Chapter 2
Happiness POV
When I finally reached the school, I heard the first bell ring and immediately I knew that I was going to be late. I didn't even bother going to my locker, and just went straight to the nurse's office to get a late note. Nurse Lucy is the only person that actually cares about me, she is always there for me when I need her, even if she can not do much because of her rank, she is the only person that listens and helps me in whatever ways she can. I am grateful to have a person like that still present in my life. Nurse Lucy wrote me a note, to excuse my lateness, without inquiring anything, though she did kindly say that I should go wash up before going to class. That's what I liked most about her, she never forces you to talk or explain. She slipped a cereal bar into my hand and patted my hand once before returning to her work. I thanked her, smiling gratefully and slipped out of the office, heading towards the bathroom to try to get as much of the egg yolk off my clothes, hair, and face.
While I was walking towards my first class, I munched on a cereal bar that Nurse Lucy gave me. She knew that I had little to nothing to eat back at the packhouse so, every morning, she would give me something to eat whether that be a cereal bar or banana. I heard Winter sigh with happiness, savoring the taste. We were both happy to have some food finally enter our system. When I walked into the classroom, the teacher dismissed me after she read the note. I ignored the glares of my peers and took my usual seat towards the back of the classroom, by the window, zoning out completely from reality as soon as my butt hit the seat.
The morning passed by in a flash and before I knew it, it was lunchtime. I don't have any money to pay for a hot school lunch so I usually spent lunchtime daydreaming, leaning against my favorite tree located in the furthest corner of the school courtyard. Today was no different, I was peacefully listening to my own thoughts when suddenly an apple core flew out of nowhere and hit me square on the head.
"Oww…" I mumbled as I rubbed the sore spot. I heard laughers and instantly knew that it was my usual tormentors: Benson, Alexander, Jonathan, and Paris.
"Aww…did I hurt the pathetic little omega?" Benson asked mockingly, looking down at me with a smirk on his face. I did not dare to look up.
"Answer your Alpha, omega." I kept my lips sealed. Benson slapped me hard, I winced as the pain spread throughout my left cheek but, I did not dare to make a sound.
"What is wrong omega? Wolf's got your tongue? Geez, on top of that, you stink of rotten egg you dirty mutt! You are nothing but a waste of space, be gone already." Benson continued to insult and hit me. Kick, slap, kick, slap and repeat. The other three guys laughed while they watched. It might have been my imagination, but I caught a glint of guilt and sadness in my brother's eyes before it vanished as fast as it appeared.
Finally, the bell rung, indicating that it was the end of the lunch break as well as the end of my beating. I was literally saved by the bell. Benson stopped mid-kick,
"This is not over omega, just wait until we get back to the packhouse." He sneered before they all left. The pain was agonizing. My wolf wanted to help and heal me but, I told her to save her energy. "I'll be okay Winter, I am used to it, you need to save up as much energy as possible," I told her.
"You don't have to be in this alone Happiness, I am your wolf. You are part of me as much as I am of you," she replied. I smiled at our close bond,
"I know."
I did not feel like finishing my afternoon classes, as I only had two classes left and my grades for both of those classes were excellent. I decided to head back to the packhouse early, thus, I headed outside and started the excruciatingly long journey of walking home. Wincing at every step, I finally stopped to rest, trying hard to catch my breath which proved to be difficult as I think Benson might have broken a few ribs.
"Happiness? Maybe if we get home before everyone else, we could sneak in some food so that I can have enough energy to spare to be able to heal you." Winter proposed, sounding worried about my current state. I thought about it for a minute before answering,
"Let's do it, Mandel. To be honest with you, I can not take the pain much longer. We just have to make sure that no one is home so we don't get caught."
When I finally reached the packhouse, I quietly opened the door and looked around warily, making sure that no one was home yet. I let out a big sigh of relief when I realized that I was alone. I sneaked into the kitchen pantry and took out a loaf of bread, a jar of Nutella, and some chocolate chip cookies.
"This should be enough, it should give us enough energy for a while right?" I questioned my wolf.
"No Happiness, we need to take advantage of this situation. Cook something easy. I think you have enough time to before the pack members comes back." was Mandel's response. I obeyed her, realizing that she was right. I quickly scanned the fridge and pantry and took out all the ingredients needed to make spaghetti with marinara sauce.
After I took in the first mouthful of spaghetti, I could not help but moan at the taste. It has been way too long since I have had a proper meal. Mandel was savoring the taste as well, her howls filled with pleasure echoed in my head. I felt mine and Mandel's gradually energy return as our stomach filled up. Winter also spared some of her energy to heal me, I watched as my bruises fade, the fresh cuts that littered throughout my body close up and disappear, and felt my ribs mending back together. All of my old scars healed as well thanks to Winter's werewolf healing powers.
"Thank you so much, Mandel. I feel better." I told her, gratefully as my physical pain vanished completely.
"You are very welcome Happiness. It was the least I could do for you, my human." She answered with a smile in her voice. I finished my serving of the spaghetti with marinara sauce and put away the leftover into a container to store in my room for later. I felt too full to eat anymore probably because my stomach was not used to the amount of food I already ate today.
I looked at the clock, the arrows indicated that it was seven o'clock meaning that the pack members should arrive shortly home from work and school. I hastily got started on dinner, making Mac and Cheese, a pack's favorite and my personal favorite dish. I had just finished up stirring the cheese into the pasta when I heard the front door open and the sounds of loud laughter and chatters, as well as multiples sets of footsteps, entering. I quickly set the table and waited for everyone to settle in the dining room before beginning to serve them. After dinner, I did all of my chores which includes washing the dishes, cleaning the kitchen floor till I saw my reflection, vacuuming, and dusting the dining room, cinema room, and living room, activating all of the security alarms and locking all the doors of the packhouse. At last, I was done for the day. I made my way up to the attic and fell onto the creaking and rusted mattress on the floor, falling asleep for once in a long time with a full and satisfied stomach.