I arrived at the school gate of Shadow High School ten minutes early, but I chose not to walk inside yet. I hid behind a large oak tree, hoping to shield myself from the judgmental eyes of other students. School had become my least favorite place, a constant reminder of my differences and the painful truth I discovered when I was thirteen— I couldn’t shift like other werewolves because I was wolfless. That revelation turned my life upside down in ways I never could have imagined. I became the different one. The wolfless are born with bad luck, they said. And it did feel like a curse. Since then, I could no longer catch up with my peers who had already shifted in terms of physical strength. Werewolves, especially teenagers in school, valued athletic abilities. Slowly but surely, my friends distanced themselves from me, and I became an outsider amongst my kind. I spent a long time getting used to my “difference”, and I realized I should not let my circumstances define me. I channeled my energy into improving my intelligence. If I couldn’t rely on physical strength, then I would build up my mental power through dedication and hard work. Books became my refuge, my source of knowledge and empowerment. As a result, my naturally tanned skin grew pale, and the fire in my spirit dwindled. Thick glasses became a constant companion. What I didn’t expect is now as a transfer student, it got worse. I started to get bullied in the new school. A loud bell rang, signaling the start of the school day. A wave of dread coursed through my veins as I hurried inside, heading to my first class. The whole morning was the werewolf combat training session—the one I feared the most. I knew I couldn’t measure up to my classmates in a place where strength was highly valued. After changing into my gym clothes, I joined the huddled circle of my classmates. Resigned to my usual role on the sidelines, I prepared to fade into the background with my books. But just as I was about to retreat into the safety of pages, our coach’s voice interrupted my thoughts. “Everyone split up into partners and try to include everyone this time,” Coach called out, his words carrying a tinge of emphasis on inclusivity. “Shana, be my partner.” It was Jessica. She said it with a smile on her pretty face, but her voice betrayed her true intentions. Ever since I started here, her teasing and jeering never stopped. “I’d never let a wolfless girl drill by herself,” Jessica continued. Laughter erupted from the entire class. I felt blood rush to my cheeks. “Alright. Don’t use your wolf with Shana,” Coach warned Jessica before blowing his whistle. “Of course, Coach! I’ll go easy on her,” Jessica promised, but it was clearly a lie. She stood across from me, cracking her neck from side to side. In comparison to my fragile body, Jessica was curvy but muscular, with powerful arms and legs. I clenched my fists. Jessica wasted no time in demonstrating her strength, knocking me off balance effortlessly. I struggled to keep up, feeling the stark difference in our physical abilities. Her teasing and taunting only served to highlight my perceived weaknesses. “That’s the best you’ve got?” Jessica sneered; her fists raised in challenge. Gritting my teeth, I mustered all the strength I could, attempting to knock her off her feet. But predictably, Jessica was faster and more skilled, effortlessly dodging my attempts. She threw her weight into my shoulder, causing me to stumble back. I only had a moment to regain my balance before she shoved me again. The class snickered around us, cheering for Jessica as she stalked forward, her eyes shining with amusement. I always wondered why they had treated me so horribly, only because I was different. “Why the long face, Shana?” Jessica taunted. “Aren’t you going to try to hit me back? I’ve hardly got a scratch!” A scratch? Boy, did I want to give her a scratch right across that smug smile on her face… Anger bubbled beneath the surface of my skin, and I charged for Jessica. She seemed surprised by my outburst, but it wasn’t enough to stop her. In a deliberate move, she knocked my glasses off my face, leaving me disoriented and vulnerable on the ground. To add insult to injury, a shove from behind sent me sprawling, humiliated, as the surrounding students reveled in the spectacle. “That was too easy! How can we practice with Shana when her lack of strength affects our training? She’s not as good as us,” Jessica argued with the coach, shooting me a venomous glare. The coach, left with little choice, instructed me to take a rest, effectively excusing me from the remainder