chapter 3

Zander had gotten home, but was pacing his room for hours. He hadn't even realized he was gnawing on his bottom lip and releasing a low growl. Nothing was making sense to him, Michael was a shapeshifter, his enemy in all reality. So why? Why did he get mad when someone flirted with Michael? why did he want to tear this stalker apart? Why did he lose his temper when it came to anyone bad mouthing Michael?

Another low growl erupted from him as he angrily paced his room. he knew he was going to have to ask his mother for assistance but what would he even ask?

"hey mom there's this kid at school and I can't stand when someone flirts with them or bad mouths them. help me what is wrong with me?" he muttered as he paced trying to think of a way to ask his mother for help.

Zander was in a black pair of basketball shorts and a white tank, simply pacing his room. Jordan released a silent breath, entering the young alpha's room and sitting down. It took Zander three solid minutes before he noticed Jordan.

"Okay, Zander vent away I am listening " Jordan said simply. It was clear to Jordan that his Alpha was worked up about something.  And deep down he was sure it was about Michael. 

Zander finally stopped pacing his blue-gray eyes locked with Jordan's brown-hazel eyes and he huffed. He began to pace again and he would stop every two minutes, only to huffed and start up again. Jordan shook his head and said, "Zander as your Beta I demand that you start talking. What is troubling you?"

"Michael!!! that's what" he snarled as he was pacing.

*****

Michael was for once in a bad mood when he got home. he went to his room throwing his bag, as it hit the wall he groaned, "what's that bastards problem!!" he yelled after closing his room door. he was pacing his hands in his black hair.

there was a knock on his door, his door creaked open, "um Michael are you okay?" Arianna asked as she peeked into the room.

"I'm fine why do you ask?" he said as he picked up his bag.

"how about the fact I can hear you downstairs? what's wrong? you know you can talk to me "

He dragged her in, "look a few things happened today. "

"like?" she asked

"well for one a kid in my band class tried to kiss me then Zander confronted me after school to tell me I have someone following me" he said as he went to his window peeking out. to his surprise he noticed a male like figure standing across the street wearing a black hoodie. he blinked then rubbed his eyes, as he looked back the figure was gone so he shrugged it off, "like I said, I had a few things happen today " as he closed his curtains.

He mentally slapped himself for feeling paranoid now that he was actually being followed around. what if the stalker tried to hurt his family?

"you already had a guy almost kiss you?! seriously?" Arianna groaned then added, "wait a stalker?"

"yeah a stalker" he said watching her.

*******

"Zander man just ask your mom for help. You can't keep ignoring how your feeling" Jordan said as he was sitting on Zander's bed with his legs crossed.

"I get that but how the hell do I explain he is the enemy and a male!" he snapped as he continued to pace.

"throw a few hypotheticals at her" he said with a shrug. this made Zander stop pacing, "okay yeah I can do that" he said nodding his head.

Zander then without wasting time raced down to where his mother was cooking, "Mom! I have a few Hypotheticals for you" he said as he leaned on the counter.

"oh? and what would those be my little Alpha?" she said as she peeked over at him.

"so what if this kid at school who had this scent that was immediately calming to you, but the rub is that kid is the same gender...." he started then his mother held up her slender left hand.

"a scent that is immediately calming to you? do you feel jealous if they are flirted with and over protective of them?" she asked softly.

"I... Yes mom what does that mean?" he asked looking at her desperate for answers.

she sighed quietly as she was cooking she pulled the food off the stove. she turned and leaned on the other side of the counter facing her son.

"well that would be your mate's scent. only the scent of your mate can make you feel that way. so your mate is another male, at school. what else can you tell me?"

"there is one more thing... the thing I am worried about" he said quietly.

"which is?" she said pushing for answers

"he is...an enemy to the pack...a shape shifter" he said looking at his mother.

"oh my. that does complicate things. some other things you should know about knowing your mate." she said

"yeah?"

