The Quad

cold drip

“Naade”

I turned to see christof running to me he grinned his lopsided grin

i didn't mean to but when i first spotted him running towards me i took a fast step back like i was going to run out of the quad and they all looked similar they were but they weren't Laurence and Christoff looked the most similar except for that grin and if you knew what to listen for when he spoke they matched the most and Christoff knew what my reaction ment.

“ive been looking for you i ran into my brothers and heather never a good combo” he looked hesitant on asking he loved his brothers and was an alpha and didn't like being mad at them but he also didn't like them picking on me either.

“i made a mess by accident in the kitchen and i had to clean it” i sighed and answered him he knew they had probably made the mess and made me clean it.

“hey wont be for much longer right how bout we get some lunch” he smiled at me and tugged my jacket sleeve slightly.

“come on my treat” he looked at me he knew i was low on funds and probably hadn't recharged my food card

“thanks” i muttered as we headed to the eatery together i dont why he was nice to me but he'd been that way since we were kids.

when we got their i could feel majority of the eyes staring half disliked me the other half were just nosy and liked it wasn't them this collegiate school wasn't small but also wasn't big considering it was an applied arts and science as well a technology school i got in because of the art and tech part i may not be wanted here but i earned to stay here.

I wasn't paying attention and got tripped which made me knock Christoff as i fell i saw one of his brothers steady him as a pair of hands caught me. I gasped as i looked up and realized who it was it was Stafe i didn't move i didn't know what to do and was thinking of what to do when he let go of me and i hit the floor with a thud.

“ow”

i sat up and was only upright for a second when i felt something cold drip down my head and a cup hit my head and land in my lap i caught the ice cream dripping off my head with my hand as i looked up to see a girl i didn't know but had seen with heather on more then 1 occasion she smirked at me as I grabbed the cup scooped what i felt off my head and stood up her smirk lasted until i stood to my full height in front of her.

“you dropped this” i said as i threw the now crumpled cup into the garbage can 6feet away

I saw christoff being blocked by Stafe and staring at what was going on with a pained look on his face because of his rank he couldn't interfere he knew i could handle it but didn't like it happening.

She just stammered something in mean girl language as i towered over her 5foot 2 frame.

I headed to the bathroom leaving Christoff to his brothers needing to not be sticky

when i emerged i heard a familiar voice.

“I'm sorry for their behaviour Naade” i stared at him it wasnt his fault i wasnt entitled to his or anyone protection really is what i thought personally.

“its fine Christof. I’m not angry” i said as i patted his shoulder.

“wanna skip” he smiled

“we are adults this is not high school just full of high school acting people” i smiled

“here here” christof seconded.”so?...”

“yes lets skip” i laughed much to the annoyance of his brothers as i left with him.

We walked out no one seemed to notice we walked along the forest path outside the living areas to a clearing we knew about but people didn't go to cause you had to duck and weave to get to the opening and walking around took to long we called it the duck tree it was a favourite spot of mine we knew it and our friend Stanley too who we hadn't seen in awhile i met Stanley through christof they had some classes together and we three hit it off .

Found the tree we sat it and settled. I was sketching when he broke the silence.

“hey naade,are you going to the dance the pack is throwing”

“the dance” i asked and he nodded “i have no plans for it because i will not be attending it”

“you have to go to the dance its a rarity and maybe you’ll find who your bonded to”

i smiled at him and “pf ft” escaped my lips.

“who's your date to the dance anyway” who are you hoping to bond with

it was his turn to pf ft at me and he smiled “heather is getting matched with me remember or Laurence or baron or Stafe we have no choice in the matter its her and no one else”

i laughed it had been that way for years and heather always told me she would be bonded to one or all of them id always say good luck when she did.

“ill be fine big comfy chair book and some skittles and im good to go” i smiled at him before pointing out a cloud that looked like a bunny

he left the conversation about the pack dance alone and we chatted about everything and nothing also playing would you rather and as it started to get dark he walked me to my road where i was staying and we parted ways.

I had timed it well because just as i was half way done my chores that gave me free room and sometimes food my administrator came down the stairs looking like she had just gotten up from her daily stupor and was eyeballing me as i worked.

“hey,you almost done” i looked over my shoulder “yes ma'am”

she straightened to her full height still watching me she came up to my shoulder and she always thought i was up to something cause i was tall.

she seemed lost in thought.

“this cant be good” i thought to myself it never is when she went quiet it ment she was sceaming

“you going to the dance the pack is throwing?”she squinted her eyes at me

“no” i answered and she got giddy

“perfect” she patted me on the back and walked away

I just followed her with my eyes as she happily strode away couldn't help but wonder what she was planning?

Maybe tonight i didn't have to hear about when she was younger and have to have her whiskey breath breathed down on me for an hour.

So let her make plans if it kept her away from me perfect good plan.

The next morning was a blur i woke up with a headache prob from the stress the day before my head was pounding got dressed and glanced at the clock i was on the verge of being late and if i was late heather and the three would be dealing with me they were managing the kitchen this week and i didnt want to deal with them this am.

I ran in and even with my rushing i was 10 minutes late and when i got there i immediately got on my knees to say sorry in the subservient way that was accepted in front of them.

My head was reeling and i felt like i was in a fog i closed my eyes and waited for the punishment

while saying “i’m terribly sorry”.

Laurence walked up to where i was kneeling “you dont have to be sorry” i was so confused by his behaviour i thought it might be Christof joking around but that smile wasn't his that was Laurence i had seen his smile at other people not me not in a long time,

“we apologize for our behavior” stated baron

“we have been like monsters to you” Stafe said while circling his brother and they were being nice but i felt hunted and stayed alert.

“i don't understand,what are you guys up to,can you just tell me instead of toying with me” i sighed meeting there eyes as i rose from kneeling with them around me.

