Punishment

~Laslo~

          Gorgeous, simply gorgeous. I’ve been 18 for a few months now, but haven’t found my mate. I’m not completely sold on the concept; I have no issue taking a chosen mate. The new student is just gorgeous. I can’t tell what her rank is, but it doesn’t matter. I can turn her into anything I want her to be. I think that I can get her to agree to being mine if given the time.

          I found out about Zahara when some of my people informed me that they saw her talking to Cory. It is well known that Cory is to be ignored. He is worthless and needs to be treated as such. Cory is the child of my step-father. He is a bastard child and he is lucky we allow him to stay around. Cory is useless and wolfless. There is no place in my pack for a wolfless individual. Once I take over, after training, I plan to make Cory a rogue. There is no place for weak, wolfless people in my pack. Well, maybe I will let him stay on as a slave. It just depends on what I decide to do. 

          I walk into the lunchroom and so many girls come running. I have had that impact for a while now. Everyone wants to get in good with the future Alpha. I give them the nods and smiles they are yearning for, but I’m also looking for her; Zahara. I catch her with some guy towards the back of the room. I can feel myself get irritated seeing her with some guy, but I decide to keep my composure. They have their lunch and they are walking to a table in the back of the room. I stand a bit taller and I catch a glimpse at who is at the table already. I told her to stay away from him. Nero and I let out a growl that catches everyone’s attention.

~Zahara~

          As soon as Lennox and I sit down at the table, with Cory, a growl rips through the lunchroom. Tables shake and walls tremble. I turn around trying to figure out where it came from, but I couldn’t figure it out. I can hear a hitched breath that is coming out in spurts and an increase in heartbeat. I turn and notice that Cory is looking so pale and he is shaking like a leaf. He must know who the growl belongs to, but he is clearly terrified. “Are you okay?”

          “Mmm….maybe you two shouldn’t sit here. It may be better.” Lennox and I look at each other.

What’s with him?

I’m not sure Len, but I think his life has been pretty tough.

          I turn back to Cory. “Now I thought we decided that I would make my own choices when it comes to you, remember?” Cory shakes his head. When he looks up, he quickly drops his head again looking even more frightened. I turn around and see Laslo stalking towards us. It seems as if Cory is afraid of Laslo and it makes me wonder what’s going on there. 

          “Didn’t I say you should stay away from him?” A gruff voice speaks behind me. “Cory, you need to leave.” Cory stands up and makes a move to leave the table. 

          “Hey, you don’t have to go if you don’t want to.” 

          “No one is talking to you.” I turn to Laslo and glare at him. 

          “Don’t talk to my friend like that. Cory, please stay.” Cory looks at me and gives me a small smile. He walks away from the table and out of the lunchroom. Laslo takes a seat across from me and grins.

          “How about we get to know each other a bit better?” I stand up with my food tray and start to walk away from the table. 

          “I’ve lost my appetite.” Lennox follows after me and we head outside after dumping out trash. 

          “What the hell was all that about? I thought we were going to have less mess to deal with in a new school.” I chuckle.

          “Now, now Lennox. There is always some mess to deal with wherever you go.” 

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          The rest of the day was uneventful and I didn’t see Cory anymore. The only class I had with him was homerun so it makes me wonder if he is a senior as well. I considered looking for him after school, but something told me not to bother. I will make sure that I talk to Cory in the morning. I don’t know what it is about him, but I just want to know him. I think he will bring a lot to my life and I’m ready for it. Bryn was waiting for us outside and we quickly got in the car to head home. “How was the first day?” Lennox smirks.

          “Well, Bryn, let’s just say that I haven’t lost my appeal at all.” I groan as does Bryn. Lennox is always so full of himself it can get disgusting. Bryn turns to her right to look at me. 

          “What about you? Is it all you dreamed of?” I sit and think for a minute. 

          “Things there are definitely……different. I think this will be a good school to finish up in.” 

          “Your mom and dad will be happy to hear that. I know they weren’t too keen on you being at our school. This should help them calm down a bit.” I nod in agreement and turn my head to look out of the window. 

~Cory~

          What a weird day. Never, can I remember, has anyone been as interested in speaking to me as Zahara was today. I will admit that the only reason she showed an interest is probably due to the fact that she is new to school this year. She probably hadn’t met those who would warn her about me and the dangers that come with associating with me. I’m sure that Laslo turned me away at lunch to have those specific conversations with them; Zahara and the guy she was with. 

          Zahara is extremely pretty and I love the way her voice sounds. I know it’s foolish to be thinking of her in this way, but I am a 15 year old boy. This is a natural thing, but no one would ever want me. Why would they want someone weak and wolfless? As much as I realize that this shouldn’t be in my head, how can I help it. Her light brown eyes had so much happiness in them when she looked at me. I’d imagine that she looks at everyone like that, but she is able to make it so personal. I had to keep my eyes off of her thick, pink lips. Every word she spoke drew me in and I just wanted to run my finger over them. Grrrrr! I need to stop. I’m not doing anything but getting myself prepared for a horrible let down. I know there is nothing between Zahara and I. Most likely, she will never talk to me again. The sooner I wrap my head around that, the better off I will be. 

          All of the thoughts swirling around in my head keep my focus off of my surroundings. I know the way home without thinking about it. I can probably navigate home in the deep of night; hell in my sleep. I don’t pay attention to the road, I just let instincts take over. While that usually works for me, today it would be my downfall. Before I could think; before I could realize what was going to  happen, I feel a fist connect with my face. My head, violently, flies to the left. There is ringing in my ears and I can feel my face pulsating. I’m seeing black spot before my eyes. I can feel myself falling and there is nothing to stop my fall. “Stay away from her,” is all I hear before everything goes black.