The Alpha and the Mistake

Panting, I rested my hands on my knees. They shook as the adrenaline left me. I was dead, so dead. I had threatened Mike's guest and newest partner in crime. If Dean didn't pummel me into the ground, Mike would be happy to do it for him. I swallowed and tried to control my breath. Breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth, I straightened.

I put the silver spray back in my pocket and smooth my clothes. Today had been a bad day, but it was over. Plus, there was a sundae waiting for me at home. Almost tasting the frozen, chocolaty goodness, I smiled and continued home.

"How did it go?" Harry asked as soon as I closed the front door.

Now there was a loaded question. I dropped my backpack on the stairs and headed into the kitchen, plopping down at the table. "Sundae kind of day."

Hope drained from Harry's face. Poor guy, and delusional too, if he thought I wouldn't have to deal with Mike's crap today. With a sigh, Harry opened the freezer and handed me a huge sundae. "What happened?"

I grinned, rubbing my hands together, taking a bite and savoring it before I answered my stepdad. "He wanted me to kneel in front of the new alpha kid, of all things. I refused as a knee-jerk reaction and paid for it."

Harry's eyes flashed bright gold and his face twisted. The expression was an angry, wild thing, and I backed up off the stool, shocked and scared. "Sorry, like I said it was a knee-jerk thing."

Harry ran a hand over his face, taking several deep breaths. "Don't Brook. Don't apologize for defending yourself."

Oh, okay. He was mad for me, not at me. Sweet. "It's cool." I shoveled in another spoonful of ice cream then groaned. "No, not cool Brain freeze." I rubbed my forehead, waiting for it to pass.

Harry looked up at me. His eyes still were a warm gold, but his face didn't have the Better to eat you with my dear expression. Finally, he broke and laughed. "You are something else Brook." His expression turned serious once more. "Did Mike do anything else to you today?"

"Nah." Though, I debated whether to mention how the new kid kept staring at me and stuff. Nope, not now. I didn't want Harry to go all big bad wolf on me again.

"Good, stay on your toes and keep your head down." Harry gave me a light pat on my shoulder. "I have to head back. The alpha is having a big dinner, your mom and I won't get back till late."

"No problem. Have fun." I continued eating my sundae, and when finished, I soaked into a steamy, salt-filled bath. The hot water easing my aches and pains. Afterward, I laid out on my bed with music.

Someone had knocked on the window a second before it slid up. Anna climbed inside with a grace and elegance I thought should be illegal. Though, that was how werewolves rolled. Anna tried to smooth down her frizzy, blonde hair as she sat down on the bed next to me.

I took out my earbuds and sat up. "No invite?" I had expected her to be at that pack thing Harry mentioned.

"Nope, I told my parents I didn't want to go. I'd prefer to study and not get another F in Social Studies again."

grinned. "And yet here you are with

you a lucky

keep it secret. If Mike found out she and I spent time together

"Did you see him?"

"Him?"

visiting alpha's son,

I saw

he just..." Anne made a

that's disgusting." I gave her a

If he was any hotter, we'd have a serious problem with

her. Eh, Why not? "Okay. I'll admit his eyes are the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen." What harm was there in appreciating one fine specimen

back on my bed with a dreamy expression on her face. "Oh God yes! I almost died when he looked at me in English." She sighed again, but

class but stopped. The humiliation of today was too raw. If I told Anna about what Dean did, it would make it harder to forget and ignore. "Could

eyes. "Right. Whatever.

up the pack rank which made them spoiled little-entitled brats. Beth ruined her good looks by that

my turtleneck as I walked into school. It was too hot for it, but I had nothing else. Makeup wasn't enough. Worse yet, scrambling to find something made me leave later

bag. I didn't have much time before class started. It's not that I'm obsessed with being on time. If Mike ditched and caught

cocky smirk, he started to say something. Next thing I knew stared at me, eyes wide, a red handprint on his cheek. My own stung from the slap. In my defense, I claim temporary insanity... and hormones. Yeah. That's it. It wasn't

on my desk. It earned me a few odd looks from people, but I didn't care. I

by the rules. My stomach clenched. The teacher droned on, but

came around, I was ready to vomit. I had one idea that might save my hide. My fingers gripped the edges of my desk until they were white. As odd as it sounds, I could feel it when Dean took his seat next to me. I

about how stupid and pathetic I am. I promise I won't ever do anything like that again. In fact, if you keep this between us I'll do your homework for a month." Whatever his

my chair and rushed out of the classroom. Images of a lion hunting a poor innocent gazelle flashed through my mind as I ran. I dodged and swerved through the masses to get to my locker. Shock slammed into me when I saw Dean by my locker. How did

tried to change direction, I slipped and fell, right on my butt. If that's not bad enough,

reason reminded me chocolate. "Are you okay?" He smiled, leaving me breathless, or I was out of breath from running. Dean held

let him grab me. I stood and dusted myself off. "What do you want?" I turned to open my locker, keeping him in my sight. A surprise attack always hurt worse than when I was expecting one.

let me answer your