Warrior 176

Chapter 176

RYN

TWELVE YEARS AGO

On a Tuesday night, Billie and I snuck past the guards patrolling Alpha Jack’s house and ran into the woods, chuckling and giggling to ourselves.

My parents were attending a dinner party at Alpha Jack’s and Hillle had suggested that we go into the woods to attend a fun party. She said we’d be hanging out with the cool kids.

When we had gotten far enough, I realized the forest was too dark, only illuminated by the light of the full moon so I got wary of going further.

“I think we should go back.” I said.

“Come on, don’t be a chicken. Billie teased, “you’re not scared of the dark, are you?”

“Well, creepy things lurk in the dark. Miss Angela said that in class.”

Billie giggled. “Miss Angela is just trying to scare us. My Dad will never let anything creepy enter his land, I promise.” She said, laying her little hand to her chest, before stretching it to me Trusting my best friend, I smiled and took her hand and together we went deeper into the woods.

Eventually, we found a group of kids sitting on a fallen log around a little fire. I immediately became wary again as I realized that these kids were bigger and older. Even one of them was a known bully. I looked at Billie in worry, but she was smiling the bully boy who had risen to his feet as was now approaching.

“Hi, Frank.” Billie smiled, but the boy was already staring at me.

“Is this her?” He asked, and Billie nodded enthusiastically. I looked from him to her in surprise. I knew Frank to be her crush, but I never knew they spoke of me,

“Nice to meet you, Kathryn.” He smiled, towering over me. “Welcome to our party.”

Before I could react, his arm was around my shoulder, guiding me further into the clearing while tearing my hand away from Billie’s. Within seconds, the other big kids surrounded me. There were five boys and two girls in total, aside from Billie.

“So Kathryn.” Frank said, still holding me close to his body. “I heard you were special and not like the rest of us.”

In shock, I craned my neck to look at Billie, who looked away nervously. Frank gripped my chin and turned my face back forward. “I’m talking to you. You don’t need to look back.” He said with a hint of aggression, his face sharpening with

meanness.

“I–I am not special.” I replied.

Frank frowned. “But that’s not what you told Billie. In fact, she told us she saw you shift into your wolf and it was the most awesome thing she had ever seen. She said you were a freak.”

I craned my neck backward again and instantly felt pain in my stomach. I doubled over, realizing Frank had just punched me in the tummy. Gripping my stomach, tears came to my eyes as I fell to my knees. Then I felt my hands elongate into long claws, but I curled them so I wouldn’t transform

“I told you not to look back!” Frank yelled, beginning to circle me. “Now look at what you made me do! Now I am angry, and the only way to make me happy is if you show me the special shit you showed Billie. Do you want to make me happy?”

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Chapter 176

“No!” I yelled and got to my feet to run away, but my Frank gripped my long hair and pulled me back by it, I landed butt first on the ground and crawled back on my hands as he and his friends closed in with predatory smiles.

“Shift into your wolf! One boy yelled and kicked my leg.

“No! My parents said I shouldn’t show anyone.”

Frank mimicked my face and my words in a childish manner, making the others laugh. “But you showed Billie.”

“Billie’s my best friend. I retorted and looked her way, “Right, Blie?”

Frank turned to her with a menacing glare.

She shifted on her feet, nervous and hesitant. “Just show them what you showed me, and they’ll leave you alone.”

“But I told you my parents-

“I don’t care about your stupid parents!” Frank yelled. “Just show us! It’ll be quick, freak!”

I shook my head, my heart filled with fear. “No.” I whimpered.

Frank’s mean face sharpened into a smirk. “Bring me the prod!”