Dear Alpha, You Broke Me First

The Alpha's Son

Kate

The shrill ring of the bell signaled the end of the last period. I quickly shoved my books into my bag and bolted for the door before the stampede of students could block my exit. I just wanted to get to my locker first and get out of here before the hallways got too crowded. Nothing good ever came from maneuvering through the bustling crowds in between periods.

I weaved my way through the maze of desks, keeping my head down. Almost there. I was just passing the last desk when suddenly my foot caught on something and I went sprawling, my books flying out of my bag across the floor. Laughter erupted around me as I scrambled to gather my things. Out of the corner of my eye I saw someone snatch up the book I had been reading about awakening your inner wolf.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Brad, one of my usual tormentors, waved the book in the air with a smug grin. "Awww, is little Katie still trying to get her wolf? That's pathetic."

I ignored him and reached for the book, but he held it out of my grasp. More laughter sounded from the other students lingering in the classroom. My cheeks burned.

"Nothing's ever going to bring your wolf, loser," Brad taunted. "Just give up already."

With one last mocking laugh, he tossed the book back at me. It hit my chest and fell to the floor. The others finally left, still chortling. I bit my lip, willing myself not to cry as I gathered the rest of my things and hurried out.

"Awroooo! Here freaky, freaky!" someone mocked.

"Maybe she's a were-mouse, not a wolf!"

I kept my head down as I made my way to my locker, trying to avoid eye contact. But that didn't stop the whispers and snickers that followed me through the hallway. Things were occasionally tossed my way - crumpled papers, food wrappers, even a balled up sweatshirt smacked me in the back of the head. I steadfastly ignored it all, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other.

Just as I reached my locker and started turning the combination lock, I felt something wet and sticky pouring down my back. I whirled around to find Sera, my greatest tormentor, standing there with an empty cup, a sickly sweet smug smile on her face. Orange juice. She had just dumped an entire cup of orange juice on me.

"Sorry, clumsy me," she sneers. "I just can't seem to hold onto anything today."

I could feel the sticky liquid soaking into my shirt and dripping down my skin. The students around us pointed and laughed. Sera looked immensely satisfied with herself. That was the last straw. I wasn't going to stand there and take it today.

Spinning back around, I yanked open my locker, grabbed my jacket, and took off running toward the exit before Sera could do or say anything else to humiliate me further. I had to get out of here.

I ran with my head down, focused only on the exit sign ahead, the promise of escape. But I wasn't watching where I was going closely enough. Just as I neared the doors, I slammed hard into what felt like a brick wall. A grunt sounded on impact as I bounced backwards and landed on my butt on the hard linoleum floor.

Dazed, I looked up - right into the scowling face of Jaden, Sera's college boyfriend and another one of my former bullies. Great. Could this day get any worse?

"Watch where you're going, i***t," Raiden snarled down at me. He didn't bother to help me up, just glared as I scrambled to my feet. "What's your problem anyway, freak?"

My face flamed. I stared at the floor, humiliation coursing through me.

Raiden snorted derisively. "That's what I thought. Pathetic little rabbit." He deliberately shoulder checked me as he walked past toward Sera and her friends. Their laughter echoed behind me as I finally pushed through the exit doors, free at last.

I half ran, half stumbled to my dad's waiting car, barely keeping the tears at bay until I was safely inside with the doors locked. Then I finally let them fall, sobbing into my hands.

Dad's hand gently squeezed my shoulder. "Rough day, pup?" he asked softly.

I could only nod, still struggling to rein in my emotions. Dad waited patiently, silently comforting me by his presence.

When my tears finally subsided, I wiped my eyes and sat up with a shaky sigh. "I don't know how much more of this I can take," I admitted quietly.

Dad nodded gravely. "I know it's hard, Katie. I wish there was something I could do. I'd love to march right into that school and give those bullies a piece of my mind. But you know we can't draw that kind of attention to yourself."

I nodded resignedly. Fighting back would only make the bully worse. As much as I hated enduring the bullying day after day, involving my dad would only make it worse. He's no one but just a patrol wolf.

"I just don't understand how someone could be so cruel," I said in a small voice. "Why me?"

Dad squeezed my hand. "I don't know, sweetheart. But you listen to me - there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. Don't ever believe what those bullies say, you hear me? They're just insecure and trying to make themselves feel bigger by putting you down. Cowards, every one of them."

I gave a half-hearted shrug. "I guess."

Dad eyed me seriously. "Katie, even if we can't go to the principal about this, you'll be off to college yourself next year. And those bullies will be there too. You need to stand up for yourself, or they'll just keep tormenting you wherever you go. I know you don't want to face this forever."

The thought of having to continue dealing with Brad, Sera, Raiden, and the others into college made my stomach turn. Dad was right. I couldn't just keep my head down and take it indefinitely.

But the idea of standing up to them, especially powerful, popular alphas like Sera and Raiden, was utterly terrifying. I was small, scrawny, and wolfless. What could I possibly do?

Dad seemed to read the uncertainty in my eyes. "Just think about it," he said gently. "I have faith in you, Katie. There's an inner strength in you, even if you can't feel it yet. You'll find it when you need it most."

I nodded, even as doubt niggled in my mind. Would I really be able to stand up to my tormentors? Or was I destined to be the meek little punching bag they seemed determined to make me into?

What if I never got my wolf?

The questions swirled endlessly in my head on the drive home. I knew one thing for certain - I couldn't live like this much longer. Something had to change.

But what? And how?