Luna or Reject?

Hallowe’en Party?

Melanie POV

As I got to my locker, I couldn’t help but feel eyes on me again. Ever since I started here just over a week ago, I noticed that many, if not all the students, would stare, gawk, and weirdly enough, sniff in my direction, as I walked by. Some would give me disgusted looks, some would smile and say hello, but most just turned away. I’m still trying to figure out what the hell they’re all doing, when I hear the most nasally, gross voice behind me.

“Well, well, well. Look what we have here. Where’s Melody today? Not here to walk you to class? What are you? Her girlfriend?” Karri sarcastically asks, then starts laughing.

“I mean, she is pretty hot. And her skin is flawless, but no. She’s not my girlfriend. Now what the f**k do you want, Barbie? Don’t you have a hemorrhoid treatment to do?” I retort, getting louder as I spat the last part back at Karri, who was subsequently turning the most hilarious shade of red. I couldn’t tell if it was from anger or embarrassment, but by the way she didn’t say a word, then turned around and stormed off, I’d say it was the latter.

“That was pretty impressive. I’ve only seen a dozen or so kids stand up to Karri like that. I’ll have to remember to tell my sister that line!” A shaggy blonde haired, brown eyed boy says to me; while watching Karri huff down the halls, screeching at whoever got in her way.

“Nah. It was nothing. She’s hated me since I stepped foot on this property last week. I’m just sad I didn’t record it!” I laugh, also watching the Karri show happening down the hall.

“I’m Trey. It’s nice to meet you....” Trey trailed off, obviously realizing he never got my name.

“Melanie. You can typically find me mulling around with Melody in the quad. But she had some family emergency today so it’s just me.”

“Oh, so you’re who she’s going on about! It all makes sense now!” Trey exclaimed, as if I had any idea what he was talking about.

“Huh? I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be rude, but, huh? Are you her brother?” I ask, sounding more and more like a moron.

“Hahaha! No, I’m not. But I am her brothers best friend. He’s also gone for the day. Family emergency and all. I just happened to turn out of the history wing at the right time.

Hey, since Melody’s not here today, would you like to come sit with me and some of my friends for lunch? I promise you won’t be the only girl there. And I’m sure the others would love another member to the group!” Trey asked me, growing more and more excited at the prospect of me joining his group for lunch.

“Uh, sure. Why not? I actually haven’t seen the cafeteria yet. I usually pack my own lunches.” I say, not really knowing how to answer.

‘At least if I eat with these guys, I shouldn’t have to deal with Karri again today. Maybe.’ I quickly think to myself.

“Awesome! Brianna has been complaining there aren’t enough girls in our little group. I’m sure she’ll be the happiest to see you. Come on.” Trey said, turning on his heel and walking in the direction, I assumed, the cafeteria was.

Walking behind Trey gave me a chance to check him out a little bit. He was big. Like, 6’ tall, big. But he wasn’t a beanpole type guy, nor was he super buff. He just seemed to be right in that sweet spot of muscle to body fat for his height. His shoulders were wide, but not so wide I’d call him a fridge. He 100% played sports- that, I was sure of. His butt was too nice to not be athletic.

Before I could comprehend the fact he’d stopped in his tracks, I was walking into his back and falling backwards, closing my eyes, waiting for the sting on my ass of hitting the floor. But, I never fell. There was no sting. I’d been caught by my arm, I realized. By Trey.

‘How did he move so fast?’ I thought to myself.

“Sorry! I should have realized you weren’t paying attention. My bad! Come on!” He apologized quickly, then hoisted me back up to my feet.

I couldn’t help but notice how he pulled me a little closer all of a sudden.

“I didn’t hurt you did I? You didn’t get a shoulder blade in the eye? You’re like, perfect height for that to happen. Do you need to see the nurse?” He threw the questions at me so quickly I barely realized they were all separate.

“I’m good! I got lost in thought actually. It’s totally my fault.” I said, looking at him with a shy smile on my face.

“Are you okay? You’re not hurt are you?” Trey asked again, looking extremely worried for some reason.

“Your arm is okay? I’m sorry I grabbed it like that.”

“Yeah. It’s totally fine. I’d rather have you grab my arm, than my ass meet the floor. Know what I mean?” I joke.

“Totally get it.” Trey says, staring into my eyes a little longer.

We stood there like that, him holding me, staring at me intently, for a few more seconds, before I heard a male voice, breaking whatever trance we were in.

“TREY! You smooth Mofo, get over here and introduce the girl already!” The male voice shouted through the open cafeteria doors, that I could now see were just behind Trey.

