Whispers

Chapter five

I got to school just as the late bell rang and had to sprint to History before Griffin closed and locked the door. I got there on time, surprisingly, but nearly got hit in the face with the door as Griffin was closing it. 

Panting, I walked to my seat, enjoying the stares of my fellow students and their giggles. Griffin ignored them and went on with class, and I did my best to pay attention while also trying to think of a way to avoid Luke and Sarah for the day. Luke was in my next class, but seat assignments weren't a think in Chemistry, so I could just change my seat to be away from Luke. Lunch was going to be harder, as teachers guarded the door leading out of the lunch room, but if I just say I have to go to the bathroom, and bring my bag, they might let me slide, which would allow me to safely hide in the bathroom.

I know, I know. Eating in the bathroom? Gross. But this is what I have come to. My dad has made it abundantly clear he doesn't want me around, so while I think of an escape plan, I have to survive. I rub my face, trying to focus on what Griffin is saying, but his lecture is boring and I did not sleep well.

I winced at the memory, and shiver. It is insane what happened, and I'm almost convinced that it didn't really happen. Going home, and seeing the board on my door will be the true indicator. If it is there, then everything happened: I went for a walk, ran from some random stranger, and almost got the daylights beat out of me by my dad. 

The more I thought about the encounter with the person in the woods, the more I started to believe that it was all in my head. What person is in the woods that late in the night? Were they tracking me, or was it truly just a chance encounter? If it was a chance encounter, then why did they chase me? They definitely did not have to follow me back to my house. He was lucky my dad didn't see him. 

I'm lucky my dad didn't see him.

The bell rings above us, and students start moving around, packing up for the trip down the hall to the next classroom. Griffin was yelling out random stuff about a test next week, and the study guide that would go out tomorrow morning. I was barely paying attention, packing up my things to go to Chemistry, when someone in front of me cleared their throat. I look up and see Sarah, and instantly get pissed.

"Well hello there, little mutt," She said, laughing. Some students stopped to see what was going on, and I looked behind Sarah to see if Griffin was in the room. 

He wasn't. This is an ambush.

"You know, I think it is just," She takes in a deep breath and smiles widely, "so funny, that my soon to be husband would want you over me." Everyone still left in the room gasped. 

"He doesn't want me, Sarah. He was confused. You've got what you want, now why won't you leave me alone?" I go to walk by her, so I can get out of this room, when she steps in front of me. 

"Now, now, Gillian," She says in a fake nice voice, "Don't go disrespecting your soon to be Luna." 

I laughed, and shook my head. The stares around us waited impatiently for me to say or do something. I look Sarah in the eye, with the biggest smile on my face, "You're not my Luna," 

Gasps fill the room and the rage behind Sarah's calm composure begins to break down. 

"You're asking to get your ass kicked again," Her anger and mine fueled the fire that was lit inside of me. 

"Again? When did you kick my ass? Last time I checked, I kicked your ass," Her mouth drops open, surprised at my words. 

"You little--,"

"That's enough, Sarah," Luke's voice rang through the room. I looked over to the door, which he was casually leaning against, and watched him as he watched us, "She didn't do anything to you, just leave her alone."

"But--," 

"I swear by the Goddess herself, if I find out you are bullying her anymore I will revoke your position as Luna," He stood up to his full height, his voice commanding. My wolf whimpered at the sight, and I pushed her down. 

Sarah took one last look at me, her glare like sinking razor blades into my skin, and walked out of the room. Everyone else who was left filed out behind her, whispering as they went. The bell for class rang, which caused me to be even more pissed. 

"We're going to be late, come on," I followed Luke out of the classroom, fuming. 

"I don't need your help you know! I can handle myself!" I half yelled, still angry at what just happened and for everything else. Can't he just leave me alone. 

Luke turns around quickly, causing me to collide with his chest, sending sparks and warmth through my body. 

"You're just a glutton for punishment aren't you? You know if you get into another fight you will be shipped off somewhere else, and yet you're completely okay with that?" He looks down at me, confused, frustration showing in his body language. 

"Maybe I want to leave, ever think of that?" I push passed him, and get to Chemistry. I don't even think as I plop myself down in my usual seat. The teacher--I cannot remember her name for the life of me--is already writing on the white board. Luke comes strolling in a minute later, which prompts the teacher to get the door. 

Guess Mr. Alpha is late a lot. 

