Tyler

This is such bullshit.

I don't care who the fuck returned from the dead, I'm not giving up on Alpha. Not in a million years! I don't give a fuck who says otherwise. I'm not backing down, not from this.

Even after all of us got to class, the entire school was buzzing about Jack's return. His little announcement at the yard coupled with our discussion earlier fueled the school rumor mill that buzzed through its corridors.

By lunch time, everyone gathered around to see him like he's some sort of celebrity. Lots of students circling him like vultures, greeting him, talking, flirting and worst of all: bowing their heads.

Really, people? You only bow your head to the actual Alpha. No one else. It's like werewolf 101, basic stuff you learn in primary school.

I grunted under my breath. My mood so sour I've barely touched the food in my plate. My friends tried to start conversations with me but I only snarled in response. I couldn't be bothered, honestly. What a way to start the school year. And what a jackass.

"If you scowl anymore, it'll leave a permanent damage." - My sister snickered, snapping me out of my internal rant.

I glared at her. We're sitting at our usual table at the cafeteria. Me, her and four of our closest friends. We always sit together during lunch. It usually is the best time to catch up with them, trading stories and hearing about pack news or the latest gossip.

But somehow all my concentration was focused on the giant turd sitting not far from where we were, getting accolades for surviving like he's Harry Potter. He got lucky, that's all.

Yes, it's horrible what happened to his family. No one is denying that. I just don't think he should be granted a free pass on the count of the tragedy. And by that, I mean he can't be treated any different than the rest of us.

"I'm not scowling, I'm sulking. It's different." - I replied to my sister as I dig in my food before it gets (too) cold.

"Right." - She said with a raised eyebrow.

"We knew this would happen eventually, Ty. Dad shouldn't have put the idea in your head that you're succeeding him. This is the Stonehold pack. He's a Stonehold. It's not rocket science." - She deadpans, making our friends giggle at her words.

I glared at her. Yes, she's right. I guess... But I don't care, I want to be Alpha just like my dad. It's too late now for me to want otherwise.

"You should try to make things nice with him. Or you won't even be his Beta." - She continued, making my scowl grow uglier. Jason and Peter both gasped at her words. They know what this means to me since they're my closest friends.

"I'm not gonna be anyone's Beta. I'm Alpha, just like dad. That jackass just doesn't know it yet." - I grunted, looking annoyed at her.

"Do you seriously think the Elders are going to side with you on the ascension? The same Elders who all grew up with a Stonehold Alpha just like the rest of this town? I like your confidence but you sound delusional." - She retorted, not allowing me to maintain my hope.

Of course, I know he has a strong case for himself. I know he's his father's son. I'm not stupid, I know what I'm up against. But I'm not giving up.

"Delusional is him thinking he could grew up some place else and return to be our Alpha like nothing happened." - I replied in an angry tone. I glared at her, but she's not backing down. Neither one of us ever do.

"Except something did happened. Didn't it? Can you really blame his uncle for whisking him away after the attack?" - She said with an angry tone at me.

Before I could reply, Anna interjected making us look at her direction.

"Are you already defending your mate?" - Her tone was playful as she stared at my sister for a reaction. So did all of us.

"No, I'm not defending anyone. It's just common sense. I can't let Ty talk shit about him just because he's pissed he lost on Alpha." - She spoke sounding annoyed, but I was livid.

"I didn't lose anything! And shame on you for taking his side!" - I barked at her and left the table fuming.

I walked away from the cafeteria and went in the direction of the restroom before I completely lost my cool. But I still caught a glimpse of people flocking to the jackass like he won the lottery on my way out. That's so annoying.

I splashed some water on my face, trying to calm down. I need to keep myself checked. It does no one any good if I get on a pissing contest with him now. I'm smart enough to know that this isn't going to be decided by any of us. Not even by my dad. It's up to the Elder Council to rule on the matter. It's the highest regarded group of people from our pack and the only with authority to decide on the ascension.

So, I need to demonstrate I'm the better candidate. I need to play this smart, not angry. A show down between us now would only hurt my case. Last thing I need is for the Elders to think I'm immature or incapable of handling my shit.

"Are you okay?" - A voice snapped me out of my daze, looking at me concerned. I turned around to see my nemesis himself.

"Yes, I'm fine." - I replied curtly, trying my best to refrain from glaring at him. He entered a stall to do his business and I leave the restroom.

Later on the last class, I had the displeasure of sharing it with him. I guess since we're all the same age and grade this is going to happen a lot. That is not to say if he doesn't join the wrestling team, which I'm willing to bet he will. If anything, just to spite me.

I decided that I shouldn't waste my energy hating on him. Truth be told, he did nothing wrong apart from not presenting himself to the Alpha upon his arrival. But that's certainly not enough reason for me to hate him.

So I concentrate on what the teacher is saying, copying it to my notebook. I drift off a little just to be awaken by the principal's voice on the speaker system.

"Attention students. In case you find your mate at school, please remember it's prohibited to complete the bond on school grounds. Those who get caught will be expelled immediately."

All of the students laugh out loud in class. Only in a werewolf town this would happen. Even the teacher giggled.

I know we're teenagers but who would complete the bond at school? But then again, I wouldn't put it pass either. Who knows? If he's talking about it something might have happened in the past. That's not how I'd roll, but to each their own.