“I think your friends are waiting for you.” I laugh.

“Us. They want to meet you too. Didn’t you hear?” He retorts back, before turning around and walking to the nearly full table.

“Guys, this is Melanie. She started here last week. She’s usually Melody’s lunch partner, but she’s ours today!” Trey joyfully exclaimed.

“Hi everyone.” Was all I managed to get out, along with a little wave to say hello. I wasn’t very good with groups of people. 6 or less, I’m fine. But this just got my anxiety going.

“OH MY GOSH! Your hair is BEAUTIFUL!” A little blonde haired girl squeaked at me as she ran to give me a hug.

“And it’s so soft! You have got to tell me your hair care routine!” She continued.

“Uhh...” was all I managed to come up with. Luckily for me, Trey could see my panic.

“Okay Shelby. Calm down. You’re scaring her. She’s new, take it easy.” He warned her.

“Sorry. I’m just excited we’re getting another new member to our little group.” The girl, whom I now know is named Shelby, says apologetically.

“Don’t apologize to me. Apologize to Melanie. You probably scared her shitless for a second there!” Trey boomed with laughter.

“Nah, not shitless at least. And luckily for me, because I didn’t pack a spare pair of panties into my bag this morning!” I joke, trying to lighten the mood. Luckily for me, it worked. The entire table was in hysterics at my attempt at humor.

“I like her!” One of the other guys said. He had black, wavy hair, green eyes and full lips. He was rather attractive as well. What was with a good portion of the boys at this school being so damn attractive?

“She’s funny!” Another boy with ash brown hair and shaved sides piped up. He looked like he was heading to boot camp with the haircut.

“You’re going to fit in perfectly with us.” One of the other girls with straight, dirty blonde hair and almost black eyes said.

“Oh man, guys! You should have heard what she said to Karri a few minutes ago. It was perfect!” Trey said as he took a seat on the guys side of the table.

“Oooh! Do tell! Do tell!” Shelby said excitedly, bouncing in her spot.

“Do you want to? Or should I?” Trey asked me.

“It was nothing really. She took a dig at Melody, who isn’t here to defend herself, and I shot it right back. It wasn’t a big deal.” I replied nonchalantly, waving my hand to disregard.

“Nah! It was great! Guys, Karri comes up to her and like she said, took a dig at Melly, so Melanie here turns around and just spits back at her, ‘don’t you have a hemorrhoid treatment to do?’ You should have seen Karri’s face! She was redder than a tomato! Oh, and it wasn’t just us who heard her either, she said it loud enough for half the hall to turn and start snickering at Karri! It was great! Put her in her place, quick!”

“We got a badass over here! Watch out everyone!” One of the guys I hadn’t learned the name of yet, spoke up, holding up his hands like a white flag of surrender.

The entire group was back into hysterics at my line about Karri’s hemorrhoids, which she probably didn’t even have, but made for a great insult.

Realizing I knew almost no ones names at the table, I began to feel a little bit like an outsider as they bantered back and forth amongst themselves for a minute.

“Wait. You only know Shelby and I, at least right now. Guys, we’re so rude.” Trey says, trying to act like a dad.

“Don’t be rude. Introduce yourselves.” He goes on, again, taking on more of a dad figure for the second.

“Trey, cut it out. You weird me out whenever you do s**t like that.

I’m Martin, and this is my sister, Marie.” The black wavy hair boy said, also indicating to the girl sitting across from him.

I couldn’t resist.

“Are you two twins? Like, fraternal twins?” I asked.

“Yes.” They replied together.

“Solves that question! One down, a million to go!” I say, making the table go into another laughing fit.

“I’m Joseph.” Another boy with brown hair and eyes nearly the same colour, piped up. He was short and sweet in his introduction, and I was grateful for that.

“Tina! And if you ever need someone to back you up against Karri, besides Melody, I’d be happy to help! I hate that stupid bitch.” Tina said cheerfully, mumbling the last part.

“I’m Liza. I’m the artist of the group. Typically I eat in the art wing, but it’s packed today. Don’t worry if you don’t see me for a while. I’m probably there.” Liza said with a wink. She had nearly the same red hair as Melody, but had blue eyes to Melody’s green.

“I’m Nick. And basically what Tina said. I hate that stupid b***h Karri too.” A dirty blonde boy with blue eyes said to me, anger seething from his words.

“Where’s Brianna?” Trey asked the table, I guess realizing they were 1 short.

“She said she had to talk to her dad about something. She should be back any second now.” Liza said through a mouthful of macaroni salad.

Liza had barely gotten the words out before a set of cafeteria doors came flying open, revealing a very pissed off looking girl.

