The Exception

Chapter 1

*Selena POV*

I thought being covered in mud from head to toe was bad enough. But of course, it just had to be raining.

My father is going to kill me.

With my best friend behind me, I ran as fast as I could. Every step squished into the soft, oozing mud. Seeing the door to the building looming in the distance only increased my rising fear. As we reached the door, I mentally prepared myself for what I would be facing. My open palm hovered over the handle before I painstakingly opened the door. I cringed as I was greeted by the most horrendous, high-pitched creak I ever heard. I could feel my face turning redder as all eyes turned our way.

I, Selena Cooper, have just made a fool of myself again.

***

Just a few hours earlier, the day started out okay. Heading to Pleasant Ridge High School on my first day of senior year, the breeze swept through my hair. It seemed like a fairly nice day, but I was cautiously optimistic.

Holding the books that wouldn't fit in my book bag, I stopped in front of the crosswalk. After looking both ways, I was about to cross the road when two guys ran into me, knocking a few books out of my hands. You'd think, as a werewolf, I would have better reflexes, but apparently not.

I scrambled to pick up my stray books when, out of my peripheral vision, I saw someone bend down. I looked up to see Jake, who had just grabbed my science book. Jake Evans had been my friend practically since birth because our parents are such good friends. His father, Richard Evans, is the Gamma, third in command.

"Lee, what are you doing?" He asked me.

Confused, I said, "Umm, going to school? You do know that we have school today, right?"

"Haven't you heard?" he said, handing me my book.

"Heard what?"

"We have a last-minute pack meeting."

I groaned. Pack meetings were the worst. And as the daughter of the Beta, the second in command, I couldn't exactly skip out.

Ranked wolves like Alphas, Betas, and Gammas held responsibilities like protecting the pack, making decisions, and setting an example. Those in the ranking system function like a council. Everyone else? Those unranked were basically civilians. While ranked wolves make the major decisions, the unranked wolves are often included by putting things to a vote.

"Do we have to?"

"Yes, but hopefully, it won't take that long," he said, "I'll let you put your bag in my truck."

Sighing, I threw my book bag into the trunk bed and looked toward the woods.

'Maybe I could run away...' I thought.

"I heard that," Jake said.

"Dang it," I muttered.

One of the "perks" of being a werewolf. If you're not careful, you can easily transmit your thoughts through the mind link. There is a range, of course, unless you are an amplifier. Anyone can learn to target specific people or block the mind link entirely, but it takes a lot of time and discipline. Alphas, or those with alpha blood, have an easier time of it, but it still takes practice.

"Maybe we could go for a little run," he said, breaking me from my thoughts.

"Won't we get in trouble if we're late?"