of the training session. Jessica and her friends high-fived each other, pleased with themselves for exiling me. Frustration welled up inside me as I watched my classmates continue their training, once again sidelined due to my perceived weakness. The tears welled up in my eyes, a mix of anger, and deep sadness. The weight of their jeers and my own inadequacy threatened to crush me. You’re not weak, Shana, just different. Don’t let them make you feel this way. With trembling hands, I picked myself up from the ground and dusted off my clothes. My eyes became watery, but I refused to let any tears fall. As I turned away from their laughter, I made a silent promise to myself— to fight not with fists or claws, but with resilience, intelligence, and unwavering self-belief. They wouldn’t see me cry. Not today. Not ever. Unable to bear the humiliation any longer. I sought refuge in the ice hockey stadium, escaping the scorching heat of the day. The frigid air provided some solace as I settled down on the bleachers, pulling out my diary. It was my trusted confidant, the place where I poured my heart out, chronicling the relentless bullying I endured at school. I must’ve sat there for longer than I imagined, lost in my thoughts, because I failed to notice the arrival of the ice hockey team until they surrounded me. My heart quickened its pace as I hastily closed my diary, assessing the players who stood before me. Our school’s mascot was a dragon, and that was reflected in the players uniforms. They were sleek, colored with shades of forest green and smokey black. The players seemed untouchable, powerful. “What are you doing here?” A guy with black hair asked, his gaze fixed on me. Startled, I stumbled over my words. “I—I was just leaving.” But before I could make my escape, another guy with tanned skin spoke. “You’re the new transfer student, the wolfless girl, aren’t you?” Speechless, I nodded, feeling my mouth go dry. “You’re a bad luck charm,” the tan boy snapped. “You need to leave. You’re going to rub off on the rest of our team.” “Yeah, we don’t need you and your kind here,” the dark-haired boy said. Suddenly, all of them were throwing insults at me, seeming to get closer and closer. Just then, the doors to the stadium swung open, and a tall figure with ruffled dark hair and piercing blue eyes stepped inside. His presence alone shut everyone up as all attention shifted towards him, including mine. Even though I had only been here for two months, I had heard of him countless times. It was Lucas, one of the few Alphas in our school. The captain of the ice hockey team and the notorious playboy of the school. My heart stilled as I watched him. He was an enigma to me. Everything I heard about him involved trouble, particularly regarding his reputation as a heartbreaker. But I’d also heard his smile was devastating, his mouth always coming up with quick wit or flirty banter. And looking at him now, I couldn’t really blame anyone for getting their heartbroken by him. He was a welcomed kind of trouble. “What are you guys doing?” Lucas’s deep, commanding voice echoed through the stadium walls. His eyes fell to my panicked face briefly before returning to his teammates. “Our next game is this Saturday. Quit wasting time and get your asses ready for training.” The players around me paused, momentarily taken aback by Lucas’s authoritative presence. “Well?” Lucas continued, his gaze piercing. “What are you all waiting for? Go!” As if snapped out of a trance, the boys swiftly moved past me, their heads bowed as they passed their team captain. Lucas’s jaw was set as he glared at his teammates. I had never been around Lucas before, but his no-nonsense demeanor took me by surprise. He wasn’t the flirty, carefree guy I had imagined him to be. There was a harsh severity in his gaze that sent a shiver down my spine. However, when his gaze returned to me, I was surprised that I didn’t feel as nervous as I expected. Instead, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of familiarity when our eyes locked.