"you two need eachother whether you know it or not. no matter how hard you push him away you won't be able to live without him. If he rejects you that could kill you." she started quietly.

"so I make sure he doesn't reject me" he said

"Zander honey it's not that simple. say another werewolf pack came and realized you knew your mate but wasn't with your mate. Their alpha may take advantage and try to use that mate to get leverage over you" she said worried.

"but there isn't another pack, I have time" he said. his mother shook her head, "there is another pack here... we haven't discovered the Alpha yet" she said quietly

"wait are you serious?!" he said now wondering if someone from the other pack already knew about Michael being his mate. so he would have to act fast.

*******

They made it to see that Samantha was blabbering about some guy named Christopher had made a move on Michael. Zander tensed then out of the blue Zander said, "what is Christopher's last name?"

"Um...why would you want to know that Zander?" Samantha asked

"Tell me Samantha " Zander barked obviously pissed.

"McLeod. Christopher McLeod…" she said quickly. Zander began to repeat the name in his mind. And now he was determined to locate this boy and make him sorry for even thinking about making a move on his Michael. Then it registered that he was calling Michael his and he mentally slapped himself as he thought, damn it Zander he isn't yours!

Zander was soon pulled out of his thoughts by Jordan harshly jamming his elbow into his side. He grunted in pain and followed Jordan onto the bus. He was sitting with Jordan silent. Jordan was watching Zander closely as the bus began to head toward the high school. The bus was filled with chatter from all the students on it. Zander was staring straight ahead as he was thinking of as many ways as he could to make Christopher McLeod sorry for even thinking about Michael in that form. 

Zander's fists tightened around the strap to his backpack so tight that his knuckles had turned white. Jordan noticed and was watching his alpha closely.  Jordan was slightly worried about his alpha but he said nothing. Xavier noticed the change in behavior and was also worried about Zander and exactly what he planned to do to Christopher. His concern for Christopher was simply hoping the kid made out of it alive. 

Soon enough the bus pulled up to the school. The students began to get off the bus. Zander, Xavier and Jordan were the last three to get off. Once off the bus Jordana and Xavier pulled Zander to the side. They wanted him to really think before he lashed out at Michael or at Christopher  

"Zander man, you need to calm down and think" Jordan said.

"Calm down?! I find out that Michael is my mate and another person flirted with him and you expect me to calm down?" Zander snarled lowly. 

"Yeah, Zander you need to calm down. Besides Michael shoved the Christopher kid off him." He said

"He did?" Zander said

"Yeah told him he looked at personality as well as looks. Said he didn't know the Christopher kid. So you got time. Calm down." Xavier said 

"I can't.  I want to rip that Christopher kid apart" zander snarled, just then he got a whiff of Michael's scent and suddenly found himself calm. Xavier and Jordan exchanged looks before refocusing on their alpha.

"Zander  you good?" Jordan asked nervously. 

"Yeah I'm good " he said calmly and he was scanning the ocean of students to see Michael getting out of a silver four door sedan. Xavier followed Zander's gaze and he said, "go say good morning to him" he then shoved Zander in the direction of Michael. Zander grumbled but made his way toward Michael only to see an ash blonde haired male had already approached Michael. 

Zander stood frozen as he watched the two converse Michael in a small form looked slightly uncomfortable with the ash blonde haired boy. When the blonde haired boy took Michael's hand Zander found himself biting his lip.  He pushed himself over to them. He cleared his throat and Michael looked at him. Michael felt a wash of relief when Zander approached and cleared his throat. Christopher continued to hold onto Michael's hand as he looked at Zander.

"Good morning Michael, I was wondering if you wanted to walk to first period together " zander said as he ignored the presence of Christopher. Michael  nodded his head as he attempted to peel his hand from Christopher's grasp, only to have Christopher tighten his grip.

"I'll tag along if you don't mind" Christopher said as he watched Zander, whose eyes narrowed into slits. Zander pulled Michael behind  him, causing Christopher to lose his grasp.

