Fated To The Lycan Brothers
Chapter 29

Suri Nightingale

Classes are over, thank the heavens above. I'm sprinting out of the room like I'm late for something important, but really, I just miss my bed and I can't wait to be away from all these snotty rich kids. Specifically, the brothers.

It turns out, not only did I have math with them but science, too. The only good thing about it was that I wasn't alone. Elle was my seatmate. She kept me sane. For the most part.

The other times were her obvious glances towards the brothers and if I didn't know any better, I would guess it was for only one of them and his name started with a W.

Once I reached my locker, I started filling it up with books and getting only the ones I needed. It's only the first day and I have stuff to take home and review already. It's definitely a lot different from the public schools I've studied at, most of them not bothering to start actual lessons until halfway through the week.

But nope. Not here. Not at the prestigious Thorne Academy. Everyone and everything meant business. I knew I had to keep up. Even more so now knowing that the headmistress expected a lot from me because, of freaking course, Keith sold me like I was the most hardworking and studious teenage girl he'd ever met.

I remembered the headmistress and how she seemed so casual calling Keith by his first name. Is that how she talks about all the students' parents? Why do I have a feeling it's not the case and it's only because the two have a... different relationship? I shake my head, willing to let all those thoughts disappear. I'm not here for gossip or drama. I'm here to study, graduate, and get the hell out as soon as possible.

I hear-annoying-laughter coming from my side and when I glance to the right, Stefanie and her whole clique are standing there in a circle while they mingle and throw disgusted looks at me.

As far as I can tell and based on what I've heard, there are three others of them in the group. Three of which hold powerful last names just like Stefanie, which is why they walk these hallways like they own them. Or at least when 'King' Atlas isn't there to soak in his rightful title.

Other students stop for a few seconds just to stare and admire at the perfectly curated girl clique. I'm not surprised that each one of them is able to stun a man or a woman with their looks. I haven't seen a single girl in this academy that didn't look like they hadn't gotten anything done to them. The only difference between Stefanie's clique is the power their last names yielded, and the obvious fear they instigated if you decide to overstep.

Ugh, whatever though. I don't give a s**t about any of them. What the hell do they even want from me? It's already dismissal, that means they don't even have to be here anymore, so why won't they just leave and go f**k a brainless d i c k head? It looks like that's their favorite pastime, anyway.

I accidentally locked eyes with one of them, the one that stood the closest to Stefanie. It almost looks like she's got fire on her head, her hair a gorgeous mix of light and dark shades of orange. Her green eyes stare into mine so intensely it feels like she's trying to set me on fire.

I quickly looked away, focusing on fixing my things.

But then they started talking and I can't help but think they were making their voices loud enough so that I could hear.

"That new girl is pathetic," one of them said, and it sounded a lot like Stefanie.

"Agreed. Just because Mr. Whitford took her in, she thinks she could be like us. How delusional." The sound of giggles echoed in the hallway.

I gritted my teeth, trying my best not to let their words affect me. I've heard worse.

"I can't wait for them to teach her a lesson."

Them? Do they mean the brothers? I get my confirmation not a second later when a not-so American accent chimes in.

"Imagine how much we could do after Atlas gives her the rogue status!" An Irish accent this time said.

More giggles erupted.

What the hell? They were waiting around to bully someone? I repeat, what the hell is wrong with these rich kids? Do they not have anything else better to do?

Granted, I accidentally got that ice cream all over Stefanie, but it's exactly that - a freaking accident. This is just like Justine all over again when I spilled the lemonade juice on her and my life in that school became hell.

No. No f*****g way. Not again. Not this time.

I slammed the locker shut, making sure they knew my reason for it. They were obviously stunned, some even jolting a step backward, and all of them wide-eyed.

I wanted so badly to retaliate, to pull somebody's-all of their-hair out, but ugh, I knew I couldn't. That I shouldn't.

Because as annoyed as I am with their snotty comments, they were just technically words. I can't possibly tell Headmistress Sunshine that I taught them a lesson for talking smack about me, because let's face it, everyone in this school does that to every other person.

I'm sure her and Keith would be sorely disappointed in me and I can't have that.

Once they touch me, that's when I have control. That's when I'll bite back.

For now...

I sucked in a lungful of air, closing my eyes for a split second, before giving the fakest smile I could muster to flash to Stefanie and her posse.

