“You just met me, why would you trust me with that information?”
“Because, you have been taking beatings for something you didn’t do and clearly no one knows, and those who suspect can’t get the truth out of you. You have integrity and loyalty, though your lack of self interest concerns me a bit.” She giggles. “So tell me, why is someone using some of the worst forms of torture on you? You don’t strike me as a boyfriend stealer, a cheater, or a liar. Which means you are a threat, and I think you don’t even know it.” 3
“I’m not sure what I did to gain the constant negative attention, but the ‘ who’ isn’t important. It started when I stepped in to protect another, younger, student from some bullying and it has just escalated over time.” I shrug.
“Is that the same line Delta Kyle let you get away with too?” She raises an eyebrow, but she is still smiling at me.
“Maybe.” I shrug again and look at my lap. I feel like she is just warming up and I am really going to have to choose my words carefully with her. She could be an interrogator.
“So, back to the no friends thing. Care to explain?” She tries on her third coat and is twirling in front of her full length mirror. “From what I have seen you are great and genuine and I am an excellent judge of character.” She huffs and throws the coat into a pile on the chair of her vanity and goes back in her closet.
“It’s complicated. And it’s just easier to not get close to people, with everything going on. I don’t want anyone else as a target just because they decided to be friends with me. My brother will take the next beta title and I will take whatever rank my mate gives me. I’m nothing special and don’t have anything to offer. You’ll see, the only reason you lasted this long is because you are new and haven’t figured out the teen hierarchy here. You are gorgeous and have already gotten the attention of my brother and his friends…” I let the ‘and you’ll move on and forget me’ thought hang in the air.
“You have not met any real friends then. This b*tch won’t scare me away and the way I saw you fight today, I’m surprised you let anyone treat you poorly, let alone physically harm you.” She grabs a hat that matches the bright red peacoat she chose and does another twirl in the mirror. “I can’t believe that your alphas or even your brother haven’t stepped in.”
“I told you it’s complicated. They don’t know about stuff like the whipping and anything else is not worth their time. If I can’t fight my own simple battles, I’m not worth the time or the effort. I’m a beta by blood and should be strong enough to handle my problems without running to them with every little problem. Some levels of minor bullying are tolerated by my brother and his friends. It’s a survival of the fittest mentality.”
“Then they are all d*cks and not worthy of leading in my opinion. But, they probably don’t know half of what you put up with based on the scars you carry on the outside. The inside scars, though, they wouldn’t have a clue, they’re guys, that’s just stupid territory for them.” I couldn’t help but laugh, long and hard. She wasn’t wrong. The emotional turmoil in my head was worse than anything that has been done to me physically. “So let’s make you look and feel as hot as you are tonight and see what we can find out from these boys.”
