The Lonely Wolf

2

Roderick

“Yes mom, I’m up. I’m on my way to grabbing something to eat now... Yes, I know to stay away from the rogue girl everybody is talking about... I know, I know.... I got to go... Sebastian is waiting for me... Love you too. Bye, I hung up the phone. My mom would talk forever if I let her. I know she's concerned, but I know the pack rules on rogues.

“Are you really going to stay away from the rogue girl?” Sebastian asked as he put on his backpack.

“Depending on how hot she is,” I replied, with a smirk as I put on a band to hold my hair back. I started growing my hair and getting it styled in locks last year. One of the other reminders my mom called about was how the school has a strict rule about hair not being allowed to touch the collar, and although I'm the pack's future alpha, I am not exempt from the rules.

Sebastian is my best friend, roommate and Beta. We’re practically brothers since his dad is my dad’s Beta. My dad is the Alpha of the Clover Leaf Pack.

He knows I was only joking. Today is the first day of our junior year. I don’t have time to pay attention to some scrappy rogue. Besides all my sports, I have to have a heavy class load if I’m going to get into the business internship next year.

Every year, the Luna of our neighboring pack brings in 5 of the top academically qualified seniors from every high school in the area. It just wouldn’t be right if I didn’t get in.

“The fellas say she’s a dime but seems a little stuck up. Johnny said she didn’t smell like a rogue but she is a hybrid. Her scent is almost like a vampire. Maybe she is from one of those makeshift blended packs that accepts all the misfits,” Sebastian says, still talking about the new girl as we smile and wave to everyone we see as we walk down the hall to the cafeteria.

“Well, as long as she doesn’t come in here, starting trouble. We will let her be.” I replied, repeating what my dad said when he first notified me of her enrollment.

“What’s up Roddy!”

“Hey Captain.”

“Yo dog, it’s about time you got here.”

I hear as I shake hands, dap up and hug people walking into the cafeteria. I was so busy greeting my people I ended up walking right into the one person my mom told me to avoid.

“Sorry. I didn’t see you standing there. You must be the new girl. I’m Roderick.” I put my hand out for her to shake, but she just looked at me.

“You’re there alpha?” She says, making a face looking unimpressed. For most alpha's, this is a direct challenge, and we would normally force any wolf, especially a rogue, into submission. My wolf doesn't feel threatened by her so I let it slide because her expressions are oddly familiar.

“I am the future Alpha of the Clover Leaf Pack. Have we met before? You kinda look familiar,” I asked as I tried to catch her scent to gauge why she feels familiar to me. She's about 5'5" honey completion, hazel eyes and has light brown hair pulled up in a very neat bun. She definitely looks like a wolf and doesn't have noticeable fangs, but her mannerism is definitely more like a vampire.

“Not that I can recall.” She shook her head. She removed her gaze from me to looked down at her watch like she had someplace to be. Classes don’t start for another forty-five minutes, so I’m not sure what that’s about.

“Well, what is your name? What pack are you coming from?”

They were right. She didn’t smell like a normal rogue. With the clothes she is wearing and the tightly pulled-back bun, she must have come from a wealthy family. Definitely catching the scent of a wolf. Maybe she’s an alpha's bastard love child and have been raised in a vampire coven. Alphas do reject their mates for a stronger Luna occasionally. I can definitely see that happening if an alpha was mated to a vampire. And maybe that’s why she looks familiar. She must look like her father.

“I don’t come from a pack," she says, starting to walk away from me.

"Coven?" I asked.

"Nope. I’m sorry I can’t stay and talk. I have an appointment I need to get to before classes start. The guidance counselor's office is down the hall to the right, correct?” she asks, looking past me and into the hall.

“It’s the third door to the left. Is everything okay?” I grabbed her arm. I hope I didn't offend her, and I was concerned someone in my pack has said something or done something to offend her. We don’t just take in outsiders, but my dad is stern about treating everyone kindly. If someone was cruel, I’d need to know.

She stood poised and looked down at my hand, indicating she wants me to remove it. When I release her, she looks me in the eyes and simply says, “Hopefully so.”

Before walking off.

“She definitely is not the typical rogue,” Sebastian says from behind me. "She was not intimidated like a lower-ranked wolf or any other rogue. She didn't even submit when you tried to stop her. You were definitely off your game. She couldn’t wait to get away." he laughed. " But, she does look familiar.”

“Whatever man, I was not trying to step to her. Can we have someone look into her background? I know my mom said stay away, but there is a familiarity with her. I confirmed it when I touched her,” I said as I piled my plate up with food.

“She said she’s going to the guidance counselor. I’ll link Sharron that you’re requesting some information, and she can see what she can get out of her.” he says, pausing from making his plate to send the request.