“Found her.” Marie piped up, stating the obvious.

Not 10 seconds later, the girl, whom I’m guessing is Brianna, sat down with a huff, not saying a word, and digging into Martin’s tray.

“Sure, help yourself Brianna. Go right ahead. It’s not like I’m hungry or anything.” Martin joked, as Brianna shoved a fistful of fries into her mouth.

“Sorry. The lines way too long, and I didn’t get breakfast this morning. Had extra warrior training for...” Brianna began, then stopped, noticing I was at the table.

Not really knowing what to do, as Brianna seemed to be in a relatively bad mood, I simply waved hello, while shoving some of my own food into my mouth.

“Hi! I’m Brianna. I’m sorry for not saying hello when I first sat down, I honestly didn’t see you there.”

“Hi. I’m Melanie. Nice to meet you!” I reply simply, not really knowing what else to say to this already peeved woman.

“Melanie, do you have any plans for Friday?” Trey asks me.

“Uh, not that I know of. I mean, besides unpacking the last of my crap.”

“Wanna come to my Hallowe’en party? Most of our grade is coming, and I think it’d be good for you to meet some more people here.”

Well, I guess that’s one way to meet others as the new girl.

Karri’s POV

That thing is my brothers mate. I cannot believe this. A human as a mate to one of the most powerful Alpha werewolves out there. I couldn’t believe what I heard.

After Ryker’s outburst in the car, I knew something was up. Something big. He’s always just been kinda wishy-washy about humans, but the way he stood up for someone he didn’t know, and who was new to our packlands, and not even a werewolf at that, made me suspicious. So, I eavesdropped on my brother talking to Mrs Shepherd.

I was right to be suspicious.

Melanie Blake, mated to Ryker Mattison. It doesn’t make sense! She’s not 18, so how could the mate pull already be so strong within my brother? It doesn’t make sense!

I don’t want it to be a part of my family. I need to find a way to keep them apart, but how?

The best I can do right now, is make sure it doesn’t feel welcome, but Trey Tyler might have an issue with that.

Stopping on the stairs up to my bedroom suite, and subsequently the bubble bath I had my maid run for me, it strikes like lightning.

Trey Tyler. He’s the key.

If I can make Melanie go for Trey instead of my brother, my brother can reject her and it will all be over! I wouldn’t have to see it around my Packhouse. My plan was set. I was going to do everything in my power to keep my brother away from my school, until I could guarantee he’d see Melanie and Trey together.

Trey’s Hallowe’en party would be the perfect place, too. I didn’t even need an invite. Trey lives on Packlands, albeit the back forty of the Packlands, but still on Wind Warrior lands. I could just show up. Deciding to get my plan rolling, as it’s already Wednesday, and his party is Friday, I called on my bestie, Katie who, luckily for me, picked up after only two rings.

“Karri, I have a ton of physics homework to do. Can we talk later? I know what you’re going to say, but I need to catch up. I’m so far behind, I won’t graduate if I don’t do this garbage.”

“Not even about that. Do your homework. But I need your help.” I say, climbing the rest of the stairs and heading into my suite.

“Wait, huh? You’re usually calling me now to go shopping or something. What’s up?” Katie asks me, shocked I’m not begging her to come to Michael Kors with me again, probably. I even heard her push her books aside, paper rustling as she did.

“My brother found his mate. But get this- she’s human. I need to keep them apart. I can’t have that, that, that thing in my home. No. No no no no no!” I practically screech into my phone.

“Karri. What are you going to do? I don’t want to get on the Moon Goddess’ bad side. ‘Kay? Cant you just let your brother be happy?” Katie tries to reason with me.

“Not with her! It’s the new girl! And like I said, shes human!” I spat back.

“Okay. Listen to me. I love you to bits, and you’re my best friend, but whatever you’re trying to do, keep me out of it. I’m barely past parole with my dad after your last plan to get James to reject Mary. Cant you just let people be happy with who the Moon Goddess gives them? Why do you feel the need to do this? Again!”

“Because I don’t want a sister in law! I want to rule this pack! My brother can’t do it properly! You know he’s let humans, witches, and even Fae live on our lands, and reproduce weak pups! Some won’t even be able to shift! Can you imagine the reputation my brother would have if he mates her!? We’d be attacked twenty-four-seven, Katie! And I’m not about to go fight a battle for my brothers mate. Nope!”

“You’re psychotic. I want nothing to do with this. Call Taliza.” Katie says, hanging up the phone on me.

“b***h!” I yell at my phone, as the screen shuts off the call.