"Good morning, Gill," He said as he sits behind me. The smile in his voice sounds on edge and angry, but I ignore him and start writing what is on the board. I completely forgot about my plan to sit in another seat for this class, and now that it has started I can't move seats. Well, I could, but that would cause a disturbance, and if I get sent to the office I will be beat black and blue.

"So you're not speaking to me?" I could feel his breath on the back of my neck. I sucked in a deep breath, his smell filling my nose. I let it out quickly, and turned to him. 

"What do you want? I'm trying to pay attention," I whispered, malice dripping from my words.

"All I said was good morning. I just wanted a good morning back." He said, sitting back in the seat. 

"You could have said that in the hallway when we were arguing, but no you decide to say it when we are in class? You know what," I raised my hand. Everything stopped, as the teacher looked at me.

"Yes, Gill?" She said, confused. 

"Can I move? Luke is distracting me, and I'm in enough trouble at home as it is and can't really afford to be in more," I said, ignoring the waves of anger coming from behind me. 

"Sure, Gill. Why don't you move to that table?" I look to the table she is pointing at, and see that it is empty. Perfect. I gather up my things and move as the teacher starts back up where she left off. I sit and listen, my confidence surging just a little bit because I was able to get away from Luke. Maybe I could actually do this.

I was actually paying attention, Chemistry was clicking for almost a whole minute, when Luke entered my head. 

Why can't you just say 'thank you'? I saved your ass back there.

You saved Sarah's ass, not mine. You don't know anything about me, but think you have to protect me at every turn.

That's because I'm your mate. I naturally want to protect you. 

Well then naturally quit, because it is annoying and I don't want you.

Why not?

I look over at Luke, my throat getting tighter with my urge to scream. I just wanted him to leave me alone. Why was that so hard to grasp. I turn away and look at my, now, half empty paper. None of the writing made sense, which made my anger worse. The anger kept building and building until suddenly the lights went out. 

Everything stops, as the teacher tries to calm the students, "We probably tripped a breaker, calm down," The teacher goes back into a room, probably where the breaker box is, but comes out confused. A quick look in the hallway makes her realize that it wasn't just her room that was dark--No. The whole school had lost power.

"That's odd. Must be a power outage," she left the classroom, which was a bad idea, and went down the hall to talk to the other teachers. 

I rub my face, feeling drained and fed up with the day. I want to go home, but if I go home again, I will get another visit from Alpha Collins, probably sending me away, and a beating from my father. After the almost beating I got last night, I wasn't itching to get another one. 

It was getting hard for me to think over the noise of everyone talking at once, which was nice because that meant that I couldn't hear Luke inside my head, even though I knew he was there. I rub my temples, trying to relieve a headache that had decided to make its way into my skull, when the lights flickered back on. 

Everyone moaned--guess they thought a power outage meant that they might get to go home early. The teacher walked back into the room not long after that, and started back up where she left off. The rest of class went by without another word from Luke, whether verbal or mental, and I was able to leave the classroom without interference from him or anyone else. Sarah was standing by the door, most likely waiting for Luke, and gave me a nasty look as I walked by. I rolled my eyes, knowing she won't do anything with Luke right there, and continued on my day. 

By the time lunch came around, I was ready to crash land into something soft enough that would allow me to sleep. Even if it was for a solid twenty minutes, I would take it. I grabbed my food from the lunch line, and sat down at a table, hoping that people would just stick to their staring and not bother me today. I bit into my sandwich, deciding to save the other half of it for later--because I wasn't sure if I was going to eat tonight--and also stored away the apple and banana I got with it. I had dinner set, just in case my dad was being extra cruel tonight.

"What are you, a squirrel?" I look up at Sarah, and then look around the lunch room to find Luke, but he was nowhere in sight. I sighed, and rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, Sarah. I'm not a werewolf, I'm a were-squirrel. Instead of a wolf, I transform into a giant squirrel with a bushy ass tail," I took a bite out of my sandwich and watched as Sarah rolled her eyes at me. 

"You think you're so funny. I don't even know what Luke sees in you," I roll my eyes and continue to chew, "Look," She leans down close to my face, her breath fanning my cheeks as I looked at her, expressionless. 

"I'm going to make your life a living hell, mutt," I swallowed and laughed. Sarah looked at me, her malicious expression turning to one of confusion, "What's so funny?" 

