The Wanted Werewolf

Chapter 8

Elena

"Those eggs are ready to be served," Simone said as she flipped several pieces of bacon. "And don't forget to put out the orange juice too." She was a few years older than me and in college. She made the meal plans for breakfast, cooked, and cleaned up to help pay for her studies.

"Got it." I sighed, heading for the dining area.

Community service wasn't the worst thing to ever happen to me. In fact, it is probably one of the more convenient things in my life right now. An opportunity to explore the stronghold. My first day, I made it to the second floor undetected. My second, I made it to the third. Next week I hoped to explore some of the rooms now that I was getting a feel for the alpha's schedule.

He was always gone on Tuesday mornings, so Simone says. Luna Vera was usually held up in meetings, and Jeremy and Jayla were home — busy getting ready for school. Simone was the beta's daughter. She said her father covered most night shifts and was sleeping by morning. Her younger brother Kyle was Jeremy's best friend, and likely the future beta. He was in his senior year, the same as us, and was known for getting up five minutes before it was time to leave. The only other person I had to worry about was their mother, who took care of cleaning and laundry in the packhouse but even she was too busy to notice people some days.

I could hardly set the tray of eggs down before warriors and guards were swarming, getting another serving before their morning shifts. Everything was going as it should — until she showed up.

"Good morning." Melody smiled to the room. She was wearing a man's shirt, and from the looks of it, not much else. Her hair was tousled, but still she looked beautiful. I hated her for it. She yawned and stretched, her borrowed shirt hardly covering her butt.

"And how was your night? " A woman smirked, her voice dropping. "Luna."

"Wonderful, as always." She hummed, pouring herself a cup of coffee. "And don't call me that, not yet. I don't want Luna Vera to get the wrong idea about me. I actually want to have a good relationship with my future mother-in-law," She giggled.

"Goddess, Mel, I'm so jealous." Her friend pouted playfully. "How long until you seal the deal?"

"My birthday is less than two weeks away," she smiled, a blush creeping up on her. "We already know how the night will end."

"You are so lucky."

I rolled my eyes as I set out the orange juice.

"Our pups will be smart and beautiful," Melody laughed — it grated on something inside me.

"What if it's not him?" I asked before I could even stop myself. The women looked at me like I had grown two heads. A few men even scattered, abandoning their plates.

"There's no way it's not him, right Mel?" Her friend said, quickly coming to her aid.

And damn me, I knew I shouldn't get involved. I didn't even care about her stupid love life. But I also couldn't seem to let it go.

"There's no way you would know, not until one of you is shifted." I shrugged all too innocently. "Fingers crossed."

"Morning everyone, what's for breakfast?" Jeremy asked, strolling into the dining area and taking a seat next to a very stiff Melody.

He was bare-skinned with a pair of sweatpants that hung dangerously low. I forgot how to breathe for a moment. Until I saw a few faint love bits on his chest. As if I needed another reminder of who he shared a bed with.

"Eggs and a reality check," I smiled wickedly, my face falling immediately after. "Enjoy your meal."

I retreated back to the kitchen, and Simone relieved me for the morning. Maybe I was petty, or simply just a b***h. But as I headed off to school, I couldn't help but feel victory — cheap and fleeting — but I clung to it anyway. I told myself it was to wipe the smug grin off her face, not because something ugly and restless stirred in my chest.

Even if I did just make an enemy that I couldn't afford.

- - - - - - -

"Great job again, Ellie." Mr. Holt said, jotting down my time. "I see you catching up to Jeremy."

"Just doing my best." I shrugged — as if it were nothing.

If I were being honest, I would tell him I practiced every morning and evening since Jeremy beat me the first time. I was finally starting to acclimate to the heat. Finally pushing the alpha pup to give it his all. Of course, there were others who had the same idea, not liking the fact that an unshifted woman was handing them their asses every day. I was pleased to know that today was no different, though a few weren't far behind. Another reason for me to keep pushing myself.

The other students finished their run within a few minutes and we were all dismissed. The thing I liked about gym class most was that it was at the end of the day. I was able to sneak in a few more laps, which not only helped me get closer to my end goal, but it also let the locker room clear out, giving me full privacy.

After another twenty minutes on the track, I went back to the locker rooms. Today was just like all the others — until it wasn't. I got the creeping feeling that I was being watched and paused half dressed in one of the stalls. My limbs locked as I listened, my ears aching from straining to hear. A lock clicked, and I was taking a fighting stance.

"Show yourself!" I yelled, my voice echoing in the empty space.

