The Lonely Wolf

6

Veronica

“It's nice of you to join us, Miss Parker," Mrs Lewis said as I walked into the library.

“Sorry, I was trying to get here before you started. There was a mishap at cross-country practice. I’m not joining. I just wanted to drop these forms off for the business internship, college credit courses next semester and this vocational program. I'm interested in all of those.” I put the paperwork on the table next to her. She gave me a judgmental look and doesn't even look down at the forms.

“Yes, I’ve heard about your mishap. The young ladies here have already told me. Did you really find it appropriate to be walking around naked? I really think you would benefit from this group. Maybe you can be taught proper wolf etiquette. It is never appropriate to shift like that," she reprimands me, saying.

“Is that what they told you?” I asked, surprised that it had spread so quickly.

“That’s what we showed her. There’s a picture of you that was taken and being sent to the whole school. I can only imagine how embarrassing this has to be for you. I would die if this many people saw me naked.” The same she wolf that handed me the wolfsbane-covered uniform said as she turned to her friends, giggling.

I eyed her for a moment to be able to choose my words wisely. I'm not new to bullying. The new kid always gets the worst, and I’m always the new kid. Whenever I was younger, I would call my mom. She’d always say the same thing, 'Do not ever let them see you cry. Suck in the emotions. Control your voice. None of that influx. Exert strength and take control of the situation.' Then she would make some excuse to get off the phone, leaving me to deal with the situation alone.

“May I see the picture?” I asked, trying to control my emotions as I was shown a nude picture of myself being used to create a meme. I took a breath in and pulled all the emotions in.

Do not let them see you cry. Control your voice.

“I can understand why you would feel this way. You are probably really uncomfortable with the way your body looks." I took a moment to slowly look at her to make her feel as uncomfortable as she made me feel and to pull my emotions in so you won't be able to tell how upset I am by my voice.

"Yes. They could have found a better angle. But looking at the image, I can only see a little redness on my skin from the poison you put on my uniform. Overall, I think this is a good picture of me helping my friend after you and your friends attacked her.” I wave my hand in a matter-of-fact way.

“You did what, Sonia? We cannot have this type of behavior. Not from either of you ladies. I think this is a situation where I’m going to have to call both of your parents,” Mrs Lewis said, writing something in her notebook.

“What! There is no proof of me doing anything. My sister will tell you she was there also. You’re going to take her word on this,” Sonia rebutted.

“Mrs Lewis, please feel free to call my mother. Can you make a note to tell her that there have been indecent in which nude pictures were taken and shared of her minor daughter without my knowledge or consent? Oh, and let's not forget how, instead of filing a proper report with the school or making an attempt to find the individual who is responsible for distributing the images, you have decided to publicly reprimand me. I could give you her number, or you could just look up Defense Attorney Victoria Parker, also known by many high-end clients as Victory Park. You may actually get her on the phone quicker if you call her law firm. She’s a very busy lady, but she loves cases like this,” I say accidentally, allowing some of my anger to seep through.

“Your mom is Victory Park?” said Mrs. Lewis nervously as she went and grabbed her laptop.

“You know, maybe there is no need to get the parents involved quite yet. We do need to make sure the image is no longer being distributed. Sonia, I think you owe Veronica an apology for showing a very private image. We can continue with this after group today. Please sit and join us, Veronica," she said, typing in something onto her laptop.

“No. I’m not staying. I just wanted to make sure my paperwork from this morning was turned in. I will make an appointment with you tomorrow to check the progress of making sure my image is no longer being distributed. Or… if the task is too difficult, I can call my mom to see if she can have some of her friends to ensure it is scrubbed completely,” I say, embodying my mother’s professional mannerisms.

I hadn’t seen her in a few years, but she was always so fierce and confident. She probably wouldn’t come or answer the call, but they don’t need to know that. I turned to walk out when Rodrick burst through the door and fired past me towards that Sonia chick.

“Please tell me that it was not you that took and sent out this picture!" he says upset and showing her his phone.

“I just got this sent to me and when I asked the other guys who sent it to them, they said it was you. Everyone said you were the one that took and sent this picture out. I need the list of everyone you sent this picture to, and you need to delete it NOW!!” He commanded with a tone that shook the room.

Sonia began to cower, and her eyes were tearing up as she unlocked and handed him her phone.

Rodrick

I very rarely have to use my Alpha tone on anyone but this was going too far. Those two, Stephanie and Sonia, better hope my father doesn’t find out. This alone is enough for him to kick her out of the pack.

She handed me her phone and I deleted the image from her phone and I sent a message to everyone she sent the picture to from my phone telling them to delete it and to let me know who they sent it to.

Fortunately, not many people sent it out.

Unfortunately, as I was leaving the library my phone began to ring.

“Hey dad, this isn’t a good time.”

“No, I think it’s a perfect time, son. I heard there had been some disturbances at the school. Are you having trouble keeping the pack in line? Do I need to make a visit?” he asked.

I hate it when he makes these calls. I have no trouble keeping things in line and if I do, I call him. He doesn't need to check on me like he did when I was younger.

“I am taking care of it now. Some of the she-wolves thought it would be a good idea to harass a new student here. I’ll take care of them. There’s no need for you to worry.” I tried to reassure him.

“A new student? They should know not to mess with humans like that. We can not afford that type of problem with them,” he says, not knowing the full situation.

Yes, well, you don’t have to worry about humans. She’s a rogue. Well, a hybrid rogue.” I knew he was going to find out, so I might as well come clean now.

“Your mother told me there was a rogue in the academy. Are you sure it’s the girls that are coming after her? You know they are trained to bait us. A common tactic is to play victim just to gain the Alpha’s trust and protection. You need to stay away from her.” he warned.

“Dad, I don’t think she's a threat. I'm going to call everyone here together to make sure everyone is on the same page. I had Sharron look into her. She said Ronnie is pushing for an early enrollment into Timberlake University. She said she's going to put her in some sort of program next semester, then push for her to move to Lancaster after graduating. She said that she was going to keep an eye on her for me." I reassured him.

“That is why Sharron is such a good advisor for you young ones. It sounds like a valid plan. Lancaster is no man's land on the other side of the Timberlake Pack. That pack died with their alpha way before you were born. There is no real profitable business there, and we have absorbed most of the pack. So it should be affordable and just far enough she shouldn't be a problem for Dolton and Amelia. It should keep her out of sight and out of mind. Well, it does sound like you have things under control," he said, thinking out loud.

“ I do have a question for you though, dad.” I'm trying to figure out a way to ask him about her without him getting suspicious.

“What’s that son? You know I'm always here for you,” he eagerly said, hoping to be needed.

“Do we have any family from other packs nearby? Or is there any way she may be related?” I ask, not quite ready to bring up her wolf yet.

"Well, we have some cousins in Nevada. You have met them all before, and you know your mom's family in Washington state. The majority of the family you have met before, and no one has mentioned any outside babies, so I don't think so. Why do you ask?”

“Just wondering because my wolf has a familiarity with her that we can't explain. It's probably nothing, just that she kind of reminds me of Becca. Hey, I have to finish taking care of some things here with that pack. I’ll give you a call when I get a chance later.”

“I’m glad you’re taking care of things there. I'm so proud of how you are handling things. You know I am always a call away. I’ll talk to you later.”