Masked SheWolf (MSW book 1)

Chapter 5 - Michael

JUNE 2022 UPDATE: Go read "Lucy", a spinoff of the Masked SheWolf trilogy, now updating on Wattpad, and its "Behind the Scenes" companion book that includes character profiles and a complete recap of the trilogy, as told by the characters in interview format.

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It took me a while to figure out what's odd about Sadie. When I first bumped into her in the hallway, I was worried she was a teacher, or worse, the principal. But then I looked closely and realized she was definitely a student; probably my age or a year younger.

She's beautiful too; big brown-colored doe eyes, long dark hair almost reaching her waist, a heart-shaped face with round cheeks and cute features. She's almost my height and seems pretty athletic. She was dressed very simply, in dark jeans, a white flowing shirt and flats, which I found reassuring, for some reason. At least she's not a walking candy stick like some others.

She seemed a bit stranger for some reason, and the reflexive question I was about to ask her, to make sure she was fine, died in my throat; she gave off a werewolf scent. Not just any kind of scent, the kind I only come across on people like Marianna and Andrea, and sometimes, to my horror, on mymom.

People around us obviously catch a part of our scent on their skin and clothes, but to leave a mark this strong requires direct exposure to a werewolf for several hours, with skin to skin contact included. And from the smell of her, Sadie's had plenty of that this morning. It wasn't any of my brothers' scent, which can only mean one thing; she knows one the werewolves from the other pack very intimately.

I'm used to forcing people out of my way without thinking twice about it, but I needed to find out more about this other pack, so I made an effort to be nice to her. It worked, she even smiled, and not the flirty kind that makes me nauseous or the polite kind that is to be expected between strangers. An honest to goodness smile, like we're old friends suddenly meeting up again. From there, we seemed to click.

I was surprised when she said she was lost. Then it registered that she might be someone's mate, and if so, if she came with the pack, she's probably new. Completely ignoring the fact that she might very possibly be aware of the existence of werewolves, I wondered how anyone could transfer schools so late into the semester. I guess if you're an old pack that has connections in the area, you can have anything you want.

While we walked to class, I barely learned anything substantial, other than the fact that she's a senior and she just moved here with her family. I did learn, however, that the move is permanent, which I accept calmly and without overreacting this time.

By the time we were going our separate ways to our classrooms, I've forgotten the fact that she's from another pack and decided to just enjoy her company. Sadie is kind of fun to be around, and I really hope I meet her again.

And I do, at lunch. While I join my brother and his friends, I notice her sitting two tables away with a couple of other girls I've seen around school before. I know the kind of backstabbing people they are, and from the look on Sadie's face, she has realized that too, so I decide to come to her rescue.

"Hey," I say when I'm close enough.

She looks up and a relieved expression crosses her face when she sees me. "Hi Dyl!"

"Want to have lunch together?" I suggest.

She nods and one of the other girls starts gushing. "Oh, my God, for reals?"

I give her a stone-cold stare. "I wasn't talking to you."

The girl looks confused. "What?"

I roll my eyes and turn my back on them. "Come on, Sadie."