Chapter Three-Willow

Since I missed breakfast, I walked into the cafeteria to grab something quick for lunch. The place was packed, as always, around lunchtime. Normally I would sit with some of the she-wolves, the girls I’d grown up with, but today I wasn’t in the mood. My wolf was pissed at me for what I said to our new alpha. They were holding a ceremony for him that night, but I wasn’t going. I couldn’t. The betrayal from my father was still heavy in my mouth. I couldn’t go and watch him hand his alpha position over to this guy and watch the promises he’d made me go down the drain. At this point, becoming a rogue sounded more fun than attending the ceremony. I walked toward the salad line, only because it was shorter, and grabbed a pre-made one to-go. I’d almost made it out of the dining hall when Derrick caught my arm. “You’re crazy, you know that, right?” I glared at his dark eyes and snatched my arm from him. “What’s up with everybody grabbing me today, huh? I’m not crazy. I’ve been tricked my entire life, and I fell for it like a loser.” The corners of Derrick’s eyes softened. “You’re not a loser for wanting to fight, Ace. Your dad is afraid—” I put my hand up to silence him. “Not in the mood—” Stephanie, my uncle’s daughter, who was six years younger than me, walked over and squealed. “Have you seen the new alpha, Willow? He is so handsome. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to step out of line. Or,” she chuckled behind her hand, “maybe that’ll give me a reason to.” Derrick smiled at me, but I couldn’t force it today. “Not now, Stephanie.” She stuck her tongue out at me. “What crawled up your tail and died, Willow?” I went to grab her, but Derrick blocked my arm so she could run away. “Don’t be mean. She’s a kid. She doesn’t know what’s going on.” He was right. Always right. “I’m hungry. I’m going to my room to eat.” “Want some company?” he asked. “No. I’m not good company right now anyway.” “That’s the truth,” he said. “You’re not helping your situation. Maybe if you were nice to the man, he would consider letting you train.” I narrowed my gaze at him until he laughed. “You’re right. He seems old school and kind of harsh. I bet he won’t let you. There. Does that make you feel better?” “Much,” I said with a sarcastic smile. I turned toward the door and ran into Regis. My wolf immediately went on the defensive. He’d been the pack bully for as long as I could remember. He hated Derrick for training with me. I was sure he hated she-wolves and thought they were all beneath him. “Look who it is, Little Miss Warrior,” he chuckled. I stepped around him, eager to get out of his way, but he shoved into me. My salad landed with a splat on the ground, and before I could pick up the container, he stepped on it. If shifting in the pack house wasn’t against the rules, I would have shifted and ripped his head off his shoulder. The inferior part of me wanted to tuck my tail and walk away. But the determined she-wolf that knew she could take down a wolf wouldn’t allow it. “You picked the wrong day for that,” I hissed, sticking out my leg and tripping him. By that time, the entire dining hall grew quiet and stared at us. When Regis crawled to his feet, there was a flame in his eyes that made me shiver. “Did you just trip me, Runt?” He reached for my T-shirt, and I blocked his arm, twisting around and flinging him over my shoulder like Derrick taught me. Adrenaline rushed through my veins, and I prepared for him to attack me. Regis leaped to his feet. I watched his wolf skim the surface, and he leaned back to hit me. His fist was inches from my face when I heard the snap. When Regis screamed into the silent dining hall, I realized someone had snapped his wrist. It was Chase. The look on his face was feral. Regis whimpered like a wounded dog and cradled his hand to his chest. “Both of you outside, now.” He used his alpha voice. There was no turning him down now. He marched with long strides out of the dining hall and into the yard. I followed because I had to. The alpha voice was a command that all pack members had to obey. He stopped several yards away from the front door and placed his palms on his hips. Regis still cradled his hand to his chest. When he looked at me, I could practically see smoke rising from his ears. “What in the hell was that?” he barked. When neither of us answered, he chuckled half-heartedly. “I’m going to ask again. What. Was. That? Does Alpha Gerald allow you two to beat the hell out of one another on the regular?” “No, Sir,” Regis said under his breath. “I’m sorry. When she flipped me, I panicked.” Chase slid his tongue over his teeth and turned to look at Regis. “Why did she flip you, huh? For no reason. I saw you speak to her and then step on her salad. You’re a sorry excuse for a wolf, ya know that? Mistreating a she-wolf for no good reason. Who are you?” “Regis, Sir.” My wolf loved to see this man talk down to Regis. I’d hid his bullying from my father because I didn’t want him to think I couldn’t handle it. “Regis, I say you tuck your tail and go back to your room. I think a broken wrist is a good enough punishment. If I see you do anything else to Willow or anyone else, I will end you.” “Yes, Sir.” “Leave. I can’t stand the sight of you.” Regis nearly ran from the yard, leaving the two of us alone. When Chase turned to me, I felt my wolf wanting to submit. She loved his dominance, but I didn’t. I held my head high, proud that I stood up for myself. “So you think tossing grown wolves around is okay, huh?” He stepped forward and looked down at me. “You think doing that will change my mind about becoming a warrior? Your dad told me about everything. I’m sorry for the loss of your mother, Willow, but it’s against regulation to allow it. You seem like you can hold your own, and maybe we can work on some self-defense in our spare time—” I laughed, letting my head fall backward as I folded my arms over my chest. “You think I want to learn self-defense moves with you? Are you serious? I know self-defense. I’ve been learning it for years. I want to fight, and I won’t take no for an answer. I’m going to prove to you exactly what I can do.” Chase swallowed, and I watched his thick neck move dramatically. “You’re not calling the shots, I am. Your father appointed me as the alpha, and you will obey the pack rules.” Tears brimmed the corners of my eyes. I noticed his face soften at the realization, and I hated his pity. I didn’t need it. “I don’t care what you say,” I said. “My father promised me a chance, and I’m going to get it one way or another.” Chase’s fingers tightened into fists, and he stepped forward. His scent rolled from my head to my toes. A familiar ache began in my lower stomach, and I squeezed my thighs together. This was not happening right now. My heat began to roll in my stomach like lava. I’d survived many heats by hiding in my room and biting into a wet towel. This one was different. This one was coming when my mate showed himself. It was my wolf’s way of allowing him to mark me. You devilish she-wolf! I stepped back away from him, and he looked confused for several seconds. “I have to go—” I turned to leave, but he grabbed me, sending another roll of thunderous lava under my skin. “Don’t touch me,” I said in a hushed cry. But it was too late. He sensed it. “Your heat,” he said softly. Suddenly, his touch wasn’t as strong. His fingers loosened, and the tips caressed my skin. “No, that’s not it,” I lied. I tried to break free, but he dragged me closer to his chest. “Calm down, Willow. I can help you.” “I don’t need your help,” I whimpered, closing my eyes as a tear raced down my cheek. “You can help me by allowing me to fight. Let me prove it to you.” Chase cursed under his breath and turned his gaze away from mine. “How would you fight when you can’t even control your heat? What would happen if you were in the middle of a battle and your heat came? Or become pregnant—” I laughed. “By immaculate conception?” I asked. “No,” he growled, pulling me toward him. “By me.” By him? I struggled to get away from his demanding grip but managed it well enough. “That’s not happening. I don’t need a mate. I don’t need someone who doesn’t believe in me or stand up for me. You’re just like my father. He dragged me on for years with lies. I will show you how strong I am. You’ll regret ever doubting me.”