Chapter 1
CHAPTER 1
LYLA’S P.O.V: A FEW MONTHS AGO
“Where do you think you’re going Lyla?”That’s what I heard when I was on my way home from school.
I had kept my head down and my books close to my chest. I walked like a woman with purpose, each step quick, measured and hurried. All I wanted was to get home quickly before anyone saw me, and before anyone decided what they wanted to do to me.
All through the day I had managed to evade them under the guise of classes, having lunch in the library and unnecessary runs to the admin and nurse’s office. But now, at the end of the day, it was free game and we all knew it.
I was almost at the corner of the school when I heard my name being called and I heard hurried footsteps make their way over. I didn’t stop- hoping, no, praying that I would get lost in the crowd but I felt a strong arm clamp down on my shoulder and I had to stop in place.
“Where do you think you’re going Lyla?” Alexis sneered.
Alexis Woods is the Gamma’s daughter. She is everything you would expect her to be; pretty, tall, smart, perfect body and a huge bitch.
“The little bitch thinks she can run away,” one of her cronies- Kate said, “Did you really think you could hook up with our boss and we wouldn’t find out?”
She pushed me with so much force that I tripped over my own feet and fell on my butt. My books were thrown out of my hands when I tried to catch myself resulting in some scrapes on my palm but I knew they would heal soon.
“I don’t want trouble Alexis,” I held up my hand to show surrender, “Please just let me go home.”
“It’s too late for that.” She said coldly as she reared her leg back and kicked me in the stomach.
Alexis has never had an issue with me until recently, and since then, I have been enemy number 1 in her books. I was always the girl who kept her head down and stayed out of trouble. Three years ago, on my fifteenth birthday, I shifted for the first time and I knew it was too young and it made me different so I did everything in my power to not draw attention to myself. I didn’t even tell my closest friends. My wolf was unwilling to hide her scent so I did my best not to shift in front of anyone and stay low.
Before shifting, I practically hated Derek Creed. He is our Alpha’s son and he is nothing but a play boy- and a notorious one at that. But after shifting, his scent changed to me and I started having these feelings towards him and he knew it too because he would stare at me in the hall, wink at me sometimes when no one was looking and sometimes we would lock eyes in the parking lot.
I tried to forget about the feeling until it became clear to me one day that he was my mate. I tried my best to ignore the bond because I knew there was no way he would want me until one day, I was alone under the bleachers and he came up to me. At first I thought it was a fever dream but he said my name and he spoke to me.
He was so nice to me that day and in subsequent days we would meet there and talk. One day, we met up in the woods after dark and he kissed me for the first time. It felt magical and all I wanted to do was treasure that moment and keep it away from public eyes. I didn’t tell anyone about Derek and I- not even my parents.
I remember asking him that day, “Are you sure I’m who you want? You can have anyone else in the school so why me?”
He had said to me, “You’re special; and you’re mine. I don’t want anyone else.”
It felt like I was floating on cloud nine for the next two weeks until one day before school when Derek and I were kissing as usual and he had tried to take things further. I was still scared so I said no. He got a little upset but he didn’t try to hurt me. He had asked for space and left without kissing me goodbye. I was so sad that I had made up my mind to have sex with him that evening when we met up.
I was in the bathroom at school when I overheard Alexis, Kate and their gang talking about how Alexis and Derek were a thing and they had been hooking up. Alexis showed them some messages from Derek where he had said he was going to make her his mate when she became an adult.
I tried to end things that evening with Derek but he wouldn’t have it. He told me that I was his mate and I wasn’t allowed to end things. I walked away from him and that was my mistake because the next day at school, I was ambushed by Alexis who accused me of trying to get with her boyfriend and it has been hell ever since.
I have tried day in and day out to convince her that I am not interested in Derek and we aren’t a thing anymore but she refuses to listen to me. Whenever she sees me, she makes sure to make my life a living hell.
Someone- I don’t know who- delivered a hard kick to my chest and I heard a crack. They must have heard it too because I heard them giggle amongst themselves and congratulate each other.
“That should serve as a good enough lesson for today,” Alexis spat, “Next time; you stay away from people’s men.”
“I don’t want your man.” I managed out but I knew she wouldn’t listen.
“You’re pathetic,” she sneered and walked away with her friends.
I forced my body into a standing position. My side burned and I knew at least one of my ribs was broken. I was gathering my stuff when I saw Derek leaning against the wall watching me.
At that moment, I felt nothing but hate towards him. I dragged myself over to him and stared him deep in his eyes as I spoke, “I wish you would just reject me.”