Chapter 26: Silence
Benjamin’s mood was an enigma. The moment I hung up, he slammed the accelerator and shot down the road. I observed him for a moment, my thoughts wandering back to the unfamiliar scent I had detected in the car. It was something I had never noticed before when I was near him. Furthermore, Hera, my wolf, had reacted in a manner I had never witnessed before. Could he really be my destined mate? Yet, I was still under eighteen. Could Hera truly recognize a mate so early?
With my birthday drawing nearer and my role as the Alpha of the Shadow Pack advancing swiftly, I was developing faster than most wolves. It was unfortunate that when I sought Hera’s insight, she had inexplicably fallen into a deep sleep, unresponsive to my calls. After Benjamin dropped me off at school, he drove away without a word or glance.
Watching his retreating car, I realized that his recent kindness had likely been an illusion. His dislike for me had been clear all along, and I must have misread his recent behavior. I dismissed the incident and returned to school. Given the aftermath of the fan meeting, I faced unfriendly attitudes from many. Christopher’s fans were particularly hostile, harboring resentment toward me as if I had schemed with rival fans to gain his sympathy. Without Christopher’s Twitter post advising everyone to leave me alone, my school life would have been far worse. Though these fans couldn’t confront me directly, they indulged in petty actions. For example, my name topped the list of worst-dressed at the school dance on the forum, an honor of negative attention.
I chose not to let it trouble me and carried on with my day. Occasionally, I noticed some commotion outside my classroom and felt the sting of curious gazes. “Seriously, Car… uggo, how can you sit there so calmly? Have you lost all confidence in your appearance, or have you simply grown immune to it?” Henry mocked, his tone dripping with scorn.
Without faltering, I replied, “I’d much rather have an interesting soul than a pretty face.” Henry’s laughter was loud and mocking. I ignored him and proceeded to the tennis courts for my training.
12:29 Wed, Jan 1
Chapter 26: Silence
Since winning the state championship in the last tournament, my coach had approached me several times about competing in a world-class tennis open. Initially, I had declined, but the coach’s relentless encouragement eventually persuaded me to agree. Henry, seeing my indifference to his taunts, followed me to the tennis court, clearly intent on continuing his harassment.
Henry kept on, determined to get under my skin. “So, you’ve failed to live up to the beauty image, and now you’re aiming for a tennis star role? That last victory was nothing more than a fluke. You just barely clinched the state championship. Do you really think that makes you something special?”
I narrowed my eyes and replied, “Must you be so loud? I order you to be silent.” Henry’s expression darkened instantly. In an instant, he transformed into his wolf form, his eyes blazing with fury. “An outsider Omega like you dares to give me orders?!”
Realization struck me sharply. I had forgotten to maintain my Omega guise and had spoken with the commanding presence of an alpha. “What do you intend to do? Are you planning to let your wolf attack me? Remember, I am the chosen mate for you and your four brothers, brought here by the Alpha of the Midnight Pack, your grandfather himself!”
“And if I select Benjamin as my mate, I would become the Luna of your pack when he assumes his role!” My words clearly hit a nerve. Henry’s rage boiled over, and his formidable black wolf snarled, baring its sharp teeth and launching at me with a menacing growl.
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