Chapter 1
Season 1 - Chaper 1 I despised Mondays with a burning passion. They were like an unexpected visit from your period, showing up out of nowhere and ruining your entire week. As I settled into my seat for first period, I could feel the presence of a literal troll breathing down the back of my neck. Starting my sophomore year in college with the same rejects who tormented me in middle and high school was not my ideal academic environment, but I had no other choice at the moment. Spinning in my seat, I glared at the troll, whose nostrils flared, making the small tusks in his cheeks point upward. It gave me a gnarly view of his tiny brain through his giant nostrils. "Daxton," I growled, "we've discussed personal space before. Please keep your acid breath to yourself." A few students snickered, but their laughter quickly died down when Daxton grabbed my bag and hurled it across the room. The bag crashed against the wall with a thud, its contents spilling onto the floor. Rage surged within me as I closed my eyes, taking deep breaths to keep my inner wolf at bay. Daxton knew exactly what he was doing. If he could provoke even the slightest awakening of my wolf, I would be suspended. Despite being born with cuffs that suppressed my wolf, she still yearned for freedom at every opportunity. But such desires were strictly forbidden at Delphi High and equally frowned upon at Delphi University. Breathe, I told myself. Om Dali lama. Fur rippled down the edges of my arms, and I cursed silently. Daxton inched closer, the heat from his oily skin pressing against me. "Go on, Wolf Girl. Show me what you're made of." My eyes snapped open, revealing their yellow hue. Daxton recoiled in surprise. Wolf Girl. Ever since I was five years old, the magical rejects at Delphi Elementary School had dubbed me Wolf Girl. Why? Because there were no other wolves at the school. My family was the only one foolish enough to be cast out of Wolf City. Trolls, witches, vampires, and fey were plentiful, but wolves held their own tightly-knit pack. You had to really mess up to be banished to live among the magical riffraff and humans. The cuffs on my wrists sent a pulse of magic through my skin, followed by an electrifying pain that shot up my arms. Anything to keep my wolf at bay. I detested this place. I loathed what it had done to me. The teacher had yet to enter the classroom, so technically, if I could just calm down and not get caught with furry arms or yellow eyes... "Take a breather," my one and only friend, Raven, whispered from her seat beside me. Her suggestion was a good one. Sometimes she understood me better than I understood myself. Witches had a knack for reading people's emotions. I stood up, tearing down the aisle and leaving my scattered belongings behind. Bursting through the classroom door, I sprinted down the hallway, my inner wolf howling for release. Stay calm, I urged my wolf. She had a mind of her own, never listening to a word I said. She didn't care that we were born with cuffs preventing us from shifting. She tried to break free whenever she could. It didn't matter that the cuffs electrocuted me whenever she tried to escape. It didn't matter that she had never been allowed to roam freely and never would. She simply didn't care. Fur rippled down my arms as I imagined tearing Daxton's throat out and shoving it up his ass. Just one shift, one run, one howl, and I could appease her. Being human felt like a prison, and when I got angry, it was even harder to contain her. My nails sharpened into points, and the seams of my cutoff jean shorts strained. "Calm the fuck down," I growled, my voice gruff with my wolf's presence. The cuffs shot out a powerful burst of magic, causing pain to surge through my body. I stumbled past a couple of witches, the agony shooting up my spine. Over a decade of being bullied at Delphi, and my parents wondered why I had anger issues. Just once, I wanted to unleash my fury and show them all how much I despised them. But I was afraid I would actually kill someone, and the cuffs would likely kill me before that happened. I needed to release some of this tension, to go for a run or do something before I exploded. The fifteen years of being this school's punching bag had finally taken their toll, and I was ready to snap. I ran down the hall, feeling the muscles in my body tighten and clench. The simple act of exercise worked wonders in taming my wolf. I often resorted to it to prevent a near-shift when I was around my human friends in my apartment building. One patch of fur here at Delphi among a bunch of magical kids wasn't as big of a deal as it would be with the human population. I burst through the double doors and into the school parking lot. And that's when my wolf surged to the surface. Tilting my head back, I let out a full-on howl that transitioned into a human scream filled with rage and agony. The pain caused by Daxton couldn't be properly dealt with. The anger I felt for being stuck in this godforsaken school with a bunch of assholes who despised me, while my parents worked three human jobs to feed us, consumed me. The cuffs emitted a powerful surge of magic, and I gasped in pain as I collapsed to the ground, clutching my arms as the claws retracted and the fur retreated. Nothing quite like being tasered every time you tried to be yourself. And then I heard someone clear their throat behind me. Oh, fuck. My entire body tensed as I stood on my tiptoes, preparing to face a teacher. As a wolf, I was categorized as a "predator student." The only other species that received such a designation were vampires and dark fey. The vampires were so well-fed that no one bothered policing them, and everyone was terrified of the dark fey, so they went unchecked as well. But me... if I partially shifted, growled, or showed any signs of threatening a fellow student, it would all be recorded and used against me. One more strike and I would be out of here. Inhaling deeply, I spun around, and the first thing that hit me was his scent. It sent warmth cascading through my body, settling between my legs. Wolf. Male. Dominant. Unmated. One whiff was all it took for me to discern these four things. "Having a bad day?" His voice was deep, husky, undeniably sexy. My eyes traveled from his muscular thighs, clad in dark-wash jeans, up to the powder blue t-shirt that clung to his form like a second skin. Every dip and curve of his muscles was accentuated, even his nipples, which protruded tightly. When I met his gaze, my heart skipped a beat. Honey-colored eyes stared back at me, laced with a deep blue reminiscent of the ocean. He had a chiseled jawline and a distinctive chin butt. It was a peculiar fetish of mine, and I had always wanted to meet someone in real life who had one. Bucket list, achieved. "You could say that," I replied, running my fingers through my blond hair, attempting to gather my thoughts. Other than my mom and dad, I had never met another wolf. "Do you not have much control over