The Lonely Wolf

7

Veronica

I just needed to blow off some steam and I think the gym is the perfect place to do that. I can get a quick workout in now, since most people would be eating. I ran up to my room to change into my own gym clothes, some that I knew had no poison on.

On the way back down, I was stopped by that Alpha kid’s best friend.

“Hey. We haven’t had the chance to meet. My name is Sebastian, Bass for short. I’m the pack's future Beta. How was your first day?” he asked in a too friendly tone.

“I’m Ronnie. Today was probably the worst first day I’ve ever experienced. Thanks for asking,” I said, still trying to hold my rage and back the tears. I walked past him thinking he would go on about his business, but instead he began to follow me.

“Yeah I heard. Roddy asked me to see if you would be interested in going for a run. Well, if your wolf would be interested.” He seemed sincere, but I still trust no one from that pack.

“What do you want another chance to see me naked? Apparently there’s a picture circulating. You can just ask someone to send it to you,” I said, dismissing him and walking away. He didn’t leave. After that, he continued to walk with me.

“I saw it. Not like that. I mean you look good, but I wasn't looking at it like that. We’re working on it being scrubbed. There should be no residual images left on the dark web or whatever. Roddy figured you would need to blow off steam. He wanted me to show you a safe area to shift and let your wolf out. There are a few areas in the woods that have extra robes that you could use to cover yourself before coming out. I could show you if you’d like.” There he goes, sounding sincere again.

“No offense, but please tell your alpha I’m not interested in going anywhere or doing anything with you or anyone in your pack,” I said, stopping to look him in his eyes. He almost looked hurt, then his eyes glowed for a moment.

“Wait. What’s wrong with your eyes?” I asked

“What do you mean? Oh, I was just talking to Roddy,” he explained.

“What do you mean?” He didn’t pick up the phone. I looked and he had no earphones either. He didn’t even say anything out loud.

“That’s right, you weren’t raised around wolves. Because I am the beta in the pack, I can talk to him or anyone in the pack in my head like how you talk to your wolf. It’s called mind linking.”

I was still confused but figured it was worth a try. I grabbed his head and began yelling, “I AM NOT INTERESTED IN HANGING WITH ANYONE IN YOUR PACK! NOR DO I WANT TO BE PART OF YOUR PACK!”

Sebastian pulls my hands off of his head and steps back. He's looking at me like I'm crazy, then starts hysterically laughing.

“That is not what I meant. The mind-linking is kinda like an internal walkie-talkie. You just picture the person, open the connection and communicate like that,” he explained between laughs.

“Oh. Well, my wolf can hear everything you say.” I continued walking to the gym, and he followed, laughing and doing the mind-link thing. He holds the door open so I can walk in.

“Yes I know. I didn’t explain that well.”

“No you didn’t.” I said as I threw my bag down on the gym floor and walked over to the mats to get a good stretch in.

“So you prefer yoga to running,” he asks as he grabs a mat to join me.

“No, I prefer fighting. I’m just stretching and trying to clear my mind before going to the bags."

"Well, since it’s my pack that made you mad. Would you mind if I spar with you?” he asked.

This guy really doesn’t get a hint.

“ I don’t know. I don’t want to hurt you.” I say.

“Hurt me? Come on girl, let’s see what kind of skills you have.” I followed him over to the wrestling mats. “So what kind of fighting are you trained in jujitsu, karaoke, kickboxing?” he asked.

“Yes, and a few other fighting styles,” I say as I take off my shoes and put my gloves on. He does the same, grabbing gloves from the stash in the gym.

We started off slowly with a few gauging strikes, but this guy did not know when to stop talking.

"Outwardly, I couldn’t tell any of this bothers you. I mean, I’m sure you used to being considered a rogue wolf. But you didn’t even attempt to retaliate. Most rogues aren’t so composed or skilled at fighting. You really were not part of a pack? Where is your dad?” he asks.

“Retaliation doesn't end well for me and I don’t care about my dad.”

“Your wolf is a ranked wolf. Your dad has to be an alpha or beta somewhere. Where were you born? Maybe we can help find him,” he pressed.

“I was born here. In this city. My dad doesn’t want me to find him. He rejected me.” I answered, landing a few blows, catching him off guard, since thus far I've only been fighting defensively.

“What for? How long ago was that?” he continued.

