Page 64 of Raised By Wolves

“I’ll see you later,” she gasps, and then she runs off faster than I’ve ever seen her go.

I could follow Lucy to the other door, a hundred yards away. But I refuse to let any Hardy scare me. So I stare straight ahead and keep walking. As I try to pass him by, Mac throws out an arm and stops me.

“Animals belongoutside,” he says.

“I hope you’re not planning on going in then,” I say.

He spits a thick wad of phlegm onto the asphalt. “You think you’re smart,” he says.

“Actually, I know I’m smart.”

“You don’t belong here,” he says.

I sigh. “Are you bringing upthatargument again? Look, we fundamentally agree with each other about it. But for better and worse, I’m here now, so you might as well get used to it.”

“I don’t have to get used to anything,” he says.

He moves quickly toward me, and suddenly there’s something sharp and cold jabbing into my stomach. I look down.

It’s agun.

CHAPTER 46

I SHOULD BE terrified, but instead I’m justpissed.

“Did you bring your daddy’s toy to school for show and tell?” I ask mockingly.

He jabs it harder into my ribs. I wince involuntarily.

“I brought it as a warning,” he growls.

I look him in the eye like I’m daring him to shoot. “Never pull out a weapon you aren’t ready to use.”

“I was born ready.”

I really, truly can’t stand this kid. “You were born a helpless, stupid baby”—I grab his wrist and twist it so the gun’s pointing at him now—“and you haven’t changed a bit.” Then I drive my heel down onto the small bones on the top of his foot at the same time as I crash my elbow into his solar plexus with all my strength. He gasps and bends over, nearly dropping his weapon. I take my chance and run, bursting into the gym just as the final bell rings.

Okay, maybe that wasn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done. But it felt great. And I guess I have a triumphant smirk onmy face, because when I see Waylon in the hallway, he says, “What do you look so happy for? You just have to come back here again tomorrow.”

We join the stream of kids heading outside.

“Mac Hardy,” I tell him. “He keeps forgetting that he shouldn’t mess with me.”

Waylon stops and grabs my shoulders. “Kai,” he says, “youshouldn’t mess withhim.”

I bristle. “He’s the one who keeps coming at me!” I say.

“Then do a better job of dodging him,” Waylon says.

I snort. “What are you so worried about? I can take care of myself.”

“I’m sure you can,” Waylon says. “But I still want you to keep away from Mac—or any other Hardy.”

I wonder if he’s somehow heard about my little fight with Mac’s dad, even though I only told Lucy. “Fine,” I say, just to end the conversation. “The next time I see Mac Hardy, I’ll just run away like a little deer.”

“Good,” he says. “Now do you want to go get ice cream? I can fit you on the back, and Holo on the handlebars.”

I look from him to his bike. “You’re joking,” I say. I hesitate. “Right?”

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