Killian's POV
The next morning, I woke up at my usual time thanks to my internal alarm clock. My body wrought with pain before I could even open my eyes. Laid out naked on the floor of my room face down, tears fell down my face. My pale skin was littered with new cuts, bruises, and for the first time lashes. They had used the metal end of Frank's belt to whip me; the only proof was the lashes and belt-shaped welts on my back and ass. Somehow, after several attempts, I managed to stand. I limped into my bathroom and stepped into the shower. For the first time, I was grateful that I had no hot water as the cool water soothed the welts on my body. I took extra care to wash between my legs for they had done it again, leaving me feeling dirty and disgusted. I wasted no time and moved through my morning routine. After my shower, I dried off, put clothes on, and brushed my teeth.
Though it took me longer than usual to get ready for the day, I still managed to be ready in time to drive to school if I sped a bit. After I grabbed all that I needed, I hurried out of the house. My limp was barely noticeable as I made my way to the white truck. I wore a black long-sleeved shirt, black sweatpants, and black shoes to hide my new injuries. I knew from experience if anyone found out that I would get it twice as bad. With a wince, I climbed into the truck and drove away from the house that would never be my home.
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Besides the crippling pain that coursed through my body, there was a strange ache in my chest. I knew it was because I planned to avoid the people I thought I could befriend at long last. A sigh escaped my lips as I reached my locker, I had spent one of the best nights of my life with people that were so quick to fear me. I spun the dial on my locker and opened it mindlessly.
As soon as I had the books I needed, I rushed off to my first hour class. I took my seat and sat in my normal seat as I thought about both my would've been friends and my guides. Things in life had become so complicated and somehow, I feared this was just the beginning. I took out the things I needed for the class and turned my attention to the world outside the window. My eyes zeroed in on a familiar blue car and I couldn't stop myself as I wondered if he had to deal with such things.
I barely acknowledged when the class started as I kept my eyes glued to the car outside. Unfortunately, it had to be the same day the teacher paid attention to me. It was halfway through the class that the teacher called out my name. I snapped my eyes away from the window to the front of the class. Half the class along with Mrs. Kuze looked at me with what I could only guess was pity. The other half glared at me like it was my fault for global warming.
'Maybe they did worse than I thought, I didn't get a chance to look myself over in the mirror this morning.' I thought as they continued to stare at me.
"Are you alright, Mr. Kane?" Mrs. Kazu asked with a frown on her face. It took me a moment to shake off the unfamiliar feeling of her being concerned and answer.
"Yes ma'am, I am alright. I apologize for spacing out." I said and she nodded before she explained I should open my book to page 309. She continued the class as I followed directions. For the rest of the class I wrote my notes, read the chapter, and gave into my habitual pattern of being a model student. It didn't help that Mrs. Kazu decided to actually pay attention to me as I worked.
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Lunch came around and I had never been more ready for it. Taking care not to run into Lee or his friends as I limped to my locker. When I got there I sighed in relief and pulled my locker open within seconds. I was going to shove my bag in the metal confinement and take off for a walk but that plan was stopped by a small bundle of blue-ish forget me not flowers with baby's breath scattered around the small bouquet. With a half-smile on my lips, I lifted them to my nose and took a deep breath. I let myself enjoy the moment before I placed them in the magnetic pen holder of my locker, a treasure left behind from the previous years. It broke my heart a little knowing that nobody would love me like that. I stared at them knowing they were most likely meant for another or placed in my locker as a joke.
I enclosed my things in my locker and headed to the front door of the school. Luckily my locker was in the same hallway and didn't take long for me to reach in. Though, my luck quickly ran out when I was grabbed by the arm and pulled into a janitor's closet. Yet, this time I was not thrown in, I was not attacked, and I was not afraid. I looked around to find who brought me here and frowned at the small brown haired girl with her hands on her hips. Blue eyes stared me down with a fierce glare that pinned me to the spot. It didn't take a genius to guess that she was pissed.
"I am going to ask you this once and only once. What happened to you? Where have you been? Are you avoiding me?" she rattled off and I sighed. I was not in the mood to people. I just wanted to take my walk and finish out my schooling in peace. Unfortunately, the moment I met this little hot-head I knew that wouldn't happen.
"If I told you I would have to kill you. I have been around, here and there. Oh and yes, yes I have." I spat sarcastically and the anger that had been on her face faded into hurt. I didn't understand why she was the one acting hurt when she was the one in the wrong.
"Why?" she asked, and I fought not to roll my eyes. Instead, I looked her in her eyes so she could see the impact that she made.
