"Holy crap, Mara... Look."
She shows me a notification from her social media. I can't believe it. It's a freaking picture of us in front of the library. This was definitely just taken! The caption has several hashtags, including#burnthewitchand#kickthebitchout. Holy crap... We exchange a glance, and while Kelsi talks to the librarian, I turn to Ben.
"Okay, I may have underestimated that shit a bit. Do you have any reinforcements nearby?"
He nods with a dark expression.
"We have other werewolves on the campus, I already called them for help... Still, let's get you out of here quickly. Kelsi, you got the list?"
She nods, putting her hood back on her head. It's not helping her be more discreet, though, with those furry cat ears on it... I chuckle. Kelsi's quirks appearing in this kind of tense situation are the unexpected comedic relief I didn't foresee. She glances at the door, making a sour face.
"Alright, let's just hurry back to the car?"
Ben nods and walks out of the library first.
This time, the large crowd starts yelling as soon as they see me.
"Fuck off, witch!"
"Die!"
"Nobody wants you here!"
I glare at them and put my arm around Kelsi's shoulders, she is definitely more scared than I am. We walk fast, trying to get back to the parking lot, Ben growling all along. I'm pretty sure he would have shape-shifted into his wolf form already if he didn't have to drive us home.
Suddenly, I feel a bump against my head and see an empty soda can fall at my feet. The yells get louder, and I try to ignore them. I feel the circle of people around us closing in and surrounding us alarmingly fast. We are only a few meters away from the car...
"Let's hurry..." whimpers Kelsi.
I'm following her, but I keep glancing at those people. What the hell is their problem, and how the hell did they find out about me? Another object is thrown at us, and Ben is getting really mad. So am I. That one almost hit Kelsi!
I see a beer bottle flying, and it hits Ben. I clearly saw the perpetrator this time. That asshole!
"Mara, no!"
Too late. I am not letting them get injured for my sake! I take a few steps away from Kelsi, and light my fire in my hand, as a clear warning. I just need them to leave us the fuck alone until we get in the car. All the students suddenly get scared, and a lot of them run away, but the bravest of them are actually angered even more by my power.
"You fucking witch!"
They try to come forward to grab my arm, and Ben growls furiously. I extend my fire and Kelsi whimpers, reluctant to leave me, though she's probably dying to run to the car.
Suddenly, a big, black shadow jumps in between the students and me. The large black wolf growls furiously.
I keep staring, at a loss. Who is that wolf, and why does he feel so... strangely familiar? My heart is beating like crazy in my chest. He keeps growling furiously, and the students are terrified this time. Even the bravest ones retreat, far enough to be away from the black beast.
I don't care much about those idiots anymore. I can't keep my eyes off the beautiful wolf in front of me. I feel a couple of raindrops fall on me, reminding me to put my fire away. I look down at my hands and focus for a second, closing them and extinguishing the red flames. Kelsi seems to calm down a bit, but she grabs and pulls my hand.
"Mara, let's go..."
"Go to the car," I tell her, my eyes not leaving the wolf.
"No, no, Mara, you're coming too," says Ben, though he's obviously glancing at his peer.
Why does Ben look so nervous about that wolf? He just helped us, didn't he? Does that mean he is not from the White Moon pack?
I keep looking and realize what's been bothering me so long: he has this sort of aura thing, too, very similar to that of Selena's husband's. Another Alpha werewolf? His is dark as a shadow, as intimidating as darkness can be... Although, my whole body feels strangely warmer, and I shiver a bit. What the hell is that sensation? I felt it at the club, too... It was the same thing. Is it the same guy...? I glance at Kelsi, feeling a bit unsure. Why are all of my senses tingling like this? I just... I don't get it. I know this is dangerous and I should get out of here, yet...
Whoever this wolf is, I need to know. I glance at Ben, but he is still glaring at the people who did not leave the area, and are just observing us from afar. The black wolf did a pretty good job of scaring them, though. We are no longer in danger, I think. Then... why is my heart beating like crazy? I feel the rain starting to pour on us, and Kelsi pulls me toward the parking lot again. More wolves arrive to stand between them and us. The werewolves are assembling like a wall, and the students understand it's no use anymore. Some of them run back to the buildings to shelter themselves from the rain. No one wants to stick around now that about a dozen werewolves are here to be our bodyguards. I hear Ben's voice telling me again it's time to go too.