"Sorry, I thought there was something gross, like a bug, around my locker," I shared.

"Oh, wait." I raised my finger to point to them. "There are."

The expressions on their faces were livid. I almost wished I could pull my phone out and snap a picture. I'm sure Polly would love this moment, but unfortunately, they left earlier than me.

"What did you just call us, bitch?!" Stefanie annoyedly cursed out, her hands on her hips and it didn't take long for the girls around her to copy exactly as she did.

Jesus, they were like parrots - mirroring her opinions and attitudes. But that's actually very offensive to say because, unlike them, parrots were cute and friendly.

They were just fake and annoying.

I feigned a confused expression before looking away just as I moved my finger away from them. I then pretended to see the bug fly away.

"Oh, there it goes. It's gone." I said with a broad smile just to piss them off.

Stefanie was fuming at this point. It was so obvious she wanted to hurt me, but it looked like she couldn't. So I guess that rogue status crap has some use after all - they don't hurt anyone unless given the go signal to.

Man, it's really sad how much they follow the Wolfe brothers, as if they'll wither and die if they don't. And they have the audacity to call me the pathetic one. Puh-lease.

I don't bother to wait for them to say anything else. I turned around and started walking away with the hope of one of them pulling me back in and starting something, because then I could fight back and that's when the fun would begin. But I walked, and walked, and walked...

And there was nothing.

Nobody pulled my hair, grabbed my bag, or hit me on the back. They all just stayed there like the good little minions that they were.

Damn it. Another time it is.

When I got out of the academy, I saw Benjamin already waiting by the front. I have to admit, he's a sight for sore eyes.

I was almost about to start hopping out of happiness as I go over there, but managed to stop myself, opting to walk normally.

Don't draw attention to yourself, Suri.

"Benjamin! Good to see you," I greeted him with an enthusiastic smile and it was clear he doesn't get that a lot.

Well, if his other masters are the brothers, I'm not surprised as to why.

"I- uh, you as well, Ms. Suri." He says shyly before opening the door for me.

I still can't believe I have a freaking driver who opens the door for me as if just days ago I wasn't sitting inside dirty buses, commuting on filthy trains, and whatnot.

Those days are long gone, Suri.

"Thanks, Benjamin." I told him and he gave me a smile through the rearview mirror.

I saw him getting ready to start the car and I suddenly blurted out, "Wait, we're leaving already? Aren't we... waiting for someone else?"

I don't know why I said that, but I'm just telling myself that the 'someone' I'm talking about doesn't necessarily mean Atlas. It also means either Wes or Dev. Mostly Dev, though, if we're being honest.

Benjamin shook his head. "No, Ms. Suri. Sir Atlas has informed me he won't need a ride back home."

"Oh... Okay, cool." I gave him a quick smile before settling back into my seat.

And then the engine starts and the car moves.

Oh my god, Suri, can you stop thinking about the little shit?

I buried my face in both my palms, annoyed, but mostly embarrassed, knowing that half of me was expecting to ride with Atlas again.

What the hell is wrong with me? I need to stop!

I decided to look out of the window, wanting to take in the scenery to distract me, as well as figure out the place I'd be spending a whole year in. I need to get familiarized with everything and I remember I was supposed to do that when Dev and I went to the mall, but well, Spice Girls happened.

The place is as pretty as a wealthy community would be, but what I noticed the most is the amount of greenery. Every corner you looked, there would be an open space with just grass, trees, and other nature-y stuff. I've never seen so much green.

And then I saw the prettiest little flower shop by the street that had a Hiring sign on their entrance door.

A thought hit me fast and before the opportunity could pass, I shouted out to Benjamin.

"Benjamin! Stop the car, please!" He was startled, but quickly regained his composure.

Thankfully, we weren't going too fast so we hadn't totally passed the flower shop.

"Can you make a u-turn back to that shop over there, please?" I asked him and there was a flicker of hesitation in his eyes before he nodded his head and did as I asked.

Not a moment later, I'm standing in front of what could possibly be the most beautiful shop I've ever laid my eyes on, and something my mother would have loved seeing too. Maybe even owning.

The place literally exudes happiness from every crevice with its white facade festooned with florals of all colors, but mostly pinks and purples.