your wolf?" His comment didn't sound cruel, just observant, but it stung nonetheless. I shrugged. "Why should I want to control her?" His eyes shifted from warm honey to searing lava, and I swallowed hard. "New student?" I asked, hoping against hope that he would say yes. Please say yes. Having another wolf at school would be incredible, especially if it was him. Wolf Boy and Wolf Girl riding off into the sunset together, living happily ever after in banishment. He shook his head slowly. "Just visiting." Fuck. I peered out at the parking lot, where four hulking males stood on either side of a black SUV. Their hands were poised, ready to draw weapons if necessary. He must work for the alpha and be here on business or something. "From Werewolf City?" I prodded, desperate to know everything about the place my parents were banished from. His eyes slowly transformed from orange to yellow, and then to a striking bright blue as his wolf completely receded. The blue held a sorrow I couldn't quite place, a brokenness that resonated within me. It was merely a flicker before it vanished. What could this perfect specimen have experienced to be so shattered inside? This guy was insanely attractive, movie-star hot. My wolf instantly liked him, but I was fairly certain she would like any decent-looking male of our species. We couldn't afford to be picky in a place like this. He nodded slowly. "Why are you here?" Shame burned my cheeks, and I didn't respond. Understanding dawned on his face as he glanced at the cuffs on my wrists. "Banished?" he asked, confusion evident in his voice. I nodded, and his lips formed a frown. "Do they hurt a lot?" He pointed to the cuffs, and I chuckled bitterly. "Only like being burned alive." A possessive growl rumbled in his throat, causing me to stumble backward in surprise. He opened his mouth to speak, but just then, the doors swung open and Mr. Darkworth, the school administrator, emerged. He was short for a fey, just over six feet tall, and the wolf beside me had a few inches on him. "Gideon, I apologize for keeping you waiting," Mr. Darkworth said. He glared down at me. "Taylor, I trust you're behaving?" I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and nodded. "Just needed some fresh air, sir." I moved to return to class, taking it as my cue to escape, when Gideon's hand shot out and gently grasped my upper arm. My heart raced at his touch, and his eyes blazed yellow as he looked down at me. "Do you enjoy being here?" His voice was gruff, his wolf close. I snorted. "Are you serious?" How could I possibly be happy here? As a wolf, I needed to live among my kind, or else I would go insane. Thank goodness for my mom and dad, or I would have been put down. No one enjoyed living here, on the outskirts of Magic City, crammed in with humans. It was utterly dreadful. He released my arm, blinked twice, and his eyes shifted from yellow back to blue, as if he were shaking off his wolf. Mr. Darkworth frowned. "Shall we, son?" He motioned for Gideon to enter the double doors that led to his office, while I took the other set to return to class. As I sat down, I noticed Raven had gathered the contents of my bag and placed them on my seat. I gave her a grateful smile and spent the rest of the class staring at a spot on the wall, wondering what the fuck had just happened and who the hell Gideon was.
Chapter 2
The rhythmic tunes of Van Halen accompanied our entire journey, filling the van with their electrifying energy. It felt like hours had passed before the vehicle finally came to a slow crawl. Throughout the drive, nobody said much to me, except for occasional inquiries about my needs. I couldn't help but feel like a captive, even though my hands were free. The only instruction was to keep the bag loosely draped over my head, triggering my past traumas and evoking a strong aversion to confined spaces. It was clear that the alpha harbored deep mistrust towards me, which made me wonder how much persuasion Gideon had to employ to convince him to allow my return to Werewolf City. Why would he go to such lengths? After all, our encounter had been brief and intense, hardly enough to leave a lasting impression. My outburst of anger and my shabby attire certainly couldn't have won him over. Suddenly, one of the males in the van turned down the music and asked a burning question, "So, can we really not date any girls this year until Gideon picks his mate?" I leaned in, eager to hear the response. Another guy chuckled, dismissing the concern. "Nah, he'll quickly choose his top twenty, and then we just steer clear of them for the rest of the year." I couldn't help but exclaim in disbelief, "Twenty girls for the whole year? Is this some kind of Werewolf Bachelor?" A third male interjected, "Thalia Harris is so hot. I've wanted her since first grade. I hope Gideon doesn't pick her." There was a smacking sound followed by a groan. "Women are not objects, you fools," scolded the redheaded female. "The girl Gideon ends up with will have to choose him just as much as he chooses her." Laughter reverberated through the car. "And what female at school wouldn't pick pretty boy Gideon?" "I wouldn't," the female retorted. Silence descended upon us, broken only by a male voice commenting, "You're his cousin. Gross." "So? I wouldn't pick him. Now stop talking about the mating year, it's making me nauseous. I have to live with it for the next year," she snapped back. Cousin? She was Gideon's cousin? The van came to a halt, and the female announced, "We're here. I'm taking the cover off her head." "Copy that," a male voice responded. Finally! The sack was abruptly ripped off my head, blinding me with the sudden onslaught of bright light. Wincing, I allowed my eyes to adjust and take in my surroundings. "Hey, Walker," someone outside the car called out. I turned my head towards the source and saw a guard standing in front of a massive iron gate, dressed in black army fatigues with a gun holstered at his hip. "Is that her?" he asked, peering into the van. What on earth...? The guard scrutinized me from head to toe, causing a flush to creep up my neck. "Now I see why Gideon went to all that trouble." "She can hear you, asshole!" Elara snapped. The guard rapped his palm on the hood of the van twice, signaling for us to move forward through the open gates. My jaw dropped as we passed a low stone wall displaying the name Sterling Hill University. However, it wasn't the letters that captivated me; it was the magnificent buildings and manicured lawns that lay beyond. The campus sprawled across a wide expanse of green, adorned with modern structures made of glass and stainless steel. Students strolled along the sidewalks, while a few wolves lounged on the lawns, basking in their animal forms. Gasping, I turned to Elara, and she followed my gaze. A frown creased her face as she glanced at my handcuffs. "When was the last time you shifted?" Her innocent question carried a weight that she couldn't have anticipated. "Never," I croaked. "I was born outside Werewolf City." "Jesus," the driver muttered. "Language," growled the guy in the passenger seat. The driver responded with a defiant gesture, flipping him off. The passenger retaliated by grabbing his finger and bending it backward until the driver relented. