Chapter 7 Unanswered Questions

I stayed in my room all night. My parents' judging eyes were too much to handle, and the silence at dinner said more than words ever could. I went to bed early, hoping the night would swallow my guilt and spit out a better morning.

No such luck.

"Katya! You're going to be late!" my mother's voice pierced the early morning quiet like a siren. I jolted upright and scrambled to get ready, tugging on jeans and a hoodie, brushing my teeth with one hand while tying my shoes with the other.

"Did you sleep through your alarm again?" she asked as I sprinted toward the door. She tossed me an apple as I slid past her.

"Maybe," I muttered around a bite.

On the drive to school, she launched into her usual lecture about blending in, laying low, and not drawing attention. I let her words wash over me like background noise, my thoughts tangled in yesterday's chaos.

At school, Jasmine was waiting by the gates.

"Kit Kat!" she chirped, waving like we were lifelong friends.

"Kit Kat? Really?" I raised a brow.

"Yes, it's cute. Deal with it. We've got math first."

I groaned. Math-bane of my existence. I wasn't bad at it, but it always gave me a headache.

"Remember what I said, Katya," my mother called after me before disappearing into the staffroom.

"Yeah, yeah... lay low, stay quiet, don't be myself," I muttered under my breath.

The morning passed in a blur. I nearly forgot about detention until lunchtime rolled around-and with it, dread. I hadn't even been told where to go.

The bell rang just as Alpha Ezra strolled into my science class. My stomach dropped.

He nodded at me. "Let's go."

Jasmine gave me a sympathetic look and bolted from the room. I trudged toward the Alpha, bracing myself.

"Why so glum?" he asked, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"It's detention. Should I be thrilled?" I replied.

"Well, you're with me. That's something."

He smirked and led me to my locker.

"Put your stuff away."

I reached for the lock, but he beat me to it, twisting it open in seconds.

I blinked. "You know everyone's combinations?"

"I'm the Alpha. I like to be prepared," he said with a wink.

"Okay, open that one," I challenged, pointing to the locker next to mine.

He tried and failed.

"Alright, you caught me. I may have... peeked at yours."

My eyes narrowed. "Why?"

"You're new. And I don't buy your parents' story," he said casually.

My stomach clenched.

"Their story about why you left your old pack? It doesn't add up."

"Technically, my mother did hit the Alpha's daughter," I admitted quietly.

Ezra gave me a knowing look and motioned for me to follow him. I did, nervously.

He led me through the halls and into the faculty wing. We stopped at an office.

"You have an office here?" I asked, surprised.

"Yup. School needed help, and I've got time to kill."

Inside, the room was clean and smelled overwhelmingly like him. I tried not to inhale too deeply.

"You alright?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Fine."

Just then, Beta Mateo walked in with a pizza box and set it on the desk.

"Lunch?" Ezra offered.

"This is the weirdest detention ever," I muttered but accepted a slice.

"Would you rather be writing lines?" he teased.

"No, this works."

"Where's Angie?" Ezra asked Mateo.

"I dumped her on Shirley," Mateo replied with a grin.

I froze. "My mother Shirley?!"

Mateo nodded. "She'll eat her alive."

I laughed, imagining Angie under my mom's boot.

"That's exactly why I sent her," Mateo added smugly.

We ate in silence for a bit, then Ezra leaned back in his chair.

"So," he said, tone shifting, "why did your family really leave Alpha Jackson's pack?"

I stiffened. "You already said you didn't believe our story."

"Which is why I'm asking again," he said, voice low. "I don't like surprises."

Mateo leaned forward. "You've got Beta blood, right? Strong lineage. Anyone would expect you to be powerful."

I felt the sweat bead at my temples.

"What if I'm not?" I whispered.

Ezra's gaze sharpened. "You are."

"How do you know?"

"Because your mother is terrifying. And because I can smell strength in people. Even hidden strength."

I didn't respond. My secret wasn't something strength could change.

"You haven't shifted yet," Mateo said, more as a question than a statement.

"She's not eighteen," Ezra reminded him quickly. "Yet."

Mateo looked disappointed. I wasn't sure how I felt about that.

Ezra leaned forward again. "So tell me, Katya... what are you afraid of?"

My throat tightened. The room felt too small.

"Can I go, please?" I asked, barely keeping the tremble from my voice.

Ezra's hand moved toward mine, but I flinched away.

He paused, then nodded. "You can go. But this conversation isn't over."

I grabbed my bag and slipped out, heart pounding. I didn't look back.