I revel in the thought of my mother standing next to me as we admired the place for a few seconds, almost getting teary-eyed before shoving it back, and then entering the place.

The moment I step inside, I'm greeted by the most pleasant smell of fresh flowers and plants and the gorgeous array of bouquets, flower arrangements, vases, decorations, and everything and more. It was a floral paradise. The radiant alabaster walls and vintage tiled floors gleam with natural sunlight and serve as the most beautiful of backdrops for the curated floral jungle.

Not just that, but there was also a tiny café connected to it that looked like it served delicious pastries and drinks. I think I already love this place.

A woman suddenly appears from a back door holding a bouquet of the prettiest yellow flowers in the entire world.

There was a tug at my heart as I remembered how much my mother loved yellow flowers. Saddened by the thought that I had only ever been able to give her flowers once in my life because I could never afford one.

The first and last time I managed to give her those beautiful yellow lilies she favored the most was at her funeral.

Now is not the time to hurt yourself with those memories, Suri.

When the woman placed the bouquet on the counter, she finally saw me and a smile immediately beamed up her face. "Hello, sweetheart. How may I help you?"

She had such a kind face and smile. She looked a little older than my mom, but her light brown hair braided up and the glow on her face made her seem much younger.

"Hi, I'm Suri Nightingale and I saw that you were hiring. Do you accept students? I study at Thorne Academy and I would really like to apply for the assistant job." I give her my friendliest and most hopeful smile.

Please accept students. Please accept me. I'd do anything to get a few hours away from the lair and to actually feel like I'm doing something other than receiving Keith's money, like some kind of charity case.

She looks at me confused, probably wondering why a student where the wealthiest kids study would want to work at her flower shop-or, well, work at all.

But then that same bright smile of hers shows up again and I feel confident that she's not too against the idea of a student helping her. "Have you ever worked at a flower shop, Suri?"

"No," I confessed. "But I believe I have apt knowledge of it." I looked around the flower shop and started pointing to each flower I knew, making sure I pointed out only the ones that are less common, so she'd be more impressed. "The light purple ones that are sometimes mistaken for daisies are Asters."

"The ones that look like giant purple leaves are Clematis."

"Blood-red small flowers are Cosmos."

"The tiny white petals with a big yellow center that looks like a sunny side up afar are Feverfews."

"Impressive," she says like she means it, making me blush. "Where did you learn all that? I've never met a teenager who cares so much about flowers not given to them by their boyfriends."

I chuckled softly. "My mother. She loved them. Hoped to open up one herself."

It didn't take a second more for her to notice I used past tense and the soft look in her eyes was obvious she knew my mother was no longer in the picture.

"I've never had experience working with a student, but I'm not against giving it a try. How about a week or two? That little café there gets busy at peak hours and the market is usually students from the academy as well. Are you fine serving them?" Serving them, she said. If I was any other student, I definitely wouldn't be caught dead working for those rich kids, but the thing is, obviously, I am not. I could care less.

"No, I'm totally fine with that." I reassured her.

She again looks visibly surprised, like she can't believe I'm more than willing to go through what would be something humiliating for most of the other kids.

"Some of those academy kids... they could be..." She's trying to replace the right-and not too aggressive-word to describe them. "Too much."

I pursed my lips. Tell me something I don't know.

I flashed her a smile. "No problem at all."

Her lips curved wider as her eyes twinkled even more. "You have a beautiful smile, Suri. I'm happy you're the one who saw that sign on the door."

I tried to hide my blushing. I didn't smile a lot. It's not that I didn't want to, but it's because my life doesn't really give me opportunities to be happy, so. I keep that expression on my face, as weird as it is for me, but if this nice woman prefers it that way, then I guess I'll have to get used to it. "What will my working hours be?" I confirmed with her.

"You can start next week. I will need you as early as five thirty in the morning during the entire weekday and you'll work until classes start. Only on Fridays will I require you to come back after school and work until nine pm, which is closing time, as more of them come during then. Will that be a problem? I know how you kids have other... activities."

Activities also known as parties.

I shook my head. "Nope, totally fine with me."

She looks at me like she's waiting for me to take that back, but I don't, and she relaxes with a bright smile. "Wonderful. My name's Maria, by the way. I'm looking forward to working with you, Suri."

And I am looking forward to being my normal working self even for just a few hours