Kennedy
I was absolutely not looking forward to the first day back at school. My last first day. At least it was the beginning of the end and soon enough I'd be free from dumbass homework and teachers. I have future responsibilities. I am going to become alpha of the pack some day. My father has been training me since the day I was born to be alpha. He's instilled in me the values and traits that are required of a good leader. And I hope that I can make him proud.
Contrary to popular belief, not all alphas are cold-hearted killers who don't smile and will maim anyone who pisses them off. My dad, for example, is a kind man, a man who feels deeply and cares for his pack. He is seen as a father figure to the pack and always offers a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on. In his words, that's what makes a great alpha. You have to be someone to depend on, someone who leads and guides and makes an effort to help people. I've learned a lot from him and I continue to learn on a daily basis.
As much as I believe I am like my father, at school I'm seen a little differently. The majority of the school consists of humans who are completely oblivious to the fact that I am a werewolf, an heir. Everyone just sees me as the star of the hockey team, an asshole-ish jock, Mr Perfect and the guy who wants to get with all the girls. One thing few people know about me is that I've got a fatal flaw, my bad temper, I can lose my shit in seconds. I blame the alpha genetics. My anger is a side that I don't want anyone to ever see. The vamps especially hate me, but they couldn't possibly hate me as much as I hate them. Disgusting creatures.
It feels like nobody in the school truly knows the real me, except for a handful of my pack members and closest friends. I accepted a long time ago that I was seen as a bit of an asshole, but maybe that was for the best. Because honestly, I don't want people to know the real me. The me who loves fiercely, who plays with little kids, helps elders...the me who's never even slept with or kissed anyone because I'm waiting for my mate.
...
"Kennedy, come eat quickly, you're running late," our chef fussed as I walked into the kitchen. I smiled lightly then sat down next to my dad.
"So, son, you excited for your last first day?" My dad asked after taking a sip of his water.
"I'm not excited to go back to school, but I am excited that it's my last year. I can't wait to be free of schoolwork so I can start focusing wholeheartedly on the pack." He nodded softly then gave me a smile.
"Son, I am only forty," he chuckled, "I'm not stepping down any time soon. I know I've been preparing you to take my place but there's still so much time. You can afford to just relax after school or maybe even go to college-"
"College isn't for me, dad. It's never been. I want to stay here," I said and he sighed.
"Bub, I'd prefer it if you didn't interrupt me, but I guess we could have this conversation at a different time." I mumbled an apology and we began eating in a comfortable silence. After a few moments, my dad spoke up again.
"There is actually another thing we need to talk about..." I lifted my head to look at him, giving him my full attention. "Kenny, you're almost eighteen and usually by now wolves have already found their mate. You haven't and I'm just concerned that maybe you're so focused on being here that you're not venturing out. She may not even be here in Denver, or this state for that matter. I want you to live a little, son, go out and find her." I sighed and put down my fork.
"Dad, I'm happy with the way that I'm living my life. And trust me, I've been looking. I want to find her too, I crave it, my wolf craves it. But I believe that it should happen naturally, by chance. I can't just travel the world, hoping I'll find her," I said with an underlying tone of sadness in my voice. It was my dad's turn to sigh.
"I suppose you're right. Who am I to control your life? Who knows, maybe there'll be a certain new student today at school who just so happens to be your mate. I just know that your mate is going to be a lovely girl that'll be your perfect match. My beautiful boy deserves the best." I smiled softly at my dad. He had a point. I made sure to make a mental note to look out for any new faces. Maybe he was right, maybe today would be the day that I meet her. The world does work in mysterious ways sometimes.
...
When I arrived at school, I made sure to keep a look out for any new girls, in my grade and below. You know instantly when you find your mate, it kind of hits you like a brick to the face.
I spotted my group of friends and offered them a small smile. "Keller!" My best friend Romeo exclaimed. Romeo and I have been best friends since we were babies. I'd decided ages ago that he would be my beta when I eventually took over from my father.
"Hey, Rome, hey, guys," I greeted as Romeo pulled me into a hug. I couldn't help but chuckle. Romeo is a super bubbly guy. He's very loud and boisterous and very touchy. He's the only one who I'll let hug me. Our group slipped into a light-hearted conversation. Most of my friends were already mated, and I'd never admit this to anybody, but I was jealous. Once a wolf is sixteen, they're eligible to find their mates. It's been a lonely almost two years. But I know that I just have to be patient and let it happen naturally.
