Chapter 7

OLIVE

The alarm is blaring.

It’s Friday.

One more day of classes.

~You’ve got this, Olive. You’re a strong, independent she-wolf,~ I tell myself, like a mantra.

I know today is going to be tough. Not only did Amber see my eyes, but my entire class witnessed my speed and strength.

I didn’t just use them on another werewolf, but I took down the alpha’s top warrior, second only to him and his beta.

Maybe this will make the others back off, knowing I could kick their ass? Maybe I ~should~ use my abilities on them, ~force~ them to leave me alone?

~Yes, Olive! Own your power! Show them you’re not some submissive they can walk all over!~ Raven is practically jumping with joy at this dark thought.

~Ha! As much as I’d love to, I can’t just go around slashing she-wolves because they give me a funny look. Maybe I like the thought of violence as a daydream, but not in reality.~

~Ugh, fine. But one of these days, you’re going to snap and unleash all six years of pent-up anger on someone. I just hope they deserve it.~

Raven has a point. All these years I’ve been bottling up my anger from being treated like an outcast.

I’ve been stuffing it all into a tiny box and burying it deep, deep down. But with more abuse, my box is getting fuller and fuller.

It’s getting harder and harder to close the lid and keep it sealed. One day I won’t be able to contain my rage and close the box.

When that day comes, it’ll be like unleashing Pandora’s box on the world—and that scares me.

~Maybe we can go for a run later and take out some frustration on a few trees? Let off some steam?~ I suggest.

~Sure, whatever.~ Raven huffs.

My stomach is in knots. Just thinking about school makes me feel sick.

I don’t want to see anyone today. I just want to stay in bed, pull the covers over my head, and never come out.

It could be my own little sanctuary, my impenetrable dome where no bad vibes can enter.

My alarm goes off for the third time. With a groan, I roll out of bed, clumsily slipping into my black jeans, black Converse, and a loose black T-shirt.

I figure I should dress in a color that matches my mood.

After brushing my hair, I pull it up into a high ponytail.

I put on a bit of makeup to cover the bags under my eyes. I didn’t sleep well last night; my anxiety was too high. My mind has played out at least five hundred different scenarios for today.

Downstairs, there’s another note from my mom wishing me a good day at school.

I haven’t seen her for more than an hour or two after she gets off work.

She’s usually exhausted after her shifts, which doesn’t surprise me.

I sling my backpack over my shoulder and open the front door. The sight before me makes my heart sink. Raven’s hackles rise, and she lets out a low growl.

Amber and her cronies are waiting across the street, arms folded. All with the same sinister smile plastered on their faces.

Except for Alice, who is standing next to Amber, looking like a frightened deer caught in headlights.

I start walking as fast as I can, hoping it’s just a coincidence that they’re standing across the street from my house.

~Yeah, that’s it. You’re just being paranoid, Olive. There could be plenty of reasons they’re standing directly across the street and staring directly at your house.~

~Maybe they mistook it for their elderly relative’s house… Yeah, that must be it. It’s just all a big misunderstanding. Nothing to do with her intense hatred of you at all.~

“Hey! Freak!” Amber shouts.

~Well, there goes that theory!~

I keep walking, ignoring Amber shouting after me.

A rock suddenly whizzes past, narrowly missing my head. I spin around, glaring at Amber.

She and her friends all have large rocks in hand. She’s tossing hers up and down, catching it one-handed with a wicked look in her eyes.

“Hey, girls. I’ve got a fun game!” she announces.

They all giggle and ask what it is, but I get the feeling they already know about this “game.”

“I’ll give the first person to hit the freak with their stone one hundred dollars. If you get a headshot, I’ll give you five hundred.

“If you draw blood, well…that’s worth one thousand.” She smirks.

My mouth drops open. I don’t have long to process what I’ve just heard because rocks start flying in my direction.

I turn on my heel and start to run. When a rock hits my back between my shoulder blades, I let out a quiet yelp.

“Nice shot, Lex! The one hundred-dollar cash prize is all yours!” Amber purrs approvingly.

I start to zigzag, hoping to throw them off. I try to glance over my shoulder to see where the rocks will hit.

I’ve dodged more rocks than I can count.

~How do they have so many rocks!?~

Taking another look over my shoulder, I see one of Amber’s minions holding a large bag, which I can only assume is filled with rocks.

I decide I’ve got a better chance if I simply outrun them. I push my muscles to run faster than I ever have before.

I know my plan has worked when I hear Amber shouting, “This isn’t over, freak! I’ll see you at school!”

I burst through the main entrance and run straight to my first class. I’m running so fast I can’t even make out the whispers as I fly by. When I’m in class, Amber doesn’t torment me ~as~ much.

The teacher walks into class and eyes me suspiciously but doesn’t say anything. I smile at her as she sits behind her desk silently, waiting for the rest of the class to arrive.

Amber and her crew are the last to stroll in. I don’t glance their way, but I can feel the burn of their stares on the back of my head.

Throughout class, Amber tosses stuff at me. From crumpled paper to pencils and erasers, anything they can get their hands on.

I’m pretty sure our teacher knows what’s going on, but she doesn’t intervene.

Deep down, I know she’s no different from the other she-wolves. She dislikes me just as much as they do, but she has to keep up appearances for her job.

So, she just looks the other way and pretends nothing’s happening.

When class is over, I’m the first one out the door. I dart down the hallway and into an empty classroom.

I spend my half-hour break hiding out, playing games on my phone, leaning against the classroom door in case anyone tries to peek in.

Amber isn’t in my next two classes. They go by without a hitch. All I have to do is ignore the whispered gossip.

“Did you hear she beat Mr. O in sparring?”