“I think we should kick her out of here,” the tanned boy suggested as he passed Lucas, his words dripping with contempt. “She’s the wolfless girl. All of her bad luck is going to rub off on the team.” His use of the term “wolfless” made it sound as if I had some kind of contagious disease, someone to be avoided at all costs. And in some ways, I supposed I was. Lucas, with a furrowed brow, looked at me, his deep blue eyes reminiscent of calm ocean waves after a storm. It was evident he was torn, unsure of what to do. Normally, I would have already left to avoid any further trouble, especially in front of such an intimidating audience. I didn’t know if it was because of his familiarity or his hesitation, so I decided to say something for myself. “You won’t even know I’m here,” I managed to say to Lucas. There was a friendliness in his gaze that gave me the courage to continue. “I’m only sitting here because it’s too hot outside. And besides, this stadium is public school property, meaning anyone is free to visit.” Lucas continued to stare at me in silence, his eyes locked onto mine. “I promise I won’t bother you or the team. Please…” Without uttering a single word, he nodded and turned away, barking orders at his teammates to begin practice. As I looked around, I could see that the other players on the hockey team didn’t agree with Lucas’s decision to let me stay on the bleachers. Their glances in my direction were filled with concern and hesitation. “Stop staring at her. Pretend she isn’t here,” Lucas commanded his teammates firmly. Then, his eyes returned to mine from across the room. “She promised she wouldn’t disturb us, right?” I nodded, my agreement absentminded. With that, the hockey team started their practice, gradually forgetting my presence. Perched at the top of the bleachers, I observed their synchronized movements on the ice. Even with their helmets on, I could easily identify each player, recognizing their unique styles and skills. Lucas, in particular, stood out as he led the team with precision and finesse. He was the embodiment of speed and strength, weaving effortlessly through his burly teammates and gliding across the ice as if he were one with it. The entire team worked in perfect harmony, their constant communication and seamless collaboration a testament to their dedication and skill. Among them, there was one player who seemed to make more mistakes than the others. From my vantage point, he appeared shorter than his teammates, struggling to keep up. Lucas, ever the leader, didn’t hesitate to correct and encourage the shorter player, using a light smack on the back of his shoulder as a sign of support whenever he stumbled. It was evident that Lucas commanded respect from the entire team, who looked to him for guidance. My eyes remained fixated on Lucas throughout the practice, captivated by his energy and control on the ice. I opened my diary and began to doodle. Every so often, looking up to watch him. Before I realized what I had done, I noticed I had sketched Lucas’s outline. There was something about him— a sense of familiarity that tugged at the corners of my memory. He reminded me so much of a friend from my childhood, someone who shared the same name. In a wave of nostalgia, I delved into the pages of my diary, seeking a concealed gem. And there it was— a photograph capturing two children, locked in a tender embrace. One, a girl beaming with a toothy grin, exuding boundless happiness in her vibrant pink sneakers and neatly tied pigtails. The other, a boy donning a baseball cap, his cherubic cheeks full and his captivating blue eyes shining. I once had a neighbor named Lucas, and we grew up together. To me, he was Bear— the boy who always greeted me with the warmest of hugs. Unfortunately, other children bullied Bear. They targeted him because he lived with his grandmother and his parents were never around. The kids also picked on him because he was much heavier than other kids our age. I hated seeing people bully Bear because of his weight and his family situation. It wasn’t fair, and anytime anyone tried to pick on Bear, I was the first person to make them regret their words. Bear became my only best friend, and I became his. When I was ten, my parents got divorced. I had to move away with my mother to live in a completely different city, leaving Bear. It was one of the hardest things I had to do. But then mom passed away three months ago, and I had to move back to my old city to live with my father… But there was no way that my Lucas could be this charming Alpha skating on the ice in front of me. They were too different from each other. Plus, I had no idea if Lucas still lived in this city. Maybe I could go to his grandmother’s house and see if he’s around. But if Lucas still lived here and he happened to see me… what would he think of me now? I looked down at my thin limbs and pale skin. I was so different from the strong, confident girl I used to be when I was a child. Bear wouldn’t even recognize me. But I felt as if I wouldn’t recognize Bear either. After all, eight years had passed since I last saw him. For both of us, change was