Page 3 of Wicked Savage Wolves
He wanted me. So, there’s that, I remind myself again. I am wanted. Though, he’s yet to act like it.
Outside, I climb into Natalia’s little white sports car. It sits ridiculously low to the ground. I don’t know how much Brian pays her to be his personal assistant, but it must be a lot if she can afford this. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s more than his assistant based on the few times I’ve seen them together. There’s always this subtle sense of desire between them which, one, ew. Because the guy is my dad. And two, how cliché. Did he have to go for his secretary? He could have mixed it up at least and gone for his accountant.
Brian is fifty-two and Natalia is young enough to be my big sister. But who am I to judge?
Up until a week ago, I didn’t even know I had a dad. I mean, obviously I knew someone contributed to me being born and all that, but I didn’t know he was out there. That he knew about me. I kinda assumed he was dead if I’m being honest with myself. Shifters don’t abandon their pups. It just wasn’t done.
Mom never talked about him and I wasn’t one of those kids who felt like I was missing a piece of myself without a dad. She’d always been enough, and I had my Pack.
Tears sting the backs of my eyes as I push my old memories away.
It takes twenty minutes to get to Hellbound High. Natalia rambles on about nonsense and I tune her out for most of the drive. Pulling into the school parking lot, her sports car sticks out like a sore thumb and all eyes turn toward us as she parks. I swallow hard and rush to unbuckle. She puts the car in park as though she plans to come in with me. “I’ll be fine,” I assure her. “I’m a big girl.” I grab my bag, purposefully leaving behind the coffee, and rush to open the door.
“But it’s your first day. I can walk you in. I’m sure there’s paperwork and—”
“It’s okay. I got it.” I don’t miss the gazes of the students passing by. Some are curious but most look annoyed. I don’t want that annoyance to morph into disdain. And I don’t want to get labeled as a snob. The cards are already stacked against me being a transfer and a lone wolf.
I’d tried convincing Brian to let me reach out to the Southwest Pack and see if they’d accept me but he refused to allow any contact with the local Pack, stating he’d worked out an agreement with their Alpha. I have no idea what that entailed. Most Packs would never allow a lone wolf so close to their territory and I told Brian as much, but he was adamant it’d been taken care of.
With the Pack off the table, I’d had to beg Brian to let me attend Hellbound High. He wanted me to attend Hillcrest Academy. The top private school in the area. Ahuman-onlyhigh school. He thought I could blend in. Suppress my wolf. I made sure to educate him on that front. There is no hiding the fact I am a shifter and I refuse to even try. I am proud of who and what I am. Even if he isn’t.
Even knowing that, getting him to agree to this stupid school was still like pulling teeth. He’d even considered hiring private tutors and having me homeschooled.
I shudder. The isolation of it all would have driven me crazy.
“Are you sure? Your father wouldn’t be happy if—”
“I’m good. Promise.” I slam the door behind me, not giving her the chance to comment further, and rush across the parking lot to the school’s front entrance. A large red devil mascot stares down at me.
Welcome to Hellbound High, home of the Devils.
I pass through the open doors, a sense of foreboding washing over me, but I quash it.
I’ll be okay.
Mom was strong. I can be strong, too.
I just have to take things one day at a time.
2
Isabella
The school had been informed of my arrival late last week, so they had everything ready for me. I got my schedule from the school counselor—a Druid, Mr. Rourke—along with a few forms he said I’d need to take home and bring back with Brian’s signature. I got my locker assignment and combination, though I have no intention of using it. I’ll lug my books in my backpack between classes rather than dropping them off in my locker to save on time.
Hellbound High is on a trimester system, so I only have four classes. English, Calculus, Spanish 4, and The Natural History of the Unnatural World. Calc will kick my butt. Math has never been my strong suit. But the rest of my classes should be easy enough to get caught up on. A mix of the mundane and paranormal. Back in Arizona, school is different. There’s no mixing between factions but we still learn the basics: English, math, science, American history, though from a shifter’s perspective, not the inaccurate version humans learn.
“Your, umm, Natalia informed me of your … situation,” Mr. Rourke says, a sympathetic frown tugging at his features. “If you need to talk to anyone, my office door is always open.”
Always the diligent assistant. Natalia has taken care of everything, including airing my business.Wonderful.
“Thanks.” I nod, not that I have any plans of taking him up on the offer. Mr. Rourke seems nice enough. He’s younger than most of the faculty I’ve seen so far. Late twenties, maybe early thirties. Though you can never be one hundred percent sure when it comes to Druids. Magic has a way of altering its user. Sometimes for better. Sometimes for worse.
He has reddish brown hair and dark blue eyes. He’s attractive enough and carries an easy smile. But I don’t need a shoulder to cry on. Least of all a stranger’s. I haven’t bothered to confide in my new dad. Why on earth would I confide inhim?
The warning bell rings, signaling first period is about to start. I stand up to leave, tucking my schedule into the front pocket of my pants. Before I can make it out of his office, a boy slips into the room on silent feet and a wolfish smirk on his face. One quick whiff and I know he’s a wolf.
I stand a little bit taller.
