Chapter Two

The Villain

I lie on the bench, throwing my arm over my head as I try to fall asleep against the sun beating down on my face.

"MORGAN PIERCE?!"

Someone bellows my name above me and I groan as I open an eye to peek up at my very pissed Gym teacher. His whistle hangs from his thick neck as he glares down at me with his hands on his hips.

 "Can't you see I'm in the middle of something?" I say defensively.

His jaw clenched. "You'll be in the middle of the principal's office with your ass on a suspension note if you don't start moving."

I tsk as I sit up. "No can do sir. I've just been diagnosed with sports dyslexia. So no running for me."

"You expect me to believe that?"

"Do you?" 

"GET YOUR ASS ON THE TRACK!" He screams at me. I get up reluctantly and head to the track where the majority of the class are in the middle of running laps. The football players have their own drills in the centre of the field and I pay them no mind as I walk along the track at my own pace. "And Morgan," Couch Pratt hollers again. I look at him over my shoulder. He points to my sister. "--talk to your sister. She's creeping me out."

My eyes fall to Freya who's off by the stands doing her mother nature dance. I jog up to her just as she's finishing up. "Oh, hey, Morgan," She grins putting her flower crown on the step and fixing the ugly orange sports jersey we were all forced to wear.

"Freya, we talked about this. You can't do your hippie rituals at school. It's weird and it freaks everyone out."

She frowns. "But I'm doing them all a favour. How else do they expect sunshine for Gym class if we don't appease the Gods?"

"Look," I say throwing my arms over her shoulder and dragging her over to the track, "Appease them at home, where no one can see you being weird."

She huffs and bitches for a whole of three seconds then we start jogging as she happily talks my ear off about the bird she saved from falling. After a good ten minutes of jogging, I'm out of breath. My hands are on my knees as I try to catch my breath. 

"Looking good, Pierce," One of the football players whistles appreciatively at my bent position. I straighten.

"Fuck off, Morrison."

He pouts as his football friends guffaw at his expense. "How about you come over to my house and I show you all the fun things we could do in that position."

"And make your right hand jealous. I'll pass," I retort and he laughs with the rest of the football team. Just then the PA system hums alive and everybody pauses to listen as Principle Garret's voice crackles through.

"Attention all students, please report to the auditorium for a special announcement in fifteen minutes. Again, please report to the auditorium in fifteen minutes." Then the intercom clicks off and everyone starts filing off the field and into the locker rooms to change.

Freya looks at me. "What do you think this is about?" She asks.

I shrug, having no clue myself. I lead her to the locker room and we shower and get dressed. I'm in the middle of throwing on my shirt when there's a commotion upfront with a few girls and Maya. I can't stop myself from listening in.

"Maya," Chloe, head cheerleader and all-around raging bitch giggles as she circles a half-naked  Maya. "I think you should stay back, run a few more laps. Maybe then you'll stop looking like the burger King." The locker room laughs as Maya ducks her head, eyes watering.

"Oh my god, guys, she's crying. Quick get her a Big Mac I think she's just hungry," Chloe taunts and the room falls into more laughter. A sob escapes her before she is running deeper into the locker room. 

Chloe has been bullying Maya longer than I can remember. It could stem from the fact that before Maya's scar, she was maybe the most beautiful girl at this school and that's saying something considering we're all werewolves and got the best out of our genes. She was a stunner. She had all the boys chasing her, especially a very handsome Jason Campbell who all the girls were fantasying about. Chloe had the biggest crush on him and planned to take him to the Fall dance but he'd asked Maya and they went instead. Chloe was distraught and ever since she's made her mission to reign hell over Maya's life. Now that she's scarred, that bullying has escalated tenfold.

I continue changing, looking over at Freya who isn't even aware of what is going on around her. She's singing some Scottish folk song under her breath as she put on her bra.

"Wow, Morgan, can't believe you have to live with that fat, scar-faced freak," Chloe jeers as she walks by, her eyes sympatric. "What a loser?"

I don't respond and when I'm done, Freya follows me to the auditorium. I find a seat somewhere in the middle and sit back as I wait for the principal to take the stage. All around me kids are talking animatedly and guessing what this unexpected announcement would be about. Whatever bullshit we're supposed to pretend to care about they usually keep for assembly on Mondays and Fridays. Whatever this must be, it has to be important.

A few heads in front of where we sit, a guy sits smoking brashly off to the side. A familiar woman stalks to him. "Mr. Mathews, put that out right now before I call you mother."

Bishop Mathews gives the teacher a bored look before he flicks the cigarette on the floor and stumps it. He grins, mockingly. "Happy?"

Miss Linda's nostril's flares but she refrains from saying anything. Her gaze scours the auditorium and when she find Freya and me, she smiles and heads our way. 

Miss Linda is a fifty-year-old sweetheart. She wears her age like a proud badge. As far as we know she doesn't have any children. She confessed a few years ago that she found out she was barren and her mate left her for someone else. She never managed to remarry after that sadly. Is it bad that I'm glad she doesn't have kids? I can't help but want her all to myself. She's been a mother to us both.

She titers around students and leans over us with a kind smile. "These kids would send me to an early grave."

"Then you could be sure you'll have one hell of a eulogy if I have anything to say about it," I tell her.

She laughs pinching our cheeks each. "How are you, girls?"

"We're good. The forces told me something exciting will happen today..."

"Huh? Did they tell you what it is?" Miss Linda said with an amused curl of her lips. She's the only adult who takes Freya seriously.

"You know they don't divulge that kind of information. They're tight-lipped about that sought of thing," Freya answers and I try not to roll my eyes.

"You must know. You're part of the staff. Come one spill, what's all this about?" I interject.

Miss Linda's lips thin almost as if she's holding back something juicy. "It's about the Alpha," She blurts out.

My eyebrows jump to my hairline. "Is he here?" I start looking around the auditorium hoping to get a glimpse of him but I don't see him.

"No, he's not here. But the announcement's about him," Miss Linda clarify and I give her an incredulous look.

"That's all you're giving us, huh?"

"Yep," She smiles just as Garret walks across the room and climbs the stage. For the first time ever, the auditorium goes silent as all eyes face forward in anticipation.

I get settled as he leans into the podium, "I have a very exciting announcement from the Packhouse, especially for the females." Whispers span out across the crowd as everyone leans forward to hear more. The girl's attention piqued. "On Saturday the Alpha and his family are hosting a masquerade ball where he'll be choosing a bride."

Gasps and cheers ring out and I look around aimlessly at the girls already planning their baby's name without New Alpha. It shouldn't be a surprise that Alpha Kaden is out looking for a bride. As far as everyone knows he's been searching for his mate for years to no avail. It's about time we have a Luna.  A pack isn't complete or as strong without a Luna to rule besides the Alpha.

"He's invited all the girl's from around the pack-lands to attend. This invitation goes out to the boys as well as they are allowed to attend in hopes of finding their mate. The Ball is on Saturday and begins at seven. Also to note you will be searched at the entrance to the pack-house. He sends his regards and hopes to see you all there."

Then the auditorium erupts into chaos.