inevitable. I looked up from the picture in my hands and noticed that hockey practice was over. Most of the boys had skated off the ice and were making their way toward the locker rooms. Before I knew what my legs were doing, I started to climb down the bleachers, following the hockey team. Something inside of me was pushing my feet forward. Maybe he was the only one who would like to—to some extent—respect me as an individual here. “Lucas!” I called, trying to catch his attention. A few other hockey players heard me calling after their captain and laughed at me. I ignored them as I skipped down the bleachers, two at a time. But I didn’t miss the flashes of them taking pictures on their phones of the scene I was creating. Lucas was the last player to leave the ice, and his head turned in my direction when he heard me shouting his name. He held his helmet in one hand, and his dark hair was covered in sweat as it clung to his forehead. He stared at me, his ocean blue eyes unreadable. But he blinked slowly, as if he had just remembered I was there all along. “Thank you,” I blurted. “For letting me stay.” Lucas gave me the smallest of smiles. “Don’t mention it.” “You were amazing out there,” I said, breathlessly. I felt heat creep onto my cheeks, suddenly feeling a little embarrassed. Lucas’s smile widened, and I couldn’t help but think it made him even more attractive. It was a dangerous smile, one that would make you desperate to impress him. I opened my mouth to say more, but another flash of a camera out of the corner of my eye had me stopping. I clamped my mouth shut and turned away, feeling too nervous to even utter another word. I collected my things and walked in the direction of the cafeteria. It was finally lunchtime, and I was starving. Besides, food could always cheer up a bad mood. “Look who it is!” a familiar voice sneered, making me freeze in my tracks. I didn’t even have to turn around as Jessica and all her followers surrounded me with malicious smiles. “We were just talking about you,” one of the followers giggled under her breath. My heart raced. Jessica plastered the fakest smile I had ever seen on her face. “Did you just confess your love to Lucas?”
“What?” I stared at Jessica in disbelief, my heart racing in my chest. The weight of her words bore down on me, filling me with confusion. “We’ve heard the rumors,” Jessica said, her voice filled with both amusement and superiority, as she casually pointed to her group of friends surrounding her. “You’ve been keeping yourself pretty busy today. Haven’t you, Shana?” All of her minions stood there, smirks etched across their faces. Shadow High was a hub of gossip and rumors where whispers spread quickly. Every week there seemed to be a different story that students focused on. But as an outsider, I had always remained on the outskirts, unaware of the intricate network of information swirling around me. I had no friends, after all. There was no one to gossip with. “What rumor?” I asked in a barely audible voice, feeling a sense of unease creeping up my spine. Rolling her eyes, Jessica took out her phone from her pocket, a wicked smile playing on her lips. “Don’t even pretend like you don’t know. We’ve all seen the evidence.” She shoved the screen in front of my face, revealing a photo of me at the hockey rink, desperately calling out to Lucas. My heart sank as I realized how bad this looked on my part. It became evident that the hockey players were behind this cruel act. They had captured that vulnerable moment and shared it throughout the school via various group chats, ensuring everyone in the school would be able to see it. But that’s not what I was doing! I wanted to shout. This is all so wrong! As I read one of the text messages displayed on Jessica’s phone, a wave of humiliation washed over me. “LOL Shana just confessed her love to Alpha Lucas! Does she think she has a chance? She’s WOLFLESS and the school’s biggest LOSER. How pathetic!” Jessica’s laughter echoed in my ears, intensifying the pain caused by those hurtful words. “Seriously, Shana, what were you thinking? You and Lucas? You’re not even worthy of being in the same league as him.” Each word burned me and felt like a knife piercing deeper into my already wounded spirit. “He’s an Alpha, and you’re just a nobody,” Jessica continued, her voice filled with scorn, an arrogant smirk on her face. “He would never lower himself to be associated with someone like you.” Her friends nodded in agreement; their faces twisted with disdain. “Yeah, just take a look in the mirror!” one of them said. “Lucas would never fall