Chapter 10: Study Session

Come Monday, I already feel like I’ve been dragged through hell. Because of the huge scare that Ray caused at the party, and Adam screaming about a bear, everyone fled the spot in a matter of minutes. Including my ride.

Yes. I was left alone in the woods at one in the morning. I had to walk back to Carol’s Laundromat for wi-fi, and luckily got an Uber back home, but of course I was welcomed with a shower of lectures from my enraged parents. Especially since I smelled like weed when I entered.

It was a hell of a lot of explaining.

At times like this, it would’ve been nice to live in a dorm room like Taylor, but to help with finances, I opted to commute.

So here I am, sitting in my car in the campus parking lot for the past ten minutes debating if I even want to get out.

I don’t want to go to my classes today. Not because my friends ditched me for the second time and I got an earful from my parents about it, but because that night has officially processed in my brain.

Ray is a f*cking wolf. Like, the real deal. The fact that I could stay so calm and collected in the moment makes me wonder if I lied to my parents about taking LSD. But it’s all real. At least, I think so. Which is all the more reason why I should probably avoid him at all costs today.

I gotta take this with me to the grave. Not like anyone would believe me if I told them, but he did mention that if any outsiders found out they would be…

I gulp, reluctantly stepping out of my car. Looking both ways to ensure there’s no tall wolf boy around, I proceed to the history building.

No one would be able to recognize me anyway. Normally, I try to look nice and dress cute, but today I’m rocking the hoodie and sweats combo. That can be cute too if executed properly, but there’s zero execution in this.

A pair of shades to hide the bags under my eyes, and a knotted, messy red bun to hide the fact that I didn’t brush my hair this morning equals ‘I’m dying inside.’ It’s the finals week fashion trend, but three weeks early.

I stop by the coffee shop to get some caffeine in my system, but quickly abandon ship when I see Jessica, Claire and Annica talking amongst themselves at one of the tables.

When I see them, I’m reminded of how stupid I am. My willingness to see the good in people has been brutally abused by them. Now, I really can’t help but think anyone and everyone is out to get me.

I push on and avoid as many people as possible. Apparently, a rumor started of Adam leaving me to fend for myself against a bear, and because I didn’t contact anyone over the weekend, some even assumed I was mauled by it.

So I guess I’m not the only one suffering repercussions, if anything, Adam is taking the most damage from all of this. But rightfully so! I get that he was drunk, yet he was sober enough to run from danger. But…

I fold my arms tightly.

Who knows what would’ve happened if Ray didn’t intervene-

“No!” The word slips out of my mouth, causing a few heads to turn my way.

“No? Why is that, Ms. Brown?” The professor looks at me with a slight tang of annoyance that I disrupted him.

Oh sh*t, since when did I get in the classroom?

A cacophony of whispers surrounds me.

“Is that Anna?”

“Oh my god, she looks like a wreck.”

“Poor thing…”

“She’s alive?”

“Can’t believe Adam left her for dead.”

I gulp and sink into my seat more, pulling my hood over my head.

“Sorry, I…misunderstood.”

“All the more reason why you should focus so there’s no misunderstandings.” He says promptly before continuing the lesson.

Well there goes my ghost cover. Way to go, Anna. But I need to stop thinking about him if I still want to actually walk among the living. I shiver in my seat as if death is sitting right next to me. This isn’t good.

After some time, the professor dismisses us, and I’m the first to slip out and dodge the oncoming wave of questions.

Coming to school was a bad idea after all.

I should just head back to my car, get some McDonald’s, and go home.

Suddenly a hand takes my arm and yanks me away and out of sight behind a building. I immediately struggle against the assailant before I hear a familiar voice.

“Calm down, it’s me!”

Opening my eyes, the first thing I notice is the blue and purple streaks in their hair, then I take in their features.

“S-Sam…?” I’m in shock. It’s Sam! She’s actually talking to me! Albeit a bit rough.

“Yeah, long time no see. Heard you’ve risen back from the dead.”

“Ugh, don’t remind me,” I roll my eyes. “But what are you doing here? I thought…well we… I-”

“I’m not here for that.” She stops me. “You made a deal with Ray, remember? I’ve come to pick you up.”

Oh my god, the deal. How could I remember everything except that? And here I thought if I just avoided him I could keep my head on my shoulders, but of course that’s out the window.

“Right…right. Then, Sam, does that mean that you…?”

“Shift, too? Yeah.”

My eyes blink at that. I thought she just knew Ray’s secret, not that she had the same ability. So they’re both wolves? How many of them go here? How many of them are out there…?

“It’s only the two of us that study here in case you’re wondering,” she says while pulling me across campus. “The only reason being because we got full rides. They wouldn’t bother spending money on an education they see as worthless.”

