Blood Moon

Chapter [3] - The Day From Hell

Standing in the tiny adjoining bathroom that I only found this morning, I looked into the small circular mirror. The bags under my eyes were dark, my pale skin making them look worse.

"You can do this." I whispered, I didn't even sound convincing.

I had showered and pulled on a pair of black jeans and plain black vest top. Everything seemed to fit other than the converse that were a size to small, I squished my feet into them ignoring the uncomfortable tightness. Luckily there was a hair dryer so I had blasted my hair making it look almost mane like around my face. I honestly didn't care what I looked like, I just wanted this day to be over with.

I didn't have my bag or any other one so I left with a silent prayer that I'd get through the day. Luckily the house was dead, the Alpha had left early in the morning and I was thankful.

The smells of all the pack members hit me as I opened the door, it was overwhelming. Stares were on me instantly, the taste of hatred thick in the air. I swallowed the self conscious bile that rose up my throat and walked. Honestly, I didn't know where I was going so I squared my shoulders and followed what looked like a bunch of people my age. A small building came into sight after a while. River High School was boldly written across the front sign.

There was a bunch of people pointing and staring at me with disgust, I didn't zone into what they were saying, I didn't want to know the vile things they thought of me simply because I was a rogue. The bell went as I entered and silently I was thankful, a few people knocked past me and Jess was ready to attack but I kept my control of her, now wasn't the time to lose it.

"Ah, the famous rogue, Anderson said I should expect you."

"Anderson?" I questioned ignoring the distain in her voice.

The woman was in her fifties, her tight brown perm making her look older. Her eyes flicked to mine, the deep blue of them making me nervous. She had the stare of authority, the stare that didn't need words.

"Anderson Rivers, your Alpha." She quipped in horror.

"Ah, right. I only knew him as Alpha." I blurted in a pathetic explanation. "It's been a lot to take in."

"We'll at least you have manners rogue." She nodded in approval and I let out the breathe I didn't know I was holding.

Very few people made me feel like a small child but there was something about this woman that made me feel teeny tiny.

"Name."

"Caitlin Beck." I answered quickly.

"I'm just waiting on your timetable being finalised. It shouldn't be too long, the headmaster said he'd email."

"Ok, thanks."

I sat down on the blue plastic chairs at the far end of the room waiting. The receptionist busied herself but her eyes kept finding me.

"Can I offer some advice?" She simply asked eventually.

"I'm all ears."

"People already hate you, they despise what you stand for, what you...are."

"They don't even know me." I shot back, my defensiveness already peaking.

"To them, you're a rogue and that's all that matters. In this pack, rogues are the worst thing to exist. There's a long history, a lot that has happened and you will pay the price for that." She didn't sound anything other than honest.

"What are you saying?"

"Watch yourself, that's all. Keep your head down."

Her computer pinged before I could respond. She smiled nodding at the screen.

"All signed off, I'll just print it for you."

In seconds it was in my hands, I frowned at the subjects. The irony was I was good at school, before I got my wolf I thought it was the only way I was going to get away from my hell of a life. My plan was to get good grades, get into a good university and make something of myself.

That all changed when Jess arrived. I had to teach myself control, how to change and transition back. It took time and I ran away from my life to do it. I didn't regret it but it hadn't been easy.

"There are signs everywhere, all the rooms are numbered and give the teacher of each class one of these, it's just your confirmation of enrolment to each class." She handed me the forms quickly walking away.

"Thanks." I mumbled even although she had gone into another room.

'English, room 10.'

Finding it was the easy part, going in was a whole other challenge. I already knew what the receptionist had told me but somehow hearing her say it made the reality of the situation worse.

'Just do it' Jess linked getting impatient at my hesitation.

I chapped then opened the door. The class came to a complete silence, the teachers hand stopping mid air as he was writing on the board.

"Careful, it might have fleas."

The class burst out laughing. I looked at the girl who had made the comment. She tucked her long brown hair behind her shoulders, smirking at me. She was pretty and clearly popular with the high fives she was getting.

