Chapter Four
1022 Words
Chapter Four
"Sia Thorne!" Of course I know that voice. It is not pleasant. It holds every iota of spite.
"Keep walking" Georgie whisper to me, tugging me on while we make our way to the assembly ground.
"I am trying to." I grate my teeth.
"Walk away as usual, pathetic little wolfless coward" The voice is high pitched now and there are a few "uuhs" and snickers.
I stiffened and pause, ignoring Georgie's fingers threading through mine.
"You already know Maisie. Just ignore her" Georgie said quietly.
"I will give her the attention she so wants" I snort, unthreading my fingers from Georgie and turning to face Maisie Howard, standing a few feet away, her fat face laced with a venomous smile.
"A good morning to you too, Maisie Howard" I smile, letting my eyes drift over to her companions. Two bitchy girls that followed her everywhere like house flies and were clearing continuing their roles in this final year. Galen and Vina.
Maisie's smile widened. "Still pretending confidence?" she asked sweetly. "It's adorable."
Galen snickered.
Vina folded her arms, looking me over from head to toe as though searching for something worth mocking.
"Another year" Vina mused. "Still no wolf. Particularly tragic".
A ripple of laughter broke out around us.
I sighed. "Have you all been rehearsing this since the holidays? I'd hate for so much effort to go unnoticed."
Maisie's expression hardened. "You think you're funny."
"No. I think you're repetitive." I snap.
Georgie groaned beside me. "Sia..."
"What?" I shrugged innocently. "She called me over."
Maisie took a deliberate step closer until only a foot separated us.
"Tell me something." Her smile had all the gloominess of a snake "When exactly do they revoke Alpha titles for defective heirs?"
My jaw tightened. "You'd have to ask the Council."
"Maybe they'll skip the paperwork and hand it to Solene instead. She deserves it, you know" Galen snorted.
Around us, a few students exchanged knowing glances.
Maisie leaned closer.
"Imagine inheriting four hundred years of military history... and not even being able to howl."
More laughter.
My fingers curled into fists.
"Buzz off, Howard" Georgie snapped.
"No one's talking to you, looser" Maisie glared at her.
"Finished?" I asked.
"Not quite."
She reached out and tapped the gold Alpha insignia pinned to my blazer.
"You wear this like you earned it."
My patience snapped.
I caught her wrist before she could touch the badge again.
The laughter died instantly.
Maisie's eyes widened.
"Take your hand off me," she hissed.
"Take yours off my uniform first."
We stared at each other.
Neither of us budged.
"Impressive" The drooling voice had all the biting perfection of my sister Solene Thorne.
We turned our heads to find her perched besides Vale, their fingers intertwined, her perfectly manicured nails glittering "Starting fights before first assembly?You're setting the tone for your final year rather nicely, Sia."
I let go of Maisie's wrist. She let go of my badge and turned a full adorating gaze on Solene.
Maisie said "Good morning to you , Solene "
"It is, actually." Solene's smile widened. "I've had a wonderful morning."
Vale shifted awkwardly beside her.
He didn't meet my eyes.
Coward.
Solene noticed.
She leaned against him just a little more.
"Speaking of wonderful..." she said airily, admiring her nails, "Vale and I celebrate eight months together by Friday".
Maisie gasped dramatically. "Already?"
"Time flies when you're actually wanted."Solene beamed.
The words landed exactly where she'd aimed them.
Around us, a few students applauded and glared thickly at me.
Solene looked at me with feigned concern.
"You'll be there, won't you, Sia? Family should celebrate family."
"Celebrate what?" I asked after a short humorless laugh "Infidelity has anniversaries now?"
The crowd answered with a chorus of surprised murmurs.
Vale's face drained of color.
Solene's smile faltered for the briefest second . "Still bitter?"
"No," I said evenly. "Just fascinated by your hobby of collecting my leftovers."
"Leftovers?" Solene frowned "That's a funny way to describe someone who left you because he finally found better..."
Brrrriiiinnnggg!
The academy bell exploded across the courtyard, sharp enough to slice through the murmurs.
Every conversation stopped.
Students immediately began streaming toward the assembly ground.
"Move!" one of the prefects barked. "Assembly in sixty seconds! No lingering!"
Solene held my gaze for one final moment.
"Lucky you," she said quietly. "The bell saved you."
She slipped her hand back into Vale's.
"Come on."
They disappeared into the crowd.
Together.
Vale never looked back.
Georgie nudged my shoulder gently. "You okay?"
I forced a smile that fooled neither of us.
"Peachy."
She snorted.
"Liar."
I didn't argue.
We fell into step with the rest of the students heading toward the assembly ground.
Around me, laughter echoed across the courtyard.
Someone shouted Tyleen Ash's name.
Someone else was already gossiping about the mysterious transfer student who had arrived that morning.
Belcaris Academy buzzed with excitement.
I couldn't relate.
It wasn't even nine o'clock.
I'd already been reminded that I was wolfless.
That I was an embarrassment.
That my sister had stolen the boy I'd once loved.
And somehow...
The school year had only just begun.
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