...
Romeo and I walked into our first period class, math. We sat in the two seats that were next to each other towards the back of the room. Miss Clarke walked in, placing her stuff on her desk. She did a once over and must've realised we were missing some students since there were still empty desks. Eventually the class had filled up to the point where there was only one spot left empty. The seat directly in front of me.
"Alright listen up, class." Everyone's chatter had simmered down to silence. "You're probably wondering why we're not beginning yet. As you can see. there's an empty seat." Our eyes all moved to the desk. "We have a new student joining us today and he's from Russia. Obviously no one has helped him find his math class. So when he arrives, let's be polite and not embarrass him. Chat quietly amongst yourselves until he comes," she explained and everyone seemed happy to be able to catch up with their friends for a bit.
It was around two minutes later when I heard Miss Clarke speak up. The chatter that had previously filled the room once again fizzled out.
"Nice of you to join us, Mr Petrov. You're new and don't know the school, so I will give you grace. My name is Miss Clarke. Take a seat and then we'll begin."
At that moment, it felt as though the world had stopped. The most incredible scent I'd ever smelt wafted into my nostrils and my heart pounded with passion. I felt as though someone had tied a red string to my finger and was tugging at me, trying to pull me close to something.
My mate.
"I'm so sorry." A thick, Russian accent. And almost as if it were slow motion, I lifted my head from my phone and I saw him. He's the most beautiful individual I've ever seen, truly mesmersing. But the high of it all went away when I realised...
'What the fuck! My mate is a boy! A-And a fucking vampire! I was internally panicking. I can't have a male mate! I'm straight! How will I have pups? And god, I can smell his vampiness from here!' My thoughts were jumbled mess of absolute panic.
We made awkward eye contact as he took the seat in front of me. I can't imagine how stunned I must've looked. He gave me a confused frown, almost one of disgust. Of course he would, I'm a wolf, he probably already hated me. And I kinda hated him too. Vampires and werewolves don't mix! 'Oh god, I'm fucked!'
I swore to myself that no one would find out. No soul could know that my mate is a male, even worse, a vamp.
...
The whole of math I couldn't focus. His scent made me want to simultaneously hug him and kill him. It felt as though I had gone deaf and I was completely lost in my head with my thoughts. I was freaking out. My entire life I pictured my mate being a girl, someone to have pups with...oh and also a werewolf! There must be some kind of mistake. I cannot be with a man. I'm straight, and I always have been. I've never in my life been attracted to another male. No one would accept me, everyone would mock me or disown me. I'm terrified. And a vamp no less...my pack would exhile me!
I stared at the back of his head and sighed. Vampires don't have mates like we do, so he clearly didn't know. He doesn't have those senses. I was thankful for that.
"Ken, you okay?" My eyes met a concerned Romeo's. I swallowed then nodded firmly.
"Y-Yeah, j-just lost in my thoughts." He offered a small smile then paid his attention back onto the board.
...
Him.
That's all I could think about every single lesson. I absolutely could not remember a single thing said by my teachers. My mind was spinning, it felt like the two sides of my brain were having a boxing match. The one side was thrilled to have found my mate, my mate who's so fucking beautiful it's scary. But then there's the other stronger side, the one who is homophobic and hates vamps...the one screaming to reject him.
I would lie if I said my heart wasn't breaking a little. I've dreamed of meeting my mate for years but it just didn't make sense. I'm not gay or bi, I could never be. And I would never stoop so low as to date a disgusting vamp. He doesn't know we're mates, so technically I wouldn't have to reject anyone.
But the thought of not having my mate by my side still hurt. It felt as though the universe had cursed me. What did I do wrong?
"Kennedy!" My thoughts were interrupted once more by a waving Romeo who was already sitting at our usual table in the cafeteria with our friends. I swiftly walked over and sat down between Romeo and Kyler. The wolves all stopped their coversations to greet me and I simply offered a smile and a head nod. "You better get in line for food, it's burgers. And with the vamps not eating, the wolves are going to take advantage and get double, I know I did. So go and get before they run out," Romeo said with a mouth full of burger. I couldn't help but chuckle at how silly he looked.
