“Mr. Castillo. To what do I owe the pleasure?” Mr. Rourke says in a stern tone, but I don’t miss the slight curve to his mouth. I know right away that this guy, Castillo, is one of those kids who spends a lot of time in the office. There’s an air of smug hostility about him common in young shifter males still testing their dominance, but Mr. Rourke doesn’t seem bothered by it. He seems … amused.
When the boy finally looks my way, he gives me a slow once-over before his upper lip curls in disgust. He mutters, “Chiflada,” under his breath with a roll of his pretty brown eyes.
“Hey!” I snap. He doesn’t know me, and I don’t care how cute he is, I am not a spoiled brat.
He sneers at me, exposing a flash of fang that my instincts know is more threat than smile, and turns back to Mr. Rourke, a bored look plastered on his face.
“Rafael.” There is a warning in there, but the boy doesn’t seem to care.
Mr. Rourke waits.
My cheeks heat and I’m practically vibrating with irritation.
“What? Look at her.” Rafael shrugs. “Just calling it like I see it.”
I bite my bottom lip to keep from snapping at him again before turning to leave. I don’t need this.
So much for making friends with the locals.
“Ms. Kline,” Mr. Rourke calls out.
I freeze. “That’s not my name.” There’s a bite in my tone I hadn’t intended but what I said is true. Kline isn’t my name. Brian wants me to take his last name. He’s some hotshot in town and thinks it will help open doors for me, but I don’t want it. I’ve been Isabella Romero—Isa for short—for the last seventeen years. I have zero plans of changing that.
Rafael’s brows lift, sudden interest sparking over our exchange.
“My apologies.Isabella.”
“Isa,” I correct again.
He grimaces and tilts his head toward the guy. “Isa, this is Rafael. He’s a senior, and a shifter, like you. He also happens to have first period English.” And I’m supposed to care why? “He’ll show you to your first class and help you settle in. Think of him as your guide for the week.”
My mouth drops open and I don’t miss the look he directs at Rafael. This isn’t optional for him. I gape at Mr. Rourke before finding my words. “No, thanks. I’m fine.” I try to wave him off.
He releases a sigh and leans back in his chair, ignoring me completely. His eyes train on Rafael who still has that bored expression on his face. “You here because you stirred up trouble again?”
Rafael shrugs. “Maybe.”
I roll my eyes. He’s totally one ofthoseguys. Broad shoulders, a muscular build. I can see the hint of a tattoo peeking out of the collar of his shirt, too, and I cringe, knowing what he had to go through to get his skin to accept the ink without the Lyc-V in his system forcing it out.
He’s a bad boy and he makes sure everyone knows it. Even his teachers. I wonder how the school handles violence here. Back home, everyone stayed in line because we had Pack hierarchy to fall back on. Here … I shake my head. This is going to be a nightmare to navigate and I do not have time for a guy like him.
Mr. Rourke smiles. “Well then, rather than the usual detention, you’ll have the pleasure of showing Isa around and helping her feel welcome. She’s new to Hellbound High and doesn’t know anyone. Be a model student for once and help the girl out.”
“I’m good,” Rafael says. “I’ll take the detention.”
Thank God.
Mr. Rourke folds his arms across his chest and raises a single brow. “You sure about that? You signed the code of conduct agreement just like every other student here. This is your third visit to my office this month which means you’ll get a full week of detention instead of the usual one day. You’ll miss a week’s worth of Pack duties…,” he trails off and levels Rafael with a knowing look.
Rafael curses. “That’s bullshit.” He shoots out of his chair and instinctively I brace for a fight. “You can’t do that, Mr. R.”
“It’s out of my hands,” he says, his hands lift in a placating gesture. “You’re the one incapable of keeping your mouth shut. Now, I’m not one to offer alternatives but I don’t want to earn your Alpha’s wrath any more than you do. So, what’ll it be Mr. Castillo? The girl or detention?”
Rafael shoots me a withering glare, his dark brown eyes flashing silver.
“Wait, don’t I get a say in this?” I don’t need the kind of attention this will surely draw. I have every intention of blending in with the crowd. Being a nobody here at Hellbound High. I have a feeling that anyone who associates with this Rafael guy is not going to go by unnoticed. He’s tall, good-looking, and more arrogant than any other guy I’ve had the misfortune of crossing paths with, which can only mean one thing. He’s popular. I don’t do the popular crowd, not even in my own Pack.
“No,” both men say at the same time.