I flinched at Laurence went to tuck a hair behind my ear and touched my face.i was literally starting to panic with how nice they were being what are they up to i thought how bad would i get punished for standing here getting even later.

They were all grinning of some sort at me and it unnerved me “we know your not sure but we are really sorry Laurence started again as baron leaned by my ear as i jumped a little “your not going to be working in the kitchen anymore”

“the maids can handle those duties you need to have time for you and your studies” stafe said coming right up to my face i gulped as he smiled so close they were all awful but they were handsome.

I stammered something about needing to work to get my food card and kept my classes paid for and they said nope its been taken care of Laurence stepped in front and placed a food card in my hand saying it was fully charged didn't know what to do or say this was like the twilight zone.

“can i go to my room then” all three smiled and nodded

after leaving the eatery i ran back to my room didnt stop till i was behind my locked door.

Why were they suddenly nice to me did christof finely get through to them i kept trying to figure the three out i knew them well enough not to believe anything they said.

Got a text form Stafe a couple hours after the strange step ford meeting earlier with the brothers.

They wondered if i wanted to hang out.

I texted them i needed to have a bath etc. And would meet them later if that was ok and it was.

When i met them outside they even had christof and Stanley with them they waved as did his others brothers i smiled and relaxed with christof and Stanley there there is wasn't as weird heather was alos there and another girl named Ronda the outing was fun and his brothers seemed genuine even christof seemed at ease and so did Stanley but i still didn't trust his brothers though.

Their attitude changed at school too and they started paying me more attention it was weird i didnt trust them but i was more comfortable around them it was like i got my childhood friends back even heather was as mean she didnt like me around the boys but she was more tolerable.

They cornered me on day like they used to i got a little paranoid but they werent being menacing so i waited to see what they would do.

“are you going to the pack dance” they grinned and looked expectantly

“i already said i wasn't going to the dance” they all looked sad all of a sudden

“please go”Stafe pleaded

“pretty please” baron chimed in

“with sugar on it”Laurence smiled with a little pout.

“what about heather?” they all furrowed their brow

“so what shell be there,well all be there” Laurence stated “but we want you on our dance card please”

“if i can find a dress,sure ill stop by” i smiled as they high five’d and hugged me and gave pecks on the cheek before taking off oh ya they were def up tp something and christof i bet knew nothing of it.

I stopped by my friend Stanley’s room to see if he could help me find a dress and i hadnt seen him since the outing and since i didn't have kitchen duties id been trying to catch up my work cause i was planning on graduating early but right now i needed and ear and his was an awesome one to bend he was about to leave and was locking up as i got there.

“hey stanley where you off to?”

he smiled large “to come see you actually”

“the three got me off of the house duties” i smiled a sorry to him”i remembered”

“at least you came to see me”he smiled“lets go to the usually spot”

“the duck tree” i smiled “yes ma'am”

we got there and i pulled out my sketch book out of habit and started sketching.

“Naade can i bend your ear for a second” Stanley was swinging his legs and looked concerned

“bend away” i smiled

“those boys, are up to something i don't care if the moon goddess herself bopped those boys on the nose there is no way those dark souls lightened in a month and def not instantly” he took a breath and paused waiting for my response.

“be wary,got it.”i smiled wiggling my head mockingly

“I mean it i think they are planning something” he thought i was brushing him off and i wasnt.

“they asked me to dance with them at the pack dance,like an hour ago”i smiled

“ok what” he looked interested and concerned at the same time.

“come shopping with me and help me pick a dress to see what happens if i go” i said

he smiled when he realized what i had said.

“you can catch a ride with me and my date they wont mind”

he grabbed my hand and pulled me up i almost forgot my sketchbook he was rushing so much “lets go find you a dress”

“thought you were going to lecture me about not being fooled” i snickered as he pulled

“yah yah your not dumb, who cares your coming to the dance” he kept pulling till we were free of the trees and headed to shop.

we talked and laughed as we walked the stores i checked out some of them and settled om one that flattered me the most halter that was form fitting in the right places like a glove.

“perfect” Stanley patted my back and grinned.

When the events date finely arrived i made sure i looked my best

i went with Stanley and his date as their tag along i didn't mind i had backup so whatever the three did or didn't do i hopefully would be OK.

Heard approval and praising a couple cheers peoples eyes were fixed towards the door it was the qaud and heather christof looked annoyed but he was with them he saw me and his face looked strained.

I told Stanley to not say i was here the three and heather hadn't seen me standing there he said yes and i slipped to the back of the crowd as the alphas sons were greeted from my position in the crowd i could see them but not the reverse.

I saw christof relax as he realized i had disappeared the brothers looked annoyed and angry and now christof looked better and i saw the looks on their faces there they were i knew those faces stern and hunting i texted Stanley where i was going to be.

Some tears were falling from my face it was nice to have all my friends back at least for a little while i didn't want it to be fake my heart was breaking i couldn't trust them.

My phone beeped but i ignored it i would see him shortly he always texted when he was like right there.

The second that Stanley walked up i saw the stress on his face “you OK” he asked

i smiled and was confused “ya they didn't see me avoided that stress”

he made a face i only saw when he was conflicted.

“what is wrong with you?”

“they saw you or at least someone did” he raised his eyebrows

“so what saw me leaving saw me going” i asked

“saw you eating” he made the face again

he sighed,”someone sent this to everyone and it still spreading he handed me his phone

in our school group was a picture of me eating a chip with my mouth open to put it in and it wasnt a flattering picture of me but the dress looked hot though to bad now the memory of wearing it sucked now.

There were comments under the picture.

Who let the mutts out on the lose at dance

food shortages felt by many

all i could think was any one of heather's lackeys prob snapped pictures and they chose the worst one i shouldn't have been surprised.