The Last Silver Wolf - The Return Of Shyla Black

2. School?... More Like HELL...

Shyla's POV:

3 1/2 Years Ago

Age 14

The Dark Forest...

I successfully escaped through the front door, just as planned. Denver was so distracted by the peculiar young man offering his assistance that he completely missed my departure. Thank goodness for that! Above me loomed an intimidating black sky, with the stars almost hidden behind the dense, dark trees. Every morning, I find myself walking nearly an hour to reach the high school campus, and I can't shake the unsettling feeling it brings me. No matter how often I undertake this journey, the eeriness never seems to fade. The cold autumn air burned against my cheeks and slightly stung my busted lip, but I didn't mind; anything was better than being trapped in that house with that man.

Even the Dark Forest...

I’m from Lunar City, divided and ruled by the three largest packs: Shadow Hill, Gray Fang, and Dark Moon.

Shadow Hill is located east of the capital and is the smallest of the packs; they live by the water. Gray Fang is the second-largest pack, living in the mountains south of the capital. Finally, we have Dark Moon… the largest of the three packs running north and west borders; their territory is smack dab in the center, taking up most of the forest. It’s a massive pack with over 1700 wolves. They have been around the longest and are by far the strongest of the three and the most superior. They have all their own resources and private council, unlike Gray Fang and Shadow Hill, who both take their council from the Elder's board, a group of ancient werewolves who, in short, keep things fair and in order within our species.

Dark Moon's territory is bigger than the capital. As a matter of fact, they have their own city. The Royal Alpha family owns most of the businesses in it. It's always been my dream to open a healing clinic, but I knew they would never allow me, a cursed rogue, to open my own business on their land. My best bet was to work hard in school so I could apply to the Academy...

I’m an unofficial member of Dark Moon. Denver moved us here shortly after I turned 7. Before that, we lived in several smaller packs in the south. I’m not sure what pack he and my mother originally came from… Denver refuses to tell me anything about the woman or her heritage.

Dark Moon is one of the oldest packs that still exists. Since the start of our kind, they have been looked at like royalty. Hell, the pack house was an actual castle. But, since I wasn’t technically part of the pack and Denver can no longer battle due to his addictions, we're subjected to the Dark Forest. That’s where the lower-class wolves live, the omegas, the outcasts, and anyone else who wasn’t deemed worthy of the alpha families' attention.

I thought, 'Maybe if I were kind to them, they would accept me,' but I've learned by now that they will never look at me other than a rogue. I was a constant target for bullying and ridicule. My biggest bullies are The Alpha King's son, Kellen, his future Beta, Jax, and their Gamma, Alex..... I hated them passionately; because of them, the entire pack wouldn't let up on the bullying... All because I beat the alpha prince in a race in the 6th grade.

I s**t you not. That’s what started this madness.

Oh, and Betty! I can't forget that obnoxious, overzealous cunt of a woman.... she's the worst of all, her and her minions. Betty's the daughter of the current beta, and she's Kellen's on-again-off-again girlfriend, so she thinks she runs the entire pack. She has even made some of the kids in our school address her as Queen Luna. The thought alone made me want to gag. It should be a crime to allow their evil souls to lead this pack one day, but I didn't plan on being around when that happened.

When I turn 18, I’m hightailing it out of here and never looking back.

I finally made it to school and didn't have a moment of peace because right when I walked through the doors, I saw my three tormentors headed my way. Kellen's solid build slowly stalked towards me, his crystal blue eyes never wavering from mine; a small smile graced his angelic features, making him look devastatingly handsome... it truly wasn't fair... This degenerate was a work of art, and he knew it! It’s a shame his attitude and shitty personality didn't match his heaven-like features.