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry, baby Jesus." "That's better," the passenger declared. When I looked back at the redheaded girl, she was beaming. Grateful for the distraction, I introduced myself, extending a hand towards her. "I'm Taylor." She gestured towards the driver. "That's Walker, a total player and an asshole. Stay away from him." "Hey!" he protested. She then motioned towards the guy in the passenger seat. "And that's Quan. He's a sweet teddy bear. You can trust him with your life." "Love you, Seraphine," Quan chimed in. "Love you too, boo," she called back. Seated next to Seraphine was a guy who seemed lost in thought, silently staring out the window. "That's Graham, he's practically mute." "Fuck you," he growled, eliciting a grin from Seraphine. "But if I had to pick one guy to have my back in a fight, it would be him." "Hey!" Walker yelled once more. "Sorry, babe. You're worthless. Nothing but eye candy," Seraphine shrugged. Then, she turned to me, winking as Walker started to pout. "I'm Seraphine," she introduced herself. Seraphine. That was certainly an interesting name. "My mom's a hippie," she winked, and I shook her hand. "I'm Taylor." She gestured towards Walker. "That's Walker, total player and asshole. Stay away from him." "Hey!" he yelled. She then pointed to Quan. "And that's Quan. Sweet teddy bear, you can trust him with your life." "Love you, Seraphine," Quan said. "Love you too, boo," she replied. The atmosphere lightened, and everyone chuckled, including me. Despite the strangeness of the situation, I found myself liking all of them. This, without a doubt, was the most bizarre day of my life. As we pulled into a parking spot between a Range Rover and a BMW, doubts started to creep into my mind. My torn jean shorts with frayed edges and second-hand Converse sneakers held together with duct tape suddenly felt inadequate. Not to mention my vintage t-shirt, salvaged from a trashcan, emblazoned with the words "Coffee before talkie." I clearly stood out like a sore thumb. Walker killed the engine and opened the sliding van door, stretching his neck. "I'll take her to admissions, then she's no longer our problem." Ouch. My initial fondness for them diminished in an instant. "You're a dick, you know that? I'll take her," Seraphine declared, leaping out of the van. Walker had no choice but to move aside, or she would have plowed right into him. He rolled his eyes and waved her off dismissively. "Whatever." The other boys also exited the van and looked at me. "I hope you like it here. It was nice to meet you," Quan said, unfastening his belt which held two guns. I noticed a large gold cross hanging from his neck. "Thanks...for the kidnapping," I managed to say, my voice laced with sarcasm. Seraphine grinned, and even Graham's lips twitched as if he wanted to smile. "She's funny. I like her," Seraphine told Quan before grabbing me by the arm and dragging me away from the van. I followed her, acutely aware of the handcuffs adorning my wrists. People stared as we passed, but Seraphine promptly flipped them off, causing them to quickly avert their gaze. "There's big news on campus. The alpha's son meets with the principal of the magical rejects for charity work and becomes infatuated with a banished wolf. He pleads with his father to free her and let her back into the city for consideration as a potential mate during his mating year. Quite romantic, if you're into that kind of shit," Seraphine informed me. "No, no, it's not like that," I hurriedly clarified, feeling my cheeks redden. "He only used the mate choosing thing as a way to get me out. He even mentioned it in his letter." My cheeks pinked again at the memory, and as we passed another group of people who stared, I lowered my chin and focused on the ground, hoping to disappear. I wasn't comfortable with attention; I preferred viewing life through the lens of my camera. Seraphine's hand shot up, tilting my chin to meet her eyes as she stopped walking. "Honey, you're a wolf. Looking down when you're being stared at is only going to get you into trouble." I swallowed hard, realizing that this world was significantly different from Delphi Academy. I nodded in understanding. "Submissives don't come to Sterling Hill, and I can smell your dominance. Just let it out, okay?" Let it out? The very thing I had suppressed my entire life? My voice cracked as I responded, "Got it. Anything else?" Seraphine seemed knowledgeable about this place, and since my parents rarely spoke of Werewolf City or their time at Sterling Hill due to the pain it caused them, I knew next to nothing about this place or how to survive here. I had never shifted or lived in a pack. Instead, I grew up surrounded by stuck-up magical assholes as a solitary wolf girl at Delphi. Everyone at that school, except for Raven, was an asshole of the highest order. Without her, I might not have survived. Seraphine nodded, hissing like a cat at a passing girl who scurried away, leaving Seraphine grinning. She leaned back in to face me. "Every female at this school wants to marry my cousin Gideon and become the alpha's wife. Now they all know that he brought you here to join the dating pool. Watch your back." With that warning, she turned and walked away, leaving me speechless and with a lump in my throat. Join the dating pool? Holy shit, I really was in Werewolf Bachelor. "Come on!" she snapped, and I hurriedly followed, throwing some glares of my own as we passed. Every female here was dressed like a Barbie doll. High heels, dresses, slacks, silk shirts - everything was impeccably put together. Hair curled and set, makeup flawless. Meanwhile, I looked like I had rolled out of bed and thrown on the first clothes I found, which wasn't far from the truth. I had bought my torn jean shorts and second-hand Converse sneakers at a thrift store, and my t-shirt was vintage, like something pulled out of a dumpster. It had the words "Coffee before talkie" screen-printed on the front. It was clear that I didn't belong here. We arrived at a giant glass dome building labeled "Admissions." Seraphine stopped at the door and faced me. "I'm a junior. I live in Lexington Hall, Suite Eleven. Try to get on my floor, and I'll take you under my wing." Her generosity tugged at my heart, and I nodded gratefully. "Thanks, girl." I glanced down at her chin instinctively, and she inclined her head, smoothing her vibrant red hair over one shoulder before tipping my chin up to meet her eyes. "Remember, give 'em hell. You're one of us now." With that, she turned and walked away, leaving me to stand in front of the double glass doors. You're one of us now. She had no idea how much those words meant