CHAPTER 4
782 Words
NORA
Julia’s been a huge help since I got here—super sweet and always smiling. Honestly, she’s been the highlight of my day.
After English, it was finally lunch. Thank God. As we walked down the hallway, I couldn’t ignore the stares anymore. I leaned toward Julia.
“Umm… Julia, is there something on my face?”
She blinked. “No. Why?”
“Because everyone’s been staring at me like I have three heads.”
“Oh… uh…” She looked uncomfortable. “Well, maybe it’s ‘cause you’re human. Or… you know… because you rejected the Alpha.”
Pause. Human? Alpha? What?
“Wait—human? Alpha?? What are you even talking about?” I asked, completely lost.
“N-nothing!” she stammered, panic all over her face.
I decided not to push it. Not yet.
We made it to the cafeteria and—wow—it was way nicer than my old school’s. We grabbed lunch and found an empty table.
“So… what’s your story?” Julia asked.
“My story?”
“Yeah, like your origin story. Where you’re from. The whole deal.”
“Oh. Well, I just moved here from New York City with my mom. Had a couple friends back home. My dad… let’s just say he flunked fatherhood. It’s been rough, but my mom and I have each other.”
Julia gave me a soft smile. “I’m sorry, Nora.”
“It’s okay.”
We kept chatting—school, hobbies, girl talk—until a group of girls in cheer uniforms sauntered over. You know the type.
One of them stepped forward. Clearly the queen bee. “Just so you know, Alex is mine. I don’t care if you’re his mate—he was mine, is mine, and will always be mine. Got that?”
I stared at her blankly and bit into my burger.
She shoved my shoulder. “Hey. I’m talking to you.”
I blinked slowly. “Sorry. It just takes me a while to process stupid all at once.”
She actually growled. Growled. Like an animal.
One of her minions whispered something to her, and her face changed instantly.
“Well, I wouldn’t want to hurt the Luna, now would I?” she said with a tight smile before strutting off with her cheer-bots.
Luna? That word again.
I turned to Julia, confused.
“Don’t listen to her—she’s delusional,” she said.
I raised an eyebrow. “Wait… you’re sisters?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“Wow.”
The rest of the day passed without seeing that Alex guy again—which, honestly, I was relieved about.
ALEX
After Nora screamed at me, I just… left. I couldn’t stay there. Tim and I went straight home.
‘She doesn’t like us,’ I said to Xavier.
‘She’s human. She doesn’t feel the bond like we do.’ He sounded as crushed as I felt.
When I got home, Mom was watching TV in the living room.
“You’re back early,” she said, her face shifting to a suspicious frown.
“I found my mate,” I said flatly.
Her eyes lit up. “You what? That’s amazing!”
“Yeah. Sure.”
“You’ve been waiting for this—aren’t you happy?”
“She yelled at me,” I said. “When I hugged her.”
“What?! Why would she—wait… is she human?”
“Yes.”
Mom burst out laughing. “Well duh, of course she yelled! She probably thinks you’re a stalker or a psycho!”
“Great. Just great.”
“You’ve gotta take it slow, Alex. Make her fall in love with you.”
“Oh fantastic,” I groaned.
Just then, my dad walked in. Alpha of our pack. King of intensity.
“Son, you’re home.”
“Honey, Alex found his mate!” Mom chimed in.
“Yeah, me.”
Dad actually smiled. “That’s good news. Finally, a future Luna.”
“She’s human,” Mom added.
Dad just shrugged. “Human, vampire, witch—it doesn’t matter. She’s your mate. That’s what matters.”
Okay… who is this understanding version of my dad?
I spent the rest of the day training, playing with my little sister, and trying not to think too hard about Nora’s face when she looked at me like I was insane.
‘I can’t wait to see mate tomorrow!’ Xavier yipped excitedly.
‘Yeah… me too,’ I admitted.
But deep down, I knew tomorrow wouldn’t be easier. Winning her over? That was going to be the hardest battle I’d ever face—and I was a damn werewolf.
- Writer
