HANNAH“You led them here?” My mother yelled, her eyes filled with shock when she learned that I returned with bodyguards from Ice Stone Pack. “Asher Dawson will kill us if he finds out!”Although I had slightly expected her reaction and even imagined the scenario during my ride home, a part of me still hoped that she would be optimistic when she learned of the recent development in my life. And maybe a little bit glad that her daughter finally had a chance to be happy.We had always talked about me finding my mate, and when it turned out to be Asher, the sadness lingered between us. Was I too delusional to have thought she would be too excited to learn that I got a second chance?Hell! I expected balloons, a bottle of wine and an excellent toast to true love. Was that too much to ask?“Mum, can you calm down?” I asked, tapping my feet nervously on the ground. It was the only thing I could do in my situation.Sending the bodyguards back to Ice Stone was impossible, and I wasn’t even w
HANNAHI reached for the straps of my backpack strapped securely across my shoulders and clutched it tightly. My gaze was fixed on the ground, scared to look at Asher’s cold yet burning eyes. I needed an escape route. And I needed it fast.Slowly glancing around me, I painfully realized I had two options: beg Asher or sprint. None of them seemed good, especially since he had closed the distance between us, his breath hot and fast. Asher was faster than me, even in his sleep, so running would only end with my face slammed to the ground. That is if I managed to run.Begging him was the most logical choice, but that meant I would be at his mercy. And without any exaggerations, the devil was more merciful than Asher Dawson. I finally managed to look up at him. Asher's eyes seemed to gleam with knowledge as if he knew the very thoughts that ran through my mind. Mace sensed his aura and dominating wolf and immediately backed down. Yes, my wolf abandoned me in my time of distress. Asher
ASHER'S POVI couldn't help but feel a surge of anger wash over me as I sat in the reception area, waiting for the principal. My nose was still bleeding from the fight with Jace, and I could feel the warmth of the blood as it trickled down my face. I wiped the bottom of my nose with a handkerchief, and in no time, it was soaked red.I glared at Jace, my eyes burning with anger and humiliation. How could he have done this to me, the son of the Alpha? I was supposed to be the strongest and the most feared. But ever since these brothers showed up, all I received were bruises and a battered ego.“Jace, are you hurt?” I heard Hannah ask and nearly choked with anger. She touched his face, trying to see if he was bruised. Such a fucking nice attempt to enrage me the more.I wanted revenge. Immediately. But I knew I had to keep my cool. I couldn't let Jace see how much he had gotten to me.But Hannah was watching me with amusement and fear, her eyes darting back and forth between me and Jace.
ASHERI stormed into the pack house, my anger and frustration still boiling. How could that old, stupid man screw me over? Talking about not taking a side, but, he accepted my father’s help to become principal. How ridiculous!I would teach him a lesson and demote him to the lowest rank in school. No, he would be fired and blacklisted from getting any other job in the pack. Next time, he would not mess with me.I strode past the servants, their bows and greetings falling on deaf ears as I made my way to meet my father.“Where is he?” I asked one of the guards standing in front of his room.“He—he is—”“Answer me!”The guard pointed to the meeting room, and I sighed.“Next time, fucking use your mouth.”As I burst into the meeting room, the door swung open with a loud creak, and all eyes turned to me. My father’s advisors were seated around the table, and they exchanged glances with each other. Normally, it was forbidden to interrupt their meeting except under urgent circumstances.Wel
HANNAH"Call them now!" my mother yelled as she closed the curtains in the sitting room, her eyes darting around in panic. She dashed to the door and, after bolting it, pushed a sofa against it.I grabbed my phone with trembling fingers and dialled Cade, hoping he would answer before I and my mother's worst fears came true."Are you calling them?" My mother asked as she glanced over her shoulders for the tenth time in one minute. When I didn't respond but continued to stare at my phone, she drew closer to me and yelled in my ear. "Are you going to wait till we're dead?!""Mum, I'm calling them!" I exhaled and dialled Cade again. "He's not responding.""Perfect!" She threw her hands up in defeat. "They put you in trouble and then abandon you.""They didn't put me in trouble," I said and started toward my room, knowing that if I stayed in the same room with her, she would kill me with her words before Alpha Dawson's guards arrived to finish us off for good.In my room, I paced impatient
HANNAHMost people tell you that high school is where you get to figure out yourself and teenagehood is the best stage of your life, but honestly, that's bollocks.I think high school was a place where everyone got picked on depending on how popular they were. There was a hierarchy; the rich and famous sitting at the top of the list with their huge ego.And then, there was me, Hannah Baker.I lacked the three keys of coolness in high school, and I'll tell you what they are.One, don't try hard at anything. Unfortunately, I tried too hard at everything, especially my grades. I'd won best student of the year three consecutive times in a row and was best friends with most of my teachers. I also tried hard to stay out of Arlene's way, you know, big pudgy Arlene, who liked to pick on people.Two, make fun of people who do try. I bet you already know the drill. In high school, everybody made somebody's life hell—except me. Everyone made my life hell.I was at the bottom of every social list
HANNAHI found myself reading those lines repeatedly, and every time, it felt like all the air was being drawn out of my lungs.I couldn't do it. I wouldn't…The thought had jumped out of my mind almost immediately. Asher and his father wanted me but like a prized calf, carved up for auction. This had nothing to do with love or a change of heart – it was a display of dominance.I was all too aware that after the mating ceremony, Asher's terrible attitude would come to the forefront, and I would be stuck in a relationship that could potentially be life-threatening.That was not the life I envisioned for myself or the romantic dream I had always hoped for. The letter was essentially a death sentence and nothing else."I-I can't be his mate," I voiced when I finally found my voice, my lips trembling. I looked at Alpha Wallace and shook my head. "I won't let them take me."My fingers shook as I returned the letter to Jace, who could now meet my gaze. It dawned on me that I couldn't blame
HANNAHI used to wish every day could be Halloween or the masking ceremony. That way, I could wear a mask all day, and nobody would recognize me.But that was impossible.Meaning that wherever I went, PEOPLE would spot me and recognize me despite my efforts to blend in with my environment.And with people come great problems. Unfortunately for me, my problems followed me everywhere, especially my biggest ones—bullies.Here's something about the bullies in my life: they are like glitter; they get everywhere and are hard to get rid of. And today? Not so different from other days.For the first time in many years, I woke up in a room that wasn't mine. To say that I felt different would be an understatement.I had breakfast with Willa, disappointed that the triplets left for a pack meeting without informing me. At least, they should have texted or told me a little about the details of their meeting with their father last night."We should go shopping," Willa suggested as I drank my tea