Chapter 2

Dean (Ryder)

School, I can't believe I am going back to school. Again. I hated it the first time around. Frustrated, I ran a hand through my hair. Taking the place of my younger brother, Dean, in this whole peace treaty sucked. It's for the pack, I reminded myself. Also, for Aunt Helena, and everyone else suffering under my uncle's cruel rule. I scowled and walked inside.

"And it gets better," I mumbled when I saw how packed the office was. I nudged past two girls giggling in an annoying high pitch only fifteen-year-olds seem to have. I waited for my turn. The stench of sweat, fruity perfume, and musky cologne made my nose burn. Finally, I had the schedule, though my eyes were burning. It's for the pack. Good alphas sacrificed for their pack. This would be my first.

Outside the office, I breathed again. I looked at the schedule and groaned. English? I hated English. What was the point? I mean really? With another sigh, I waded through the halls, only to stop a second later. The most amazing scent hit me - a musky lavender. It wrapped around me like a warm blanket on a cold day. Instinct kicked in, and I knew what it meant — my mate! Screw English class, screw school, screw everything, I had to find her. I followed the scent like a starving cat you see in the cartoons.

Something happened, and her scent changed to burnt lavender. It ended at a crowd of kids encircling my cousin Mike. Typical, some poor soul stuck at suffering his usual bullying. Mike was a mirror of Uncle Ryan. He often bragged about who and how he humiliated like it was a great accomplishment. Someday I could show him exactly what I thought of his favorite hobby, but now I had to find my mate.

"Of course, it was a mistake. Everything about you is a mistake," Mike said, catching my attention.

"What's going on?" I noticed he's holding a human girl by the back of her neck. Her reddish-brown hair covered her face as she stood limply in his grip. Mike turned to face me with a grin, sending chills down my spine.

"Hey, Dean!" Mike pulled the girl around with him and the world stopped.

This girl my cousin jerked around like a rag doll, was my mate. The pull I felt intensified as our eyes met - hers a green, brown hazel. They held a willful gleam, betraying the passiveness in her posture. I could tell she wasn't one to be beaten easily not that Mike wasn't trying. My eyes drifted to where Mike held her. Skin red, no doubt she'd bruise from how tight he was squeezing her.

Everything turned red, my hands and jaw clenched. God, I wanted to rip into him, tear his hands off of her. I'd promise her he'd never touch her again. My ire went cold, doused by a chilly realization. I couldn't help her, not if I wanted to help Dad, my pack, and the people here. If I stepped in now and claimed her as mine, neither Mike nor Uncle Ryan would ever let me in. I'd lose the chance to get the evidence Dad needed to prove my uncle was dangerous.

Pain stabbed at my chest, squeezing my heart, as I watched Mike smirk that cruel, smug smirk of his. "I'm just making sure little Missy Mistake here doesn't forget her place. This is Dean, Missy; he's a guest of my father. Why don't you say hi?"

The fist around my heart tightened as some of the light drained from her eyes and they dropped to the floor. "Welcome, Sir."

"No. That won't do, get on your knees and say it."

Was he out of his mind? What the hell? She looked at me then to Mike, disgust, and horror in her eyes. My mate shook her head and refused. Pride warmed me, but her defiance only pissed off Mike. He hit her hard in the stomach, knocking her to her knees. I jerked as if it'd been me he hit.

"Don't you dare ever tell me you won't again."

I stepped forward, almost charging him. How dare he treat her like that? I clenched my fist tight, forcing myself to stay in control.

"Now apologize," Mike insisted.

This time, without hesitation, she apologized and sour bile filled my mouth. Mike laughed, pushing her further to the floor. "See Dean, I know how to train humans, eh?" He waved for me to follow, laughing. I didn't want to go but stay with my mate. I hesitated for a moment before following my cousin, hating myself. The only silver lining was that once I finished, I'd take my mate out of here and away from Mike.

"So what's with the pathetic human?" I had no trouble to sounding disgusted.

A nasty sneer crossed my cousin's lips as we walked along the hall. "Missy is the stepdaughter of our beta. He's stupid enough to be crazy for his human mate. Can you believe it? What is worse than a human? If that wasn't bad enough, he not only lets Missy lives with them, but she knows what we are. Dad freaked when he heard about it.

He wanted to take her out, but the beta pulled the whole she's now part of his family thus under his protection crap. Dad can't touch her or he'll lose the beta. I can though and I make sure she knows she's nothing more than a disgrace to the beta, even if he doesn't realize it. She's nothing, but a dirty mistake."

"What a loser." At this point, I didn't know who I hated more — Uncle Ryan or Mike. I wanted to hurt them both, and show them the only mistake here was them. My wolf howled for their blood, but we'd have to wait. I took a deep breath and pretended to listen to Mike. I'd have to call Dad later. If Mike tried to hurt my mate again, I didn't know what I would do. "See ya, man. I got to get to class."