to me. Okay...here goes nothing. Summoning my courage, I reached out and pulled open the doors, stepping inside. The dome-shaped ceiling had a tint, but it still allowed shafts of light to filter through, revealing a breathtaking view of the surrounding forest. A short, stocky woman sat behind a computer, tapping away at the keyboard. When she saw me approaching, she looked up and then down at my wrists, freezing momentarily. "Taylor Gonzalez?" she asked, her hands suspended mid-air. How did she know who I was? I nodded, about to lower my head in embarrassment, but then I remembered Seraphine's advice and lifted my chin defiantly. "Yeah," I replied firmly. She stood up, walked around her desk, and approached me, her heels clicking against the floor. When she finally stood before me, she scrutinized me from head to toe, a frown forming on her lips. "Oh dear," she muttered, retrieving a tablet and stylus from her desk. I tugged at my cut-off t-shirt, attempting to cover my belly button, but it stubbornly sprung back up, revealing even more skin. With an exasperated eyeroll, the woman motioned for me to follow her down a hallway. "Come with me. They're waiting." They? She said they. Who were they? My heart raced as I absentmindedly passed a long glass hallway, the tint making it impossible to see inside. Who cleaned this place? They must have an army of glass cleaners on staff. Maybe I should invest in Windex stocks. Lost in my thoughts about the pristine windows, I failed to realize that the woman had stopped, and I crashed into her back. A growl escaped her throat before she disguised it as a cough. Whoa, shit. "I'm sorry. I'm...nervous," I stammered, offering her my honest explanation. The anger in her eyes dissipated, and she suddenly regarded me with compassion. "I can imagine," she said, mustering a weak smile. She then opened the door, gesturing for me to step inside. I obliged, expecting her to accompany me. However, when she closed the door and walked away down the corridor, panic surged through me. Be strong. With trepidation, I looked up and found myself facing two figures in the room. Holy shifter. The man standing before me was the largest person I had ever seen. He resembled a human gorilla, his massive frame exuding strength that seemed almost unnatural. He appeared to be in his early forties, dressed in a gray linen suit. Clutched in his hands was a tablet, similar to the one the woman had. Beside him stood... A witch. Having lived among them, I could easily recognize one. It wasn't just the distinct herbal scent they carried, but also their slender frames and the air of superiority they exuded. If either of them found my attire appalling, they didn't show it. Instead, the enormous man stepped forward. "Miss Gonzalez, I'm Mason, head of Werewolf City Security." Yep, if I were hiring for the head of security job, he would be my first choice. He looked like he could crush my head between his fingers. "Hey," I waved awkwardly. His gaze flickered to my handcuffs, and a faint frown tugged at his lips. "Now, Madam Harcourt will remove your cuffs, and then I'll get you settled," he continued. Remove my cuffs. He said...remove. Tears threatened to spill down my cheeks, but I fought them back. No way was I going to cry in front of this giant and the witch. I would wait until I was alone in my room, safely hidden under the covers, to shed tears like a respectable woman, damn it. I had worn these cuffs for as long as I could remember. They had prevented an integral part of me from being free. To have them removed...it was all I had ever wanted. The witch approached. "Does the room have soundproofing? This might hurt." I instinctively took a step back until my back collided with the wall. Hurt. Nobody mentioned anything about pain. The man nodded, walking over to a wall panel. Suddenly, a menu appeared on the glass, and he tapped a few buttons before returning his attention to the witch. She looked at me, her eyes narrowed. "You want them off or not? I have another appointment in fifteen minutes." Damn, was she scheduling me like some sort of notary? My tongue felt like sandpaper as I swallowed hard, nodding in agreement. I did want them off, desperately. She motioned for me to come closer, and I tentatively approached her. "You were born outside Werewolf City?" she asked, glancing down at a paper on her glass desk. I nodded. "When were you first cuffed?" she inquired. My throat tightened as I forced out the answer. "My first birthday marked my first set. Then another set at age five, and this set when I turned twelve." I held up my wrists. Removing the cuffs had never caused pain before, only slight discomfort as the witches replaced them with larger ones to accommodate my growth. So why would it hurt now? "They never hurt to remove before..." I trailed off, confused. She raised an eyebrow. "That's because they weren't removing the magic in them, just changing the metal to fit your form. This time, I'll be stripping the spell that's been attached to your body for the past..." She paused, consulting the sheet of paper. "Nineteen years. This will most definitely hurt." Fuck. My wolf surged forward, and I could feel my eyes turning yellow. Silverish-white fur cascaded down my arms, and the witch took a step back, exchanging a concerned glance with Mason. "She...shouldn't be able to do that," she said, her voice tinged with confusion. The fur reached the cuffs on my wrists, and a surge of electricity shot up my arms, causing me to cry out. Both of them looked at each other, unsure of what to do. Mason tapped something on his tablet. "She's been reported to the principal's office... three hundred and ninety times for showing signs of near-shifting." I fought back a grin. My parents had never come close to shifting. Other than occasional yellow eyes, their wolves remained under control thanks to the cuffs. Unlike mine. The witch scoffed. "Well, whoever cast the original spell was an idiot. Who was it?" He examined his tablet. "Belladonna Mongrave. Your high priestess." Her cheeks flushed, and she waved him off dismissively. "No matter. It's coming off anyway." A black satchel sat on the edge of the table, and she reached inside, retrieving a copper knife. I flinched, my wolf rising to the surface once again as fear coursed through me. But I suppressed her. If I went through with this, endured the pain, I would finally be free. Free to shift, free to experience something I had never known. Mason positioned himself behind me. "I'm just going to hold you in place so that you don't move and accidentally get an artery cut," he explained. What? "A main artery cut" were three words I never wanted to hear again. I nodded, tears welling up in my eyes as fear overwhelmed me. I'm okay, I'm okay, I'm okay, I chanted inwardly, reminding myself that Mason meant me no harm, that he was trying to help. Finally, I would be free. To be a wolf, to shift whenever I pleased... I couldn't even comprehend such a thing. My