"Can I help you?" The teacher asked placing down his chalk and turning to me.

"I've to enrol in this class." I gave him the paper which he took like I had the plague.

These people were ridiculous, honestly it was like I was some incurable disease. It's not like I chose the life I had, it kind of chose me.

"Take a seat." He did not look happy.

There were a few options, all of them easier than the choice I took. I'd never been one to take the easy lane. Pulling out the chair beside little miss popular I sat down.

"Sir, I'm not sitting next to it."

Before the teacher could even move I turned placing one hand on the table, the other on her chair.

"Then move. Better be fast. I hear fleas can jump quite far."

She was open mouthed for a second but she stood grabbing her things. The rest of the class went quickly with the smell of shock wafting over me. They could think what they wanted but I wasn't going to just take the a***e, it wasn't in my nature. Being homeless I had learned to look after myself and that involved not letting people walk all over you.

The rest of the morning was without problem. Lunch time came quickly and as I stood eating my burger it was evident that's were my day was going to take a turn.

A group of people headed my way. I was in the outside area in a corner minding my own business. When they were at me one of the boys who towered above me opened a bottle of coke and poured it over my head.

'Let's kill them.' Jess shouted inside my head.

"That might wash away the fleas. Anderson deserves better than you." The popular girl in my first class spat.

"What like you? Is this one of those cliche moments where you're like he's mine, we belong together."

Roaring laughter erupted as I pushed the wet sticky hair back from my face. I was seething with rage, the blood inside my skin boiling. Jess was right on the edge. Everyone's attention was on us.

"He's her brother you idiot." One of the boys managed to squeeze out.

"Ah, so being a horrible, disgusting minded person runs in the family. That's nice." I pulled at the T-shirt that stuck to my skin but nothing was going to change the horrible feeling of it on me.

"You dare insult our Alpha." Another girl barked, her face contorting in shock.

"No, I'm sure he's a great leader. It's his morals I don't particularly care for."

"That's your mate." His sister barked.

"So I'm told. That doesn't mean I'm going to bow down at his feet and just accept his views." I shrugged.

"You're lucky he didn't kill you. Everybody wants you dead." She was red with her anger, her animal just about ready to take over.

"Sarah, calm down." One of her friends tried but failed as she was pushed off her.

"I'm going to warn you once Sarah, you push me to fight and you'll regret it."

"I'm going to kill you." She promised.

The wolf ripped from her, her T-shirt still partially around her wolfs waist. I smiled, if she wanted a fight, she'd get one. I changed instantly, it was painless and exhilarating as always.

A wide circle formed around us, the two of us moving around, following each and every move the other made. Tension rose, the cheers around us fading until it felt like just the two of us.

Jess gave a low warning growl, a last chance for her to back off but her anger was in control. Her animal was large but mines was bigger, more lean and better equipped for fighting.

She lunged.

Jess caught her as she flew for us, her sharp teeth catching her waist and throwing her to the side like she was nothing. Sarah's wolf was up quickly, death in its eyes. I let Jess forward, slowly, cautiously.

A growl emitted from Sarah, a menacingly low sound that was filled with malice. I kept edging forward until she was stumbling backwards. I could tell she didn't fight much, I however did.

'Make your move.' Jess whispered inside my head waiting for the other wolf to lunge again even although they couldn't hear her.

As expected Sarah's wolf vaulted forward. Jess dodged the attack moving to the side. The wolf landed on the floor clearly confused. Jess didn't give it a chance, she bit its back leg, the blood instantly flowing onto her tongue, deeper she bit, the wolf howling in pain.

'That was the easiest fight we've ever had.' Jess mocked.

'Sure was.' I linked back.

"Enough." A voice boomed from behind us.

Instantly I knew it was him. My fur rippled with the power of his presence. Slowly I turned and instantly I knew that the fight wasn't over and for the first time Jess was terrified of him.