The Lonely Wolf

9

Veronica

This week went by well enough. All was quiet and no more drama. As a matter of fact, no one seemed to be paying any attention to me at all. I am sitting at a table alone for breakfast just as I have been every day at every school for the last few years. I’m pretty used to it now. I like to spend this time reading over my schoolwork before class.

Today I am able to read up more about the business internship the school offers. They will announce the applications that have been chosen today. It is paid and looks like an excellent opportunity for me, but I don’t know if I will qualify. I meet all the criteria, my GPA, extracurricular activities, even volunteer credits, but I was probably the last to get my application in. And, I would understand if they decided to pick someone who has been attending the school instead of a transfer.

“Hey Ronnie,” I heard Maggie say as she sat down. She has been at the table with her friends. I wonder what brought her over.

"Hi," I say, momentarily looking up before going back to my reading.

“Did you apply for the internship? It’s really hard to get into, but if you get into it, you’re set career-wise,” she says. I looked back at her curious as to why she was asking.

“That’s what I was reading about. It’s a nice scholarship for the college they grant as well. I did apply. I just don’t know if I will qualify. You know, since my records come from three different schools,” I say, taking the last few bites of my breakfast.

“Yes, that scholarship is everything. I’m here on a scholarship and I need every opportunity like that. The money and scholarships probably don’t mean much to someone like you, but for me, it would be the world,” she said with an attitude. Her coming at me like that was surprising to me. If only she knew what was going on with me.

“Maggie, that’s not fair,” I start to defend myself.

"No, it’s not fair that they always choose some wolf like you and never give us normal students who need the money a chance. I know you want something to add to your resume, but people actually need this internship. I’ll just say it. It would suck if you knocked one of us deserving people out,” she says, standing up and over me.

“Maggie, it’s not like that. You don't understand. I DO need the internship and the scholarship just as much as anybody else,” I began explaining, but she began to walk away. She doesn’t seem to want to listen.

“Yea okay. Look at your clothes and room here. You really don’t think everyone knows your mom is a wealthy attorney? Or how about how you come from a family of money and connections,” she says defensively as she walks towards the door.

I grab my things to go after her.

“Wait! You’re right." I ran after her standing in front of the door. "I do come from a family that has money and connections but that has nothing to do with me. I’m not included in any of that. I will be cut off from them soon. Just look at the bio and you won’t find any mention of me. You’ll see my cousins, my aunts and uncles, my mom and grandparents, but no me. You know why? Because they’re ashamed of me. They want nothing to do with me and sent me here to get rid of me.” I talk quietly, trying to explain.

“To get rid of you? They sent you to one of the best private boarding schools in the country to get rid of you? Whatever! I have to go meet my mom. She’s coming for the assembly. Tell someone else your lies,” she pushes past me and storms off.

“Must be nice to have a mom that actually shows up and cares,” I whispered under my breath, trying to control my emotions.

I head down to homeroom and look through the packet some more. Getting into something like this would be what I need to get me through the rest of the year. It would give me a good start towards my future.

Roderick

Swear, I was not eavesdropping. I was sitting with my friends and eating breakfast and saw when Maggie stormed over to the table where Ronnie was sitting and minding her business. They weren’t all that quiet and my wolf hearing just made it hard not to listen.

When she said to look at her family bio, I decided I was going to use my phone to google her mom during homeroom. She’s right. There is no mention of her under the family section. There isn’t even a picture of her on her mother’s social media and I don’t mean her business pages. Not even on the personal page.

I didn't have a full period to keep looking her up, but I think I saw all that I needed to see. In homeroom, the teacher takes attendance and then escorts us to the auditorium.

It bothers me to see Ronnie is sitting all alone in the auditorium while everyone else is sitting with their friends or parents. I would go sit with her, but since there are too many parents from my pack here and both of my parents have warned me to stay away from her, I sat next to Sebastian in front of a warrior family from my pack.

“So that’s the rogue girl?” One of the parents asked me, pointing at Ronnie.

“Yes. She seems harmless so far,” I reply. I looked back up at her. She seems to be reading something now.

“My daughter said she has been trying to cozy up with you,” another parent who sits beside me says.

“Really? Because she keeps telling me to leave her alone as I attempt to extract information about her. She doesn’t seem to want to have anything to do with the pack. Her mom pays good money for her to be here, and she seems fixated on her academics from what I see," I explain. They all seem content with that explanation or at least they have nothing else to say.

The principal starts the assembly by giving a long speech on the importance of academics. Then Luna Amelia gave her speech and announced the internship recipients:

Crystal Whitetail

Steve Craven

Maggie Thorn

Tiffany Wilkes

Margarita Brown

Crystal, Steve, and Margarita were all members of my pack. I went over to congratulate them as their future alpha, and stood in line to thank Luna Amelia on behalf of my father for offering this opportunity to us. As I waited my turn to talk to Luna, I noticed Ronnie walking over to Maggie and her family.

“Hey, I just wanted to say congratulations on the internship,” Ronnie says hesitantly.

“Thank you. I’m just glad you weren’t able to use your mom's money to knock one of the more deserving candidates out like you planned,” Maggie arrogantly said.

“What are you talking about?” Ronnie asked confused.

“Sweetie, you should probably go mingle with your kind over there,” Maggie’s mom says, pointing at us wolves before pulling Maggie away.

Ronnie stands there for a moment, watching them. She looks over at me before walking towards the exit of the auditorium.

“Oh my, little Roddy. You have grown up on me! How long do we have before you apply for my internship?” Luna Amelia asked while hugging me.

“Next year Auntie. I just wanted to thank you for giving us such an opportunity. It really means a lot to so many families here.” She’s not my biological aunt but our families are so close with her being from the closest neighboring pack.

“Oh I know dear. That’s why I do it. Well, that, and it helps with the growth of my company. So tell auntie which one of those little she-wolves has captured your attention. I saw you looking at them over there.”

I followed her eyes and noticed that Stephanie and Sonia had stopped Ronnie before she exited. Their brother Stephan is one of the recipients of the internship. I just hope they’re not causing more problems. The sisters noticed they had our attention and began smiling, which caused Ronnie to turn around towards me.

“Oh my!” Luna Amelia gasps. “Do you know who the she-wolf is in the blue sweater?”

“A new transfer in. Veronica Parker and she’s a hybrid rogue,” I answered. She opened her eyes wide when I said that.

“Does your dad know she’s here?" she asks, sounding really concerned.

“Yes. My parents had already warned me to stay away from her. I will talk to the she-wolves that she is talking to later. I’ve already relayed the message, and they know how my parents feel. Hopefully, that will keep her from going and telling them the girls were talking to her.

She had a weird fake smile as she eyed Ronnie while she was there talking to the other girls. We watch as Ronnie runs out looking upset.

“Very well. It was so good seeing you little Roddy. I have to go make a call but just know I will be tracking your progress. Keep up the good work.” She hugs me again, pulls out her phone and runs off.