"You know the rules Matilda, pull that mess of a hair back.'' Katherine said as she held a hair tie out to me. Katherine was the cook at Wings Hope and as my chore, every other day I help cook.

I groaned as I took the ponytail off my wrist and tied my curly hair back. I cleaned my hands and grabbed the potato peeler. I grabbed the few bags of potatoes and sat the table, peeling the skin of the potatoes.

As I peeled them, I couldn't help but think back to earlier. Mrs. Summers hasn't yet found out about my absent from school and I was waiting for her to storm in here saying how much of a no good child I am.

My thoughts quickly went to Killian and I signed, shaking my head to try and think of something else. I was failing since all I could think about how he kissed me in school. How perfect it seemed, like what you see on movies that you envy the lead characters.

I felt something sting across my finger and I hissed, drooping the potato and the peeler on the table as I looked down at my thumb. It wasn't serious, but enough to hurt and sting. I brought my finger up to my mouth to lick the blood. It was salty and thick.

"Heavens Matilda, careful. Go see Judith, patch up, and hurry back. Mash potatoes aren't going to cook itself.'' she said,

The door swung open and Mr. Summers walked in, her shoes that should have been left in the seventies clicked across the floor and her red lipstick gleaming against her pale skin. Uh-ho, she found out. I thought. ''Matilda, care to explain why your school left a message for me saying you left school early?" she asked.

*

''No, I'm too sick to go anywhere!" I fussed with Emily who was trying to tug my blanket off.

She scoffed, ''No you're not. You ignored me all last night when I asked why happen between you and Killian. You will tell me on the way to school.''

''I don't have to do shit.'' I said. ''And nothing, like I said.''

''Bullshit.'' she said and it sounds so weird hearing her curse. She was innocent as a household bunny. She only cursed when she was really either mad or to curious.

''Ever heard curiosity killed the cat?" I asked her.

"I have but that's not related towards me, you're just harder than a block of concrete. Don't make me get Max in here to drag you out of your bed.'' she said and I groaned. Max was a year younger than me and like Emily and I, no one wanted him. He may be a year younger than me, but he towered over me and was on the wrestling team.

"Get your booty up!" she said, slapping me on the butt and I groaned, throwing my blanket off me.

"Fine!" I said as I got up.

She smiled, "Good.''

She left the room and closed the door behind her. I kicked at the air, imagining it was her butt. Ugh, I was hoping to avoid going to school and avoid Killian and his pack of trouble makers. 

Did I just say pack? I thought to myself.

I changes out of my pajamas and into some washed out jeans, black tank top, and a man size red and white flannel shirt that was a little big on me. Hey, men's clothes are cheaper.

I put on my shoes and thought if I should do my hair. I didn't feel like even brushing it, so I pulled it up in a messy bun, strains falling out of it.

*

Getting out of the car with Dawn complaining how more careful I knew to be with kids passing the road. I walked towards the school building keeping an eye out on Marco group and a certain member.

"Who are out searching for?" Emily asked, giggling.

"Huh?" I asked, turning to look at Emily. I gave her a look, “Don't be noisy. Why didn't you tell me one of Marco guys were bullying you.''

She signed heavily, "I don't need you to always fight my battles, Mat.''

"Who's going to if I don't?" I asked as we walked through the doors.

''I'm not twelve anymore, I can't take care of myself.'' she said and I frowned down at her.

''Sorry I want to play the protective sister.'' I said, feeling a little offended.

''But you're not my sister, we're not even the same race.'' she said and I froze, making her freeze. Her hand came up to her mouth as her eyes widen, "Oh, my God, Mat, that was too harsh. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring the race card up. I was just...mad, embarrassed.''

''I embarrass you?" I asked.

''Of course not! I . . . just have allot of my mind right now. I feel alone, Mat . . . I want a family.'' she said and I sighed,

''I am your family.'' I said.

"You'll be leaving when school ends though, it's all you talk about. You'll be leaving me and I'll be alone here, I should start learning how to depend on myself and not you.'' she said, she walking away quickly, not looking at me once.

I brought my hand up to my head and scratched it. I groaned since I never even noticed or thought about Emily's feelings.

"Yeesh, how harsh.'' Will said as he came up next to me and I glared at him. Wait if Will's here, then where is Killian? ''It'll be good to let the little human go though, pup.'' he said, grinning down at me.