parents, were they home from work? Were they wondering where I was? Was Raven informing them right now? I tried to focus on them, pushing aside the panic attack that threatened to consume me. Whatever pain awaited me, it would be worth it for my freedom. The witch positioned the copper blade near the cuff and sliced downward, causing it to open and fall to the floor. I flinched, bracing myself for the pain, but nothing happened. She repeated the process with the other cuff, and it yielded like butter, yet I felt no pain. A sigh of relief escaped me. Then, she placed her hand over my chest, her palm pressing down firmly, her nails digging into my skin. Hard. "Entora dilumin wolven forchesto," she chanted. Witch speak. I understood enough to catch the words "wolf death." Before I could dwell on the meaning, searing pain tore through my chest. I thrashed in Mason's arms, but he held me firmly against his chest, as if I were encased in concrete. Panic and agony surged within me, and I had to bite my tongue to stifle a scream. The witch took the copper blade and held it to my hair. With one hand, she snipped off a chunk and then placed the hair beneath her palm, still pressed against my chest. The pain that had been sharp and stabbing now spread down my spine, radiating all the way to my toes. "Stop!" I wailed, fearing that I might pass out. Sweat prickled on my skin, and my wolf rose to the surface, my teeth elongating in my mouth. Whoa. "Wolven risenoto becara," she whispered, and that's when everything went black. It felt as though I had died. It was as if a semi-truck had collided with me on the road and then I had been tossed into a blender. I must have lost consciousness because when I came to, I found myself limp in Mason's arms. He held me up by my armpits, concern etched in his features, before gently depositing me into a chair. I sank into the seat like a sack of flour, panting heavily, desperately trying to catch my breath. My skin felt sunburnt, and I knew I would be sore tomorrow. The witch returned, washing her hands with sanitizer as if touching me had contaminated her. She glanced at the broken cuffs on the table before leaving the room. I stared at them, sliced in half and discarded on the floor. Then, I turned my attention to my wrists. They were pale, stark white where the cuffs had been, contrasting with the golden tan of the rest of my skin. Scars adorned the edges, remnants of the constant rubbing and shocking they had endured over the years. I was finally free. Mason seemed to sense my distress and cleared his throat, stepping forward to retrieve the cuffs and disposing of them in the trash can. "No! I want to keep them," I blurted out, not entirely sure why. Throwing them away felt like discarding a part of myself. He nodded, placing them on the glass desk in front of me. A light tap on the door interrupted our silence, and Mason appeared unsurprised. He tapped something on the glass menu board and called out, "Come in." The front desk lady returned, clutching her tablet. She glanced at the cut-off cuffs on the table, her eyebrow raised. Then, she took a seat across from me and began tapping rapidly on her tablet. "Okay, Miss Gonzalez—" "Call me Taylor, please. My mom is Mrs. Gonzalez," I interjected. She nodded. "You have been entered into the system here. I'm just arranging your school schedule. What would you like to major in?" My major? That was the last thing on my mind. At Delphi, I had been forced into business as my major because it was the only option available. Anything else was deemed too "witchy" or suited for one of the other magical races. Wolves never got banished, so there was no specific wolf curriculum, whatever that might entail. "What...do you have?" I hesitated. She handed me the tablet, and I began scrolling through the options. Lycan surgeon. Physical therapy. Cosmetology. When my eyes landed on photography, I nearly squealed with delight. I had a loyal following on Instagram thanks to my photos. Taking pictures was my passion, my escape. Behind the camera, the world came alive in a different way. "Photography, please," I said, handing the tablet back to her. She frowned and exchanged a glance with Mason before looking back at me. "If you're going to be a potential suitor for Gideon Washington, then you can only minor in photography. You'll need a more respectable major." I couldn't help but snort-laugh, quickly covering it up when I realized she was serious. Okay...I had to maintain the facade that this was the reason I was here. Gideon had taken pity on me. I didn't want him to get into trouble. "Do you have a business major?" I asked. Relief washed over her face. "Yes, good choice." She tapped away at her tablet before glancing at Mason. "Do you think we have enough guards at Emory Hall if I place her there?" Guards? Why would I need guards? "Actually...I was hoping to be in Lexington. Near suite eleven," I said, injecting as much charm into my voice as possible, recalling Seraphine's offer to take me under her wing. The woman exchanged a look with Mason, who nodded once. She tapped her tablet a few more times. "I have a recently available suite across the hall. Number ten." I didn't want to know why it was "recently" available; I was simply grateful that I might have a friend here. After a few more minutes, she held up her phone to my face. "Smile." What? Oh, geez, a picture? Right now? I was still sweaty from my panic attack and the whole dying thing. I mustered a weak smile, and she tapped the screen before setting the phone down. I peered over her shoulder, catching a glimpse of the photo she had taken. Oh man, that was terrible. Hopefully, it was just for her records or something. A knock on the door interrupted our conversation, and a tall but scrawny older man entered, carrying a black leather backpack. He placed it in front of me and handed me a keycard that resembled a credit card. "Don't ever lose this. It's your key to everything," he instructed before leaving. I glanced at the keycard. Fuck my life. A two-inch square displayed my disheveled face, complete with my Hot Mess Barbie haircut. Great. "The bag contains a tablet with your class schedule, a campus map, school information, Werewolf City bylaws, and anything else you might need," the woman explained, gesturing towards the black leather backpack. "There's also a food app for ordering meals to your room, as well as electric scooters and bikes scattered around campus. Just swipe your keycard to access them." Okay...I had officially reached information overload. This was too much, and clearly extravagant. "And...how much will all of this cost me?" I gestured around the room. She looked offended, shooting a scandalized glance at Mason. "All expenses associated with the females invited to school here during the mating year are covered by the alpha." Holy shit, I was actually in Werewolf Bachelor. Just breathe. "Even if he doesn't choose me? Do I have to pay it all back?" I asked, realizing