Their Human Mate

13. The Price of Knowledge

ALEXA

I stare at the wolf in disbelief. As much as I can't believe it, I know I have to.

"Jacob…" I whisper, looking at the dark brown furry wolf, before glancing at the blondish-grey wolf behind it. Even the way it trails behind it is just like Ashley.

"But how… how could they…" and just as I become more certain that the wolf is Jacob when I see his tight, almost torn jeans suddenly they shift.

I'm shocked when I see they are the students who were kissing earlier!

"What the…" I frown when I see both of them look confused upon turning human, and the girl immediately covers her boobs before running away.

Was that beyond their awareness?

"Let's get out of here." "Huh?"

I stumble as Nicholas Alexander suddenly yanks me out of the locker. I see his eyes staring at me sharply, and I'm confused to see his face suddenly become unfriendly.

‘Is he angry?’ I think, and before I can ask him, Nicholas strides away.

But he doesn't leave me completely, as he occasionally checks behind him.

‘What is wrong with him…?’ I murmur, before following him.

Hours pass quickly, and before I know it, it's already night. Now I lie alone in my bed, staring blankly at the ceiling: Still thinking about the previous werewolves.

‘Why did Harold leave too…’ I think, before the door is opened roughly and Ashley walks in.

"Hey, I just wanted to let you know that Jacob made pesto for dinner. If you want, you can—" "No, I'll pass. I'm still full."

"...Okay?" Then Ashley closes the door. I know that Jacob cooked pesto to make up with me because he always did it back during our parents' marriage, but now I just don't have the appetite.

‘Things suddenly become uninteresting when you no longer like them. I don't even know why I used to like that awful pesto…’ I think, before opening my textbook. Deciding to study so my grades don't completely tank, but when I look at my nightstand, I frown.

There are many stacks of magazines that I recognize as Ashley's, but one question lingers in my mind:

Why are all those books about seducing man-wolves?

"There's even a book about how to be a she-wolf who is attractive and arousing to an Alpha… Is she a werewolf fan? But why did she—" I pause mid-sentence as the neighbor’s window opens.

I notice that it's opened by a girl wearing glasses, but what catches my attention is the guy sitting on the long sofa: It's Nicholas!

"Nicholas…?" I unconsciously stare at him and walk slowly towards the window, hiding behind the curtain.

I see him talking to a girl in her thirties, and whatever they're talking about, she looks angry and stomps her foot before storming out. I see how Nicholas looks dizzy and reaches for his nebulizer, breathing while studying.

‘Is quantum physics his bedtime story…?’ I think, amazed that he's still intent on studying at this hour, and I can't help but blush when I remember my words from earlier today. Wanting to get to know him better?

What were you thinking, Alexa?!

‘At least I could have just said he was a freak or just angry. That would have made me sound more reasonable or at least cool. Why did I have to sound so cringy…’ I think, quite embarrassed as I remember it. However, at the same time, I also can't help but blush as I recall the incident in the locker. How tightly I was held in his embrace.

‘Now that I think about it, it was kind of gentlemanly of him to try to protect me. I mean, he could have just left if he wanted…’

"I wonder why he could be so kind as to save me and…" I fall silent as I look at the window again.

I notice Nicholas's sharp eyes staring straight into mine!

"s**t!!!!" I curse, quickly hiding behind the curtain. Hoping Nicholas didn't catch me staring, or I'll cringe even more at myself. And when I look at the window again, I sigh in relief when I see him back reading his book.

"Gosh… that was close. I'd better sleep now," I decide, quickly turning off the light. And skipping studying.

However, as I get into bed, I can't help but wince when I hear the sound of a wolf howling outside, and when I look at Nicholas's window again… I see it's already dark.

‘Is he asleep too…?’ I think, before welcoming my dreamless sleep. However, as my vision darkens, I notice Nicholas's room light up again, and he…

Smirks in my direction?

"..."

+++

The next day at school, I walked quickly to class. I try to act normal until the girl from the school magazines approaches me; I realize she's the werewolf girl from yesterday.

"So, how does it feel to be at this school? Are you happy?" she asks, showing her braces. And I can't help but give an awkward smile, knowing what she is.

"I…" I try to answer her, but I can't help but feel nervous and awkward seeing all eyes looking in my direction.

Despite perhaps being just a nonchalant and indifferent kid at school, I'm actually quite shy in public. My father's flat expression is usually my savior, and now I'm sweating cold, wanting to cry because of all this attention.

However, before I can answer and risk embarrassing myself further, someone suddenly puts their arm around me from behind. I thought it was either Grumpy or Betty, but turns out…

It's Nicholas Alexander.

"What the—"

"If you don't want to answer it, then don't."

"Huh?"

I see him just staring at me blankly. It's just flat and not sharp, and I don't know what the hell he's thinking.

"Umm…" Even the werewolf girl seems uncomfortable with his gaze, and combined with my father's inherited sharp stare, she becomes super uncomfortable.

"Ur… you know what? I think I'll go interview other newcomers. Bye!" Then, she quickly leaves me. The other students also shift awkwardly and follow her, and I can't help but feel like the weird kid here!

"..."

"What?" Nicholas asks indifferently as I just stare at him. I can't believe this!

Just ‘WHAT’???

And without warning, he suddenly puts his veiny arm around my shoulders and steers me away. I'm confused whether to protest or not because on one hand, I'm happy he's got his arm around me, but on the other hand, I don't want to attract more attention!

"Ni–Nicholas, why do you…" "Just chill and follow me. Easy, right?"

"Anyway, I know you were peeking into my room last night."

"You're such a naughty girl, aren’t ya, huh? Alexa? Enjoy watching me ‘sleep’."