ZANE'S POV
"Clear the way," someone said as I walked down the hallway.
The hallway cleared immediately, people scattering like startled birds, some being dragged off by their friends.
Lockers slammed shut left and right as people scurried away, like if they stayed too long, I would eat them up.
I didn't need to look to know they were avoiding my gaze. It was always like this on this day. It was the anniversary of my mother's death, and this day every year was always tense.
Today made it exactly ten years. Ten years since I lost her, yet the pain remained fresh.
Each breath I took reminded me of what I'd lost, and every inhale sent a sharp ache through my chest. I could hear my heart pounding, loud in my ears, and I was sure everyone at school could feel the tension coming off me.
For some people, today was also the anniversary of the day I killed Lucian Gore.
It happened in my first year here. It was a stupid, reckless moment driven by pain and anger. He'd said something about my mother. Something cruel. Something that made my blood boil. And before I knew it, I'd snapped his neck.
I didn't even realize what I'd done until it was over.
Sometimes I wonder if he hadn't said those words, would it have ended differently?
Because of that day three years ago, Carnemore always braced itself when this date came around. Every year, something strange or awful happens. Either, it was some accident, a tragedy and it always came back to me. It was like the universe marked this day, over and over again, just to remind me.
And this year, I felt it more than ever.
When I reached my locker, a girl standing nearby froze. I didn't even look directly at her, but I could tell she was holding her breath, probably hoping I wouldn't notice her at all.
I ignored her, grabbed the book I needed, and slammed the locker shut. The sound echoed through the quiet hallway, and she flinched.
I walked away.
Her reaction annoyed me, and if I stayed there any longer, I might've done something I'd regret.
As I walked down the hall, I could practically hear the collective sigh of relief behind me. Of course they were glad I was gone.
I could feel their eyes on me—their fear, their judgment, their need to keep their distance.
And I hated it.
I gritted my teeth, my nostrils flaring as I walked toward my next class.
I was just about to step in when I heard someone say, "I wonder what Zane is going to do today."
I froze in my tracks, my fingers gripping the doorway as I listened.
The voice kept going, oblivious that I was hearing him.
"Last year, he wrecked the cafeteria. And the year before that, he smashed the tennis table to pieces." He continued. "I'm guessing he's going to bring his A game today since it's senior year."
I turned to see who was talking. It was some nerdy shifter with freckles scattered across his face.
The guy next to him nudged him hard with his elbow, trying to shut him up because he had seen me by the door. But the freckled guy just kept going.
"I saw him do it with my own eyes," he rambled. "And I don't know why no one does shit about it. The dude terrifies me honestly."
"Shut the fuck up," the second guy hissed, glancing in my direction. "He's looking this way."
The freckled guy turned and his eyes went wide when he saw me staring straight at him. His face went pale, white like a flag like he'd seen a spirit or the moon goddess herself. I narrowed my eyes, and he looked away fast, adjusting his glasses like they could protect him.
I wasn't in a good mood, so it was probably best he'd stopped talking. Because for a second, I seriously thought about smashing his head in. That would've shut him up for good.
I took a deep breath and walked into the classroom instead, choosing to let it go, for now.
Inside, everyone scrambled like scared mice. Some looked away the moment they saw me. Others froze, trying not to move or breathe too loud, as if that would make them invisible.
I went to my seat at the back of the class, making myself comfortable there.
"Umm. Hi, Zane," a guy named Rowan said as he walked over and placed a hand on my shoulder. "I'm really sorry about today. I know it's a sad day for…"
He trailed off when he noticed where I was looking….at his hand. Then at him. And back at his hand again.
I didn't have to say a word. The irritation on my face said enough.
He got the message.
Clearing his throat, he quickly pulled his hand back, but kept talking anyway. "What I was trying to say is—"
The loudspeaker cut him off.
"Zane Ravenscroft. Report to the headmistress's office, please."
I tilted my head slightly, frowning. What now? What did she want from me? Another empty speech about grief? About control? About keeping it together for just one day? Ironically, those speeches were more likely to make me more angry.
With a long breath, I stood and walked out.
As I stepped through the door, I heard the whispers start up behind me.
"Oh gosh, he's gone."
"Rowan, that was intense. You're crazy."
Rowan had been this close to pushing me over the edge. I wasn't sure what made him think he could come near me like that. He was lucky I'd promised myself I wouldn't cause a scene today.
I'd try.
Hands shoved deep in my pockets, I made my way to the headmistress's office. When I stepped inside, we weren't alone.
Someone was already there—my uncle, Alaric.
He turned the moment I entered, and his face lit up when he saw me.
"I thought you wouldn't come," he said, his voice warm. "How are you?"
I took steps further into the office, my eyes not leaving his. "Why are you here?"
Alaric sighed. "Is it a bad thing I'm here?"
I looked him over before responding.
"No." I answered his question. "But I'm not interested in receiving guests today."
"And that's exactly why I called him, Zane." Madam Gretchen chipped in and I finally glanced in her direction. "I know today is a..."
"Don't." I raised my hand, stopping her and silence fell over the room, leaving Madam Gretchen looking stunned. "Don't fucking tell me today is a sad day. Just don't!"
Madam Gretchen swallowed and glanced at Alaric, as if hoping he would intervene.
The man sighed and then rose to his feet, facing me. "Zane, I know you're upset..."
"You don't know how I feel," I snapped at him.
"Okay. I don't," Alaric said with his hands raised. "But the students here are terrified, the teachers do not want to teach in such a tense mood. As you can see, everyone is affected by your..."
"By what?" I tilted my head, stepping closer. "Go on, say it."
Alaric took a step back, still holding my gaze. "All I'm saying is that you can mourn your mother without wrecking havoc. You don't have to make everything else uncomfortable." He pressed his lips together. "We've all lost different people at some point in our lives but remembering them every year with a smile on our face is the best we can do for them to cross over and be with the goddess."
"Then you better tell everyone to stay the fuck away from me." I said in his face. "Because if someone even utters the wrong word to me, then I swear by the goddess, I would make their parents mourn."
I stormed out of the office with my fist clenched tight, not waiting for either of them to say anything else.
My uncle had come all the way here, thinking he could just tell me how to feel. How dare he talk to me about controlling my reaction? I wasn't some puppet and I sure didn't need him to tell me how to act. The nerve of him! He's enjoying the power I bestowed on him and still wanted more.
The PSA soon crackled to life and Madam Gretchen's voice echoed through the halls. "All students, please return to your dormitory immediately. All students, return to your dormitory immediately."
I kept walking, ignoring the announcement. She must have decided to end all activities today because of me. Good for her.
Immediately, everyone began to leave their classes, their faces filled with confusion and fear. Most of them staggered out of the way, avoiding me like I was some kind of monster.
"Find Tara," Wolfe growled in my head. "The scent of our mate calms me."
I clenched my fist tighter, the pain tearing through me. I wished I could just rip my wolf out of me.
"Tara…"
"Shut up," I gritted.
"You're in pain, Zane," Wolfe cried. "She can feel it. Her wolf will go into heat. She will come for you."
"Then let her come," I said in a rough voice as I dashed out the back door and headed for the woods.