"Hey, piggy piggy," Jax said, blowing me a kiss. He loved to body shame me any chance he got just because I didn't have the typical 5'10 height and stick thin model body the rest of the shewolves walked around here with, but I loved my curves... when I wasn't constantly getting assaulted and groped by the disgusting boys here. I tried to make a quick exit, but they blocked my way, circling me. Their large frames towered over me. I did my best not to show any fear, knowing that would only egg them on. Instead, I stood up to my full height (which wasn’t much; I was about 5'2, maybe 5'3) and glared at all of them.

"What do you want?" I hissed. I couldn't keep the annoyance out of my tone.

“Now, is that any way to talk to your beta?" Jax said, grabbing a strand of my hair. He twirled it around his index finger, flashing a wicked grin."I could punish you for that, you know," he said, leaning so close to me that we could kiss.

"Can you please let me pass... I need to get to class?" I stammered, but he didn't let up.

Kellen watched on the sidelines blankly; his eyes narrowed in on mine. It made an angry fire stir up inside of me. I wanted to punch him in the nose, even if it ruined his pretty face. He had the power to end my torment, but nope... he chose to watch ... much like everyone else. I was distracted by Kellen and didn't see Alex closing in on me until it was too late.

He snatched the books I was carrying in my arms and held them out of my reach. I turned to face him, ready to demand that he return them. I borrowed my school books from the library since I couldn't afford to buy them, like the rest of the kids...

But I forgot Jax still had my hair in his hand. Right when I went to run after Alex, Jax yanked the curl, sending me flying into his chest, which felt more like a brick wall. I groaned and rubbed my aching forehead as I watched Alex toss the books into the trash at the end of the hall. Just as kids nearby threw fresh garbage into the bin, my heart sank. Now, I must dig in disgusting trash to get my books back!

I glared at him, wanting to cuss him out and smack that stupid smirk off his freckled face, but I withheld my urge, knowing it would only result in my demise.

"Oh, cheer up, rogue. The cleaners didn't take the trash out last night, so I’m sure they're right on the top for you,” Kellen said with a nonchalant shrug. I met his gaze and almost wheezed; a cruel smile graced his face. I wanted to punch myself for feeling butterflies in my stomach. I should feel sick with disgust, but my body had other plans. I quickly retracted my hair from Jax's grip, turned, and went to the trash, but right when I got there... Betty stood with her minions Brielle and Tanya flanking her...

This day couldn’t get any worse....

They blocked me from reaching the trash can; Tanya yanked me by my hair while Betty held my arms behind my back in a firm grip that no 14-year-old should be able to possess. I watched as Betty poured old rotten milk into the trash can. Where did she even get the milk from?????? The putrid scent wafted through the halls; the students passing by covered their noses and looked disgusted at me.

"Nooo,” I whimpered, knowing I had no choice but to retrieve my soaked books, but they weren't done yet.

Betty turned on me and poured the remaining rancid milk on my hair. The smell made me vomit. They all laughed hysterically... I wanted to cry and turn into dust at the same time. The surrounding students laughed with malice as they pulled out their phones and started recording this embarrassing debacle.

“Awe, cheer up, Rogue,” she sneered, her eyes filled with evil intent, “where’s your sense of humor?”

“In what sick world is this funny?” I said through my unshed tears, but they just laughed harder. I wanted to crawl into a hole and die, but there was nowhere for me to hide, and I couldn’t go through the rest of the day smelling like rotten milk, so I quickly pushed past the clan of bitches and got my soaked books from the trash bin, without looking at anyone... I ran for the exit, leaving school and the hysteria of laughter directed at me behind.

Despite the abuse at home and the hatred I received at school, I was at the top of my class when it came to academics.

I needed to join a healing program in Lunar Academy or any academy. I wish I were a high-ranking wolf by birth. If so, I would automatically get into any school of my choice. It sucks that people like me have to work extremely hard to get into the rooms those bastards are born into.

Imagining my freedom and my future was the only thing keeping me going. I needed to get away from Denver and Dark Moon. The rotten alpha prince, his posse of friends, and all the bad ju-ju associated with this pack.