for a girl who is damaged goods,” another one of them said. I allowed their insults to go through one ear, and out the other. Hearing that they thought I was fragile was nothing new. They’ve been calling me the wolfless freak all school year. So, amidst their torment, as usual, I tried to protect the remnants of my shattered self-esteem in my mind. I am just different. I will find my own way in this world. I’ll appear unbothered by their cruel words and menacing stares because I’m not the weak girl they think I am. But that encouragement quickly faded when one of Jessica’s friends noticed the diary clutched tightly in my trembling hands. “Wait, is that a diary?” the friend jeered, pointing mockingly at my cherished possession. “You still keep a diary?” Their mocking laughter reverberated through the cafeteria, intensifying my feelings of isolation and vulnerability. The weight of their mockery threatened to crush me, but I mustered the strength to step back, desperately trying to shield myself from their taunts. “Just leave me alone,” I said with as much courage as I could. Unaffected by my plea, Jessica lunged forward, attempting to grab the diary from my grasp. Swiftly sidestepping, I managed to avoid her, protecting the sanctuary of my private thoughts. I cannot let Jessica see my diary. It recorded everything that happened with my mother and all the things Jessica and other students did to me. It held words I used to encourage myself throughout the years being branded the “wolfless weirdo”. My emotions and tears will not bring them any compassion. If anything, it will invite even more mocking from Jessica. “You can’t hide your feelings for Lucas from me,” Jessica sneered, annoyance evident in her voice as she closed the distance between us. “I know what it’s like. You see, Lucas and I were very close. He’s my ex-boyfriend, and I’m pretty sure he still can’t forget all the… enjoyable times we had together.” A lump formed in my throat, and I swallowed hard, shocked by the revelation that Lucas had once been involved with Jessica. The only person in this school that I thought could possibly respect me, might be no different from Jessica. My illusions shattered into a thousand pieces as the ground beneath me seemed to crumble. Desperation flooded my veins, urging me to resist. Shaking my head, I tightened my grip on the diary, clutching it protectively against my chest. “No,” I managed to whisper, my voice trembling with defiance. I stood my ground, refusing to yield to their demands. But as I looked into Jessica’s menacing eyes, I realized I was no longer just an outcast; I was now at the mercy of their horrible whims. Jessica took another step forward, her fingers curling around the delicate crystal necklace hanging from my neck. With a sudden jerk, she pulled hard, tearing the necklace away from me, and severing the fragile thread that connected me to my mother’s memory. My neck stung with an ache as shock and anger surged through me, igniting a fierce determination. “Give me that back!” I shouted, my voice quivering with a mix of fury and desperation. My mother’s necklace meant so much to me. It was one of the few things of hers that I had left, and she had given it to me to keep and cherish. Seeing the necklace in Jessica’s hands made my blood boil. She wasn’t worthy enough to be holding onto that. Carelessly, Jessica tossed the necklace to one of her friends, who caught it with a triumphant grin. They started playing a twisted game of keep-away, tossing the necklace between them each time I tried to retrieve it, reveling in my anguish. Every failed attempt to reclaim my mother’s precious necklace heightened the pain that threatened to consume me. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision, as their teasing weighed me down. I didn’t want to cry, but I couldn’t help the inescapable feeling. I realized the cruel reality that I had become a victim of their relentless bullying. And they would never stop. The more I resisted, the more they enjoyed my suffering, and the louder their laughter became. I blamed myself for this situation, regret gnawing at my heart. If only I had ignored their questions about Lucas, maybe this torment could have been avoided. Maybe I could’ve walked away, and they would’ve left me alone? But then again, when had they ever decided to leave me alone and not torture me? Exactly, never. And now, I was stripped of my dignity and my mother’s necklace. Uncertainty engulfed me. Would I ever get my diary and my necklace back? The items that rightfully belonged to me. Suddenly, the necklace flew through the air and landed in the hands of someone else. Startled, I turned around, ready to retrieve the necklace, only to collide chest-first with the person who had caught it. “Please, give me that back,” I pleaded. “This is yours?” Hearing that familiar voice, I looked up, my teary eyes meeting a pair of deep ocean-blue eyes radiating an inexplicable warmth. It was Lucas.