"You may have impressed Jeremy and the teachers, but you haven't fooled the rest of us," Wayne said. "You don't belong here, Ellie."

Wayne and Trent. Thorns in my side — that's what they were. Ever since I broke that stupid pencil, they have made it their personal mission to make my life hell. Too bad they didn't know I was already in hell. They were bold a few days ago, spilling my tray of food in the cafeteria. I might have done something about it had there been fewer witnesses. It appeared today I might get my wish.

"Doesn't seem like it's your decision to make," I said, my voice level, cool even — just like I had been trained.

"You think you can just show up and make a fool of us?" Trent scoffed.

"It's not like it was very hard," I goaded.

Distract. Divert. Anger. I mentally checked all the boxes, preparing for what would come next.

"She's smart... she's fast... but is she strong enough to take on a wolf?" Wayne mocked, his steps slow and calculated.

"Or maybe two?" Trent echoed.

They closed the distance, coming in front of my stall. But I was already waiting. A swift punch to the face had Trent stumbling back. Wayne swung at me, but I dodged, landing an uppercut. He was built like a brick wall — the assault hardly fazed him. I kicked him in the groin next, rushing past him as he fell to his knees, cursing me soundly.

Halfway to the door, I began calling for help — until a hand came over my mouth, another wrapping tightly around my waist.

Flashbacks began flying through my head one after another. Fingers skimming my skin, hot breath in my ear, having my hands tied, my breath stolen. I froze for half a second. And then I turned into something far more violent. Two quick maneuvers and a loud snap had Trent on the ground wailing in pain. Wayne's nostrils flared as he looked at his friend and then at me.

"You f*****g b***h!" he snarled.

Bones began to snap and pop, his hands grew claws, his mouth sharp canines. I readied myself to face a wolf for the first time. All my kills to date had been so quick and clean, I never had to deal with a wolf. But even so — I didn't back down. I ducked just as his teeth snapped at me, then again as he came in closer. The third advance, I ran out of space, his claws scraping against my side, drawing blood. I gasped but quickly bit back my pain, using it to fuel my rage.

Stay close, don't let him get momentum. A small voice inside reminded me.

I did the unthinkable. I rushed Wayne — taking him by surprise. I grabbed the soft fur beneath his jaw and yanked, just as I landed a kick to the throat. He stumbled back, wary of Trent, who was trying to drag himself away from the fight. It was my opening. The only one I needed. I drove my fist into his side repeatedly, nailing him in the sensitive spot under his ribs. He yelped in pain. I swung again, but the air was knocked out of me. Trent. Still limping, he wrapped his arm around my neck, lifting me off the ground. For a moment, I couldn't breathe. I felt the room start to spin. Somewhere far away, a dull pounding echoed against the walls. I barely registered it, too consumed with the hand crushing my throat. No, this was not how today was going to go.

With every ounce I had in me, I used his own weight to topple us, smashing him flat onto the cold tile while I landed on top elbowing him hard. He gasped for air, like a fish out of water — and I struck. Again. Again. Again. Until my fist was bloody and his body limp. And then I kept going, until I heard a growl behind me. I scrambled to my feet just in time to face Wayne again, my fists shaking.

He snapped his teeth at me again, and I went for blood. Grabbing one of his canines, I yanked, his eyes going wide in horror. He didn't have time to shake me off before I broke the tooth in two, exposing all the nerves. He shifted back immediately. I was too far gone to care. As he wailed, I smashed his head into a stall door over and over. When he finally collapsed to the ground, I went with him, straddling his lap and landing blow after blow. The pounding grew louder, rattling the hinges this time. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered except the blood on my hands and the body beneath me.

His face blurred, flickering between Wayne and another — one I prayed I'd never see again. My father's voice snarled in my ear, telling me I'd never be free. My fists hit harder, faster.

Hands grabbed me from behind. I lashed out, until a voice cut through the haze — low, commanding, familiar. Jeremy. It was Jeremy. Not him. Not him. My body sagged, the fight draining out of me all at once.

"It's okay, I've got you," he said, his voice laced with concern, and perhaps fear.

I let out a shuddering sob as teachers flooded the locker room. There was yelling and screaming all around us. Jeremy only held me tighter, shielding me from the c*****e surrounding us.

"We need medics right away," Jeremy said firmly. "Someone grab me a towel!"

He placed the towel on my wound, applying pressure before scooping me up and taking me out of the locker room, away from Wayne and Trent, or what was left of them. I barely registered what he was saying, his voice a soft whisper in my ear. He was the only thing holding me together, my father's words still taunting me that I would never be free.