"Actually I do mind, we will be on our way now" Zander growled being protective over Michael and quickly lead Michael off. Zander was trying not to grip Michael too tight as he was hurrying them into a large crowd of students. Michael was stumbling after Zander, he found himself blushing as Zander's hand was on his wrist.

Once they were a safe distance from Christopher, Zander jerked Michael into the men's restroom and he had Jordan and Xavier guard it so him and Michael would be alone. Michael gulped quietly and nervously as he backed into the wall. Zander rested his right hand next to Michael's head and his left hand harshly held onto Michael's chin making him look at him.

"Tell me… who is Christopher McLeod to you?" Zander's voice was cold but there were hints of curiosity in it.

"Just a kid in my band class. He isn't anything to me" Michael stammered as he peered up at Zander. 

"What was he talking to you about this morning?" 

"Why do you-"

"Just answer me Michael woods" zander said his eyes narrowed 

"U-Um about how you were Dangerous and how he would protect me from you…" Michael said quietly his gaze falling.

"I am not dangerous to you… him on the other hand" Zander snarled.

"What do you mean your not dangerous to me?" Michael asked.

Zander looked Michael in the eyes. Silence filled the bathroom, but to Michael's surprise it was a comfortable silence. Zander sighed, "I'm just not okay" he said as he resisted the urge to just press his lips onto Michael's. Michael raised an eyebrow,  "why aren't you? "

"I'm… Just not okay" Zander said, it was hard for him not to say why to Michael. He found that it was hard not to spill his guts to the shorter male. he bit down on his lip.

Michael moved his face out of Zander's hand, while ducking down and moving away from Zander. It was still shocking to Michael that the silence was comfortable to him. Zander was finding that it was difficult to keep his mouth shut so he simply said, "Well good...I'm glad that he isn't anything to you."

With that Zander left the restroom with Jordan and Xavier on his heels. Zander was walking rather quickly as he made it to his locker in two minutes flat. Zander opened his locker before anyone said a word.

"So… How did that talk go with Michael? What did you say to him?" Jordan asked slowly, as he watched his Alpha. 

Zander peeked at Jordan, "went fine, It was hard to not spill my guts to him though. I just asked him who Christopher McLeod was to him."

Zander shrugged his shoulders as if it wasn't particularly important information that he had just shared. Jordan sighed and kept from facepalming himself.

"Dude why would you ask that?" Jordan said after taking a minute to reagain his cool composure. 

"Why would I ask that? you say that like I wasn't supposed to say that… Was I not supposed to say that?" Zander asked as he was watching his Beta with a raised eyebrow. This caused Jordan to loose his control and he facepalmed before he uttered a single word to his alpha.

"Dumbass, that isn't a question to ask someone period. Rather than worrying about their relationship, shouldn't you learn more about who Christopher is? Maybe find out if he is human or not. I also think you should focus on building a relationship of your own with him. Just saying man. You don't want to seem possessive over him." Jordan said slowly to his alpha. sure he didn't have experience in the mate department but he had watched his parents well enough to get an idea, along with some advice his mother had given him. 

"I guess you have a point Jordan. could you two look into Christopher? I just know that if I see his face again I am going to loose my shit." Zander said as he closed his locker, holding four notebooks.

"Sure we can do that, just focus on building a relationship with Michael." Xavier said as he was watching their alpha. Xavier would do his best to get all the information he could on this Christopher kid. Jordan nodded his head in agreement with Xavier, but he had twice the drive of Xavier to succeed in this task that was given to them. With that Jordan and Xavier sped off to try and get some intel on Christopher McLeod.

The two decided to talk to other children in their pack. First they talked to Eric Stapleton. Eric was a five foot ten male, with a tan complexion, sandy blonde hair, green eyes, and well built. Eric was a football player for the high school and often a great source of information. Xavier walked up to Eric and he let out a sly smirk as he patted Eric's right shoulder.