Everyone in the cafeteria looked surprised to see Lucas standing there, but nobody was more surprised than me. He stood tall and almost looked like a fallen angel with his dark hair framing the edges of his face. His bright blue eyes shined as they scanned the students in the cafeteria. My heart skipped a beat as I watched Jessica, unable to contain her excitement, practically throw herself against Lucas. “Lucas, you’ll never guess it!” Jessica exclaimed, her voice laced with anticipation. “Shana just confessed her undying love for you!” Lucas turned his gaze towards me, raising an eyebrow inquisitively. His piercing blue eyes now locked onto mine, and I could feel myself blush under his scrutiny. He still held my mother’s necklace delicately in his hand, his fingers tracing its intricate design. My voice came out louder than intended as I spoke up, desperately trying to clarify the misunderstanding. “No, I never said that! It’s all just a rumor. That’s it,” I looked down at the necklace in his hands, “Can I please have my necklace back?” Lucas didn’t resist and handed the necklace back to me, our fingers briefly brushing against each other. As he pulled away, he walked off with the rest of his team, a group of people I hadn’t even noticed trailing behind him like loyal followers. Meanwhile, Jessica and her minions followed suit, snickering, and laughing about me as they walked away. It became apparent to me that Lucas was even more popular than I had initially thought. Everyone seemed to either want to be friends with him, date him, or simply be him. Clutching my mother’s necklace tightly in my hands, I decided to leave the cafeteria and seek solace in the bathroom. I needed a moment to collect my thoughts and process the whirlwind of emotions that had just consumed me. This was the second time Lucas had come to my aid. In the few weeks I had spent in this school, nobody had shown me any kindness until Lucas appeared in my life. It left me feeling grateful and indebted to him, even though I wasn’t sure if our paths would cross again. But a reluctant admission lingered in my thoughts, echoing Jessica’s words. Lucas and I were undeniably different. Everything he just did probably meant nothing to him. He was the popular Alpha captain, while I was just the girl without a wolf, burdened with an unexplained curse that hung over my head. And maybe Jessica was right… He’d never associate himself with a wolfless girl. Leaving the bathroom behind, I made my way to my locker. After unlocking it, I quickly consumed a sandwich I had stored in my bag, my mind preoccupied with the events of the day. As I ate, a sense of unease crept over me. Deciding it was best to leave my diary inside the locker, I closed it with a resolute thud. The thought of Jessica and her minions discovering my diary, and invading my most personal thoughts, sent shivers down my spine. I couldn’t bear the idea of them prying into my inner world, tearing apart the fragile walls I had built for myself. Determined to find the library, I walked down the hallway, my eyes scanning the surroundings to ensure that Jessica and her cronies weren’t lurking nearby. Their presence always brought with it an air of mockery and cruelty that I wanted to avoid. However, as I turned the corner, a scene unfolded before me that I wasn’t prepared for. Two figures stood unusually close to each other, locked in an intimate conversation. It was Jessica and Lucas. My instinct was to turn and hide my face, avoiding their attention at all costs. But before I could take another step, Lucas’s voice cut through the air, addressing me directly. “Hey!” Startled, I looked over my shoulder, finding Lucas’s eyes fixed on me. Jessica crossed her arms, a sly smile playing on her lips, clearly relishing the opportunity to witness our interaction. Lucas’s sheepish expression betrayed a mix of emotions as he studied me from head to toe. “Look, I get you might have a crush on me, but I’m not interested.” My mouth fell open, shocked by the revelation of what Jessica could have fed him. “Lucas, I don’t know what Jessica told you, but I don’t have a crush on you. I—” Interrupting me once again, Lucas dismissed my words, grouping me with the