Chapter 10 The Price of Being Wolfless
LYRA
Dean’s eyes burn with rage and jealousy as he swings his fist toward Reid’s face.
Before it lands, a voice cuts through the tension from the entrance of the school building.
“Reid Hades?”
Dean stops. All heads turn.
Professor Hudson, also my swim coach, stands by the doorway with a bright, unfazed smile. As if he hasn’t just walked into what could’ve been a public assault.
“May I have a word, please?”
Reid doesn’t answer immediately. He just stares at Professor Hudson, completely unbothered, expression cool, as though Dean’s raised fist hadn’t been a breath away from his jaw.
Slowly, he turns back to Dean. Then steps in closer.
Too close.
His hands sink into his pockets as his gaze pins Dean in place. The air thickens.
Then he smirks. It’s dark, cold and wicked.
“You should get on your knees and thank that guy over there for stopping you,” he says quietly, voice dripping with menace. “Because if you’d landed that hit… I wouldn’t have let it slide.”
Dean’s jaw locks tight with rage.
Reid simply walks past him without another word, heading toward Professor Hudson. Together, they disappear into the hallway.
The onlookers begin to scatter, disappointed that the fight didn’t happen. I exhale deeply in relief.
Twice now, they’ve almost clashed because of me. I can’t handle what’ll happen if there’s a third time, especially if no one interrupts.
I turn to head inside too, but Dean grabs me by the wrist, yanking me back.
“Seriously, Lyra? You ditch me just to ride here with that rogue asshole?” he hisses. “Do you have any idea how dangerous he is?”
A bitter laugh of disbelief bursts out of me.
“You want to talk about danger?” I stare at him like he’s lost his mind. “You literally tried to force yourself on me yesterday. So tell me, who’s more dangerous?”
His eyes dart around nervously before he leans in. “Keep your voice down. People are listening—”
“Then fuck off!” I snap, yanking my wrist free with force. My glare slices through him. “And for the record, I’m calling off our engagement. I don’t want an arrogant, cheating molester for a mate, even if you’re the last male alive.”
His face drains of color.
I turn and walk away, storming into the building without looking back.
\~~~~~~
“The Hunter’s Moon is twenty-seven days away,” Professor Clara announces as the lecture draws to an end. Her voice carries a rare hint of excitement. “I hope you all understand what that means?”
The room erupts instantly.
“Inter-pack hunt!” Students chorus, whistles and claps echoing across the classroom.
I stay quiet, my eyes glued to my notes.
Nothing about the hunt concerns me. It’s for true wolves… those who’ve already shifted. Not for someone like me. Wolfless. Weak. The festival happens every year, and I’ve never attended once. This year won’t be the exception.
“Yes,” Professor Clara continues. “As always, all schools will be closed two days before the celebration and for three days during the celebration. So expect increased academic workload, more practicals and tests. We need to cover as much as possible before the break. Is that understood?”
The excitement dies instantly, replaced by groans and half-hearted murmurs.
She doesn’t bat an eye. Gathering her things, she announces, “Class dismissed.”
The moment she leaves, discontent fills the room.
“More assignments? Is she trying to kill us?” Someone complains behind me.
I turn without thinking.
My breath snags as my sight lands on someone seated a row behind me, leaning over his notes, writing. He doesn’t notice me looking.
Reid.
How did I not know he was in the same class all this time?
Something light but jarring smacks the back of my head, cutting me off my thoughts. I blink and turn around.
A scrunched-up paper ball drops to the floor near my chair.
A group bursts into laughter beside me. I turn and recognize them instantly. Sandy, Millie, Fred. Roxanna’s friends.
As for Roxanna, she’s seated among them, jotting in her notebook, pretending innocence.
But I catch the faint curl at the corner of her lips.
She’s enjoying this.
“Hey, wolfless brain-box,” Millie calls out, mockery shining in her eyes. “Since you can’t join the hunt, why don’t you help those of us who can by doing our assignments? Gives us more time to train.”
She looks around, feeding the crowd.
“What do you say, guys?” She laughs. “Team effort?”
“I’m in!” Someone calls.
“Great idea! At least the wolfless girl can be useful for something,” Another laughs.
Heat crawls up my neck. I turn back to my notebook quietly, fingers tightening around my pen. It never gets easier, being mocked and treated like dead weight.
Normally, Roxanna would defend me. But today, she’s enjoying it.
Mercifully, the bell rings.
Lunch break.
Quickly, I pack my books with shaky hands and sling my backpack over my shoulder. I hurry for the door.
Running is my only escape.
If I thought the taunting would stop at the classroom door, I’m painfully mistaken. In the cafeteria, it follows me like a shadow.
Around me, the whispers continue. Heads sneakily turn in my direction. Some pretend not to look, others don’t bother hiding their laughter.
“I heard the Alpha’s son dumped her for her sister. How pathetic,” a girl murmurs to her friend, eyes flicking towards me.
“Totally pathetic. He probably realized she wasn’t his type. Roxanna is way better.”
“Oh please, Roxanna is literally the sweetest and the prettiest girl in the entire pack. I’m sure Lyra has always been jealous of her.”
I tighten my grip on my cutlery until my knuckles ache. I have no doubt Roxanna fed them the story of Dean cheating on me with her, just to humiliate me.
It’s a classic Roxanna thing. Sleep with a girl’s boyfriend, ruin her image, and walk away spotless.
I’ve watched her do it to others. Just never thought she’d do it to me. I was always nice to her. Always tried to make her feel like family after father adopted her.
Yet here I am, suffering and betrayed by the same person I trusted with my life.
“May I join you?”
That voice again.
I glance up slowly. Reid stands across my table, his tall frame casting a shadow, lunch tray in hand. His expression is the same cold mask he always wears.
I blink, confused. “Why…” My words trail off as I look around. There are plenty of empty seats. Why mine?
“I don’t like to eat alone,” he says flatly, like he can read my mind.
Before I can reply, he pulls out the chair opposite me and sits.
The whispers die instantly, and the air tightens. It seems everyone is quite wary of Reid. Most probably due to talks about his dark past.
I stare as he starts eating, not sparing me a single glance. I feel a small, warm pulse unravel gently in my chest.
Did he actually stop the gossip for me?
No. That’s ridiculous. Reid hates me. He made it clear when he rejected me years ago. So why? Why does he always step in at the last minute?
What’s his game?