“I heard she tried to rip his throat out. The alpha had to hold her back!”

“I wonder what’s wrong with her?”

“Is she even safe to be around?”

I roll my eyes and keep working, resisting the urge to correct their rumors.

I have a feeling if I tried, the rumors would only get worse and they’d say I tried to kill someone for badmouthing me.

I glance at the clock. Lunchtime. The uneasy feeling in my stomach has swallowed any positive thoughts.

I know that Amber probably knows I get there early to avoid the crowd. I’m guessing she’s waiting for me.

To dodge her, I decide to wait until near the end of lunch before getting food. My stomach growls in protest.

I retreat back to the empty classroom to hide. I stay there for forty-five minutes. That leaves me fifteen minutes to get my food, eat, and get to my next class.

When I reach the cafeteria, I scan the room: no Amber in sight.

~So far, so good,~ I think to myself. My plan is actually working!

~I’m a genius!!~

I get my usual tomato and basil pasta with cheese, a can of soda, and yogurt. I turn to find a table when my tray is flipped into my chest.

I gasp, my mouth forming an O as hot tomato sauce splatters my clothes, face, and neck. A few pieces of pasta fall from my hair to the floor.

“Oops, so sorry, didn’t see you there!” Amber smirks, her eyes gleaming with malice. “Oh look, you dropped something!” She bends down and picks up my soda.

“Here you go!” she says, popping open the can and pouring it over my head.

In an instant, my eyes flash to their vibrant green flame form. Amber is ready for it this time, though, reveling in the fact that she’s gotten under my skin.

The familiar itch starts in my shoulder blades, begging to be scratched. The air grows thick and heavy.

“I told you all she was a freak! Look at those freaky eyes of hers!” she taunts.

I take a deep breath, trying to keep my cool.

I pick up my tray and place it back on the counter as calmly as I can, focusing on setting it down gently instead of hurling it at her smug face like I want to.

~Guess I’m skipping lunch today then.~ I fume.

I turn to leave, the crowd parting for me like I’m Moses parting the Red Sea. They all stare at my eyes and whisper as I pass.

~Whack!~ Something metal hits me square at the base of my skull, followed by a clanging sound.

I turn to see a metal tray wobbling and then settling on the floor. Students scramble for their phones to record the latest drama.

~This bitch needs to learn her place.~

A dull green aura starts to radiate from me. Amber isn’t just asking for trouble; she’s practically begging for it.

Amber stands about fifteen feet away, arms crossed. “You don’t get to walk away from me until I say you can, freak.”

“What did you just call me?” A low growl rumbles deep within my chest.

The cafeteria darkens—a thunderstorm rolls in. The itch in my shoulder blades has turned into a clawing, like something trying to break free.

My eyes glow even brighter, if that’s possible. My hands are clenched at my sides, shaking. I’ve never felt rage like this before.

Amber narrows her eyes and walks slowly, closing the gap between us until she’s just two feet away.

“I. Said. ~Freak~,” she enunciates slowly, “I bet your dad left your whore mother after he saw what you really are. A monster.”

She grins, relishing the fact that she’s got me right where she wants me.

“You don’t belong here. No one wants you here, so leave!” she yells in my face.

When I continue to stare her down, she raises her hand and slaps me across the face with all her might, the sound echoing through the cafeteria.

The force whips my head to the side.

A deafening crack of thunder shakes the school. The air is so dense and humid, it’s hard to breathe.

Suddenly, enormous wings burst from my shoulder blades, sending the few wolves close enough flying across the room.

Gasps of shock ripple through the cafeteria. Amber stands frozen in fear; she drops to her knees, shaking.

The wings stretch out to their full size, as if they’ve just woken from a long sleep.

They’re huge, at least seven feet each, black with undertones of the same vibrant green as my eyes. They look like bat wings. No. They look like the wings of the devil himself.

The green aura is now a bright green inferno engulfing my entire body, flames burning, hungry for blood and destruction.

The heat makes sweat bead on the foreheads of anyone within ten feet, but it doesn’t hurt me.

The sensation is like coming home after a long journey. My body begins to rise from the floor, wings fluttering gently.

Amber stammers, struggling to her feet. “I-I-I’m s-s-s-s-sorry, Olive. I—“

Her words are cut short. The energy within me is demanding release, crying out for retribution, for blood.

A guttural scream tears from my throat as green flames erupt from my body, hurtling towards Amber at a terrifying speed.

The impact sends her flying across the cafeteria like a discarded toy.

She slams into the far wall with a sickening crunch, then crumples to the floor, lifeless. Blood begins to seep out around her.

The cafeteria erupts into chaos. Some students rush towards Amber, others flee in terror.

I float back to the ground, an odd sense of calm washing over me. My aura still glows brightly as I try to comprehend what I’ve just done. I glance at Amber’s motionless body, fear gripping me.

~What have I done!?~ I cry out internally.

~You didn’t mean to! She pushed you to this. She deserves it… She challenged you!~ Raven tries to soothe me.

I feel sick to my stomach… I think I’ve killed Amber!

~Raven…get me out of here…PLEASE.~ I’m on the verge of panic.

My wings retract into my body. My bones begin to shift and crack as Raven takes control, transforming me into her form. She’s a large wolf, bigger than any she-wolf I’ve ever seen.

The fiery aura dims as I morph into my wolf form. She bolts towards the nearest window at full speed. Students scatter, clearing a path for Raven.

She crashes through the window, shards of glass raining down behind us. As soon as our paws touch the ground, she makes a beeline for the forest.

I retreat into the recesses of Raven’s mind. The guilt and shame are overwhelming, consuming me. I surrender control of our body to Raven.