The Ambush

CLAIRE'S POV

"Excuse me," I muttered, pushing through the crowded room to find an empty seat in Shifting and Defense class.

I finally spotted one and lowered myself onto it, wincing as I rubbed my knee. I shouldn't have come tonight because of my injured knee, but skipping Professor Sylas's class wasn't an option, not unless I wanted to deal with him. And the man scared me a little.

"Settle down, everyone!" Professor Sylas barked as he strode in. "I need pin-drop silence in this room!" 

The chatter died instantly as everyone hurried to their seats. Even Skylar, who had been obnoxiously chewing her bubblegum, stopped mid-pop.

"Tonight, we'll be covering an interesting topic," Professor Sylas announced, his sharp gaze sweeping the room. "Hunting and pack ambush."

He started pacing, his usual dramatic flair in full effect.

"Hunting as a pack has always been our greatest strength as werewolves," he began.

I leaned back in my seat, already fighting the urge to tune him out. This class was useless for someone like me. Without a wolf, without the ability to shift, what was I supposed to gain from it?

Rolling my eyes, my mind drifted to Zane instead, to his ridiculous, audacious claims.

First, he rejects me. Taunts me. Torments me.

Now, suddenly, he's claiming me?

And not even in a good way.

His toy?

I scoffed under my breath. He was out of his mind if he thought I'd ever let him treat me like that.

I'd prove him wrong.

Even as my thoughts drifted, I could still hear Professor Sylas droning on about how hunters had learned to use pack hunting against werewolves—how they knew exactly how to take down an entire family or pack at once.

Then, I felt it. The shift in the room as some people turned to me, their judgemental eyes burning into me from all directions.

Here we go again. Any mention of hunters, and I became the target.

"The girl you're all glaring at is as harmless as a dying snail," Professor Sylas said, his gaze landing on me when he noticed others staring. "However, the real threat is her father. And thank the goddess, he's not in this school so you can all relax."

My heart skipped a beat at his words, my eyes meeting his gaze for a moment. So even he was afraid of my father. Was there anyone who didn't speak of him like a monster? 

I didn't get my answer before Professor Sylas continued his lecture, but I barely paid him any attention. My skin prickled because of the lingering stares. When I glanced around, my eyes locked onto Skylar's. She was glaring at me like she wanted to claw my face off.

What now?

For the past few days, she'd kept her distance, probably because I nearly ripped out all her hair during our last fight. So why was she back to this?

"Now, it's time for your run," Professor Sylas announced, snapping me back from my thoughts. Chairs scraped against the floor as everyone stood. "For those who haven't shifted yet, a run helps you channel your wolf's strength. Now, let's get moving!"

I rose with the others, my stomach twisting.

There was no way I could run with my knee like this, but I was too scared to tell Professor Sylas. Maybe I could slip into the woods, wait out the time, and sneak back once it was over.

Stepping out, I followed others like I wanted to run. But once I entered the bushes, I stayed close to the edge, careful not to go too far. I just needed twenty minutes to pass. Just twenty minutes. 

As I tried to find a good spot to sit, I kept myself alert. The last time I tried running, I stayed out late and almost died. With my knee in this condition, I needed every second to make it back to my dorm safely.

Finally finding a quiet spot, I lowered myself beside a tree, tilting my head back to admire the night sky.

If only I had my wolf, I thought with a sad smile as I looked at the sky. 

I imagined what it would feel like—to shift, to run freely under the moonlight. To feel the wind rush past me, strong and fast, instead of always being the one left behind.

But then, a sharp snap jolted me back to reality. My breath hitched. Was that a twig?

"Who's there?" I asked, my heart hammering as I scanned the darkness. Slowly, my eyes caught the sight of a figure stepping out. 

"Nice ears," she drawled, amusement lacing her tone. I couldn't fully make out her face, nor did I recognize her voice.

Slowly, I pushed myself to my feet, using the tree for support. "What do you want?"

"You mean, what do we want?"

My stomach clenched. We?

Another figure stepped out from the opposite side. My heartbeat thundered in my chest.

This was an ambush.

"Please, just leave me alone," I said, my throat suddenly dry. "I don't have any problems with any of you."

A slow, mocking clap echoed through the trees. Then a voice I knew all too well cut through the darkness.

"And what about me?"

Skylar.

I knew it was her before she even stepped out, joining the other two. 

I clenched my fist, the sound of my own heartbeat pounded in my ears. One-on-one, I had a chance. But with my knee like this? Against three of them?

This was bad. They could kill me and nobody would care. 

"Skylar, I'll scream," I warned, hoping she'd back off.

She threw her head back and laughed. My threat obviously didn't work the way I'd hoped. "Go ahead," she taunted, stepping close enough for me to see her face "Scream all you want. No one will care. In fact, they'll probably be glad you're finally getting what you deserve."

"What I deserve?" I snapped. "Tell me, what exactly have I done to you to deserve this? Any of you? You call my father a monster, but have you ever considered that you're just like him?"

Skylar's smile faltered for a second. Then she rolled her eyes. "Don't play the pity game, Claire. I know all your little tricks."

"Is this about Zane?" I asked, desperate for a way out. My mind was thinking of many ways to escape. "If you hurt me, do you really think that will bring back Zane's affection?"

Skylar stepped forward, her eyes burning darker with anger. I instinctively shrank back until my spine hit the tree.

"You don't know anything about Zane," she hissed. "He's tormented because of you. He has nightmares because you decided to come here."

Her fingers curled into fists.

"If I kill you, I'll free him from his torment." She said, "I'll make him happy again." 

Fear clawed at my chest, but I had to think fast. "Killing me will only torment him for life."

She chuckled, tilting her head like I'd just told a joke. "And why is that?"

I swallowed hard. "Have you ever wondered why I ended up in the next room? Why he lingers around me even when he claims to despise me?"

Maybe it was fear making me reckless, but these questions had been circling in my mind for so long. And now, I was saying them out loud to his girlfriend who wanted to hurt me.

"What are you trying to say?" Skylar asked.

I held her gaze. "Ask him." My voice dropped to a whisper. "You already suspect it, don't you? Why don't you ask him? But if you hurt me, you'll only get your answer too late."

For the first time, she hesitated. I caught the flicker of doubt in her eyes and prayed that was enough to save my life tonight. 

But it wasn't. Skylar scoffed, shaking her head. "Your lies won't save you tonight."

And like a predator, she lunged at me.