countless other girls who supposedly fell for him after a fleeting act of kindness. “I’ve seen it before,” Lucas said. “Girls get the wrong idea all the time.” He swiftly pulled out his phone and presented me with the same picture Jessica had shown me earlier at the hockey rink, exacerbating the rumors that were already spreading like wildfire. The humiliation burned deep within me, intensified by Jessica’s low whistle and her evident delight in my discomfort. “But that’s not true!” I shouted back at him. “You know all I told you was—” “For now, it is a rumor, but I can tell from the picture that you were desperate to find me…,” Lucas continued. “I want you to remember that nothing could ever happen between us. So, just please save me from all this gossip.” Infuriated, I spun away from them, refusing to dignify Lucas with a response. How dare he assume I was attracted to him just like all the other girls and turn me into a spectacle for everyone’s amusement? He was so full of himself! At that moment, he defined the epitome of an arrogant Alpha, blind to anyone’s feelings but his own. A complete and total Alpha-hole! Hadn’t he thought I’d been bothered enough for a single day? My belief that Lucas could be one of the few kind souls in this school shattered into countless pieces. It became painfully clear that trust was a scarce commodity within these walls. The only thing I was right about was that he was a totally different person from my Lucas. My Bear. I realized that not even Lucas was free from the horribleness that every student at this school seemed to possess. Which meant, I’d probably always be alone. No longer willing to subject myself to their ridicule, I decided to abandon the library altogether, seeking solace outside and allowing the fresh air to clear my troubled thoughts. Not long after my walk alone, I glanced at my phone to check the time and realized that my afternoon classes were about to commence. With a heavy heart, I reentered the school, heading towards my locker to retrieve my textbooks. However, as I approached it, a wave of shock washed over me. My locker was open. Frantically, I rummaged through its contents, desperately hoping that everything was still in place. Everything was still there, except for one very important thing… My diary was missing.
Someone had broken into my locker and stolen my diary. An overwhelming wave of anxiety swept through me as I realized that whoever had my diary now possessed all my private and personal secrets. The thought of my deepest thoughts, the details of my bullying experiences, and the words of encouragement I wrote to myself being exposed to the entire school made my heart race. I knew that if someone decided to broadcast it, I would become the laughingstock once and for all. And why wouldn’t they share that information? After all, I was the wolfless girl, the perpetual loser, the outcast who was the primary target of bullying. And then there was the drawing of Lucas in my diary… I cursed under my breath, realizing that if that drawing were made public, everyone would assume I was obsessively in love with him. This was an absolute nightmare. With trepidation, I made my way to class, keeping a vigilant eye on every student I passed, desperately searching for any sign of my missing diary. Who could have it? Who was responsible for this violation of my privacy? But as I stepped into the classroom, the sound of boisterous laughter reached my ears, instantly dampening my hopes. A crowd had gathered near the back of the room, and there she was—Jessica—reading my diary entries out loud, reveling in the amusement of my classmates. Jessica’s gaze met mine as I approached her, but instead of offering an apology, she adopted a fake pouting expression and placed a hand over her heart. “Shana, I had no idea you complained about me so much in your little diary,” she taunted, relishing in my vulnerability. “It truly saddens me to hear that.” Her words were like daggers, but it was the venomous glare from one of her classmates that intensified my humiliation. As Jessica flipped through my diary, she came across the page where I had drawn Lucas as an Alpha figure. Her smirk grew wider as she mocked me, “Damn, Shana, we all knew you had a crush on Lucas, but this? You’re actually obsessed. You’re in love with him, aren’t you?” I remained silent, understanding that my anger and humiliation would only fuel Jessica’s torment. Don’t excite them even more with your reaction, Shana. Learn from your experience. She cocked her head, her expression shifting as she noticed my lack of response. “Oh, and