that he probably wouldn't pick me. I was only twenty years old, not ready for marriage, not even sure if I wanted to be chosen...mostly. I mean, Gideon was undeniably attractive. Being chosen wouldn't be the worst thing that had ever happened to me. But this whole situation was completely insane. "One moment." She tapped her screen. "There, I've signed you up for etiquette classes. A lady never discusses money." She patted my hand and stood. Ouch, did I just get burned by some old lady in pumps and pantyhose? As she left the room, I stared at Mason in disbelief. He only smirked. "She's one of the elites. Born into wealth, enjoys having an important job. She doesn't understand people like us." People like us. When I didn't respond, he leaned forward. "My dad was the janitor at Werewolf Elementary School, and my mom was the lunch lady. The only reason I got this job is because I'm built like a truck and win every fight I get into." I grinned. I immediately liked him. In fact, I liked everyone here so far. My parents had made it sound like a dark and terrifying place they had to escape from. "Gideon covers all the expenses," he assured me. "It's never a question, and you won't have to pay a dime back, no matter what happens. It's all in the bylaws." He tapped the backpack. I supposed I had some reading to do. He stood and gestured towards the door. "You can go. You missed the first day, but classes start at eight a.m. sharp. Gideon will choose his first date tomorrow night at the dinner gala." My eyes widened. Choosing a date? A dinner gala? This was Werewolf Bachelor, for real. "Uh...gala usually means a dress, right?" I gestured to my clothes. He pointed to the backpack. "Check the campus map. There's a mall behind the tennis courts where you can find everything ladies like to wear. Just use your keycard to pay. Gideon covers the bill, no questions asked." What the fuck was happening? At this point, I felt stupid for asking questions, so I simply nodded and stood. "Thanks for...um...everything." He tipped his head, rising to his feet as well. "In twenty years of serving the alpha, I've never seen him fight with his son. Until today. Gideon fought for you. Don't ever forget that." Then, he walked out, leaving me stunned. Gideon fought for me? Those words resonated within me as I made my way towards Lexington Hall.
Chapter 3
Lexington Hall, located on the far side of campus, seemed like a world away as I zipped across on an impressive electric scooter. The place was incredible, except for the judgmental stares and whispers that followed me. It took several attempts to open the dorm door, until a blond girl flashed her key at a small device, magically unlocking it. Following behind her, I entered a spacious entryway where a flustered woman sat behind a desk, phone pressed to her ear. As soon as she spotted me, she hung up and urgently beckoned me over. "Miss Gonzalez?" she inquired, her voice filled with concern. I nodded, suppressing a laugh. "They didn't specify any food preferences. My chef needs to know if you're vegetarian or gluten-free, or if you have any dietary restrictions." I resisted the urge to chuckle again. "No, ma'am," I replied. She frowned, running through a list of diets. "Paleo? Keto?" What on earth were those? "Um, I enjoy all types of food," I said, trying to simplify things. This seemed to confuse her, her eyebrows furrowing. "No special diet, then?" I shrugged. "Pizza, pasta, chicken sandwiches." Her eyes scanned me up and down, a perplexed expression on her face. I couldn't quite decipher what she was thinking. Thankfully, Seraphine appeared, saving me from further awkwardness. "She's normal, Kendra. Normal food," Seraphine explained, emphasizing the last two words as if Kendra didn't understand. Kendra glared at Seraphine, dismissing her with a wave. "Very well." Seraphine linked her arm with mine and leaned in close. "All the 'prospective girls' follow special diets to be unnaturally thin for my cousin." "That's disgusting," I muttered, acutely aware of my own insecurities about my body. In middle school, my nickname had been Bubble Butt. "Mason texted me that you'll be across the hall from me. Have you eaten dinner?" Seraphine asked. I shook my head, taking in the glamorous girls strutting around in high heels and the opulence of the entrance room. "We can go to the mall and shop for clothes for tomorrow. We can grab a bite to eat there or you can borrow mine and we can order in," Seraphine offered. Mason had texted her? It seemed like he was her personal bodyguard. Were they royalty or something? My head was spinning. I needed clothes; I hadn't even brought spare underwear. They practically kidnapped me without any of my belongings. "Sure... um, let me just freshen up and call my parents," I replied. She nodded. "Meet you in the lobby in thirty minutes?" I gave her a thumbs-up before she gestured down the hall. "You're on the first floor, down to the right." As I began walking, Seraphine veered off to talk to some girls playing ping pong. I was relieved to see that the bedroom doors weren't made of glass, unlike my initial impression. Some were open, girls sitting on each other's beds chatting, but they fell silent as I passed. Suite eight, suite nine, suite— A tall blond leaned against my doorframe, a feral grin on her face. My wolf instincts surged forward as she pushed off the door and scrutinized me from head to toe. "So, this is the girl Gideon pleaded with his dad to free from banishment? Hmm, I expected more," she sneered, circling me slowly as if I were trash. A low growl rumbled in my throat, and she responded with a growl of her own. Stepping forward aggressively, she backed me against the door. "Gideon and I dated for two years. He only broke up with me because the rules state you must be single in your mating year. He's mine, so don't even think about being anything other than a charity case," she spat, trapping me against the door. My wolf recoiled at the confinement. "Back off," I growled, feeling fur ripple down my arms. But instead of fear or surprise, she looked... excited. "Nina! I thought I recognized your shrill voice," Seraphine called out, rushing down the hallway. Nina, or Darth Vader as I mentally dubbed her, backed away and plastered a fake smile on her face. "Seraphine. Hey, girl! Just welcoming our new little friend." "How sweet of you," Seraphine retorted, dripping with sarcasm. "Brittney is looking for you." Nina shot me one last venomous look before leaving, with Seraphine following closely behind. Thankfully, the impending confrontation was averted. Using my keycard, I slipped into my room and shut the door behind me, the lock clicking into place automatically. When I surveyed the room, my breath caught in my throat. It was like stepping into a Las Vegas penthouse. The floors were made of travertine, the linens luxurious, and the furniture crafted from rich woods. A large standing mirror adorned the master bedroom, which boasted an attached