CHAPTER 004

The alarm on my phone buzzed at six in the morning, dragging me out of a restless sleep. My eyes burned, but there was no point in lying there. It was my first day at the new school. No excuses. I pulled on my red and black sports top and matching tights.

They clung to my skin, leaving my stomach bare. Socks and trainers followed. Outside, the town was still half asleep. The only open place was a small coffee shop, lights glowing warm against the grey morning. I jogged past, keeping my pace steady. The air was cool, the roads empty. At the far end of town, I passed the training field.

A few warriors were already awake, moving in sharp drills. One whistled as I went by. I ignored it and kept running, pretending the sound did not crawl under my skin. By the time I returned home, sweat clung to me. I showered quickly, blow-dried my hair, and straightened it until it fell smooth over my shoulders.

I picked out a white layered top with thick lace straps, denim shorts, and wedges. My reflection looked normal enough, but my nerves still twisted my stomach. Coffee in hand, I sat at the kitchen table. Mum rushed in moments later, juggling files and her handbag. “Are you nervous?” she asked, grabbing for her own mug.

“A little,” I admitted. “I keep telling myself this isn’t Kent, but… it’s hard to believe it. ”Her face softened, guilt in her eyes. “I know. The last pack treated you badly. They blamed you for me. I hated them for that. That’s why I pulled you out.” “I know.” I glanced at her watch. “Aren’t you late?”“ Crap. I am.” She kissed my cheek and darted out, her arms full.

The house fell silent again. I sipped my coffee slowly, read a few pages of a book, and then packed my bag. Finally, I grabbed my car keys. The drive to the school took less than ten minutes. My stomach flipped as I parked close to the building.

I took a deep breath before stepping out, bag over my shoulder. Eyes followed me instantly. Of course. New girl. I forced myself not to shrink under their stares. Inside, I found the office. A plump woman behind the desk looked up and smiled politely.

“Hi. I’m Clara Harrington,” I said. “Of course, dear.” She pulled a sheet from a pile. “Your schedule, locker number, and combination. Here you go.” “Thank you. Where’s my locker?”

“Straight out these doors, left, all the way up.” “Thanks. ”I turned and left. The hallway stretched long, lockers lining both sides. I was halfway down when a hand grabbed my arm.

I spun around, startled, ready to snap. Two tall boys stood grinning at me. My jaw dropped. “You’ve got to be kidding. You really are identical. ”They laughed. “Told you she says what she thinks,” Hugo said. “This is my twin, Cole. And his girlfriend, Olivia. ”I gave a small smile. “Nice to meet you.” Cole’s grin widened. “Yeah, you too.

Hugo hasn’t shut up about you since Saturday. ”Hugo elbowed him. Olivia’s arms slipped around Cole’s waist, possessive. She said nothing, only gave me a tight smile. “Got your schedule yet?” Hugo asked. “Yeah, but I was trying to find my locker.”

He snatched the paper from me, scanned it, and burst out laughing. “Bad news. We’ve got every class together.” “Oh no. Is it too late to run?” He clutched his chest. “Harsh. That hurt.” “Good. It was meant to.” He chuckled. “Come on, mean girl. I’ll help with your locker. ”As we walked, his eyes glazed. He was mind-linking. “Cole wants to know how tall you are,” he said.“ Six foot one. Why?”

“There are no girls that tall here.” “So much for blending in,” I muttered. He smirked and sent the reply back. At my locker, I unloaded books and grabbed the ones for my first few classes. Hugo led me to History.

He pulled a chair out for me at the back. The bell rang, and students filled the room. A girl with long brown waves strutted in like she owned the place. Her hips swayed, and her lips curled when she saw Hugo.“

Hugo, baby. You didn’t call me all weekend. ”He didn’t flinch. “That’s because we broke up three weeks ago, Emma.”She pouted. “I thought we were fixing things.” “Who told you that? We’re over. Done. ”Her face crumpled. She spun and stormed out, her friends trailing. I arched a brow. “Wow. You’re a heartbreaker.

