Chapter 1: Nice to Meet Everyone

Briony's POV

"We have a new student joining us today." My math teacher cleared his throat at the front of the classroom.

Whispers spread like wildfire. Transfer students were rare at Polaris High, especially mid-semester. I stayed put in my usual back corner spot - far enough from everyone to stay invisible.

Technically, being Beta Raymond's daughter should put me right below the Alpha family in status. Reality? I ranked lower than any Omega. Simple reason: my mother died giving birth to me, and Dad never let me forget whose fault that was.

Murderer. Fifteen years of that label following me around.

Dad couldn't even look at me anymore. To him, I wasn't his daughter - I was the thing that killed his mate. Everyone said I looked just like her. Same pale gold hair, same smoky blue eyes. Every time he saw me, he remembered what he'd lost.

My brother Noah used to protect me when we were little, but he'd slowly pulled away too. Future Beta training kept him busy, and keeping Dad happy was easier when I stayed out of sight.

School was worse. Nobody wanted to be friends with the girl who "killed her mother." Victoria made sure of that, using her father's school board position to make my life hell whenever she felt like it.

A tall girl walked into the room, cutting through my thoughts. She had dark wavy hair and bright amber eyes. Just jeans and a white t-shirt, but she carried herself like she owned the place.

"Hey everyone, I'm Layla." Her voice was clear and friendly. "Nice to meet you all."

Teacher scanned the room. "Pick any open seat, Layla."

I ducked my head, pretending to study my textbook. Plenty of empty seats up front where normal kids sat. Nobody ever chose the back corner. Nobody chose to sit next to the freak.

Experience taught me that even curious people backed off fast once they learned my story. Or Victoria made sure they did.

Just stay invisible, I reminded myself. Easier for everyone.

The new girl headed straight for the back row. Under everyone's shocked stares, she pulled out the chair right next to mine.

"Anyone sitting here?" she asked quietly.

I looked up, startled. Up close, she was even prettier - healthy olive skin and the kind of athletic build that said she knew how to fight.

"No... nobody." I stammered. "But you probably don't want to..."

"Perfect." She cut me off with a smile, dropping into the seat. "I'm Layla, obviously. You?"

I stared at her. She actually chose to sit next to me? Had to be a mistake. Once she figured things out, she'd be gone by tomorrow. The whole classroom atmosphere had shifted - I could feel the surprised looks, the pity. They all knew she'd just made a huge mistake.

"Briony," I whispered. "Bri's fine."

"Cool, Bri." Her smile looked real, which threw me off completely.

Teacher started the lesson. Advanced calculus - only the top students could take this class. I'd chosen it for the challenge, plus Victoria and her crew were too dumb to qualify. At least here I got some peace.

"Looks intense," Layla murmured, scribbling notes fast.

"If you need help, I can..." I stopped myself. Why offer? That'd just bring her trouble. Once Victoria found out someone was getting close to me, game over.

"That'd be awesome!" Her eyes lit up. "I covered similar stuff at my old school, but every teacher's different. Study partner would be clutch."

Study partner. Foreign concept.

This won't last, my wolf whispered from deep inside my head. Yeah, my wolf. My biggest secret - I'd awakened at fourteen, two years early. Happened after Victoria's worst beating yet, my wolf emerging to protect me. If anyone found out I'd awakened before the future leaders, I'd be dead.

I know, I answered her. But pretending to have a friend feels nice.

Halfway through class, the girls up front kept turning to stare at us. Their expressions screamed pity - poor new girl didn't know what she'd gotten herself into.

"This solution's pretty slick," Layla pointed at the board, totally ignoring the stares. "Your teacher knows his stuff."

I nodded, focusing on my notes. Her calm impressed me. Most people would've bolted after sensing the weird vibe, but she seemed completely unbothered. Maybe she just didn't get the rules yet.

When the bell rang, I packed up quick. Physical training was next, and I needed to change before the locker room got crowded. Fewer people meant less chance of running into Victoria, and nobody would see the... marks.

"What's next?" Layla asked, stuffing her books away.

"PT. It's mandatory." I kept my answer short. "You should have training clothes already, right?"

"Yep, they're in my locker." She stood up. "Wanna go change together?"

I hesitated. Going to the locker room with someone meant possibly running into Victoria and her pack. But looking at Layla's expectant face, I couldn't say no. Maybe just this once, I could pretend to be normal.

"Sure," I said reluctantly, praying Victoria would be busy elsewhere.

Walking through the hallway, I felt the stares burning into my back. Whispers followed us.

"That's the new girl..."

"...actually talking to her..."

"...Briony? The one who killed her mom..."

"...Victoria's gonna flip..."

I dropped my head and walked faster. These comments were routine by now. But Layla seemed to ignore them completely, checking out the hallway decorations instead.

"This place is huge," she said. "Way bigger than my last school."

"Polaris High covers the whole pack territory," I explained, trying to sound normal. "Has to fit everyone."

The locker room was already busy when we got there. I scanned quickly - no Victoria in sight. Maybe I'd get lucky today.

"I'll change over there." I pointed to the far corner booth. My usual spot - hidden, safe, where nobody could see what I didn't want them to.

"Why not here?" Layla looked confused, gesturing at the open area.

"I prefer privacy," I said vaguely, grabbing my bag and hurrying toward the booth.

I couldn't let anyone see. The whip marks, the silver burn scars, all the "souvenirs" Victoria and her friends had left on my body. If someone saw and reported it, things would only get worse. Victoria's dad had enough power on the school board to twist any truth.

Inside the booth, I leaned against the door and took a shaky breath. Change fast and get out before Victoria showed up. I stripped off my uniform and was reaching for my training clothes when I heard the voice I dreaded most.

"Well, well. Look who's here." Victoria's voice cut through the chatter like a knife. "Our little waste hiding in her corner. Pathetic as always."