bathroom complete with a soaking tub and rain shower. A giant walk-in closet held more clothes than I could ever dream of owning. Returning to the living room, I admired the flat screen TV mounted on the wall above a cozy couch. This wasn't just a dorm; it was a luxury apartment. On the coffee table, a small gift basket and a note caught my attention. I picked up the note and quickly scanned its contents. A generic welcome message from Gideon had been crossed out with a big X, replaced with a handwritten line at the bottom: I couldn't let you stay in that place. Gideon. Emotion welled up in my throat as I read those words. He had seen a fellow wolf in a terrible situation and taken pity on me. I would have to find a way to genuinely thank him. The gift basket contained teas, cookies, and dried fruits, but my mind was too preoccupied to focus on it. I needed to call my parents; they must be worried sick. With my phone trembling in my hand, I powered it up. Sixty-eight missed calls and thirty texts bombarded me. All the calls were from my parents, and the texts were from Raven. Taking a deep breath, I dialed my mom's number. She answered on the first ring, her voice filled with anxiety. "Taylor Gonzalez! Tell me this is some kind of prank." I gulped. "No, Mom. I'm at Sterling Hill—" "Taylor!" My dad's voice boomed through the phone; I realized I was on speaker. I hesitated for a moment. I never expected them to be angry. They always talked about how much easier life would be if we returned to Werewolf City. This was my chance. "I had only sixty seconds to decide. I thought you would want this for me," I explained, my voice barely above a whisper. Two heavy sighs echoed through the phone, reaching deep into my heart. "We do, honey," my mom finally said. "We're just... surprised. We assumed our banishment extended to you, forever." I exhaled, feeling the weight of their words. "Maybe it did... I don't know. But then I met Gideon, the alpha's son, at Delphi, and a few hours later, I was invited here. Now I have a room, everything is taken care of... it's crazy." Silence hung in the air. "Mom?" "I know... I was a mating year girl too. It's nice, they give you a good life," my mom replied, her voice hollow. Why did she sound so sad? Did something happen between her and the alpha? "What happened?" I ventured cautiously. "Did you and the alpha...?" "No, honey. I didn't even make it to the top twenty," she laughed nervously, but her laughter lacked any real mirth. "Mom?" "Yes, sweetheart?" "Why were you and Dad banished? You always made it sound so terrible, but it doesn't seem that bad here." I wanted to hear the truth from them rather than some gossip from Nina or anyone else. I had asked them countless times before, but always received the same vague answers. Silence stretched out. "Tell her," my dad's voice rumbled lowly. "No, dammit," my mom growled at him, sending chills down my spine. It must be worse than I thought if they were arguing. "Mom, I'm twenty now. I'm not a child anymore," I pressed. Whatever it was, I deserved to hear it from my own parents. She sighed heavily. "I can't. Not yet. I'm not ready." My hands trembled. "Mom, you're scaring me." "I'll tell you when I'm ready," she said. "Your father and I are surprised, but happy for you. Even if Gideon doesn't choose you, you'll receive an excellent education, a great job after graduation, and a beautiful house in Werewolf City. It's great news... we're just shocked, that's all." I sensed she was trying to change the subject, so I let her. "How many window washers does this place have?" I attempted to inject some humor into the conversation, eliciting laughter from both my mom and dad. I would give her a week or so to adjust to the idea of me being here before asking for the whole truth. We exchanged some more small talk before hanging up, promising to call each other every day. As I left the room, Seraphine leaned against the hallway wall, engrossed in her phone. "Ready to shop till you drop?" she asked with a yawn. I laughed nervously. "Not really." My shopping experiences were limited to the thrift store, where I could spend hours searching for decent finds. But when you stumbled upon a vintage Beatles shirt autographed in silver sharpie, it was like hitting the jackpot. You never washed that shirt in fear of smudging the autograph, instead resorting to dousing it in perfume and gently hand rinsing it to preserve the pen markings. Seraphine waved off my concerns. "Don't worry, I'll help you. It'll be fun!" Three hours and thirty-six pieces of sushi later, we emerged from the mall with five bags full of clothes. "I can't believe I just spent two grand of someone else's money," I exclaimed, wide-eyed, as we loaded the bags onto the back of an electric scooter. Seraphine shrugged. "I do it all the time on my dad's card. It's fine. The cards have a daily limit, and it didn't get declined, so that means we did well." We clearly came from different backgrounds. "I only got one fancy dress. Do you think that's enough?" I asked, gesturing to the ripped jeans, shorts, tank tops, sneakers, and flowy bohemian dresses in the other bags. I had also bought makeup, a flat iron, and some studded purses. Seraphine gave me a conspiratorial look. "If you want to stand out, don't dress like everyone else here. Seriously, my cousin chose you for a reason. I think he likes the T-shirt and jean shorts vibe." I chuckled, but the smile quickly faded. Did Gideon really like me? Or was I just another contestant in this Werewolf Bachelor competition? Did I even want to be a part of it? Thoughts of his intense blue eyes and how he had seen me at my worst swirled in my mind. It was a vulnerable moment for me, highlighting the mistreatment I endured during my banishment. And yet, he still seemed to like me. Oh man, things were getting complicated. As we rode back to the dorm, Seraphine helped me carry my bags to my door. She yawned, giving my shoulder a squeeze. "I had fun today. You're cool." I smiled gratefully. "Me too. Thanks for taking me shopping." She nodded and waved me goodnight before disappearing into her room across the hall. I was about to enter my own room when my wolf instincts surged forward, causing me to pause in the doorway. In that moment, it hit me. I was free. I could go outside, shift into my wolf form, and run for the first time ever. And that's exactly what my wolf wanted me to do. With a grin, I closed my door, grabbed my keycard, and practically sprinted towards the dorm exit. Kendra, the front desk lady, glanced at me but said nothing. I was an adult now, and this was essentially college, Werewolf Bachelor-style. Stepping outside, I inhaled the cool night air. A run with my wolf—I couldn't have fathomed it before. I was filled with exhilaration. Bounding across the lawn, I smiled as the cold wind whipped through my hair. There were a few students returning to the dorms, and the moon cast a soft glow over the dense forest surrounding the school