Ruth’s POV

The weekend flew by faster than I thought it would. And before I knew it, Monday was upon me. I dreaded going to school and being the center of attention. But as I dressed for school, I knew that if I kept my head down and stayed out of everyone’s way, they’d soon forget I was among them.

Checking my appearance in the mirror, I quickly slip the necklace on and pick up my book bag. Making my way down the stairs, I grab an apple and wave at Jubal as I leave. I could give you a lift to school if you’d like Ruth.

I’m fine brother. It’s not raining, and I could use the walk. He doesn’t press the issue, and I drop the link. By the time I reach the end of the driveway, I’m finished with my small breakfast. Tossing the core into the ditch, I run across the road and enter the woods. Jubal had shown me a short cut through them yesterday that ended in front of the high school.

The forest was quiet and calm. As much as I wanted to skip school and just spend the time hiding, I knew that Jubal wouldn’t approve. With a deep sigh, I walk out of the trees and towards the school. I could feel everyone watching me, but I kept my eyes down.

Just as I reach the office, my phone vibrates in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see a text from Oli. –Hey. I tried getting your attention in the parking lot.

­-Sorry. What did you want?

-I was just wondering if you’d like to sit with me and the guys at lunch.

-Let me see how many classes I have and I’ll let you know. I turn my phone off before he could answer and slide it back into my pocket. Stepping into the office, I smiled shyly when I saw Luna Clara standing behind the desk. “Hey Ruth, here for your schedule?”

Yes ma’am. She hands me my schedule and locker number. I glance at it quickly and noted that I only had four classes. Although I was 19, I was a senior. I give the Luna a shy smile and step back out into the hallway. I wouldn’t need my locker so I just shoved that piece of paper into my bag.

It was easy finding my first class, which was History. Slipping into the almost empty room, I sit in the very back and start to draw. I didn’t pay attention to the drawing as my pencil flew across the page. When the bell rang, I had drawn a small meadow with a lake reflecting a full moon. Sitting beside the lake was a howling wolf.

“That’s beautiful.” A voice spoke suddenly and I jumped. I looked up to find a girl my age smiling at me. “Your drawing is beautiful.” She repeats herself and I hand it to her. She studies it and then holds it back to me. I motion for her to keep it and her smile grows. “I’m Lynette.” I grab another piece of paper and write, “I’m Ruth.”

“You don’t talk much do you Ruth?” Lynette asks, and I just shake my head no. Before she could say anything else, a teacher walks in and the class starts. I found myself actually enjoying the class and it was over before I knew it. Lynette was talking with some of the pack wolves, so I slipped quickly from the room. It was my mission of the year to stay friend free.

I had just walked out of my last class for the day when Siochain started howling. I started sniffing the air and then it hit me like a ton of bricks. That scent could only mean one thing: my mate was close. Frantically I searched the hallway before my eyes fell on a group of guys laughing.

Several students walked past me carrying my scent towards them, and I watched as the tallest of them jerked his head up and looked around. Before his eyes met mine, I knew who he was. He was the one that ruined my life. He was the one that ruined me.

I pivot around as fast as I could and flew out of the school. Hearing someone running after me, I panicked. Memories of that night flooded my mind and I picked up my pace. Everything was flying by me so fast that I didn’t know where I was. All I knew was that I had to get away from him before more damage could be done.

Unknown’s POV

My wolf had been edgy all day. For hours I had to walk through the school halls getting the faintest whiffs of jasmine and vanilla. But before I could trace the smell to who it belonged to, it would fade.

I was standing in the hall with some of my friends when the smell hit me. It was fresh and I could tell that whoever it belonged to was close. I started looking around before my eyes landed on a girl standing by the lockers. I could tell that she wasn’t a shifter, but I couldn’t get the look she had on her face off my mind.

She reminded me of a girl I saw once before in New York when I was visiting my cousin’s pack. I was 17 at the time, and I wasn’t proud of what I did. When I went to apologize to the girl, she was gone. Before I could move, I watched as she took off running. From the corner of my eye, I watched as Oliver, my future Beta, took off after her. Staying with my friends, I decided I would ask him about the girl after school.

Jubal’s POV

I had just pulled up to the pack house when Nathaniel came rushing out of the house. “What’s wrong Nate?”

“Ruth. I just had the strongest surge of fear rush through me that I’ve ever felt in my life.” He didn’t have to say another word. We shifted and tore through the woods heading towards the school. Ruth? Ruth?! I call her through the link but she won’t answer.

My wolf and I throw more muscle into it and we shot through the green forest like a black bullet. Halfway to the school, I pick up her scent, and Oliver’s. I dig my feet into the ground and come to a halt with Nate beside me. We quickly follow the trail deeper into the woods.

I see them first and I shift back. Racing towards my sister, I see that she’s unconscious. “What happened to her, Oliver?” I asked my voice cold as ice. “I don’t know Beta. I saw her in the hall and tried to get her attention. But I guess she didn’t see me. She took off running like the devil himself was after her. Man, you should have seen her face. She looked scared out of her mind.”

I growl softly and pick her up. She was trembling and her skin felt as if she had been sitting in a tub of ice for hours. “Nate, get the doc to my house now.” I turn and run towards my house making sure to hold Ruth as gently as I could. I vowed that I would find the coward that put this fear into her and I would kill him very, very slowly.