''Pup?" I questioned.

''Baby, child, not even really a wolf yet.'' he said and I rolled my eyes. ''What do you think would happen the night you turn? Be lucky Killian noticed or you will be changing into a wolf in the old retirement home you live at.''

''What do you want, Will?" I asked.

''Marco wants you to come outside.'' he said and I scoffed, laughing. ''Hey, you better be nice. He's the Alpha son, so when his father passes, Marco becomes Alpha.'' he said and when I wouldn't move, he breathed out his nose hard, grabbed my upper arm, and turned me around before lesson me out of the school.

"'Take your hairy hand off me Will or—'' when we was drawing near the parking lot where Marco group of eleven followers, all from each grade I only noticed a certain to.

Melinda was talking to Killian, holding his hand, and grinning up at him. My hands balled up in a fist and I hated how jealous I felt.

Not wanting to do this anymore I started to turn, but Will grabbed me by the waist, "Oh no you're not!" Will said.

"I have to get to class!" I said, trying to pry his hands off but they were made of steel. "Will Bloodworth, get your dirty hands off me or—ow! Hey, don't touch me!" I cried when he pinched my ears and I slapped him.

"Ow! Hey! You little mutt.'' he said as he forced his hand behind my neck, forcing my head down and I winced when his put pressure behind my ear, forcing me to walk towards the group. "Here Marco, she's a real pain of my—God damnit!'' he cried in when I punched my fist into his manhood, his hand sliding off from around my neck.

"I said keep your dirty hands off me!'' I said and faced Marco, who was clearly amused. "What? Why'd I get dragged put here? Class starts soon and I can't get in any more trouble than I am.''

''You don't need to worry about class, we get special treatment since Principle Prescott is my dad friend brother.'' he said.

''I always knew you all got off easily for most of the shit you all do.'' I said and I looked around at the people who were all eyeing me. ''Is there a reason why I'm here?''

"Will and Killian told us there something about you.'' he said.

"What? That I'm a wolf?" I sarcastically asked.

''Blue did call it first. And what I just seen, no human can hurt a wolf as strong as you did unless you are a wolf.'' he said.

''I want to get away from this crazy cult.'' I said and I heard Will growl behind me. I raised an eyebrow, but didn't turn around to look him. It sounded so much like a. . .

No, impossible.

'I know it’s hard to believe since you weren't raised like us, but you do seem strange.'' he said. ''Blue was the one to always take notice to you. She supposed to have a cousin around her age, but her aunt and uncle disappeared around the birth of their second child.'' he said and I raised an eyebrow

"So?" I asked.

Blue walked towards me and she looked at me closely, ''Same eyes, nose, curly brown hair, and—''

''Hey! Stop it!" I cried out when she forced me around and pulled my flannel shirt down, showing the back of my shoulder.

''Same disfigured looking star shape birthmark.'' she said.   

I scoffed, taking a step back, pulling my flannel shirt up, "What is this about?"

She took off her jean jacket and turned to me, "I always kept my attention on you, cousin.'' she said. On her right shoulder blade the size of a dollar coin was a disfigured star shape birthmark.

A lump formed in my throat and I was trying to swallow it as I tried to form an explanation to how that could be. No, she’s a liar. I have been going to school with Blue since kindergarten, she can't be my. .cousin!

I took another step back, ready to turn and leave but I ended up hitting someone chest and he tightly wrapped his arms around mine, holding me there. I smelt the familiar cologne of Wills.

"'You're a liar.'' I said to Blue.

She grinned, ''She's starting to believe us.''

''No!" I shouted.

"Matilda Vaughn, how nice.'' she said.

''A birthmark proves nothing. Millions of people have birthmarks.'' I said.

"Two people in the same town, same age? Looks the same as my grandmother and Devin, your brother.'' she said and I glared at her.

''I don't have a bother.'' I snapped.

"Well it’s clear you get your temper from your mother side. Damn Redblood's are very hotheaded.'' she said.

My hands balled into a fist at how she would act like she knew my mother. That women was a touchy subject for me and it made me angry said Blue would know her.

"Mat, join us at lunch.” Marco said. He sounded nice and friendly, it pissed me off. ''We can talk about how you're supposed to act in front of my father, Alpha Lincoln. He seemed very interested in meeting you. Not often we find a wolf who grew up not knowing where she truly belongs."