"My life is already a living hell, and it sure isn't because of you." I take another bite of my food, and watch as she flows through a range of emotions. I wish I knew what she was thinking, but at the same time I wasn't wholly sure she was capable of complex thought for longer than five minutes. 

I felt Luke before I heard him speak. "Sarah," His tone was warning.

"What?! I wasn't bullying her! I was apologizing for earlier. Can you blame me?" She tries way to hard to be innocent. 

"Just move away from her table. Let's go sit somewhere else," Luke walks by me, not saying a word to me, and usher's Sarah away from my table. I sigh with relief, and finish my food. Since I stored all the rest away in my bag, I took time to put my head down, and stare out the window towards the back of the school. This window was pointing towards the woods, and made me whimper inside. My wolf is still pissed at me, but I could tell she was starting to come around. She didn't really have a choice. 

Before the bell rang, my eyes drifted off into a light slumber, and when the bell rang--forcing my eyes to spring open--I saw movement at the edge of the woods out the window. Without thinking, I got up and went to the door as the other students filed out of the cafeteria and back to class. Did I see what I thought I just saw? I blink and rub my eyes, trying to focus my sleep deprived eyes on the trees that were fifty feet from the door. 

"Class time, let's go!" I look behind me and see a teacher yelling at the stragglers to get going. I look back once more, to see nothing. No movement, not figure, just trees. I shake my head and turn to my table to get my bag and leave. 

I got through the rest of the day without Luke or Sarah interfering with me anymore, which was nice. In the halls I would see them together, talking to each other in hushed tones. Anytime I got close they would stop, and Luke would look after me, as if he was afraid I would break down and beg for his forgiveness.

On the walk home I plugged in my earbuds, and blasted music. My dad would be home as soon as I got there, and I'm not entirely sure if I am afraid of him or the beating I could possibly receive. With Grace helping out at the pack house, I could promise anyone everything I have that I would be beat if I said one wrong thing to my dad. I'm not sure why he doesn't do anything while Grace is around, but it might have something to do with him wanting to keep an image. 

I get to the house and open the door, my hand trembling as I turn the knob. My dad's truck is in the drive way, and my stomach is in my mouth. I walk into the kitchen, and start into the living room to see my dad sitting on the sofa, reading some papers.

"We have a new rule," He said, not looking up from his work. I stopped in my tracks, and waited for him to continue. He puts down the paper and stands, towering over me and causing me to further tremble. 

"You do not leave this house unless it is for school or pack events. Also, I will be taking you to school and picking you up from now on. You are not to leave school, under any circumstances, unless authorized by me. If you leave school without permission, I will know. All of your teachers have been notified of your behavior, as well as your principle. They will watching you and will be reporting to me if you so much as make a wrong move. You step out of line, and I will know," I swallow hard, doing my best to put my stomach back where it originated, but found it to be completely pointless.

"Now, with that said, is there anything you want to tell me?" I take in and breathe out a shaky breath.

"No sir," I said, praying that he didn't hear about what happened in first period. 

"Really," A slap to my cheek sends me backwards, "Not even an argument with the future Luna of the pack?" Another slap, this one sending me to the floor, "Get up, you pathetic Mutt." 

I get to my feet, shaking from anger and fear, "It was just a disagreement. Nothing happe--," Another slap, and now I'm bracing myself against the wall. 

"Nothing happened? You told her that she wasn't your Luna. You even went as far to threaten her!" He yells, making me flinch. 

"I didn't threat--," A punch to my right temple sends me to the ground again, and this time he doesn't tell me to get up. I felt my head throb as the bruise on the side of my head formed.

"I don't care what you did or didn't do! You're a disgrace, and deserve to be beat for all the pain you have caused everyone!" His yelling gets louder, so loud that I was sure everyone in the surrounding area could hear him. I cower on the floor below him, doing my best to be small, when he grabs a fist full of my hair and drags me to my feet. 

"You're lucky I don't beat the living s**t out of you. I would get away with it too, you know why? Because you deserve it. You're nothing but a reminder of the biggest mistake I have ever made," My dad then throws me, forcing my back into the wall. All the breath left my body, as I kneel in front of him. 

I think about my options and find less than none. I can't fight him, that was impossible. He is bigger, stronger, and faster than me. I may know how to fight with people my own size and age, but there was no chance I was taking down someone like my dad. I sit back on my feet, still on the ground, my head throbbing. 

