The Wanted Werewolf

Chapter 6

Elena

I made sure to keep a low profile during my next class, which was English. I didn't raise my hand or answer any questions. And I avoided everyone at all costs. It wasn't until gym class that I ran into more problems. Wayne and Trent - the boys from my math class. Turns out, they were both shifted wolves, full of raging hormones. And they didn't take kindly to me interrupting their banter.

"Look who it is, the math geek." Wayne mocked as we went through some warm-up stretches.

Gym class was something I had been looking forward to since I stepped foot inside this asylum. A chance to burn off some steam. Thankfully, we were starting with a mile run.

"Too bad you don't have any pencils to break out here." Trent laughed.

"Cool it guys," Jeremy said from a few feet away. "It's her first day."

"I don't need you defending me," I snapped.

"What is your problem with me?" Jeremy shot back. The girl glued to his side gave me a nasty look. Thankfully I - or maybe he - was saved by the bell.

"Okay class, remember, this run is timed. It is practice for next week's graded run. Do your best." The gym teacher - Mr. Holt - announced. He pulled out a stopwatch. "On your mark, get set, go!"

There was no hesitation. I was like the wind, gone before they even found their stride. Maybe it was because I have had to run for my life in the past, or maybe I was just that good. Either was possible. It was beside the point. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath of the fresh air. This is what I needed. I rounded the first curve of the track. My head felt clearer, sharper the longer I went. It was hot out, but not even the heat or humidity could ruin this -

"Behind you!" Jeremy called, closing the distance between us.

The track curved again, and I caught a glimpse of Jeremy on my left and gaining. And damn me, maybe it was pride, or just hating his enthusiasm, but I pushed myself to go faster. He laughed, and matched my speed. I felt the sun beaming down on me, the humidity like wading through mud. Damn it! My head began to spin, spots forming in my vision. But I kept going. Jeremy stayed by my side for another lap, our strides neck and neck.

"Gotta do better than that!" He chuckled, pulling ahead.

I cursed under my breath, pushing myself harder. We were neck and neck for half a lap before he looked over at me and winked - then passed me with just enough speed that I knew I was done. My legs gave up, bucking. I slowed my pace and finished second, heaving for air as soon as I passed the finish line.

"You're really fast!" Jeremy said, the excitement evident in his voice. "Are you already shifted?"

"No." I wheezed, my wounded pride ushering me over to the stands where the coach was staring at me with a big smile.

"Miss... Ellie, that was impressive. Have you considered joining track? We meet on weeknights four times a week - "

"No," I said, with less bite than I had hoped for, pushing past him.

"Ellie, do you need some water?" Jeremy asked. His girlfriend came up behind him, putting a possessive hand on his shoulder.

I waved him off, quickly retreating to behind the bleachers where I emptied the contents of my stomach. Had my father seen that - that I came in second... I fought the nausea that churned in my gut, fought the memories of all the punishments I got for being anything but perfect.

I skipped out on the rest of my classes, hiding in the bathroom instead.

- - - - - - - -

The walk back to Evangeline and Warren's house was shorter than I would have liked. But then again, I had so many people watching me. Maybe that was a good thing. I was hardly on the front porch before Evangeline bombarded me.

"How was school?" She asked, stepping aside as I headed for the door.

"Fine."

"Well, something must have happened." Warren laughed from his worn white rocker. I paused.

"We were invited to dinner at the pack house," Evangeline exclaimed. "We are leaving in an hour."

"Hope whatever you did was worth it." Warren chuckled.

For a brief moment, I contemplated pushing him back in that stupid rocker, tipping him over. Bet he wouldn't laugh then.

"Oh hush you," Evangeline said, swatting her mate. "This is a good thing. Luna Vera sounded very excited."

That comment had me frowning. Who in their right mind would be happy to see me?

"Go get cleaned up, I want us to all be on time."

