My Secret, My Bully, My Mates

The day actually went pretty smoothly, I didn't even have any run-ins with Kaley and her crew. I wasn't sure if that was because
of the display this morning at training or the new friend I seemed to have acquired. No one talked to me or really looked at me,
but no one actively tried to do anything to me either. Either way the break was nice and I found myself smiling as I walked down
the hallway to put my things in my locker at the end of the day. Of course good things only last for small moments for me.
“You think you're so tough, being Delta Kyle's favorite suck up. I bet that's not the only thing you suck, it's the only explanation for
how you manage to gain his attention.” I ignore Kaley even though I am completely disgusted by her insinuation. I take a deep
breath and continue shuffling things in my locker, hoping she will get bored and walk away, now that she has thrown her insult.
She slams my locker shut. I'm just lucky my reflexes are fast otherwise I would have lost fingers.
But, before she can spit whatever venom she has at me, Sierra walks up. “Hey girl, I am so hungry and you promised me to
hang out after school.” Sierra completely ignores Kaley's presence and I catch the look of death Kaley is throwing her way. I had
to stifle a laugh.
“I almost forgot, sorry, I was trying to make sure I had everything I needed to get my work done this weekend.” I turn my back on
Kaley and we take about two steps before she shouts.
"Hey, new girl, you'll want to watch who you hang out with. Some people in this school will give you a bad reputation and only
cause you problems.” We both look back at her.
“I was just saying, nice moves at training today. Hopefully we'll get a chance to work on those again at advanced training and you
can give us some tips. Sam needs to redeem his top takedown time.” Cameron says to me, smiling, and Dakota laughs, slapping
Sam on the back.
I just smile and nod, feeling a little dumbfounded. I have no idea how to respond. These guys have never talked to me more than
a “hi’ in passing at my house before and never at school. Even though they have been friends with my brother for their whole
lives and spend a ridiculous amount of time at my house. This is the longest interaction I have ever had with any of them.
He, he, he. A weird forced, high pitched giggle comes from my left. I looked over and didn’t even realize Kaley was standing next
to me. She reached out and put her hand on Cameron's chest. “You're so funny babe, Sam is one of the best warriors we have, I
bet he could do that move with one hand tied behind his back. His dad was just being nice to Sierra and S-Skylar.” Did she just
choke on my name? She's never really used it before. I'm normally just the b-word to her. “It's not fair to wolves lower than you
guys.”

Who is she calling a lower wolf? I can feel my muscles shake with my wolf's irritation. I look down at the ground and blink a few
times to make sure my eyes arent changing color, giving away that I have my wolf.
Cameron takes a slow breath in and takes an almost imperceptible step back as his twin chimes in. “Nope, I'm pretty sure Sam
sucks and needs to start from the basics again. Maybe we should send him to train with the pups for the week.” Dakota laughs
out and my brother joins him this time. So does Sierra and I allow myself a giggle. I can't help it, their laughs are infectious. This
is the first time in a long time I have felt comfortable around my brother and his friends and probably the first time ever in a public
setting like school. I break eye contact and look away, taking a few deep breaths to settle my mind around that. I look back up at
my brother. A sort of pained look flashes in my brother's eyes I can't quite read, does he not want to be over here talking to me?
The thought that he doesn't want me shouldn't sting this bad, since it's really the only solid emotion I ever get from him, but my
heart sinks into my stomach. I quickly break eye contact and look at the floor again. I don't want to earn more slaps for
someone's weird fetish over my brother.
"As much as I enjoy making fun of your boy Sam here.” She pats Sam's arm. “Skylar promised me some food, we were just
heading out to eat, if you will excuse us gentlemen.” Sierra basically pushes us through the wall of six foot tall guys like it was no
big deal and leads me toward the parking lot of the training grounds where she left her car this morning. I hear a huff behind us,
but I'm not sure who it was and can't wait to get out of here as soon as possible.
“How do you already have a car?” I ask, knowing she isn't 16 yet.
“I was able to get my license early, with special permission from the Alpha of course.” she winks at me. “My parents were always
so busy researching and working for the Alpha King that I needed a way to get around. As long as I don't go joyriding or do
anything else stupid behind the wheel, I get to keep my license.” She shrugs like that is a totally normal thing. I have a feeling
she can talk anyone into just about anything without putting much effort into it.
"Hey!" A shout from behind us has us both turning around just before we get in her car. “I almost forgot, are you guys coming to
the bonfire tonight?” Sam comes jogging up to us.