"Hey man, looking into a kid. I was hoping you would have some intel." Xavier said as he leaned on the wall near Eric, arms crossed. Eric looked at him about to make a remark when he saw Jordan and he growled lowly.

"Well… Man… Depends on the kid that you want intel on. how about giving me a name." Eric snarled lowly as he was watching the two.

"Christopher McLeod. Give use everything that you have on him, even if it isn't a lot…" Jordan said as he was watching Eric, who was now facing them.

"Christopher McLeod? Well  there isn't a whole lot of information on that kid in general… He moved with a small family here this year a lot like that Michael kid. He is in band and is a real pain in the ass. not a lot of people like him. Those that hang out with him appear to be either afraid of him or are worshipping the ground that his feet walk on. there doesn't appear to be an in between for his so called friends. If I had to guess he isn't human. That is about all I know on the kid. Shouldn't you ask Samantha or Danny? After all they are in band with him." Eric said after taking a few minutes to tap his chin.

"Trust me they were next on our list. Thanks for the intel." Jordan said as he turned on his heels and he pulled out his cellphone. he was scrolling through his contacts, until he made it to Danny's name. he tapped it then chose message and he began to text Danny,

'Hey Danny this is Jordan I need to talk to you so meet me at locker 359, at first break. I suggest that you come alone.' was all that Jordan texted. Even before he exited the messaging app, Danny replied.

'Yes sir'

Jordan found himself smirking as he turned off the screen to his phone off and shoved the phone into his pocket, Xavier was walking with him.

"When do we talk to Danny?" Xavier asked as he was walking with Jordan who looked at him and he said, "First Break"

At this point the two decided that it would he in their best interest to head to first period as they didn't want to find out what Mrs. Harris did to tardy students. The two hurried down the hall and walked into room 203, to see that Michael was in his seat reviewing his homework with Zander staring at him. the two shook their heads and they took their seats. Zander had found himself frequently staring at the smaller male. He found himself annoyed with it but he couldn't seem to stop, which only aggravated him more.

Zander shifted his attention to his notebook for math class and he opened it flipping to the page he had dedicated to the homework assignment only to realize that he hadn't done any of the problems for the homework. Zander had facepalmed before he could stop himself which caused Jordan and Xavier to stifle some laughter.

Zander looked at the two, narrowing his eyes. The two hushed and looked  at their own papers. Satisfied with them looking at their own papers, now quietly. He returned to his own paper. He began to think back to the previous day and realized that he, in fact, didn't do his homework. 

But rather he focused on being upset that Michael had punched him and trying to place why Michael's scent had been driving him mad. He sat and decided that he would pull that he forgot it and then make Jordan help him tonight.

Period 1 room 203

The bell rang with all the students in their assigned seats. Mrs. Harris walked into the classroom and she looked at the students. she was soon standing at the front of the classroom and she was facing them. As she looked at them she noted that the only one that didn't have his homework on his desk was Zander Thomas. She cleared her throat and she was walking toward his desk.

"Zander why is it that you are the only one without your homework?" Mrs. Harris asked as she was looking at him for his answer.

"I forgot it on my desk at home… Sorry" Zander said as he looked at her. Mrs. Harris sighed and shook her head, "Bring it tomorrow alright?"

"Yes mam" Zander said as he was relieved that she had believed him. Mrs. Harris began to make her way back to the front of the class. She then proceeded to look at all the students. She smiled and said, "Now let's turn in those assignments and begin the next lesson!"

The students then got up and lined up in front of the basket to turn in their assignments. As the students turn in their papers, they then returned to their seats. Zander was the only one who didn't move from his seat. once everyone was back in their seats, Mrs. Harris went to her desk and she sat at her computer pulling up a powerpoint. she then stood up and she had a small gray clicker in her right hand as she walked to the front of the class. She looked at the students before she began to speak.