Mike scoffed and sneered at me before making a comment about a teacher's pet. I found his attempts to goad me as pathetic as he was.

English was as invigorating as I expected it would be. The classes following it didn't impress me much either. In all fairness, I didn't pay attention. By the time lunch came around, I headed outside with my sorry excuse for a meal and found a secluded corner. I took out my phone. "Hey Dad, it's me. We have a problem."

"Ryder? You haven't been in Black Mountain territory for forty-eight hours. What's wrong?" Worry strained Dad's voice.

"I found my mate. Dad. She's human."

"That's all?" Disbelief colored his voice now.

"I wish. She's the beta's stepdaughter and Mike beats on her."

"Oh, I see."

"Dad what am I going to do? I almost lost it today. If he hurts her again I don't think I can keep up all thi —"

"Calm down. I understand. It's okay. Try to stay in control but Mike hurts her again, I wanted you to step in and tell him she's yours. No matter the consequences. She is your mate." I smiled, relaxing with relief. Not sure why I doubted it. Dad would have my back. "Now tell me about our future alpha? What is the girl like?"

"I saw her for only a minute."

"Then go find out instead of talking to your old man. I want to hear all about her when you do."

"I'll do that. Thanks. Talk to you later." I more relaxed, I tried to eat this whatever they tried to pass as lunch, but I give up after a bite or two. I put my game face on and walked back inside.

The rest of the day dragged. Mike was in half of my classes. To make matters worse, almost every damn girl in the school hit on me. It seemed like the more I tried to tell them I wasn't interested the more they flirted with me.

Grumpy, I walked to my last class and found my mate's scent again. I couldn't believe my luck. She was there, sitting in my last class. I watched her for a minute as she looked out the window. She looked better now, almost happy. I didn't realize I moved until I took the seat next to hers. My mate looked over at me, surprise shown on her face and followed by fear.

I gave her a friendly smile, hoping she'd realize I wasn't Mike. I wouldn't hurt her, but she straightened in her desk and stared at the tabletop. Dread filled me. My mate was afraid of me. Of course, I did nothing to stop Mike. I didn't protect her. What kind of alpha was I going to be if I didn't even protect my mate? It wasn't too late. I could fix this, right? All I needed to do was show her I wasn't Mike and with me, she'd be safe. Unfortunately, the teacher got in the middle and droned on.

During the whole class, my mate sat like she was waiting for someone to take a swing at her. Light bruises were already visible on her neck. I'd fix this. I'd show her who I really am. When class finally ended, I opened my mouth to say hey or something. With surprising speed, my mate gathered her things and ran off into the crowded halls. After a minute of sitting there like a dumbass, I put away my stuff and followed her. Several people tried to talk to me, but I ignored them.

I followed her scent through the hall and to the girl's bathroom. Damn. I leaned against the wall and waited for her; and waited and waited. I check the time on my phone. She'd been in there almost a half hour. My mate must know I was waiting for her. Was she too afraid to come out? I shrugged and walked around the corner. I turned and listened.

Five minutes later, my mate came out. Peeking around the corner I watched her glance around then grin. My breath froze as I watched her whole face light up with that one smile. I'd do anything for her to smile at me like that. I followed her, keeping my distance, and trying to ignore the sensation I was a creepy stalker.

She stopped at a locker, and I decided it was now time to make my move. I leaned against the locker next to hers, I gave her my best swoon-worthy smile. "Hey."

My mate flinched, putting her hands into her hoodie pockets, and took a step back. She glanced around and back to me. Her gaze was still suspicious and accusatory. "Hey," she said back in a sharp snap. "At least, give me fair warning. Is Mike waiting around the corner or somewhere close? This must be your idea. He's never been this patient."

Surprised by her this is business, as usual, attitude I wasn't sure how to answer. "No clue, haven't seen him since the fifth period." On instinct, I reached out to take a piece of her hair between my fingers. She jerked away from me pulling out a small can of what I assumed was pepper spray and it probably had silver in it too.

She pointed it at me and by the look on her face, she was ready to use it too. "Don't touch me. I don't care who you are. Today we're done. I've tried to be good, keep my mouth shut and do what Mike says, but there is only so much a person can take. Even if they are some pathetic unwanted mistakes like me. So back off and stay away. Let me go home, and we'll see what happens in round two tomorrow!"

I detected no fear coming off her. She meant every word. Before I could tell my mate I wasn't like Mike she grabbed her backpack and ran. It triggered my instinct to chase but I forced myself to not move. I didn't want to suffer silver burns, but also I didn't want her to feel threatened. I growled with frustration as my mate left my sight. That didn't go as planned.