Chapter 3 Dakota "Your dad and I have organized a birthday party for you," mum said, hugging me. "Enjoy your first day at school." I forced a smile on my face. "I hope he understands that organizing a party for me won't make me accept him as my father earlier than expected." "Your brothers are waiting for you," mom announced, ignoring my last statement. I quickly turned around and saw Jasper and Conan waving at me. I rolled my eyes. Logan was in the driver's seat, staring at his wristwatch, impatiently. I held on to my backpack and hesitantly walked to the Ferrari Enzo. Who takes a Ferrari Enzo to school? I wondered. They lived flashy lives. I bet that was the reason a lot of people wished to be like them. I got into the backseat and Jasper leaned over and closed the door. Conan got into the front seat with Logan. "Hey," Jasper said with the nicest voice ever. I rolled my eyes. "Hello." Logan started driving. After thirty minutes of driving, Logan stopped the car. I observed the environment. I couldn't find any school around. "Get down, Dakota," Conan said, as Jasper leaned over again and opened the door. "I see no school around here," I said, not moving an inch. Were they planning to harm me? "Just keep walking straight or follow our car and you'll get to school," Logan sneered, watching me from the mirror. "But mum said you'd drive me to school-" "Mom? Mom? Mama?" he called out, tauntingly. "Do you see any mom around here? No. Now, shut up and get lost." "What makes you think we'd want to ruin our reputation by arriving at school with a weakling like you?" Jasper asked, unbuttoning his shirt. "Now, get down." "I am not a weakling," I said, biting my lips. I grabbed my backpack and got down from the car. "And you better not tell your mom and our dad about this," Conan warned. Then, they drove off. The tears that had welled up in my eyes finally rushed out. I started walking to school. "Oh Moon Goddess, don't let me get lost," I prayed, wiping my tears. "Hello," I heard someone call out from behind me. I turned around to see who it was. "Your backpack is open," she said, helping me zip it up. "Thank you," I said, looking up at her. She was tall unlike me. She was a pretty blonde. "I'm Alicia," she said, with a smile. "You have pretty long raven hair." "Thanks. I'm Dakota," I said, returning her smile. "You don't look familiar." "I'm new here," I said, as we continued walking. "I'm in Grade 12. What about you?" "Same." "The school is still far away from here. We won't make it for the first class," Alicia informed, glancing at her wristwatch. "We are twenty minutes late and Mrs Freda is not nice." X X X I walked into the class with Alicia and caught my step brothers seated at the backseat, each seated next to a girl. "Alicia, you are late for my class," Mrs Freda said, looking at her. "Sorry Mrs Freda, my mom's car got stuck in a ditch," she said and quickly found a seat. Mrs Freda turned to look at me. "And you must be Dakota, Alpha Maddox's new step daughter?" I nodded. "Yes, I am." "Welcome to Crescent Ridge High School," she said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I do not tolerate lateness to my class, honey. For next time's sake. Hurry up and find a seat." "Thank you, ma'am," I said, walking forward into the class. People had begun to murmur and point at me. If only Mrs. Freda hadn't announced who I was, maybe-just maybe-I could have blended in, kept a low profile, and made it through this day without drawing attention. But now? Everyone was either gawking or whispering behind their hands. "Did you hear? That's Alpha Maddox's new stepdaughter." "Ugh, look at her. She doesn't look like someone from *that* kind of family." "Bet she's just a charity case." I swallowed hard and found an empty seat near the front, trying to ignore the whispers. Mrs. Freda cleared her throat. "Before you all get too excited-" she gave a pointed glance at the back where my stepbrothers were clearly *not* paying attention, "We have a new group project. Six members in one team. You'll be assessed on creativity, teamwork, and presentation. Choose wisely." A murmur rippled through the classroom as students started eyeing who they'd team up with. Mrs. Freda snapped her binder shut. "You have until next week to submit your group list. Class dismissed." I sighed and began gathering my books. Alicia walked over to me. "Want to be in my group?" she asked, flashing a bright smile. "I've already got two others. We're just missing two more." "I'd love to," I said, smiling softly. - Lunchtime. I got my tray-chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, and