Chapter 7
"You'll be fine. It sounds like I might be working here too. Just keep a low profile and do your best, Maggie," Mom said, giving my knee a reassuring squeeze.
I stared at the imposing structure, convinced it would become yet another place of disappointment and torment. Just like the last one.
"I'll see you later," I mumbled, grabbing my backpack and climbing out before she could offer more encouragement.
Inside, the main office buzzed with morning activity. A woman in her thirties looked up from behind the desk, her auburn hair falling straight to her shoulders. Large round glasses perched on her straight nose, framing warm brown eyes. Her smile was genuinely welcoming—a stark contrast to the cold reception I'd grown accustomed to at Gregory Pack.
"You must be Margaret," she said, already pulling out a manila folder.
"Yes, I'm here for my schedule."
She handed me the folder with another kind smile. "Everything you need is in here—class schedule, school map, library card, and your locker combination. I'm sure you'll fit right in."
I doubted that, but nodded politely. Opening the folder, I scanned the contents. The class schedule looked standard until I reached the bottom. My heart sank.
Training schedule: Every afternoon except Friday. Tuesday and Wednesday: Wolf Form Training.
My stomach dropped like a stone. This was it—the moment I'd been dreading. My secret would be exposed, and I'd be right back where I started. Maybe I should just pack my bags now.
The hallway was relatively quiet as I found my locker. A few students glanced curiously at the new girl, but no one approached with open hostility. It was... different. I spun the combination and shoved my extra books inside, trying to calm my racing thoughts.
"Boo!"
I jumped, slamming my locker shut as my heart hammered against my ribs.
A girl with pixie-cut purple hair grinned at me, a gold nose ring glinting in the fluorescent lights. Deep purple and black eyeshadow enhanced her mischievous expression.
"Hi, you must be the new girl. I'm Juniper." Before I could respond, she snatched my schedule from my hands. "Let's see what you've got."
"Hey—" I protested weakly.
"Oh good, we have most of the same classes. Come on, I'll show you around." She linked her arm through mine, practically dragging me down the hall.
"I heard you're from Alpha Gregory's Pack," Juniper continued, lowering her voice. "My dad's Felix, the third in command. He heard it from Alpha Charles and Beta Dylan."
Great. Everyone already knew about us.
"Do you have the Beta gene too?" she asked. "Your mom's reputation precedes her—the only female warrior in Gregory Pack. That's pretty badass."
I managed a weak smile. "Yeah, that's my mom."
"Alpha Charles really hates Alpha Gregory," Juniper confided as we walked. "We hardly ever get new members. The Alpha's super careful about who he lets in. Some people are saying he already regrets allowing you guys to join."
My unease deepened. "The old Pack was just... like any other Pack," I said carefully, not wanting to reveal too much.
But that was a lie. Alpha Charles was nothing like I'd expected. From the stories, I'd imagined being thrown in a cell or immediately exiled. Instead, he'd been... different. Almost kind.
"Here we are," Juniper announced, stopping at a green door. "Mr. Tonks is nice, but he hates tardiness."
The English classroom was already half full. Unlike my old school, where chaos reigned, these students chatted quietly in small groups. Juniper led me to seats in the back row.
"Quick survival guide," she whispered as we sat. "The nerds over there are the safe group—they won't bother you. Stay away from the blonde one." She pointed to a pretty girl surrounded by admirers. "That's Ruby Hill, head cheerleader and school queen. She's the real mean girl here. Completely obsessed with Alpha Charles. Just float in the middle like I do."
Mr. Tonks entered and immediately began writing on the whiteboard without acknowledging the new student. I was grateful for the lack of attention as I copied notes mechanically.
The morning passed in a blur of new faces and classroom orientations. By lunchtime, my anxiety had reached a fever pitch. Juniper and I sat on the playground, watching staff set up equipment for afternoon training.
"Two hours of training," I muttered, feeling sick. My secret would be exposed within hours. There was no way to fake having a wolf during pack exercises.
Then I saw them—my mother walking across the field with Alpha Charles himself. They were heading straight for the training area.