RINE'

g that, as usual, I'd be a target for the popular girls. Naturally, I was a quiet person, and

e as weakness. I'd been dealing with their attitude for years, so I knew the drill. I knew how to

ears come. But with Ann there, I couldn't. Just the thought of facing her tod

o one noticed me. My chest ached, and I missed my mom more than anything. I missed her hugs, her breakfast,

clang. I barely yanked my fingers out of the way in time. Startled, I turned around to find

e said in a fake swee

, and always dressed in the latest fashion-she was every stereotype of the popular, mean girl. And as much as I hated to admit

ing to ignore them. Instead, I focu

re you?" Lola aske

ied "I don't like being ignored,

aced her. "I'm not in the mood. I'm

a mocking act of sympathy. "Oh, I he

m scattering across the floor. She looked at me with a cruel smile on her lips. "I'm

ed away with her followers tr

ere gone, then exhaled slowly.

But as the room filled, I felt a bit lonely. Everyone else was chatting and l

ncluding me. A tall boy stepped in. As soon as he entered, his presence commanded the whole room and everywhere went si

ful pair of brown eyes I had ever seen. His tousled dark hair fell across his forehead, and his strong jawline a

iced. The girls in the room start

All I could see was him. Everything in the world narrowed down to this moment

being pulled toward him. It was more than attraction, more than curiosity. It was something strong, something t

y, was alert

hat I hadn't even known was missing until now. The pull was undeniable, and the intensity of it left me breathless. His mere pre

olf whispere

in surpr

?" the teach

son," he replied

heard the rumors. He was the youngest Alpha in the country. His father's illness had forced him

ught in my throat as she directed him to me. I watched him approach, trying t

sat down, giving m

out awkwardly, almost a q

thy" Ruby teas

I snappe

Tyler's looked at me throughout the lesson. I felt his eyes, his awarene

t of him doing that made my chest ache. I tried to keep

bag and walked away quickly, almost running from the room

ing to re

ough for him? He was an Alpha for crying out loud.

As I turned the corner, a hand reached o