”He groaned. “Why am I friends with you?” “You started it.” “And I regret it already.” “You haven’t even started regretting yet.” I smirked, watching his eyes widen.

The teacher entered, sparing me only a glance before launching into the lesson. Emma slinked back in halfway through, dragging her friends with her. The teacher glared at her but said nothing. Hugo leant close. “He knows she loves an entrance.” “Got it.”

The assignment dropped like a hammer. Five thousand words on the four original werewolf bloodlines, due Friday. The whole class groaned. I bit back a smile. I had already written the same paper back in Kent. All I needed was to dust it off. Easy win.

Math was next. Algebra. My least favorite. We sat at the back again. Cole slid into the seat in front of Hugo and twisted around. “So, you finally ditched your worst half?” Hugo asked.

Cole scowled. “Stop calling her that.” “Why? She’s awful.” “But she’s still his girlfriend,” I cut in. “And he likes her.” Cole smirked. “Thank you, Clara.” He turned to Hugo. “See? Not everyone thinks Olivia is bad.” “Please.

Even Clara called her a bitch yesterday.” Hugo grinned. I slapped his arm. “I did not. And even if I did, I didn’t mean it like that.” “Prick,” I muttered. Cole laughed until Hugo shot him a warning look. “Shut it, or I’ll tell Clara what you were mind-linking this morning. ”Cole’s grin vanished. He spun back to face the front. I narrowed my eyes. “What did he say? ”Hugo shook his head.

“Later.” “I’ll get it out of you,” I whispered. By lunchtime, I was starving. I dropped my books at my locker, slamming it shut. That was when I felt them. Eyes. I turned. Emma stood there, her friends fanned out behind her. “Oh no,” I muttered.“ Yeah, you should be scared,” she sneered.

“I haven’t done anything, so no. I’m not scared.” “You stole my boyfriend. ”I blinked. “First, you’re not together. Second, I only met him two days ago. Third, we’re not dating. We’re just friends. ”Her fist slammed into my lip before I could react. Pain burst hot and sharp. “You know what you did,” she screamed.

Blood tasted metallic on my tongue. I wiped it with my thumb, then grabbed her hair, yanking her head down. My knee connected with her face. She stumbled back, falling hard. Her friends gasped. A crowd gathered fast, wolves smelling a fight.

Emma pushed herself up, fury burning. She charged. I sidestepped and stuck my foot out. She smashed into the lockers, leaving a dent. She snarled, spinning to grab my hair. Pain ripped across my scalp as she yanked, punching my stomach at the same time. I kicked back, sending her sprawling.

She clutched a fistful of my hair like a trophy. Before she could lunge again, a hand shot out and slammed her against the wall. Hugo. His face was inches from hers, eyes dark, voice low.

“She attacked me,” Emma sobbed instantly. “She came out of nowhere.” “Funny,” Hugo said, his tone cutting. “Because the witnesses told me the opposite. You jumped her. Because of me. I ended us, Emma. Not her. Clara and I aren’t dating.

But you’re going to stay away from her. That’s an order. ”Her chin lifted. “You’re not Alpha.” “No. My brother is. And he said she isn’t to be touched. Her mother’s the new doctor. You want to risk losing her because you can’t handle rejection?” His growl deepened. “Stay away.” He turned, coming towards me. I leant against the lockers, breath ragged.“ Is that true?

” My voice cracked.“ What?” “You’re only friends with me because Oliver doesn’t want to lose my mum?” “I didn’t mean it like that.”“ Sure you didn’t.” I pushed past him, heart pounding. “You’re just like everyone else.

”The crowd parted, whispers rising around us. My chest burned with anger and humiliation. Behind me, Hugo called my name.

His voice caught in the air, but I kept walking. Was everything just another lie?