"Don't worry about it, Sarah. I promise to take you some place nice for our turn." - Jack twisted from his seat at the front of class to tell Sarah, winking at her. The girls in the classroom all laughed at this and Sarah blushed hard, covering her mouth as she gasped.

OK, I tried. I really did.

Next thing I know, I jump from my seat to pounce at him. I knocked him down with a punch stronger than I could've anticipated.

All the students got up from their seats away from us as we fought each other. The teacher shouted for help and some of the boys kept chanting:

"Fight. Fight. Fight."

Jack punched me back immediately after I did him. He tried to subdue me but I'm not one to get subdued. I counter with another punch, who made him wince in pain. He retaliated with a sucker punch stronger than anything I've ever felt before. But when I tried to hit him back, we got separated by the teachers.

We're taken by the principal to his office, but not before I glance at the look of horror in Sarah's face. She was appalled. My friends also looked worried for me. This is bad. This is really bad. And completely the opposite of what I wanted.

Mr. Mathews called my parents and his aunt and uncle to get to the school as soon as possible. He talked our ear off about how violence is never the answer to anything and just because we're werewolves it doesn't mean we're primal beings. On the contrary, we're evolved creatures.

He also called the nurse to treat our injuries as he didn't trust we'd go to her office together peacefully. So he had her treat us at his office instead, under his watchful gaze.

My parents arrived first. They looked worried as soon as they saw me. My dad asked what had happened. I gulped. Guilt suddenly strike me as words would fail.

Mom looked disappointed at me. As I'm about to speak, Jack's family arrived. His uncle rushed to hug him on his seat. His aunt caressed his head with affection. And then they turned to look at us, concerned.

"What happened?" - Mr. Gutierrez asked, looking at Jack and me. His voice was troubled.

My dad also stared at me, expectantly.

"He disrespected Sarah in front of the entire class--"

"Liar! That's a lie!" - He cut me off, sounding angry. His honey colored eyes glowed bright with anger. It would be beautiful to see if it weren't for the present circumstances.

"Jack, let him speak! You will get your turn!" - Mr. Gutierrez exclaimed, looking at him reprehensibly.

"Speak son." - Dad told me with his austere tone. -"How did he disrespect my daughter?" - Dad's eyebrows were raised in suspicion. I can tell he's going to be on my side.

At my father's words, I can see a shift in Jack's demeanor. His angry stance gave away to a frightened one. Scared of my dad's reaction to his attitude. I, on the other hand, was beaming with pride. That's exactly what I wanted. To put him in his place.

I could also tell Mr. Gutierrez looked worried for whatever I was about to say. So was his mate.

"Mr. Mathews had said on the speaker system that it's forbidden to complete the bond on school grounds..." - I started, which made the adults present glare at him. He raised his shoulders in a defensive stance but said nothing.

"Then, Jack told Sarah that he would take her to a nicer place when their turn comes. Right in front of the entire class." - I told them, emphasizing the last words for dramatic purposes. And waited for the bomb to drop. And it certainly did.

"That's it?!" - Dad asked, sounding disappointed. Mom also looked at me like I'd committed murder for no reason.

Mr. Gutierrez held back a boastful grin, barely. Principal Matthews stared at me in shock.

"What do you mean that's it? He disrespected Sarah!" - I retorted, angrily.

"How? By saying he wants to treat his mate nicely? That's not disrespect. You made it sound like he put his hands on her!" - Dad argued loud and seriously pissed at me.

"I would never--" - Jack started but shut up after my dad raised a hand to him.

"Dad..." - I tried but he didn't let me say anything.

"Son, I have never been so disappointed at you in my entire life! How could you do this? Start a fight on your first day at school? And for nothing? Did you think about how this will affect your cause? Do you think when the Elders get a word of this. And they will know about it!" - Dad looked at Mr. Gutierrez suspiciously. - "Do you think they'll say: what a great candidate that Burke kid is. No! They'll say you're the bully who punched the orphan for no good reason!" - He shouted at me, making me flinch in my seat. His eyes glowed with anger.

Tears dropped from my eyes. Not something I wanted Jack to see. Or anyone, for that matter. But when I looked at Jack, he's also sad. No doubt by my father's words calling him an orphan. He is, but it's not nice to hear it.

There's a moment of silence that fell. My mom dried the tears that were insisting on falling non stop down my face. My dad looked angrier than I've seen him in a while. Mr. and Mrs. Gutierrez looked concerned for their nephew. And the principal was on the verge of saying something I didn't want to hear it.

"I'm sorry, Alpha. He's suspended for the rest of the week. It's out of my hands. You can take him now if you'd like." - Mr. Mathews spoke in a frightful tone, looking at my angry father.

Dad turned to Jack and the Gutierrez couple.

"I apologize for my son's behavior. And I would like to invite you all to dinner on Friday night at the pack house. Let's all put this animosity to bed." - Dad said with a forced smile. The Gutierrez couple nodded along in agreement.

Everyone bowed their heads to dad and we leave the school.

That took a turn. I started feeling vengeful and ended up being a jerk. And worst of all: a bully. That's not even remotely what I wanted. My dad didn't even look at me the whole way home he's so disappointed. That's even worse.

A|N: Poor Tyler... it's only gonna get much worse from now. Sorry, boo.

Love,

Léo.