in the cafeteria felt strange , i saw some people sneaking outside, mostly the ones at the class C table .

He started walking toward us.

My heart picked up speed. He really did look like the kind of wolf who tore people apart without thinking.

“YOU,” he pointed at me. He curled his finger, gesturing for me to step forward.

“Me?” I said, stunned.

“Are you stupid?” Clara hissed beside me.

“Lily… go,” Anastasia whispered.

Everyone’s eyes were locked on us. I took one step, but Sebastian grabbed my wrist.

“I should show you around—”

“You can do that after I speak with her. She interrupted my meal and i intend to teach her a listen ,” Rex said and i scoffed at how he was blaming me when the ladies had cause the drama .

“Interrupted your meal? That’s a lie. I was leaving, They blocked me.” I pointed at Clara and her bodyguard

Clara shoved me so fast I couldn’t react. I hit the floor hard. My elbow scraped against something sharp. The tray fell, hot food splashing all over my clothes.

“ Ouchhhh…” i cried out as the hot food came in contact with my skin and as i tried to stand, she pushed me down again.

“ Who said you could stand up …”

Anastasia rushed to help but the other girl grabbed her . Sebastian has started scolding clara but i wasn’t paying attention because i was even in a more bigger mess — some of the spilled food had landed on Rex’s shirt.

He looked at his shirt, then at me.

Oh no,.

“You’re coming with me.” His voice was calm but it sounded commanding .

He grabbed me by my collar and began dragging me out of the cafeteria.

“What’s he going to do to me? I didn’t mean to! She pushed me!” I cried out turning to Anastasia who looked helpless. The door slammed behind us before Sebastian could stop him .

Rex kept dragging me down the hallway. My shoes scraped against the floor. My elbow stung. I tried to pull away but his grip was firm .

“I’m sorry! It wasn’t my fault. She pushed me…Why are you dragging me like some slave …You are hurting me ”

He didn’t respond. When we reached a quiet hallway, he finally let go. I stumbled forward.

“ Why did you drag me by my collar” i said coughing and trying to breathe properly

“You must have a sharp mouth. Do you still have something to say?” he asked.

I pressed my lips together and said nothing.

“Stray wolves. I despise your kind. And you just had to piss me off on your first day?” he said. “I hate when my meal is interrupted. No noise when I am in the cafeteria.”

“Why are you blaming me? It was her fault. Not mine.”

“And my shirt? Was that her too?” he shot back.

“Technically… yes. She pushed me. I’m bleeding because of her,” I said, lifting my elbow slightly.

He didn’t respond. Instead, he began unbuttoning his shirt.

My eyes widened. “What are you doing? Why are you taking your shirt off?”

“ Put your shirt back on ! “

“ Are you a pervert ? I asked turning my face .

“ Clean it up !” He said and i turned my face to him , my eyes landed on his chest , he had such an amazing body, i hated that i couldn’t take my eyes off it , it was one that was worth salivating for .

He scoffed and i shaked the thoughts off my head .

“ I want my shirt after school before dawn…your time starts now , failure to return it …i will be the first to give you stray wolf treatment and trust me …it’s not something you should pray for “

He walked away, leaving me holding his shirt, my clothes still stained, my elbow bleeding, and my heart was racing uncontrollably.

“ You caught my brother’s attention on your first day …You are something, Lily “

I turned Sebastian was standing there with a smile on his face .

“ Is that a good or bad thing ?”