“I was like 4 or 5. When I first began to show wolf characteristics,” I explained.

I thought back to the day when my mom brought me to the big gate. I was told to stay in the car, but my mom took too long. I was hearing the arguing, so I decided to get out just to see who she was talking to. I got out of my car seat and opened the door to look out. All I saw was his back as he walked away saying that no hybrid would be welcomed in the pack. I was too little to understand what he meant then. That was the one time I had ever seen my mother lose her composure as she tried to plead with him to just look at me. He then turned said those words that caused such pain in my chest I thought I was going to die. He said, “I REJECT HER AS MY CHILD!” I remember crying out and falling out the car door on to the ground, but that was all. I woke up in my bed at home.

“Ronnie! Ronnie! I can’t breathe,” I heard from up underneath me.

“Sorry,“ I said, letting him loose from being pinned to the ground below me.

“Look like you blanked out for a moment. We can change the topic,” he said, catching his breath.

“Or we could just stop talking. I think I’m going to just put some work on the bags now. Thanks for the spar."

I walked over to the bags and began jabbing and kicking the punch bag as I went back into my thought. It used to be so exciting to start a new school. A fresh start. Hopes to actually be able to make friends. Eventually it turned into expected disappointments year after year. Now I don’t care to even connect with anyone. Even someone as sweet and kind as Maggie can be turned. I’ve learned that a few times.

At least Rodrick took the time to pretend that he cared. I pictured him yelling at Sonia and the way his voice shook the room. I just wanted to say, thank you. All these years and at every new school, there has always been a group that enjoyed picking on the new girl. I’ve always had to handle it alone. My mother never even showed up to show she cared. All the teachers, principals and counselors always side with the other student. Just like how Mrs Lewis did today. I just get so tired of trying to fight them to prove it’s not me. This is the first time someone actually stuck up for me. They call me a rogue, but I’m more like a lonely wolf.

“It’s no problem. I am sorry you have had to deal with so much alone. I have already called a meeting to talk to my pack and make sure no one else messes with you.” I heard Roderick reply in my head.

“Hello…” I say, confused how is he talking in my head? Only those in the same pack can mind-link. I’m not in a pack.

“Hi.” I hear him laugh in my head.

“How are you doing the mind walkie-talkie thing in my head? I’m not in your pack. I don’t want to be part of your pack. Can you get out of my head!” I internally yelled.

“It’s okay. Calm down, I’m about to walk in.” he says.

Panicking, I look around. Everyone is looking at me. Some of the wolves are bowing their heads. Sebastian is standing nearby, almost like he’s afraid to come near me. Oh no. I broke the bag while I was in my thoughts. Oh no! Oh no! Oh no!

“It’s okay sis. I got you. It's okay, calm down.” I feel Rodrick’s arms pulling me into his chest. “Just breathe, Becca. Breathe with me. Deep breath in and out,” he said.

Whatever he is doing is helping. I take a deep breath and pull back my emotions.

“I’m sorry I broke the bag. I’ll pay for it. I’m going to go. Looks like I caused a disturbance,” I say as he pulls me back in.

“It’s okay. You just have a powerful aura. They will be fine. I will take care of everything you don’t have to worry,” he said, stroking my hair.

All the emotions I have been trying to suppress flood in and my eyes begin to tear up. I’m struggling to try to stop it.

“I have to go,” I say, trying to push him away but causing him to squeeze me tighter. “No. I can’t be here."

“Okay,” he said, and tried to pick me up. I flipped out his arms and tried to make it to the door, but Sebastian was blocking it.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“He told me to do it,” Sebastian says, sounding like a little kid.

“Come on, Becca. Let’s just go for a run,” Roderick says from behind me.

I turn to face him. “Who is Becca? My name is Ronnie. What is wrong with you?”

“I know. Sorry. Becca is my sister. You two just favor. She’s the one I’m usually fighting to calm down like this,” he explains.

“Seriously! First you say my wolf looks like yours now you’re calling me your sister’s name. Dude! I just want to be alone right now. I can’t handle all of this.” My emotions are all over the place. My voice is pitchy. I am losing control and my mother would be so disappointed at how I’m handling this.

“Okay. I promise to let you go if you come outside with me for just a moment. Get some fresh air and that may help you calm down and gain control, because right now your aura is beginning to press through again,” he says.

Embarrassed and not knowing what else to do, I agree.