I knew the initiations were happening today, but seeing half the school absent was weird. Based on what I saw, only a few humans lived in this town. My class sizes were at six kids before they collapsed them down. This was the first day of classes, and most students weren't there, so it was a waste. Darrel wasn't even here. I was keeping him updated as best I could on how well we were keeping the school from burning down. Most teachers considered this a day of babysitting and tossed on a movie. Maybe next year, the school board will listen to Darrel when he says the start date needs to be moved. 

While Darrel and I were texting, he told me about the challenge. That new wolf, McCoy, had agreed to Baxter's plan to eliminate his beta. Apparently, his beta is a misogynistic, homophobic asshole. The shocker is that there is very little the alpha can do about this short of killing him. Which they weighed as an option. Darrel was excited like a kid on Christmas when McCoy won against the master of arms, and Max was more excited than him. 

I gave my students a worksheet on finding Nemo and put that on since I didn't want to have to replan all my getting the year started activities. I could save them for when everyone is here. The day was calm, and I was ready to meet up with Baxter, Max, Ethan, and Darrel when my last period came in. 

There was something different in the atmosphere of this class. I could feel the tension. One girl sat alone and didn't talk to anyone, but that didn't mean they were not talking to her. When the students thought I couldn't hear, they whispered to her. Calling her names and telling her she lives in a dumpster. This could be bullying still there from the year before, but it was odd. I was told most of the bullying I would see was between the 'woods people' and the 'town people, ' but all the woods people were at the challenge, so what is happening here? 

After class, I held her back momentarily to ask what was happening. 

"The town people don't like me," she said. When she was closer, I felt for her mind and her energy. Confirming that she is a wolf. 

"do you know what I am?" I questioned the girl. Alexis smelled me 

"a witch" 

"right, and you are a wolf?" 

"not shifted yet." 

"why aren't you at the challenge?" Alexis gave me a blank look when I mentioned that, which is weird. All the pack was required to be at the challenge. 

"the wolves don't like me either," was all she said, 

"but you are a wolf." I needed clarification. was she getting bullied by both

"I'm not part of the group." Alexis looked at the door and back at me. "Can I go now?" 

"of course, sorry to hold you up." She ran out of the room, but that was the first of many conversations I'd have with her. First, I must follow the chain of command and report the bullying.