The school loomed in the distance, and I knew, with a sinking feeling, that we wouldn’t go unnoticed. A wave of attention washed over us as we stepped onto campus. Goodbye to any hope of blending in.
“You’re picking me up after school, right?” I asked my mom, leaning into the warmth of her presence.
“Always,” she replied, her smile reassuring.
“Call me if anything happens, okay?” she said, her voice laced with worry, but quickly replaced by that same comforting smile.
“Always,” I echoed, repeating her words like a mantra.
I closed the car door, offering a quick “Bye” and “Drive safe” as she pulled away. Turning back towards the school, I found myself under the weight of dozens of stares. It felt like I was a statue on display, frozen under their scrutiny. I ignored them, forcing my gaze forward, and walked toward a sign pointing towards the office.
Inside, the secretary looked up, a practiced smile already forming.
“Hi, new student, right?” she asked, her tone welcoming.
“Yes, my name is Rose Gray,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Alright, let me print out your schedule, and I’ll get someone to show you around,” she said efficiently.
“Okay,” I responded, taking a seat in the waiting area. The office was surprisingly vast, stretching out in unexpected directions.
She returned with my schedule and a map of the campus. “I’ll call Alpha Jake to come down.”
A wave of anxiety washed over me. The Alpha. The very thought of him showing me around sent a shiver down my spine.
“He’ll be down in a minute,” she said, returning to her work.
Minutes stretched into an eternity. Then, a voice – deep and resonant – cut through the silence.
“I was called down,” he said to the secretary.
“Yes, Alpha, we have a new student who needs a tour,” she replied, gesturing toward me. Both of them turned to look.
His eyes met mine, and a jolt of discomfort ran through me. There was a raw, possessive hunger in his gaze as he scanned me from head to toe. I instinctively crossed my legs, shifting slightly as a wave of heat flushed my cheeks. I felt exposed, vulnerable under his scrutiny.
He turned back to the secretary, a curt nod of acknowledgment, then turned and walked toward the door. “Follow me,” he said, his voice a low rumble.