"Why would I not avoid someone who so clearly looked afraid of me? Especially when they did not truly know me. None of you are human! Yet, all of you looked at me like I was a freak of nature and I have more self-respect than to put up with that from people claiming they want to be my friend." I shouted, the pain clear in my voice as tears built up in my eyes. They had no idea the effect they had on me, good or bad.
"You don't understand, we all thought that you were human. Supernatural creatures usually have a scent that tells what they are. You, however, smell just like a human. Even though you are not human, you are not just a supernatural creature either. We had never met anything like you before. The power you were emitting was so immense that it had me, a future alpha wolf, needing to submit. You basically overloaded our brains and expected immediate acceptance." Kelsey tried to explain but my heart was not moved.
"Kelsey, let me put this in perspective. The moment we met, one of my guides told me that you were not human. Yet, minutes later I agreed to be your friend without fear of your supernatural power. Then after hours of time with me, getting to know me… you looked at me like I was a true monster. You all looked and smelled strongly of fear. I could understand if you needed time to understand and take it all in. I could even understand if you all were weary! Instead, you all looked at me like I was the freakiest thing you had ever seen. None of you looked, smelled, or even acted curious or compassionate. Do not stand there and insult my intelligence by saying you didn't look at me that night and see me as a threat. Just stop. Stop pretending that you care, that you want to know how I am, that I am not a threat. I can't take any more fake people in my life. I just can't." I had started out strong but quickly broke down into tears. I had trusted her more than the others but they were all so quick to distrust me. Without a second thought, I pushed past her and rushed out of the school. I ran to one of the two places I could calm down at, the football field's grandstands. I climbed to the top of the silver steps and belted out my favorite song in an attempt to reclaim my sanity.
Kelsey's POV
Tears filled my eyes after he rushed out of the janitor's closet. I followed soon after and made my way into the cafeteria. An ache made itself known as I realized he was right. The moment we knew he had power, we treated him as a threat. I was too worried about my pack to recognize that he was the same Killian, only with a major power boost.
The thoughts swirled in my mind as I sat next to my mate in the cafeteria. Kyle was goofing off as he tried to get everyone in a better mood. Though, they all seemed just as glum as when I left the room. They each felt guilty for how they treated Killian as well.
"What's the matter, love?" John asked as he slid an arm over my shoulder, holding me in an awkward embrace. The concern on his face made me only that much more ashamed of myself. I not only pissed off my new friend but then worried everyone else with my behavior.
"Killian hate's us, he said that we all feared him and looked at him like he was a monster. The thing is, he wasn't wrong. We all thought he could be a threat because we didn't know what he was. We should have given him the benefit of the doubt. If he had been a threat to us, he never would have agreed to be friends with me. Plus, it's not like he had anyone to help him take us down." I cried out as the others looked on with their own grief over the situation worsening.
"We need to do something, my wolf is tearing me a new one for hurting him. I don't feel so great about it either. I don't really understand this but we need to do something." Kyle spoke up and I nodded in agreement.
"Anyone have any ideas?" Candice asked as her mate brought his arm over her shoulders. She leaned into Kyle's embrace as she looked to the group.
"I think that we should leave the dude alone. mean if he were in our shoes, how do we know he wouldn't see us as a threat. Plus he had enough power to make us all submit and he already doesn't like us. What if he chose to use that against us? While, I think he is just being overly dramatic about the whole thing." John voiced and the table lit up with disapproval. I could only sit there, I felt like I had been slapped as Killian's words finally sank in.
"He knew what I was from the moment we met. He told me so, and I believe him. I saw the honesty in his eyes. I couldn't hear his heart skip a beat nor did he smell of lies. Even though he is obviously being abused by someone, he still trusted me." I yelled and the other's eyes grew wide and I couldn't blame them. Not only did I never yell, but the news also shocked me as well. I fell back into my seat not realizing I had stood from it. Tears fell freely as I tried to wipe them away but it was a futile fight.
"He knew? Then why did he say nothing?" my brother asked but I only shook my head. My only guess would be that he didn't think it was important.
"The only thing he knew about me was that I was not human when he agreed to be my friend. I hadn't even introduced myself yet, but he agreed without a second thought. We need to make this right. I don't care how, but it needs to be done soon." I broke down within the pack link. The others teared up as I heard their wolves whimper in response. I could tell they felt the same connection I did, even my mate.
"Killian is too good for his own good…" Mara said and Mira nodded in agreement.
"What are we going to do? We literally know nothing about him." Thomas pointed out.
"Oh my God, we are horrible people. He got us each a gift that we would each specifically love while he let us spend our points on other things. He got three of us to squeal like girls and only two of them were actually girls! We didn't learn a single thoughtful thing about him." Elias spat and I frowned knowing that he was right. We were each so inconsiderate of our new addition and within twenty-four hours we lost a vital part of our group.