Chapter One

~Nalina Romirez

Everyone deserved to fit in. That's what I always say. For me, I was different than most of the girls at school. Well, I was born with a missing hand. Growing up wasn't easy because I needed help in everything I did. My parents spent alot to have a professional construct an artificial hand for me. It was hard to operate at first but nothing was impossible to achieve.

It was so well built that no one actually realized that it was fake. The only persons aside from my parents that knew was my brother Avantae and closest friend, Kailee. At school I was an introvert and I always liked to keep a low profile. I didn't have much friends and the ones I used to keep weren't real at all. Times like these you can never know who to really trust, even your enemies are more worth trusting than your actual friends.

I didn't like my long hair so I cut it to my shoulder's length. I was a blonde with aqua - blue eyes. Some persons are crazy about their appearance but I wasn't over mine. I would barely look in the mirror as much as my family thinks am the most beautiful girl in this town. I wasn't planning to stay in this place forever. After I finish my academic studies I'll leave and get a good paying job. I wanted a life of my own.

Presently, I was sitting at the back of the class with my head on the desk. Professor Stewart gave us some worksheets before leaving the class in a rush. The place was a bit noisy but that didn't bother me. I was just too focused on the group that sat closely together on the right of the class.

It was the 'wolf gang'.

They were from a pack called 'BitterFang Pack' that I heard was located deep into the woods. No one in class ever messed with them unless they wanted a death wish. They didn't talk much and all of them were built like the hulk. There were a few girls but they were outnumbered by the amount of males present.

It always fascinates me how they transform from human to wolf and vice versa. I took the liberty to research them and turns out they have a leader in their pack. The Alpha. One of the most powerful types of wolves and they were considered very territorial. They also had higher ranked members in the pack but I had never seen them.

And I didn't want to. They were ferocious creatures and these regular wolves were scary enough and just imagine meeting The Alpha. I may shed my skin on the spot.

"Lina, you ok? Your head has been down for a while now", Kailee say as she ran a hand through my hair. She was the depiction of melanin beauty. Beautiful chocolate skin, deep brown eyes, black shiny hair and her personality was beyond incomparable.

"I'm fine", I replied before sitting up and unzipping my jacket.

"I know you are hun, but I still got to check", she stated before taking up her phone. We've been friends since I started at this academy a year ago and I wouldn't switch her for anyone.

"How are my two girls doing?", Avan asked as he took a chair and sat between the both of us. He was tall and had an arm tattoo with his favorite music band on it. His hair was short and black and he had the same color eyes as mine.

"Your girls are fine, but I would be happier if you could buy me a ticket to the concert tomorrow night", Kailee stated as I remembered about the concert. I wasn't a fan of loud music and huge crowds so I told Avan that I wasn't going.

"Ah baby girl, I would but first, a kiss", he replied pushing out his lips to her. I laughed because they were always messing with each other. Kailee only pushed his face away erupting a laugh from him.

The bell rang signaling that it was lunch time and everyone got up except the wolf gang. They always stayed behind until everyone else left. We packed up our stuff and left the classroom. We made our way to the cafeteria and went to the lunch line.

I looked over my shoulder and sure enough the gang was entering the Cafe. It's like they had this strong presence that screamed dominance whenever they entered a room. They never joined the line. Their lunch was always brought to them by one of the chefs.

"So damn presumptuous to have their lunch brought to them everyday", Avan said as he looked at the gang in disgust.

"Exactly, I wish I had that privilege. But I guess they have to do it or turn wolf meat", Kailee stated as she looked at them also.

"I got to admit, the one in the corner is pretty hot".

I looked at her unbelievably as she eyed him like a piece of pizza. The guy she was talking about had short curly hair and brown eyes. He was tall and had a small snake tattoo at his neck.

After collecting our food we went to our spot and take a seat. Our seat was at the back so we were actually looking at the Gang's backs.

"So about the concert now, Lina isn't going so I may have a ticket to spare", Avan say as he looked at Kailee. He wiggled his eyebrows which made me laugh out. I got a few stares but I brushed them off.

"Then it's me and you tomorrow night baby, and I want popcorn and banana smoothies", she replied but I wasn't really paying attention to them. I was more focused on one of the gang members eyeing me. He was eating but his eyes wouldn't leave mine.

"Am going to the bathroom", I say as I got up and left the cafeteria. Why was he looking at me like that? I'm sure I've never seen him stare at me at all. I entered the bathroom and locked the door. My body felt somewhat shaky and I didn't know why.

I washed my face. It was weird whenever I touch something and only one of my hands could feel it. But having an artificial hand doesn't make me any different from a normal person. I knew that if I didn't have this hand I would be bullied. It's something that happens to everyone who was born different.

I fixed my jacket before unlocking the door and walking out. It was so sudden that I couldn't avoid bumping into someone. But not just anyone - it was him. The guy who wouldn't stop staring at me.

"Hi", he say as he held his hand out. His voice wasn't very deep but his figure was frightening. I had never spoken to him before and here I was in his presence. I took his hand slowly experiencing how cold and rough it was.

"I'm Zyair, we've never spoken before", he stated as he held unto my hand. I bit my lip as I looked into his eyes. They had a very faint shade of red and blue. His lips twist into a smirk before he pulled me as my body crashed into his.

"Hey stop!", I say as I pushed him off. I was about to say something else but I saw Avan coming this way.

"Hey, what's your problem?", he said as he pushed me behind him. This was getting too serious. I was scared of what could happen regarding how Avan was glaring at him. No one ever dared to mess with them because I don't think a human can survive fighting with a wolf.

I knew things just got worst when I saw the rest of the gang coming this way.

"Avan, let's go", I say but he wouldn't budge. He was trembling but not from fear, it was from anger.

"I don't care who you are, don't ever touch my sister again. I'm warning you".

And with that he grabbed my hand and pulled me away from them. I heard growls and that's when I walked faster. I don't think things will be the same again.

We may have just started a war.