Page 2 of Cruel Alpha Beast
The lake disappears behind me as I walk deeper into the valley. Our town is full of houses and shops meticulously built around the large meeting hall, which stands perfectly between the three towns. Our ancestors would gather inside the hall to discuss things that could affect the three separate packs. Nowadays, it’s mostly used by Sawyer, Ellis, and Jasper’s fathers to sit around and drink beer.
As I walk through town, I see a small group of girls near my age. They sit on a large granite bench outside of the enormous school building, each one wearing cute sundresses and flats on their feet.
When I come closer, I hear their voices lower. Their laughter turns more malicious, and I can tell they’re talking about me. I try to ignore it, a skill I’ve cultivated over my eighteen years, but I can’t force myself to tune out their voices.
“That’s Greg’s sister,” one of the girls says. “He’ssohot, but I’ve never mated with him because of her.”
Another girl scoffs. “Have you seen her when she zones out? So freaky.”
“Oh, yeah, that’s so weird,” the third adds. “She can’t shift, and she just stares like that? That’s got to be genetic. I don’t want to pass that off to my future cubs.”
I quicken my pace toward home, my chest heavy from their words. I’ve had these visions intermittently pop up throughout my life. Most of the time, I can’t even parse out what’s going on in them. But all of the time, they turn me into more of a spectacle than I already am.
***
I sit at one of the many tables set up on the expansive mess hall floor, alone, despite the people sitting with me. They turn their bodies away from me, as if trying to show the others that they’re only sitting at my table because they couldn’t find a spot elsewhere.
Across the hall, I see Greg sitting with Sawyer, Jasper, and Ellis. My brother cranes his neck like he’s looking for me to join them, but I keep my head down. I don’t want another repeat of earlier—another campaign against my presence. After what I heard those girls say before, I can’t handle it tonight.
But while Greg is searching for me, it seems someone has already found me. Sawyer’s eyes pierce right through me as I finish my last bite. I look up and find him staring hungrily again.
While usually I just look away, wondering if or when Sawyer will make his move, I feel angry this time. I don’t usually feel this way, but tonight I am fired up.
I have questions I need answered.
Once I’ve finished my dinner, I stand outside the door to the mess hall. I glance up as more people exit, making sure notto miss Sawyer on his way out. Eventually, Greg leads Jasper and Ellis through the doors, the man I’m looking for trailing behind.
This is my best chance at pulling him aside. I step out between Ellis and Sawyer. The latter stops short of walking into me, scoffing dismissively once he realizes that the roadblock is me.
“We need to talk,” I say shakily, folding my arms across my chest.
“What could I possibly have to say to you?” he replies, quiet enough for it to slip past my brother’s ears.
I raise my voice just enough to serve as a viable threat. “I want to know why you’re always staring at me.”
Sawyer winces, looking around to see if anyone is paying attention. “Fine, let’s go somewhere private.”
I look ahead and see that his friends haven’t noticed Sawyer’s absence as they leave the hall. A strong hand grasps my elbow and pulls me across the floor. Sawyer leads me into a darkened room, then out through another door, one that leads to the outside.
The sky is dark, and the air is cool as he leads me down a long, quiet path lined by lush wildflowers. He doesn’t say a word, which only makes me more antsy about what’s to come. My heart has never pounded like this in my chest before.
Finally, Sawyer takes me to a hidden spot by the lake and releases my elbow. He puts his hands on his hips and looks at me expectantly, towering over me.
“Now, what do you want to talk about?” he asks.
“I want to know what your problem is,” I say.
Sawyer rolls his eyes. “Isn’t it obvious? You’re a walking freakshow. That’s why you think I’m staring.”
Standing there, I beg my tears not to fall. His words sting, but it’s nothing I haven’t heard before.
“I’m embarrassed to be seen around you,” Sawyer continues, stepping closer to me. “The only reason I’ve put up with you this long is because you’re Greg’s sister.”
I swallow the lump in my throat, but I still can’t find any words. Instead, I nod and start backing away. The tears are falling freely now, unbridled.
“Wait.”
Sawyer takes my arm again, pulling me back towards him. His strong arms hold me close before he lowers his head and meets my lips with his. My heart pounds, though this time, it’s for a much different reason. My body is on fire, head to toe. This is what I’ve been waiting for my entire life.