“They?”

Sam turns to me with an intimidating grin. “Our pack.”

***

DEMING, WA – SECLUDED SHOPPING DISTRICT

After driving a few miles away from campus and taking an unpaved road, we stumbled upon a small shopping district secluded from the rest of the city. It was a bit ominous to say the least, since they wouldn’t be racking up many customers in the area, but it still looks nice.

Approaching the vicinity, we arrive at a toll gate at the entrance. That’s weird, is this private property? How would they do business if it’s not local?

Sam rolls down the window and is greeted by the gatekeeper who tips his hat.

“Beautiful day, isn’t it?”

“Truly. May Selene’s light be just as bright.”

Smirking, the man nods. “May Selene protect us all.”

However, his smile quickly fades on making eye contact with me. I feel myself morphing into my seat.

“She’s with Ray.” Sam states boldly.

The man’s scowl doesn’t leave his face, but he acknowledges the information and makes his way back to his post, opening the path for us.

“…What just happened?” I am at a loss.

“If you couldn’t tell, this place is restricted to pack members only,” Sam explains. “Therefore outsiders aren’t welcome unless under…special circumstances.”

“And I’m a special circumstance?”

“Yep.”

After pulling into the lot, Sam leads me to one shop in particular, a book store named ‘Tote’s Tales.’ Opening the door, the bells chime and I look over all the books tightly fit in the shelves until my eyes stumble upon Ray who’s looking right at me.

My heart beats violently.

“Babe, you’re here! And you brought the girlfriend, good job.” A random guy appears from behind one of the shelves and wraps his arms around Sam, peppering her with kisses.

Wait, did he just say…

“Girlfriend?”

They all glance at me.

Ray chuckles at my confusion. “Yep, that’s what the deal is about, Miss Interviewer.” He nods to the store clerk, who disappears behind the back door.

“There’s a very special event happening a few months from now, one that I have to be involved in.” He leans back in his chair. “However, in order to participate, I have to have a—partner to receive admission. That’s where you come in.”

Still a bit dumbfounded, I watch him leave his seat and approach me.

“You need to act as my mate. That way I can get this whole event over and done with.”

I gulp at that. Mate? As in, his lover? Is that why they were saying I was the girlfriend?

But I’ve never even dated anyone before, much less a wolf, so how the hell am I supposed to act?

Noticing my face contort in distress, he grins at me. “And once you successfully do that, you’re free to go.”

I beam at that.

“As long as you keep your mouth shut about our community that is.”

My smile leaves as soon as it comes and I quickly nod.

Ray chuckles. “Good girl. So, now that you know the premise of the situation, we’ll get to the good part. Nathan.” He motions to the dirty blonde who goes back behind the shelves to push out a cart filled with books.

“You’ll have to learn and understand our pack’s culture and history before even stepping onto our turf. So, once you’ve finished studying through these books this week, we’ll move onto the next phase.”

My jaw drops. “I’m supposed to read all these books in a week? And there’s another phase after that?”

How the hell am I going to do all of this on top of my actual school work? It’s like I’m attending two universities at the same time!

“As long as you think of it as a research project for a final, you should be fine. You’re already dressed for the part.” He smirks, tugging the corner of my hoodie.

“Ha ha, very funny.” I roll my eyes. “But it’s practically impossible to read all of this in a week and actually retain any information.”

“Should we just execute her now, then?” Nathan asks. “Seems like this was a waste of time after all-”

“It’s impossible if you aren’t me!” I quickly rephrased. “I have photographic memory so this is no sweat.”

I’m so screwed.

While I’m internally panicking, Ray eyes Nathan to which he throws his hands up in surrender. “All jokes, all jokes,” he mutters.

“Well, the sooner you start, the better,” Sam takes a book from the cart and shoves it to my chest. “You’ve always had a knack for studying, this should be no problem for you.”

I stare at her in surprise. She seems to have caught on to her words, growing flustered by the second.

“Anyways, Nathan and I are heading out, so hurry up and study. We’re short on time and need to make this work, so if you fail, the deal is off.”

That spark of hope fizzles out as she pushes Nathan out the door, leaving me behind with Ray.

‘You’ve always had a knack for studying.’

I have definitely forced her to sit down and do homework with me because she didn’t care too much about school, but after some time, she eventually enjoyed studying with me, too.

That is, until I stopped.

“Are you just going to stand there looking pitiful all day, or are you going to read?” Ray scoffs.

Won’t even let me have my own sentimental moment. I sigh, taking a seat at the table.

Opening up the first few pages, the words are in old English.

This is going to be a nightmare.