Chapter 2
Feeling furious at how Julianne had just spoken to me, I stormed down the road and towards the school. 'How dare she!'
Streams of chattering voices soon filled the air and as I looked up, I began to fill with dismay. Both sides of the road were filling up with groups of chattering schoolkids. My stormy thoughts soon disappeared into anxiousness at being spotted. Keeping my head down, I tried to stay lowkey, but it wasn’t long before the kids noticed me and began crowding around me, like flies around manure.
“Hey look, I’ve just seen a ghost!” one boy shrieked gleefully, running past me and barging me roughly into a wall with his shoulder. “Ahh, I’m so scared! Someone help me!”
“Why are you so pale Libby? Have you seen a ghost?” another girl piped up loudly, before tugging on my hair sharply and yanking my head towards her. “What is wrong with you?”
“She's just plain weird, that’s what's wrong with her!” another boy hollered loudly. “You wouldn’t think her father is the Gamma for our pack. Look how pathetic she is! No wonder her mum killed herself, having a daughter like that! I’d be so ashamed!”
Before I knew it, I felt many hands roughly shove me from behind and I fell to the pavement in a heap, listening to the laughs and bellows of the kids above me. Holding back my tears, I stood up and brushed myself down. I could feel a bubbling anger surging through me and from out of the blue, a loud growl echoed from my mouth. My senses were finally awakened and I could feel my canines sprouting from my gums. Bright colours and auras burst in front of my eyes like mini fireworks and everyone’s voice became louder and clearer while my nose filled hungrily with the surrounding scents around me.
'Let me have them, Libby! Let me take them on! They want a fight, they’ve got one!' my wolf snarled furiously.
“Don’t you dare talk about my mother like that!” I roared angrily, baring my now-exposed fangs to the amusement of my tormentors. “Leave me alone. I’ve done nothing to you! For months and months, I’ve let you pick on me and now I’ve had enough!”
“Ahh, look at you trying to fight back,” a skinny brunette girl sneered. “It’s quite cute really. But you're weak and pathetic. Look at you! You don’t belong here! You don’t fit in! Pity it wasn’t you that committed suicide! No one wants you here!”
Before I could stop her, my wolf, Mya, had completely taken over and was now standing, in the middle of the street, in her true form, snarling at the bemused students. With one sudden leap, Mya pounced at the girl and knocked her flying to the ground. Just as Mya was about to strike at the girl with a clawed paw, I managed to regain control and bring myself back into human form. Shocked, and shaken at what just happened, I looked down at the now petrified girl and extended a hand towards her.
“Olivia, I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’ve never wolfed out like that before,” I stammered. “Are you okay?”
“Somebody get her and teach her a lesson!” someone shouted before Olivia could respond. “How dare she growl at us and try to attack us!”
Grabbing my bag, I tried to run away but the group of kids moved closer, blocking my escape. Gulping nervously, I glanced around at the faces hoping to see at least one friendly face. But to my dismay, all the faces glared back at me furiously. I closed my eyes and waited for the pain which didn’t take long. Several hands clawed at my skin and painfully yanked at my hair. The slaps echoed off my body, leaving painful stinging spots on my skin. As quickly as the beating had started, it soon stopped, and I could hear the kids hurriedly running towards the school as the bell chimed loudly in the distance. The headteacher hated anyone being late for school and was quite fond of handing out punishments to offenders, however, I was always given a wide berth, even by the teachers. Picking myself up, I dusted myself off and weakly followed behind, dreading the rest of the school day.
I knew I was different because of the way I looked. All of the girls at the school either had luscious brown locks or golden blonde hair with sun-kissed skin and bodies to die for. I did indeed look like a ghost with my white skin and white, blonde hair but I was glad to be different. All the girls were desperate to find their Mates and always came into school with faces full of make-up and revealing outfits to try and entice the boys. I, however, wasn’t fussed about finding my Mate. I just wanted to survive and get school over and done with so that I could travel and explore new places.
Arriving at the school, I sighed and slumped towards the building, desperate to get the day over and done with so that I could escape to the confinements of my bedroom. Walking down the now-empty corridors, I walked to my form room and slowly pushed the door open. Some of the kids smirked in silence as I walked into the room and sat down carefully at the only empty seat, which was right at the front of the class. My tutor, Mr Anderson, looked at me sympathetically before averting his gaze and carrying on with the register. Tucking a strand of loose hair behind my ear, I pulled some books out of my bag and began to prepare myself for another day of hell.
The school bell chimed loudly, making me jump from my thoughts. Algebra didn't sit well with me and I was glad that maths class was over. Hurriedly, I grabbed my bag and books and rushed out of the classroom as fast as my legs could move. I almost ran down the empty corridor and out into the sunlight before I bumped into any of the other students. I didn’t need to be attacked anymore today. My body was already tired and sore from the attack this morning and I couldn’t wait to get home and be finally left alone.
After a short while, I turned into the entrance of my estate, happy to be finally home. As I continued walking, I glanced down the street and saw Julianne standing outside of her house, looking oddly serene as she watched me walk towards her. Somehow, I quickened my pace until I found myself standing in front of her. She stared down intently at me, her eyes scanning my face, while her mouth curled into a small wry smile.
"I’m sorry, but I have some bad news to tell you,” Julianne whispered slowly, as she devoured every word, “Your father is dead!“