Alpha Bully (Wolf Ridge High 1)

“Kids like me?” I don’t know why I press. I know she already said my rejection wasn’t racially motivated, but I still feel like there’s something.

When Rayne drops her eyes to her notebook too quickly, that feeling is reinforced. “I mean kids who aren’t originally from Wolf Ridge or don’t live up here, but just go to school for the sports or whatever. Outsiders.”

Something doesn’t ring quite true in her words, even though I can’t argue with what she’s saying. I just keep thinking it’s something else. Like maybe Brumgard was right; they are all in some kind of closed cult.

I don’t like the prickle that runs over my arms and the stone that sits at the bottom of my stomach.

Does Wolf Ridge have a secret? If so, what the hell is it?

Cole

It’s a home game and the stadiums are full. I keep scanning them, looking for Pink.

I told her to come.

She flipped me off.

Doesn’t mean she won’t be here, though. And if she is, I’m counting it as a huge fucking victory. If she is, I’m going to make sure I get my hands on her again. All over her.

I texted her one word the night she gave me her phone. “Me.”

I wanted her to have my number in case she wants to communicate about the Brumgard thing. At least that’s what I told myself.

I wasn’t entirely surprised when she didn’t respond.

I’ve been a dick to her and she doesn’t trust me, even though she wants to.

I can’t decide if I want her to.

All I know is that she’s my obsession. I look down at her window every night with my cock in my hand, thinking of the things I want to do to her.

It’s the fourth quarter of the game before I spot the white-blonde mop of hair that belongs to the pack runt, Rayne. And next to her, the hot nerdy human.

My hot human.

She may not know she’s mine yet, but she’ll learn. Her little friend Rayne already knows.

What I’m going to do with her, I don’t know. All I know is that she’s mine to torment. Mine to punish. Mine to… protect.

Yeah, she’s definitely under my protection.

When I saw Casey threatening her, I had to work to keep my temper in check. To act human and not show a little teeth in staking my claim. My jurisdiction. Nobody makes threats to the bookish hottie but me.

No one touches her.

So I glory in the fact that she’s here. I told her to come and she came. It’s a total victory, and one I’m going to celebrate tonight. With her, if I can figure out how to lose my buddies without them knowing what I’m up to.

I’m so happy I get too handy with the ball. I throw it down the entire field for a touchdown before I realize what I’m doing.

The stadium shakes with the roar of approval from the crowd, but I can see Coach Jamison staring me down from the sidelines. Oh sure, he pumps his fist in the air like he’s supposed to, but his posture is irritation, not victory.

Our defense holds back for the next snap of the ball and we let them get a field goal in.

I’m hardly paying attention. All I can think about is getting between the thighs of that infuriating, beautiful human up in the stands.

I play it cool. Fumble the ball to make up for my earlier zeal. Steal it back at the last minute for another touchdown. Strut around the field like the stud I am, soaking up the cheers of the fans. My dad’s out there, too.

That used to mean something different to me. I used to do my very best, knowing we’d sit down after the game and pick the whole thing apart. Every move I made, every player on each team. Now he comes but he’s drinking. He yells too loud, embarrasses me. After the game he hardly remembers what happened.

But I’m always acutely aware of his presence. Still wanting to please him even though he doesn’t care like he used to.

We win the game without overly trouncing the opposing team—which is always our goal—and pat each other’s asses as we walk into the locker room. I go straight to my locker and grab my phone.

You came, I text Pink.

I’m satisfied when she answers immediately. Only for Rayne.

I grin. Bullshit. You came because I asked.

That wasn’t asking. That was alpha-hole ordering.

My smile gets wider at her use of a very Wolf Ridge term. Babygirl, you don’t know the first thing about alpha-holes. But I’d be happy to show you.

Giving Pink shit was always the goal, but where it came from a dark bitterness before, it’s turning into something else. The need to get under her skin is just as intense, but the way it makes me feel is different.