Studying

ALLIE

I dressed carefully this morning.

My choices are limited; I don’t have a lot of clothes. Fashion has never been a big priority, and money has always been in short supply. Food and rent always ate up most of the money I earned.

But lectures start today, and I want to make a good first impression on my fellow medical students. We are going to be together for the next five years and I want them to like me.

I put on a pair of black jeans, the newest pair I own, and a white shirt that clings to my curves. I’ve left my hair down today so it falls down my back in waves.

“Looking good,” Adam tells me when I walk down the stairs. “Are you nervous?”

“A bit,” I admit.

“Don’t worry, everyone will be in the same boat.”

“They’re all wolves about to start a degree with lots of humans?”

“You know what I mean. They’ll all be nervous, hoping to make a good impression.”

“Yeah, I guess so,” I reply as I walk out the door.

***

Adam was right. Everyone is in the same boat. Nervous, hoping to make friends, and determined to learn as much as possible.

This wasn’t a degree for anyone who wanted to coast, and our lecturers were making sure we knew it from the word go.

Our days were going to be filled with lectures, lab work, and tutorials, and our nights would be taken up with studying and assignments.

I’d have time to work at Raffles, but I didn’t think I’d be able to spend as much time partying as Danielle would like.

It would be worth it, though, when I had my medical degree and could work as a healer.

At lunchtime I pack up my bag, say goodbye to my new friends, and head to the coffee shop on campus—The only one that welcomes loners. I’ve agreed to meet Danielle for lunch there.

When I arrive, she’s already sitting at a small table near the back of the room.

She doesn’t notice me at first. She’s too busy glaring at a glamorous she-wolf with long blonde hair and big blue eyes who is sitting with a group of wolves.

They’re all obviously pack wolves. Confident, well-fed, and expensively dressed.

When I try to catch Danielle’s attention, she says, “Oh hi,” but doesn’t turn to look at me.

“Who is she?” I’m worried by the way she’s fixating on this she-wolf.

“Who?”

“The wolf you’re glaring at.”

“Oh, her. That’s Karen. No one important. Just a rich entitled bitch who belongs to the Silver Fang Pack.”

“Oh. Another wolf who hates us then?”

“Yep, and she never misses an opportunity to show us just how much—until I bitch-slapped her last year. She wasn’t expecting that. Being brought down by a loner was a blow to her self-esteem.”

Danielle flashes me an evil smile. “She does her best to ignore me now, pretends I don’t exist, but I would still love a rematch.”

“Why? If you have already beaten her once? Wouldn’t it be better to just avoid her?”

“I can’t; she’s in my English classes. She’s always hanging around with David and his cronies. I can’t get away from them.”

“Oh, that isn’t good,” I commiserate.

“No, it isn’t, but let’s change the subject. How was your morning?”

“Good. My classmates are lovely. The lectures were interesting, but it’s going to be hard work. It will be worth it in the end though.”

“That’s great. You’ll—”

Danielle is interrupted when Karen squeals loudly. “David, darling!”

I look around to see the alpha’s brother David walking through the door. It’s Karen who’s speaking to him, but his eyes are on Danielle.

I turn to her and watch as she lowers her head. “Shall we go?” she asks quietly.

“Sure, if that’s what you want.”

I follow her out of the coffee shop but stop and look back at David. He’s ignoring Karen, who is trying to wrap her arms around his neck. His whole focus is on Danielle as he watches us leave.

It’s clear I’m not the only one who has noticed David’s fixation with Danielle. Before we reach the door Karen shouts after us, “Danielle! Is that another dirty rogue you have with you?”

Karen’s jealousy seems to have overridden her usual fear of my friend.

Danielle stops and turns around slowly to face her.

“No, this is Allie, a lone wolf like me. I don’t know any rogues.”

“Loner, rogue, you’re all the same. Dirty scum that need to be put down.”

Karen glances around at the wolves beside her for support. They laugh, enjoying the insults Karen is throwing our way. Relishing the scene she’s making in front of the customers in the coffee shop.

All except David, who stands unmoving with no expression on his face as he watches Danielle.

Danielle moves toward Karen, snarling, “I wouldn’t expect someone of your limited intelligence to understand the difference, but if you want to take this somewhere more private, I would be happy to explain it to you in a way that I guarantee you won’t forget.”

Karen steps back, fear evident on her face. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“No? Well, anytime you want me to teach you another lesson, let me know. The last one doesn’t seem to have sunk in.” Danielle looks at David, before turning and walking out the door.

I hurry to catch up. “Are you going to tell me what that was about?”

“What?”

“You and David.”

“There is no me and David,” she says somberly.

“Really? Because the way he looks at you…”

“It doesn’t matter how he looks at me. He’s a pack wolf who hates loners. That won’t ever change.”

She looks so sad. I put my arms around her and hug her.

“Hey, don’t worry about me. I know he isn’t worth it. Anyway, there are more eligible men out there who don’t hate me or look down on me for what I am.” She plasters a smile on her face.

“Would one of those be Alexander?”

“He might be. He’s charming and very good-looking. I might need to arrange another party to explore that theory further.”

“Is a party the only way to do that?” I laugh.

“No, but it is the most fun way to do it. My parties ~are~ legendary.”