She wasn't kidding either. She called up the stairs to me at least three times. It's like she knew I was lying on the bed, staring at that dusty fan again. It wasn't until she threatened to have Warren attempt the stairs that I finally came down. This was a good thing, I realized. I was invited into their stronghold. If I were truly lucky, maybe I could sneak away and find a schedule or something. Anything that might help me learn the routines, or where the main power source is. Even a weapon or cash would be a bonus.

This was a good step. Even if it stirred up feeling inside that I didn't want to face.

- - - - - - - -

We were welcomed in with open arms. Luna Vera was waiting for us when we arrived and gave us a quick tour, much to my delight. I learned that the top floor was where all the good stuff was kept, not because I actually went upstairs, but because Vera gracefully refused to take me up when I asked - using Warren and Evangeline as her out.

"I hope you like fish," Vera said as we all joined the table.

It was a far more intimate event than I imagined. Alpha Keith was seated at the head of the table, Luna Vera across from him at the other end. Jeremy, his girlfriend - Melody - and his sister were on one side, while Warren and Evangeline boxed me in on the other.

"Anything is fine," I said, placing my napkin over my lap.

"You look really pretty today Ellie." Jayla said, her eyes lit up with excitement.

I looked at her for a long moment. At the joy in her eyes, the ease in her posture. The pure happiness that seemed to radiate off of her. I wondered if I might have been like that if it weren't for him. I quickly brushed the thought away.

"Thanks." I murmured, taking a sip of water.

"Jeremy told me you are really fast too," Jayla continued.

"Did he?" I asked, tone clipped, my eyes set on my food.

"Yeah! He said you were awesome!"

I snorted a laugh, shaking my head.

"It's true, you were impressive out there," Jeremy said softly. Melody straightened next to him. "In fact, the coach asked me to beg you to join track."

"We have an all-star on our hands!" Warren laughed, patting me on the back.

"It was nothing, I got a head start." I shrugged them off.

"That's not true." Jeremy chuckled, though a frown was etched on his face. "You annihilated almost everyone out there. It's impressive, especially for not being shifted yet."

"I heard that Kyle might join track. Maybe you could introduce him and Ellie." Melody shrugged, veering the conversation in a new direction. "They seem to have a lot in common."

"Kyle? Track?" Jeremy laughed. "That'll never happen."

Melody huffed a breath, Jeremy oblivious to her attempts to hook me up with his friend. Jealousy was a dangerous thing.

I dropped my voice, though the table was small enough that everyone but Evangeline and Warren probably heard me. "Don't worry, I won't steal your boyfriend." I winked.

Luna Vera cleared her throat. "Melody and Jeremy have been dating for several years now."

"We're probably fated." Melody beamed at Vera and then to Jeremy.

"Melody's birthday is next month, we'll know for certain then." Jeremy smiled warmly at his girlfriend.

"Well, have fun with that." I chuckled.

"You don't want a mate?" Jayla asked.

"Not in a million years. Boys are overrated."

Jayla laughed and Melody finally seemed to relax.

Alpha Keith never took his eyes off of me. I was relieved when dessert was brought around, when Warren and Evangeline took over the conversation. So much so that not even Jayla could sneak in a word. Jeremy and Melody still whispered and laughed with each other, in their own private little love bubble - even at the family dinner table.

I thought I was in the clear when we started packing up to leave - until the alpha stopped me at the door. Evangeline and Warren were already on their way to the car, oblivious of my absence. Vera was looming behind Alpha Keith, their children gone.

"I heard you know how to climb trees," he said, giving me a side eye. "And don't care for attending your classes either."

There was no point in denying it. I opted for silence.

"We live by certain rules, not to suffocate you, but to protect you," he said sternly. "If I hear that any of this happens again - "

"You'll never hear about me again," I said - voice clipped. I gave him a smile that was more like a sneer and trailed after my caretakers.

I found Jeremy watching me from a distance as I helped them into the car, something like disappointment written on his face. It didn't matter. I didn't need his pity. I didn't need him at all.