ACADEMYWOLF: TRUE MATE CURSED

Adeline POV

I kept my head down as I walked through the halls of my new school. Without a word, I turned toward my classroom, only to be jolted to a halt when I accidentally slammed into someone.

“Fuck!”

The blonde girl’s sneer cut through the air as she glared at me.

“Watch where you're going!” she snapped.

“Sorry.” I looked up for a split second before deciding to just ignore her.

The people in the classroom stared at me like I was some kind of rare specimen. Honestly, it wasn't surprising. This was the latest in a long line of schools I’d moved to, and the reaction was always the same.

I picked a random seat and set my bag down. To shake off the awkwardness, I pulled a comic book out of my bag and started reading.

It didn't take long for the blonde girl to march over.

“What even are you?” she asked, her voice dripping with attitude.

I huffed. Could she just leave me alone?

“Hey, I’m talking to you,” she barked. “Do you have any idea who I am? How dare you ignore me!”

Ever since I was a kid, my dad has constantly moved us around. He never explained why, and it was beyond frustrating. I had zero friends. Everyone always thought I was ‘weird,’ but I never knew why. We went from one pack to another, over and over. I finally begged my dad to let us stay put until I graduated from this werewolf high school. I just wanted a normal life like any other wolf, or at least to find my mate, even if that felt like a pipe dream.

“I already said sorry,” I replied. “What else do you want?”

“You’re not like us,” the blonde said.

I knitted my brows.

“You don't have a scent. You’re wolfless. How did you even get into this school?”

This wasn't the first time. They always told me I was different, and I had no clue why I stood out so much. My dad always said I was special,but he never told me why people looked at me like I was some alien creature.

“Please, just leave me be,” I said. “I’m trying to read.”

I went back to my comic. Not even a second later, the girl snatched it out of my hands and ripped it up. I started to stand, but a few other girls shoved me back down by my shoulders.

“You don't talk back to Selena Rodriguez, nerd. Do you have any idea who she is?”

A girl with curly hair barked at me, her eyes cold.

“What did I even do? Why are you doing this?”

I was so sick of being treated like a freak just because I was different.

“You’re a hybrid, aren't you?”

My eyes widened. That word always popped up. That label always made my skin crawl.

“That’s none of your business.”

“Of course it’s my business. You shouldn't even be in a school for werewolves.”

“I am a werewolf,” I said firmly.

“Look at you!” The blonde scanned me from head to toe. “You’re nothing like us.”

“But I don’t smell a human on her,” the curly-haired girl said, sniffing the air. “Her scent is just… weird.”

“I bet she’s a curse sent by the Moon Goddess to this pack. Damn it. Why did she have to come to the Blue Moon Pack?”

The bell rang, signaling the start of class. It felt like a total lifesaver. The girls dispersed, but the blonde–Selena, gave me one last threatening look.

“We’re not done, Hybrid. I don't like your attitude in my territory,” she grumbled.

I just stared at her, baffled by why she hated me so much just for being different. Even though I was used to the stares, I still didn't get why I didn't fit in.

A woman in glasses with a formal outfit and a cold gaze walked into the room. The class went dead silent. As she set her books on the desk, she scanned the room until her eyes landed on me.

“You’re the new student, right?” she asked sternly.

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Mrs. Rowan,” she corrected. “I teach Basic Werewolf Ethics. Please, introduce yourself.”

Every eye in the room was on me. I took a deep breath. I’d done this a million times because of how often I moved. I could already hear the whispering.

“Hi everyone, I’m Adeline Smith. I’m new here and I’ll be here until graduation. I’m just hoping to get through the year in peace.”

A guy at the back of the room snickered. He had brown hair and was clearly mocking my introduction.

“Are you a hybrid?” Selena blurted out.

“I’m a werewolf,” I answered. “Just like you guys.”

My answer triggered a wave of whispers and commotion. My chest felt tight, and my skin felt like it was on fire. I just wanted to bolt out of there. What was wrong with me? Why did everyone think I was a hybrid? I didn't know, and no one would ever tell me.

Suddenly, someone walked into the room. A guy in a messy school uniform with slightly wavy, ash-colored hair. His eyes were a bright, piercing brown. I noticed the girls' eyes light up the moment he walked in. He was clearly the school heartthrob.

He walked straight toward me without hesitating, pinning me with an intimidating stare. I didn't know what to do. He leaned over, almost like he was sizing me up.

“Who told you that you could sit here?” he asked with his cold voice.

I was speechless. I’d almost never seen a guy who looked as perfect as him. For a second, I was just stuck, totally blanking on how to respond.

“Why can’t I sit here?” I finally managed to snap back.

The room got even louder, like I’d just committed some huge crime. I was so confused. Who was this guy? Why did he seem so important?

“Oliver, don't start trouble. Just sit anywhere,” Mrs. Rowan warned. Her tone was calm but firm.

Oliver? So that was his name. Such a beautiful name.

“Move.” Oliver ignored her. His gaze was still bore into mine, full of command.

“What if I don’t want to?”

A smirk spread across Oliver’s face, but it wasn't a friendly one. It sent shivers down my spine.

“What an idiot. How can she stand up to Oliver? He’s Alpha Caleb Ludwig’s son—the Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack and the owner of this elite school.”

The whispers hit my ears, and it finally clicked. I’d messed up big time. He was the Alpha’s son? The owner’s kid?

“Oliver?” I murmured.

“Move.” Oliver dropped his voice, his tone laced with a heavy alpha command.

My heart hammered against my ribs. Oliver wasn't playing around. He was literally just standing there, waiting for me to get up. I looked around. The other students were laughing at me. I looked like a total fool getting bullied in front of everyone.

I didn't want to cause a bigger scene, so I decided to just get up. Oliver immediately took over the seat. He even shoved my bag off the desk. I grabbed my bag, glaring at him.

“Asshole,” I muttered under my breath.