So, it’s a normal day at school. Meaning, I’m pissed off and David is trying to talk me out of blowing our cover by ripping my teacher to absolute shreds. Actually, I would never do that, but I just like to make him worry. He’s so gullible. I’m leaning against a wall, looking casual but not acting it, and David is pacing frantically in front of me.

"Seriously, Asriel, it’s not worth it." David is so tense the veins in his arms are bulging through his skin. I, however, remain calmly poised against the wall, arms crossed, with thoughts of homicide. (Oh, yeah. We wolf-people can read each other werewolf’s thoughts. Good for communication, bad for privacy.)

"And since when have I cared?" My voice is liquid smooth, no hint of taunting to give me away, thinking or otherwise. David is standing still as a statue, save for his left hand fisting and unfisting.

"It’s just a research paper. You’re way overreacting here." His jaw is clenched tight, making his words hiss. I just smile.

"It’s my research paper that I researched fully. I want the full credit. But, according to the teacher, the results have to be accurate." My voice is a little terse by the time I finish.

"The one about mythological creatures, right? Let me guess, you chose werewolves, right?" I nod. Naturally. "Well, then, what do you expect? The teacher doesn't’t know the truth, so why push it?" In response, my thoughts become bloodier. Then, unexpectedly, an image of a huge tawny wolf invades my thoughts, causing me to jump all of three inches off the ground. I take pride in my self-control. At the same time, David jumps back. James is suddenly beside us, his six-foot-plus frame looming ominously over our tiny bodies.

"Asriel, what’s going on?" He has a fairly deep voice, easily overheard over the after-school rush. Of course he asks me, I’m the only one smart enough to cause trouble. So, in return, I flash him my toothy grin, fangy canines and all, and conjure up and image of my mythology teacher being ripped to shreds. By me. James twitches.

"Asriel, I swear-" he starts, but I cut him off by holding my hand up, palm facing him. Stop. My thoughts turn to my true feelings. I honestly don’t care. It’s just one bad grade. Both James and David glare at me, simultaneously.

Bryson and Zachary walk up, Zachary’s mind storming with emotions and Bryson trying to calm him down mentally.

"What’s going on?" James asks. The whole story spills out of Zachary’s mind, his eyes wide the whole time. Apparently he pissed of a group of jocks. I snort.

"Stupid football players." I mutter, and one cue three of them show up. They’re enormously huge, by human standards. Probably form steroids. The largest one is the quarterback, unmistakably.

Immediately, the four of us surround Zach. As if he needs it, though. But it’s more intimidating, and realistic, that way. The quarterback walks straight up to James. He only comes up to his nose, with only half the muscularity. I suppress the urge to laugh my head clean off my shoulders. All three of them reek with fear. And we all know this, especially James.

"Move over." The one up in James’ face says. James crosses his arms.

"Make me." He spits back. The other two step forward. So do we.

"You’re outnumbered." James simply states. His face is an inhuman glare. He’s trying hard not to just let out a bloodcurdling growl and rip all three of them to pieces. We have to help him control himself.

“Girls don’t count,” one of the other two jeer. My eyes land on his face.

“You wanna prove that?” I narrow my eyes at him, and he instantly shrinks back. After a long stare-down, the jocks finally back off. But not before the leader takes one last look back at Zachary and sneers.

"Later, moron." He promises. They walk off. David lets out a growl he had been holding in. I chuckle. Zachary is glaring daggers. At us.

"It’s better that way, Zach. They know not to mess with us, especially more than one of us." James says. Zach backs off then, but just a little. James, satisfied, walks off, with David and Bryson close behind. I say behind with Zachary. I admit, I have a bit of a soft spot for the kid. But I’m not allowed to date anyone in the pack, even James. He says it would create too much tension.

"Why?" he asks me.

"Because James is an ass when it comes to one of us being threatened. Even when the subject did it on purpose." I grin devilishly. Zach grins back and blushes slightly, out of guilt for being caught.

"I wanted to prove myself." He states simply.

"I know."

"But does James know that I-"

"Probably not, but, just the same-"

"And you knew-"

"Female intuition." I flash another grin, and tousle his chocolate brown hair. He shakes it back into place.

"Okay. But can I ask you one thing?" he asks me, boldly.

"Shoot." I tell him.

"Stop cutting me off. It’s annoying." He strides off. I snort, and mentally stick my tongue out at him.

You’re so childish, Asriel, he shoots back.

Deal with it. I turn and walk away.