a cup of juice-and stepped into the cafeteria. My stomach twisted. I didn't know where to sit. I glanced around, searching for Alicia, but she was nowhere in sight. I tried not to look at my stepbrothers' table, but I saw them anyway-Logan, Jasper, and Conan seated like royalty, surrounded by their girlfriends and a crowd of admirers. I tightened my grip on the tray and started walking past. That's when it happened. A foot shot out. I didn't see it in time. My shoe caught on it, and I tripped. The tray flew. The juice spilled all over my shirt. The food splattered on the floor and partially on me. Laughter erupted across the cafeteria. "Oh my God, what a klutz!" "She just baptized herself in gravy!" "Should've stayed hidden, charity girl!" I pushed myself up, blinking back tears. My brothers? They were laughing. Even Jasper. Even Conan. Even Logan. Their girlfriends were smirking. "She seriously thought she could walk past *us* without crawling?" the one who had made me trip giggled. "She's not even Luna material," the second girl added, sipping from her strawberry milk like it was champagne. The third girl rolled her eyes. "She's just pathetic." I froze, humiliated. Then I felt a warm hand on my shoulder. "Dakota, come on," Alicia said gently, crouching beside me. She helped me up, picked up my scattered books, and steered me toward the restroom. Inside the restroom, Alicia grabbed paper towels and wet wipes. "Thanks," I whispered, my voice shaky. "You don't have to thank me," she said. "Those girls are evil. They live off making others miserable." "Who...who are they?" I asked as she wiped the mashed potatoes off my hoodie. "Kylie, Keisha, and Matilda," she said, rinsing a cloth in the sink. "Kylie's with Jasper. Keisha's with Conan. Matilda-Logan. Matilda is literally the meanest person you'd ever come across." I blinked. "All three of them?" "Yeah. They run this school like it's their pack territory. They have high statuses in this school." Alicia pulled out a mini comb and some lip gloss from her bag. "Here. Let me do your hair a bit," she said. I nodded. She fixed my part, smoothed out my flyaways, and even added a little gloss to my lips. "You're pretty, Dakota. Just try your best to avoid them." - After school, as I made my way to the parking lot, I caught sight of an unfamiliar man leaning on a Lexus car. He was tall and had glasses on. I started approaching him. "Hi," I said, waving at him. He took off his glasses and began approaching me. "You must be Dakota," he said, stretching out his hand. "Yes, but it's not written on my face," I said, curiously. His lips formed a smile. "Everyone has been talking about the new stepdaughter of Alpha Maddox and I guessed that should be you," he paused as we shook hands. "I'm Isaac by the way. I teach History and Literature." I smiled back. "I study History." "So that means you should expect to see more of me," he said, putting on his glasses. "It was nice meeting you, Dakota Carson." I arched an eyebrow. Carson? That was my biological father's name. I stopped bearing his name a long time ago. I watched as he got into his car and drove off. Students were gathered around, excited, staring at glittering envelopes they were holding. "What's going on?" I asked a girl nearby. She beamed. "Didn't you hear? Alpha Maddox is throwing a huge birthday party in two days... for his daughter. That's you, right?" My mouth went dry. Before I could respond, the loudspeaker crackled. "Attention students," came a smooth female voice. "Alpha Maddox has sent out special invitations. You are all cordially invited to a grand celebration this Saturday in honor of his daughter, Dakota. Formal wear required." People started clapping and cheering. Some glanced my way with new interest. I swallowed. What was he thinking? I stood near the Ferrari Enzo, waiting. The bell had rung long ago. The other cars had mostly left. Then I saw them-Logan, Jasper, and Conan, approaching slowly with their girls, laughing. Each of them was holding hands with their girlfriend. Once they got closer, they leaned in and kissed their girlfriends in unison, right in front of me. Conan smirked at me. Jasper gave me a fake smile. Logan didn't even look my way. The car doors opened. "Get in," Logan said lazily. "Unless you want to walk again." I got in silently, heart heavy. But I didn't miss the sharp glare Matilda shot my way from the passenger seat. Something was brewing. I could feel it in the air. And then I heard Kylie whisper to Jasper-just loud enough for me to hear: "Let's make her wish she never showed up to her own party."