look what else we found,” she sneered, producing the picture of me and Bear. “You used to be so vibrant, so strong and tan. You looked like a completely different person back then, full of promise. What happened to you?” With a twisted smirk, she continued, “And who’s this in the picture with you? Your fat boyfriend? You two would make a cute couple… A fragile, broken little thing like you with a big, beefy man that could probably crush you.” A chilling suggestion erupted from one of Jessica’s minions. “You should share these entries in the school’s group chat! Everyone needs to know the truth about the wolfless girl.” “What a marvelous idea!” Jessica exclaimed, capturing photos of my drawing of Lucas and the childhood snapshot with Bear. The sound of her phone’s “whoosh” confirmed that the damaging message had been sent. I fought hard to suppress my emotions, biting down on my lip so fiercely that I feared it might draw blood. But the rage, humiliation, and despair surged within me, threatening to explode at any moment. As Jessica flipped through another page of my diary, making herself comfortable, she casually crossed her legs. “Your mother died,” she declared callously, her voice devoid of sympathy. She stated it as if it were an indisputable fact, not caring about the pain it inflicted. “Did she die because of you?” Jessica inquired, her eyes appraising me. “With you being wolfless and all… Your bad luck must have rubbed off on her.” I took a deep breath, attempting to steady myself. “Did you kill your mother, Shana?” The weight of her accusation was unbearable. In a fit of uncontrollable fury, I lunged at Jessica, my hand connecting with her cheek in a resounding slap that reverberated through the room. The sting in my palm was nothing compared to the satisfaction of momentarily silencing her. “Don’t you dare talk about my mother!” I screamed, my voice filled with anguish. But my triumph was short-lived. In an instant, one of Jessica’s minions forcefully pushed me to the ground, slamming my head against the floor. The impact caused my ears to ring, and before I could regain my composure, another person kicked me in the ribs, intensifying my agony. As the assault continued, the sound of an Alpha voice growled from the doorway, commanding attention, and inducing an eerie silence. Jessica froze, taking a step back from me, and the rest of the room lowered their heads in deference. Probably because I lacked the inner wolf, the primal essence that defined a wolf’s existence, I remained unaffected by the commanding resonance of the Alpha’s voice. Confused and disoriented, I glanced up, my eyes meeting a pair of piercing blue orbs. It was Lucas. It was considered highly improper for an Alpha to use its commanding voice in public, as it could affect other Betas and Omegas around them. But Lucas seemed unfazed by convention, disregarding any potential consequences. Pushing his way through the students, Lucas brushed past Jessica, focusing his unwavering attention on me. I couldn’t comprehend the concern reflected in his gaze. I touched my forehead and felt something wet and warm trickle down. Blood stained my fingertips, indicating an injury I hadn’t noticed before. Without hesitation, Lucas scooped me up in his arms, cradling me protectively, before swiftly exiting the classroom. Dizziness washed over me, and the world around me blurred as I struggled to stay conscious. “Where are you taking me?” I managed to ask, my voice was weak and trembling. “I’m helping you,” Lucas replied, his voice filled with sincerity. “Why?” I inquired, my hand clinging to the back of his neck for stability. “I thought you told me to stay away from you.” “You still remember your little neighbor Bear?” Lucas asked, his gaze never leaving mine. His fingers tightened their grip beneath my thighs. A surge of recognition jolted through me, and suddenly, everything seemed to fall into place. A genuine smile graced Lucas’s lips, one that was vastly different from his previous flirtatious ones. It radiated warmth and authenticity, causing a soothing sensation to spread within me. “Shana, you were there for me when I needed you. Now, it’s my turn to be there for you.” Blinking in astonishment, I found myself staring into the familiar face of Bear— the chubby-cheeked, infectious-smiled, and brilliantly blue-eyed best friend I had thought I lost. “Is it really you?” I asked, my voice filled with disbelief and awe, unsure if this moment was reality or a product of my head injury. “Are you truly my Bear?”
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