"You're lucky to be alive, and living in this home. Now thank me, Gillian. Thank me for everything I have provided to you. Thank me for not beating the life out of you. Do it." He kneels down in front of me and grabs my face, "DO IT." He screams, spit flying across my face. 

"Thank yo--," He grabs me by my throat, and drags me down the hall. He then throws me into my room and slams the door shut behind him, the click of the lock confirming that I am finally alone and safe. I stayed where I landed for a minute, assessing the damage that was done to me. 

This wasn't the worst that could possibly happen, right? I did deserve this, I caused trouble. He told me not to, and I did. I deserved to be beaten, and was really lucky he just didn't straight up kill me. I swallowed and rolled over and got to my feel, wincing. 

I have a broken rib at least. My wrist didn't feel too good either, I probably landed on it wrong when my dad threw me into my room. I feel around for the light switch and flip it when it is found, and sigh. 

My room is intact. I still have everything; so it really can't be that bad. He didn't take away my bed or my bookshelf. I could still sit at my desk and do my work. 

None of this stopped me from sinking to the ground and crying my eyes out. How was I going to cover up these bruises? Am I just supposed to hope that they heal by tomorrow? What about my wrist? Not like I have a brace or know how to make a splint. Not that I would get one anyway, because that would make things suspicious. He would justify it too--probably say I fought him, or started it and he was just defending himself. There's a good chance they will go with it too, because they've already gone with his crazy idea of keeping tabs on me at all times. 

I heard the door unlock and wiped my face and quickly got up. Grace came in, a plate of food in her hand, and a knowing look on her face.

"Are you okay?" She asked quietly. 

The tears ran, but no sobs came out, "I'm fine. My wrist hurts, but I don't think it's broken," I held my wrist against my chest and suppressed the sobs that threatened to come out of me. 

"Okay, I'll get you some ice--,"

"No, it's fine. I'll be fine," I take the plate from her hand, wishing I didn't say anything to her, "Thank you, Grace." I pushed her out of the room, and sat on my bed. 

Dinner was a sandwich and some crackers. I set it down on my desk and fall backwards onto my bed. My head throbbed as I fell to sleep. What I thought would be dreamless, turned to be another invasion of privacy.

I was back in the woods. Same as the night before, except when I saw Luke on the other side of the river, I just sat down and put my feet in the rushing water. I didn't have any fight left in me today.

"Gill," I looked up at Luke, "What happened to you?" 

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused. 

"You're face is bruised, and your holding your wrist." I look at him in shock. He could see my injuries? But this is a dream, how could he possibly see them?

"I fell on the way home from school," I said, my body and voice shaking. He looked at me up and down, assessing if I was telling the truth. 

"That would explain the wrist but it doesn't explain why your face is bruised," He crossed his arms as he sat down on the other side of the river. I scoff and shake my head. 

"You don't know anything about anything, Luke. Just stay out of it,"

"Is your dad beating you?" I look up, my head spinning. 

"What?" 

"You heard me, Gill. Tell me the truth," My breathing became labored. No one can know this is happening, no one. What would happen to me if someone found out that this has been an on and off again thing for years? 

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said, looking down at the water. The current became stronger, threatening to drag me under, even though I was securely on the bank.

"You know what I am talking about," Luke reached out for me, but I backed away from him. He retracted his hand, his eyes a mixture of pure anger, hate, and pity. "What did he do to you, Gill. Tell me, I can help you." 

I laughed, tears coming up into my eyes with the insanity that was the laughter being pushed out of my throat. I didn't respond, instead, I was woken up by the sound of my alarm. 

My head throbbed to the sound of the bells ringing to wake me up. My wrist throbbed even more, and it became ever more difficult to breathe as I sat up to get ready for another day of school. Gingerly, I changed shirts, put on some deodorant, and put on different shoes. Lastly, I swiped my hair up into a messy bun, my wrist aching as I did so. 

The mirror told me that the bruises, in the light of my room were barely noticeable. If someone asked, I could tell them the same thing I told Luke--I fell. I sit on my bed and wait for someone to unlock the door. About five minutes after I sit down, I hear footsteps coming to my room, and heard the click of the lock. My dad stood on the other side of the door, looking calm and dressed for the day. 

"Let's go," I get up, gather my bag, while still babying my hurt wrist and follow my dad to the car. 

The drive was silent. When we got to school, he refused to look at me. 

"Make sure to put some ice on your wrist. I'll get you a brace tonight from the store," I nodded, and hopped out of the car.