Willow

by Amy Richie

  Part of me wanted to be ecstatic. Here I was, Willow Bennett, in the middle of the popular crowd. Soon I might even be wearing one of those short pleated skirts that would signify that I had made it. And next to me, walking me to lunch, was a cute teenage boy.

  The only problem was that he wasn't just a cute teenage boy. Jed was a werewolf. And so was Rueben. The way Rueben had his hands all over Carlie, it was easy to see that their relationship had already gone too far. And what had Carlie said about Jed being a good one? My eyebrows knitted together. What were they thinking? Carlie was only a human girl. It would be way too easy for her to get hurt.

  Just as I'd always felt sorry for myself I began to pity Jed and the others. What kind of life had they been robbed of? There was so much now that they could never do. My chest tightened uncomfortably.

  Rueben whispered something in Carlie's ear that made her blush and swat at his arm; but I didn't miss the way she pulled him closer to her.

  I pursed my lips. I had been given the task of helping this pack. There were things they needed to know. Tonight the lessons would start. Lesson number one would be Mikhaul. I shuddered at just the thought of his name, but it had to be done.

  "You okay?" Jed asked quietly.

  "Willow?" Rueben was quickly by my side.

  "I'm fine," I assured them with a determined smile, "just fine."