As she went over the powerpoint she then faced the class and she was watching Zander with a bit of a blunt stare, as Zander was again focused on Michael.

"Zander if you are going to Daydream do it on your own time and not in my class!" Mrs. Harris snapped.

"uh, yes mam" Zander said quietly as he looked at Mrs. Harris.

soon the bell rang. Michael and Zander had gathered their stuff. Michael stood up and smiled to Anna as she was walking with him heading to second class.

period 2 room 105

Michael walked into the classroom with Anna and they took their seats. not far behind them was Xavier, Jordan, and Zander. Zander took his seat watching Michael who was sitting in front of him. He bit his lip a bit taking in Michael's scent and he sighed quietly and contentedly.

Michael peeked back behind him at Zander. he was confused by the contentedly sighs of Zander. this caused Zander to clear his throat and look at the book in front of him.

this caused Xavier and Jordan to stifle laughter. Michael was getting more confused and he sighed as he was trying to focus on the book infront of him.

they were handed tests for chapters two and three. Michael was easily able to answer the quiz questions and turned in his test and he sat back down in his seat as he was looking at the board.

Zander was having a bit of trouble but got it all answered and turned in. he returned to his seat and he watched Michael. soon the class was over and Michael grabbed his bag and walked out with Anna.

Zander was shoved toward Micheal bumping into him. Michael stumbled a bit and he looked back to see a flustered Zander.

"um can I help you Zander?" Michael asked, causing Zander to hold his hands up, "ah no um, would it be okay if we walked with you?"

"um sure" Michael said as he raised an eyebrow looking at Zander. Anna stifled a giggle as she looked at the two conversing.

period 3 room 409

the bell rang, but the teacher was no where to be seen, Michael sighed as he walked into the Biology classroom and took his seat. Zander sat down beside Michael. Anna was sitting with Xavier and she giggled quietly as she watched them.

"so what is with Zander?" Anna asked Xavier. he peeked at her and he chuckled a bit, "you know how a male wolf gets when they find theitlr mate" he said chuckling a bit more.

"I see so Michael is his mate then?" she asked smiling to Xavier who nodded. she looked over at Michael and Zander she felt herself smiling, "I hope it works out for them" she said softly.

"I'm sure once Zander tries and Michael cheers up about Zander they will do good" Xavier said watching them as well.

, "alright class today we are doing an experiment " mrs. Watson said as she looked at the class with a smile. Michael watched her curiously. Zander watched her and frowned.

"today we will be Implanting two weevils into a bowl of flower, these bugs gain their nutrients from the flour " she said smiling as she handed out bowls of flour. then she had students open the bowls and she placed a male and a female weevil in and had them close their lids.

"now each day you will come in get your container put in fresh flour over the top as you will see the old flour going down." she said as the bell rang

first break

Xavier and Jordan hurried off to Jordan's locker to room 359. Jordan leaned on his locker as he waited for Danny. Time was ticking he didn't have enough time for this.

bit soon Danny showed up, "Hey Jordan what's up?" he said as he looked at Jordan. Jordan looked at him with a serious expression, "well we need some Intel on a kid in you band class" Jordan started.

"which one? Michael or Christopher? they are the only new ones in the class" Danny said as he got serious looking at Jordan.

"Christopher " Jordan said as he looked at Danny.

"well his scent it is clear he is a werewolf, probably of that new pack. though he makes it hard to place if he is Alpha or Beta" Danny said as he looked at them then added, "though Trey has a better nose than I do"

"we know that but you are a higher rank then him so we suggested that we talk to you first. now hurry and get us Trey." Jordan said bluntly as he looked at Danny who nodded and he hurried off. he soon returned with Trey

"Trey Intel on Christopher McLeod " Jordan said getting to the point.

"well he is a werewolf. I smell Alpha on him. he seems to have no respect for adults which tells me it is just teens in his pack. Also he has a strange obsession with Michael " Trey said as he cleared his throat.

