“Mr. Smith,” I reply softly.
“I know you have so many more important things to do than participating in my class.” He sighs while pinching the bridge of his nose.
“No, sir,” I say, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks and knowing every gaze in the room is focused on me.
“Well, then,” he says, “what are the main themes for our current read,Taming the Shrew? I assume you read it.”
My blood boils, and I want to rage against his comment. I may not be popular or wanted, but I am an excellent student. Tamping down my rage, I take a deep breath before launching into the five main themes.
****
Rowan
Kira fucking Williams. That girl gets under my skin in the worst kind of way. I watch her from my front porch as she makes her way home. Long, blonde hair and small, thin build. No breasts or ass that can be seen. She looks nothing like the other girls our age. The other girls are all curves and breasts, wearing sexy clothes and trying their best to catch their new alpha’s attention.
But not Kira. She tries to avoid me at all costs. I wish it were that simple. I always know where she is and what she’s doing. She is my infatuation, although I would never tell a living soul. To me, she is more beautiful than any of the other shifter females.
Keeping my attention glued to her, I notice the slight limp she tries to hide. A low growl escapes me. I wonder what happened. But I know better. She has been picked on and bulliedsince I first met her. Her father fucked up royally, and she has been made to pay the price since I can remember.
Her torment is something I should end. As the new alpha, my word is the law. Her life could be so much easier with a simple decree. But I won’t. My pack will see it as a weakness and before long try to take this pack from me. I feel for her, and I know it can’t be easy, but still, I won’t do a thing to help her.
Disinterest is the prevailing feeling I have toward her, even though I always catch myself staring at her. There is a fire burning beneath the surface, the fight that she does everything she can to hide from everyone else. I long to know what that fire feels like.
My cell phone rings beside me, and I contemplate not answering it, but the name flashing on my screen has me smirking.
“Yes, Odette,” I say.
“Where are you, Rowan?” she demands.
“Excuse me?” I bristle at her tone of voice. The only reason I haven’t taught this female a lesson is because of her brother Silas and the fact that she can suck dick like a damn vacuum.
Odette remains silent before clearing her throat. “I miss you,” she whispers over the line.
I don’t reply as I watch Kira turn the corner to her house. My thoughts are not on the conversation I’m having with Odette but rather on the girl who both frustrates and entices me. If only she showed some backbone and defended herself. Then I could go to her, but I can’t be seen with someone weak.
“Rowan,” Odette says.
“I’m home,” I say without thought.
“I’m on my way.”
Long after the call has ended, I sit with my cell phone in my hand, staring in Kira’s direction.Gemors.I hate that fuckingword. Even though it has never been aimed in my direction, it still makes my skin crawl.
Unwanted.
Useless.
Rubbish.
Chapter Two
Kira
It’s dark outside as I leave out the front door. My father hasn’t returned from the bar yet, so I don’t have to worry about sneaking out. I left a note and stuck it to the fridge, and I hope he sees it before he gets too worried, but I know it will take him a couple of days to realize I’m gone. By that time, it won’t matter. The moment I turn eighteen, I’m seen as an adult member of the pack and therefore allowed to make my own decisions. No one, not even the alpha, can force me to return to this pack.
I make my way through the darkness, glad there is no moon in the sky tonight. The darkness gives me more cover to remain unseen. My senses are heightened because of my panther. I don’t need the light of the moon to see where I’m going. I can see as well as if the sun were shining.
With my backpack slung over my shoulder, I leave our little mountain town and venture into the Zwartberg Forest. The moment I exit the town boundaries, a sigh of relief leaves me. I don’t know what I was expecting. Maybe a line of people trying to stop me? I have no idea, but knowing that I’m finally free has me smiling widely as I make my way through the trees.