"I'm uh, I'm actually not hungry." That earned a frown from Romeo.
"Huh? How? You're always a hungry lil' bitch." I sighed then moved some of my fringe to the side.
"I don't really have an appetite. And! Before you get worried, like you always do, I'm fine. I'm just stressed about something personal," I explained and he offered a small nod.
"Well, if you ever want to talk..."
"I know, Rome. Now carry on eating, your second burger is going to get cold." He chuckled then continued to inhale his burger like it was literal oxygen. It was in that moment that I felt the pull again. He was there. I kept my eyes down. I even took out my phone to act like I was busy, but the feeling was getting stronger. I could even smell him. He smelt like vanilla and cherries. And as if my eyes moved on their accord, I looked up and our eyes met again.
He was sitting across the room, in my direct line of sight. We made eye contact briefly before he broke it and looked down at his book. But I couldn't stop staring. No matter how badly I wanted to look away, it was virtually impossible. My trance was interrupted when someone suddenly sat down at his table. I recognised the asshole, Star or whatever his name is. I was about to let my wolf senses take over so that I could eavesdrop until Kyler suddenly spoke up, wanting to have a fat chat with me about dumbass shit that I didn't care about. Once he was finished blabbering, the vamps' conversation had already ended. Fucking typical.
His eyes met mine and he glared. So naturally I shot him the dirtiest look I could muster.
...
"Ow, fuck! What is your problem, Kennedy?" Star groaned as I shoved him against the lockers. Hard.
"I need you to tell me what you know about the Russian. I saw you speak to him during lunch," I muttered quietly so no one would hear me. His face morphed from an annoyed frown to an amused grin. Thankfully his fangs weren't out because I would have broken them with my fist.
"Hm, I've got a stalker on my hands-"
"Oh please, don't flatter yourself. You guys were in my direct line of sight. And like I'd ever voluntarily look at you!" The smug grin didn't leave his pale ass face.
"Whatever, pup."
"Do. Not. Fucking. Call. Me. Pup," I warned through gritted teeth and he just laughed.
"Gosh, you wolves are easy to piss off, it's bloody hilarious...Ow! Fucking hell! Really?" I had shoved him once more and he rolled his eyes.
"Why do you need info on him anyway? He's a vampire and last I checked, vamps and wolves stay out of each other's business. Unless you're planning on killing him...Or! You think he's hot! Oh man, you do don't you? That's a first!"
"Shut the fuck up! I do not think he's hot. I'm straight, that's just gross. And even worse, he's an atrocious vampire." Star's amused grin turned dark real quick.
"Wow, I knew you hated vamps, but a homophobe too? You just keep becoming more of a dick as the days go by," he seethed. I could tell he was pissed, his eyes were going black and his fangs were peaking through. Everyone knew Star had two fathers, so he's a massive advocate for the whole LGBT-whatever.
"Like I give a fuck about what you think. Now tell me before I knock out your fangs and use them to impale your own neck," I growled as my canines started to grow.
"I only met him today, you dipshit! You act as though I know his whole fucking life story. His name is Dmitry and his family fled from Russia because of dodgy vamp shit and he's a loner. Happy?" He spat and I loosened my grip on his shirt. Wordlessly, I started to walk away but I suddenly felt him grab my wrist. I always forget how strong vamps are.
"Just remember one thing, Kennedy. You may be the alpha's son, but I am not afraid of you. You're all bark and no bite. And you better not mess with Dmitry. He's one of my kind and I will stand by my kind till the day I die. And you do not want to fuck with me! I think you forget what vamps are capable of. So if you ever try to threaten me or say something about my kind in front of me again, I will rip your fucking throat out and drain your body until every drop of blood is in my stomach. And yeah, you may be an ATROCIOUS wolf but I hear your kind's blood is heavenly." There was a darkness in his tone that I've never heard before. I had no idea that there was this side to Star. He's known as being a really animated, happy person. I wasn't frightened, just shocked. He released his death grip then gave me a sickly-sweet smile.
"Bye, Kenny-pup! I hope you have really incredible dreams tonight about your new little vampy crush." With a roll of his eyes, he walked away and it took everything in me not to fucking murder him.
My blood was boiling.
I. Hate. Vampires.