Chapter 7 Elite

The Elite have been torturing me for years. I never waste a moment to ensure that my life is as terrible as possible. Now that it's the last month of school, they're stepping up their strategy. They seem to be aware that I'll be departing as soon as this is over. However, they can't know because if they do, I will perish.

I serve as Juda's own little target. I've sustained numerous concussions, a dislocated shoulder, and four shattered bones just from his hand. I make every effort to remain out of his path and steer clear of them. Unfortunately, it seems like they are always keeping an eye on me.

He locates me.

SMACK.

My head was slammed hard in the back, and then the Elite squad started to giggle.

Fuck my life, I think as I look down to see what struck me-a book.

I stopped as I saw Juda approaching me.

Why didn't I move more quickly? I could have easily avoided this if I hadn't used the locker before getting to my locker.

I'm such a moron.

Juda spits out, "Look at the little mutt, disgusting." Inches separate him from my face. I catch a brief whiff of something intriguing. There is just enough sweetness to give it away. He grabs my face as I attempt to sniff once more. How could I be so foolish?

Try sniffing him. What in the world was I thinking? He orders, "Look at me when I'm talking to you, filthy mutt." He has more than enough Alpha blood to rule someone weak like me, even though he isn't an Alpha yet.

I can't help but stare into those razor-sharp eyes.

"Mutt, why are you still here? Why not just lie down and pass away? Go leap in the river, or sever those frail wrists and let yourself bleed out. You're only good for that, you weak, pitiful slut, he practically whispers in my ear. I shiver and make an effort not to consider how it's affecting my body. Where his hand is attached to my arm, I feel what feels like electricity under my skin. My arm tingles more the more power he applies.

My eyes start to water.

I overhear Jessica saying, "Aw, the little Mutt is going to cry," as the rest of the Elite laugh.

Juda grinned as he held my arm and pushed me up against the lockers. His goons are currently laughing even louder. He leans in even closer now that I can once again smell that delicious perfume. It immediately confuses me and causes me to lose track of what he is doing.

I have to leave; I don't know what type of fragrance affects wolves that way.

In order to regain my composure, I need some fresh air.

SMACK

My cheek grows painful, and tears begin to flow. A metallic taste gathers in my tongue, and I am unable to blink it away. He struck me.

Again, SMACK

The opposite cheek enlarges. This time, a backhand slap was used.

"You'll regret it if you let me see you at my party tomorrow night. You haven't experienced pain yet. When I'm done with you, if I see you tomorrow, you'll wish you had died, he continues, his eyes fixed on mine.

The tingles and buzzing stop when he releases his hold on my arm after one final tightening. He approaches Jessica again, takes a handful of her hair in his fist, and then pulls her in for a kiss. He never even blinks, and his stare never leaves mine.

While his other hand clutches her ass, she moans and wraps her hands around his neck. He draws away and smiles, keeping his gaze fixed on mine as if to make a point.

I collapse to the ground as the tears finally start to flow.

I wish I were a little bit more powerful. It would be simpler if I had my wolf. I wouldn't need as long to recover, and I could handle the abuse better. The biggest benefit is that I won't be alone any longer.

Nobody is aware of the fact that tomorrow is also my birthday.

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Tonight at the pack house, Alpha Jeremiah and Luna Esmarle are hosting a celebration for Juda.

During one of my cleaning sessions, I overheard someone saying that he would be 18 on September 9. He will then experience his first shift, after which he will be able to locate our next Luna, who will serve as his mate. Jessica must be spending extra time getting ready for the main event. They have been paired since they were young. They didn't begin dating in a formal capacity until three years ago, possibly because of their twisted love for my suffering, which brought them together.

They were both ecstatic with the relationship, and neither of their parents would ever doubt that they were meant to be together.

How, therefore, could they not be?

If it turned out not to be Jessica, even I would feel sad for the poor girl who would be married to him. What a bad hand to have been given. I'm not sure which would be worse-the vicious man or the envious she-wolf.

As everyone tries to get ready for the party tonight, packing home has become a complete mess.

The best course of action for me right now is to hide out in the cold, dark basement. I have acquired a few extra objects throughout the years that I snatched from the trash before anyone noticed.

a filthy, used twin mattress with a hole in one side and discarded clothing from Jessica or Anastasia. They typically don't consider an outfit suitable to wear again after one or two wears.

The majority of the clothing I've discovered has been in excellent condition. Considering that I'm considerably slimmer than the two girls, I'm a touch baggy. Skin on bones-that's how fragile my body is. not even a human being anymore.

The party has started, based on the sounds I can hear outside. I shall eventually have to depart and spend my first shift far into the woods. I have previously laid out clothes at the location I have in mind, though I have no idea what to anticipate or what time it will occur.

I sneak out of the tiny window that is perpendicular to my bed in silence.

I gently move into the nearby woods so as to avoid being seen. The hairs on the back of my neck are suddenly rising up. I feel as though someone is burning a hole through my flesh.

I scan the area to make sure nobody has noticed me. The main courtyard is filled with hundreds of people, and in the centre is a massive bonfire. I scan the area, hoping it's a false alarm, until I meet eyes with a familiar pair of deep blue eyes.

Juda.

He notices me. He does not avert his stare as a dark shadow appears to move across his face. I can even make out the flare in his nostrils as his gaze sharpens. His hands are white around the knuckles from the tight fist he is making.

This stare-down has gone unnoticed. Even Jessica, who is clinging to his arm, is unaware of what is happening. While she is yapping, she is oblivious to what is taking place in front of her. She chuckles as she throws her hair over one shoulder. Juda is still standing there and staring directly at me.

My chest feels constricted. I'm not sure if he caught me because I was nervous or because I was about to change. I have no more patience.

I look away from Juda and then back towards the woods. I can see him clench his hands, signalling for me to stay put.

daring me to remain still.