grounds. Spotting the first cluster of trees, I prepared to disrobe and shift. I knew enough about being a werewolf to understand that clothes would tear if I didn't shift naked. Grabbing the hem of my shirt, I yanked it over my head—only to freeze as a deep voice cleared its throat. With a yelp, I hastily pulled my shirt back down, covering my stomach. "Sorry... I, uh, saw you undressing and thought I should let you know I was here," the voice explained. I recognized it instantly, even though we had only met once. I spun around and saw Gideon, shirtless and wearing low-slung sweatpants. Holy mother of abs... My eyes roamed over his chiseled chest, and any coherent thoughts fled my brain. "Going for a run?" he asked, pointing towards the forest. I could only nod dumbly, trying not to drool, and then held up my bare wrists. "First time." A frown creased his forehead, and he nodded in understanding. "I was planning on going too. Do you want to join me, or would you rather be alone?" Truthfully, I was terrified. I had never shifted before, and it would be nice to have someone with me. But him? I swallowed hard. "I don't really know what I'm doing. I don't even know how to shift. I wouldn't want to slow you down." I knew that racing in wolf form was a major bragging right, showcasing who was the fastest. My mom often reminisced about her glory days, running circles around my dad on this very campus. Shame tinged my cheeks, but Gideon didn't offer me a pitying look. Instead, he nodded curtly and moved closer to me, his body radiating warmth. "You could never slow me down," he whispered, and my throat went dry. Then he positioned himself beside me, our backs touching. "Close your eyes," he instructed in a smooth, deep voice that sent shivers down my spine. With a shaky breath, I obeyed. Standing here, naked, with my eyes closed, back to back with the alpha's son in the middle of the woods—it was undoubtedly the strangest thing I had ever done. "Imagine you're driving a car, your hands on the wheel. Look down at your hands," he continued, and I couldn't tell if he had shifted closer or if it was just my imagination. The warmth spreading from his body made it hard to concentrate. "For twenty years, you've been the one driving the car, in control. It's time to let her take the wheel. Watch as your hands turn into claws." I swallowed hard, focusing on the visualization of my human hands gripping an imaginary steering wheel. I watched as my fingers lengthened into claws, fur sprouting on the back of my hands. My bones cracked and shifted. "Now let go. Just let it all go. Lose control," he whispered. My entire life had been about control—suppressing my wolf, hiding my fur, restraining my teeth—and for the first time ever, I released it all. Like a crumbling brick wall, I let it come crashing down. A scream tore from my throat as pain seared through my body, propelling me forward onto all fours. Fire consumed me, pain intertwining with heat. "Breathe through the change. Your wolf knows what to do," Gideon's voice urged from behind me. "Everything... hurts," I panted, my voice barely human. A cool hand landed on my back, and my body melted under his touch. In that moment, everything within me relaxed, and then it happened. I would never forget the sound of my bones snapping, a sharp noise that seemed to reverberate both inside and outside of me. The pain and heat lessened, and I transformed. Fur enveloped my entire body, and I saw my face elongate, my nose protruding into my field of vision. My tongue lolled out as I panted, cooling myself off. Looking down, I saw four white and gray paws. "Oh fuck..." Gideon's voice behind me was rough. Okay... not the reaction I expected. I half-expected him to say how beautiful my wolf was or compliment my markings. Confused, I spun around to see what was wrong and let out a terrified howl. What. The. Hell? Gideon stood over my naked human form, which was curled into a ball at his feet. My heart pounded frantically in my wolf chest as I shook my head. I was a wolf looking at my human self, and vice versa. What was happening? Two people—split? "Gideon!" a male voice shouted from the trees, causing him to tense. His voice was filled with urgency. "You have to shift back." I just curled into him, naked, fragile, and scared. He extended his hand towards my wolf, as if calling a dog. As soon as I approached, he grabbed me by the scruff, lifting me up to meet his gaze. His eyes blazed with determination. "Shift. Back. Now. Or they'll kill both of you," he growled, his alpha power pressing down on my body. Pain sliced through my tailbone, and the heat returned. It felt like being sucked into a vacuum, pressure surrounding me as a force slammed into my back, as if I had been struck by a baseball bat. My eyelids snapped open, and Gideon looked at me with relief. Bringing my hands up to my face, I saw that they were human. "Gideon!" a man yelled as Gideon pulled me up and shielded me from view. Then, Walker from the van ride earlier, along with Graham, emerged from the trees, guns dangling at their sides. Mason, the imposing lead guard, followed closely behind. They took one look at me, naked and hiding behind Gideon, who was shirtless, and promptly turned their backs, their cheeks flushed red. "We heard a wolf howl, thought it was in distress... we thought you were..." one of the guards mumbled. "I'm fine. We went for a run," Gideon's voice cracked. "Give us a moment." "Get dressed," he called out to me, keeping his back turned as if he hadn't just seen me completely exposed. Oh my God, I wanted to disappear right now. My hands trembled as I slipped into my underwear, bra, and clothes. I didn't know much about werewolves, but I knew enough to understand that what had just transpired was not normal. When I was finally dressed, I cleared my throat, and he turned around. I couldn't meet his eyes; I was too embarrassed, horrified, and scared. Reaching out, he gently grasped my chin and tilted it up, forcing me to meet his piercing blue gaze. "Don't tell anyone about this. Your life depends on it, understand?" he implored. My life? Oh God... Tears welled up in my eyes, and I nodded. "No one," he emphasized. "Not your parents, not Seraphine, no one. And don't shift again without me there." I swallowed hard. "What... what was that?" He sighed, releasing my chin and running a hand through his hair. "Give me time to investigate." But I saw it in his eyes—he knew something and wasn't telling me. "Gideon, what am I?" I pressed, my voice firmer this time, sensing the pity in his gaze. He tucked a strand of blond hair behind my ear, a sad expression on his face. "You're amazing." That wasn't the answer I wanted. I wanted to know how the hell my wolf and I had just split into two separate beings. I never should have come back here. Was it too late to rewind the past few hours and return to my old life? Because clearly, this was a mistake...
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