Edited with Grammarly: 5/3/2020

The rest of the day I managed to get off relatively scott-free. Everyone's so caught up in the new student, Faust, that I'm yesterday's news. Which is just perfect with me. Even Kalista got caught up in the whirlwind that is 'The New Guy'.

No one knows where he's from or who he is aside from his name. Faust Nightsbane. Definitely a wolf name, but not one I've ever heard. But then it's not like I hear of too many anyway. It's enough to have the rumor mill on psycho-speed though.

I don't even have to worry about dodging my sister since she has a new bone to chew on. I just hope that really doesn't turn into a literal sense, talk about awkward. And all sorts of gross.

Marie and I take the time to actually walk to the bookstore today instead of running. I don't mind running, I love to actually, but Marie likes to talk and can't seem to do both at the same time.

"So who do you think he is?"

Shrugging, I hike up the heavy bag more securely onto my shoulder.

"Probably a troublemaker that was kicked out by what I've seen so far. Wouldn't be surprised at least."

She frowns, chewing at her lip.

"What about Markus?"

"What about him?"

Looking over, I keep my grin to myself. She's sweet on that wolf and it's positively adorable.

"He seemed...I don't know, distracted after he saw Faust at lunch today. Almost as if he knew him or something. Didn't you notice it?"

I noticed something, but not familiarity. Peering at the girl next to me, she'd know, she watches him enough. Did he react is if he knew the guy? Maybe. It was pretty obvious he didn't like him at least.

Shrugging once more, I poke my elbow at her, crooked grin slipping into place.

"Maybe it was just the shock of losing all his raunchy fangirls? Could have been surprise, right? I wonder if he'll know what to do now."

Her eyes glitter in mischief before she laughs.

"I doubt that was it, but that does make you wonder what he'd do if they did stop hounding him, doesn't it?"

Shaking my head, I bounce on my feet, giddy with the approaching moon.

"Not me. I already know what he'd do. He'd run around the woods like a total idiot since no one's watching him, and end up with his head stuck in a tree."

Marie bursts out laughing while trying to be outraged at the same time. It doesn't seem to be working too well for her. Smiling, we jog the rest of the way, not like it's very far now anyway.

Bettie is already inside and sends Marie upstairs to do some restocking while I get to man the counter. Meanwhile, she slips into a backroom and does whatever old people do when ordering other people to do stuff. She's not the type to nap, but I wouldn't doubt it if she's going through heaps of paperwork that's pretty much pointless.

After stuffing my bag in the back, I take up my post, rearranging the items on the counter to keep me busy. The small bell dings a couple of times, a few people come and go. With everything going digital and Bettie not wanting to get with the times, the place isn't as busy as it once was back in the day.

Crouched down behind the table putting items in the display case, I don't see the next person walking in, but I hear them.

"Take a look around, let me know if you need anything."

If they don't see me they're pretty blind and I'm too focused on not breaking or ruining anything inside the case to glance up right this second. Once finished, I shut it back up, then stand and brush off my knees.

"How can I... Leilan?"

Giving a soft smile, the Alpha-in-training of my own Pack, the Alpha pair's son, Leilan Lunarian, is standing on the other side of the counter. Hands in his pockets with a tilted head and curious soft brown eyes. Mine drop instantly, and he chuckles, causing my cheeks to tint pink.

"Hey, Wynter. It's been a while. How you been?"

Looking back up, I can't help it, giving him a droll look for his ridiculous question. Also eighteen like Markus, standing at six-foot-three inches and has a short, thick mass of unruly black hair sticking up everywhere on his head. Very ambitious.

"That a trick question?"

He laughs. Fit and toned like every other teenaged wolf, he's dressed in higher-end clothing thanks to being an Alpha's son. With breeding comes money, with pedigree comes even more, so royalty has to be rolling in their fortunes.

He's handsome enough, he even has his moments where I've seen him be sweet and kind, but it's usually when it will get him something in return.

"Guess it was a bit foolish. I heard you stood up to your sister, good for you."

Not sure where he's going with this, but I'm a little uncomfortable. A quick glance around shows Marie still upstairs, but I can tell she's listening. Bettie to, has stepped out of the backroom and has 'busied' herself near one of the shelves.

The oblivious wolf wanders for a while, looking around. The other women look at me and I just shrug, confused myself. Other normal people come in and I tend to them like I would any other day, keeping an ear out for the Alpha-in-training to make sure he isn't making trouble for Bettie.

So far it just seems like he's dawdling, procrastinating. It's pretty much confirmed when the people leave and he comes back over to me, appearing awkward and almost unsure of himself. An idea hits me and it comes flying out of my mouth before I can stop it.

"Your parents hounding you again?"

I bite my tongue, but he nods, looking a little sheepish. How odd.

"First full moon in a new place with a new Pack, they want to make a good impression. I get it, I do too, but they're smothering me! I know what I'm doing, I'm not a child. We're all excited, which is making them nervous."

I nod as if I know what he's talking about, but I really don't, I've never been coddled with attention or babied.

"So then just tell them that."

He gives me a look of surprise, but his brows draw together as he really thinks about something. I'd helped him once, a long time ago. With his bothering to talk to me I wonder if he actually knows I'd helped him or if I'm just a convenient wolf to talk to because I won't tattle back to his parents.

"I've tried, but I think if I make a good enough impression tomorrow night, they'll have to see me as good enough. They'll have to see me."

He walks around a little more, lost in thought. A couple of Bettie's regulars come in, but they never buy anything, they just talk a lot and then leave. The older woman always grumbles afterward about them not getting anything, but it never seems to change.

Leilan comes running over and starts bouncing ideas off of me, one right after another of things he could do, but I can't get a single word in before he's on to the next. He's so enthusiastic I can't help but smile with him and chuckle, nearly vibrating in place before he excitedly claims he'll see me there and then rushes out.

I look out after him, standing in place at the counter, a little whiplash dizzy. Blinking, I look over to Marie who's sliding down the railing of the stairs, whistling as she makes her way to me.

"Wow, busy bee, that one. He always like that? Who was he?"

Blowing out a breath, I fiddle with a pen, knowing she's going to freak out and preparing my ears for it.

"Leilan, my Pack's Alpha-in-training. Like Markus is to your local Pack."

Her mouth fairly drops and my hands get to my ears just in time before her high pitched squeal pierces them. I still wince, groaning. It's her turn to start bouncing in place in her overjoyed fanaticism.

Her grandmother comes out to see what all the fuss is about and just rolls her eyes when Marie tries to explain in her high pitched boisterous way. The girl's diary is going to hate me for sure by the time she's done with it. When she rushes back to me to get more answers, she fairly hiccups when seeing the next two people who come in, and I don't think that next groan of mine was kept in my head.