"thank you that is insightful, don't let Michael out of your sight with Christopher " Jordan said as he hurried off to find Zander.

"Zander! hey he is the alpha of the other pack. he is targeting your mate specifically. so perhaps you must work faster with Michael " Jordan said. this angered Zander, that Michael was in danger.

At the end of the day, Zander made it a mission to confront Christopher, whom he suspected was a wolf from the other pack. he got to school and when he located Christopher he dragged him to the alley and slammed him into the wall. hard. Christopher winced but then a chuckle rumbled from Christopher as he looked at Zander.

"you! you back off and leave Michael alone! you hear me?!" Zander snapped his eyes turning red with rage.

"oh no I can't do that. you see he's your mate and I can't have that. he's too precious for you" Christopher said smirking.

"Leave my mate alone or I'll rip you to shreds" Zander snarled

"Try if you dare Zander. but I am the better Alpha" Christopher snarled back with a sly smirk.

Zander snarled as he threw Christopher into the wall behind him and he walked off. he was determined to make sure Christopher left Michael alone.

- Thanksgiving break-

It was the last day before the one week break for Thanksgiving and frankly Michael had had enough. Between Chris trying to make out with him and Zander's sudden asking him out. he had had enough. little did he know much worse was to come. The last bell finally rang and Michael was excited to have a week away from the two pressing males.

as he was at his locker talking to Anna he felt a male press himself up against his back. A look of annoyance came clear on his face, "Get the hell back" Michael growled as he turned and shoved, Christopher back.

"awe come on Michael " Christopher purred leaning in close. Anna watched and said, "Dude back off"

Christopher looked at her, "Stay out of this girlie" he said bluntly.

"leave her out of this Christopher " Michael said with a low growl

"sure if you come with me after school" he said smiling to Michael

"you promise to leave her and my sister alone?" he said as he looked up at Christopher.

"yes I promise if you come with me I will leave Anna and Arianna alone" he said.

"fine" he said.

Christopher nodded his head and waited for Michael. Michael walked with Christopher. as the two were walking Zander saw them and tensed hurrying to get Michael away from Christopher.

"Zander not right now" Michael said annoyed

"But-"

"No not right now" Michael snapped and walked off with Christopher to the alleyway. Michael had his arms crossed as Christopher was leaning on one of the walls, "My dear Michael did you consider my proposal?"

"no I didn't because I'm not interested. now leave me alone" Michael said as he turned to leave.

Christopher sighed and came up behind Michael and grabbed him harshly as he clamped a rag over Michael's face. Michael struggled for a couple minutes before passing out into Christopher's arms.

"Sorry Michael dear but I need you to cooperate. besides by the end of this you'll be mine" he said as he picking up the passed out Michael and left to his pack a sly smirk on his lips.

*****

Zander stood there stunned, had Michael really snapped at him? leaving with Christopher? Zander could feel himself panicking. he shook his head and rushed out to find them, only to realize he was frozen from shock for too long. Zander cursed and had to refrain from howling in rage.

instead he went and found Jordan. He grabbed Jordan by the collar of his shirt, "get me the teens of the pack now" he whispered harshly before shoving him hard. Jordan gulped and nodded before scurrying off he had never seen Zander so pissed.

Zander paced his wolf fangs digging into his bottom lip his nails grew in length. he was near turning into his wolf form just from his anger alone. soon there was six wolves around him, "Alpha" one spoke quietly.

In total there was Jordan, Xavier, Zander, Trey, Eric, Anna and Danny. Xavier had grabbed Zander to still him which only angered him more. Anna gasped as Xavier was stuck with claw marks left behind on his right cheek.

"Zander this is no way to behave. what happened why are you so mad?" Xavier asked calmly.

"My mate...was Taken by the Alpha of the new pack?! I can't calm until he is safe" Zander snarled as he again began to pace. with his mate in possible danger he couldn't even stand still.