Three months later

"You sure you're ready for this?" Connor asked me as he helped me put my jacket on. He was the one who helped me get across seas and was the only one who knew about me. He had dark skin and deep brown eyes. A shiny bald head and a soulful smile.

"Absolutely." I answered, looking at the mirror in the hallway. I grabbed my brush off the table and began to brush my hair, with each stroke, a new gentle wave appeared. I set the brush down and leaned forward to look at myself in the mirror. I ran my hands down my face, fingers brushing the music note tattoo behind my left ear. I stared deep into my own black eyes, popping out because of my fair skin. I ran my fingers down my small nose in the middle of my face and touched my bright dark lips.

"Mara?" Connor called behind me.

"Coming." I turned and raced out the door behind Connor to the car. I climbed into the passenger seat and he drove to the Beacon Hills High School. Connor and I didn't say a word until we pulled up to school. I pulled out my school schedule. "I don't even know where any of these are."

"I'm sure someone will help you."

"I'm going to be an outcast."

"You were thinking positive this morning."

"I'm a sophomore taking junior classes and I starting school three months into the school year and. . . " My voice trailed off as I looked out the window and saw the most hottest guy alive. Tall, thick black hair, green eyes, broad shoulders. He leaned up against a tree, talking to some guys. A girl stood beside him who looked exactly like him. Her black hair swayed in the light California breeze. "And maybe he could show me around."

"No." Connor said sternly. I looked at him to see him staring at the guy.

"No?"

"No, Mara. Stay away from him and that girl."

"Why?"

"Because they're werewolves."

"Werewolves?"

"They're brother and sister. Derek and Laura Hale. They have a pack on the outskirts of town where they live. Their parents are Alphas."

"So they must be betas."

"Yep."

"Then I overrule them since I'm an alpha."

"Then you would have to deal with their parents. Just stay away from them, Mara."

"Ok, ok, I'll see you later, Con." I grabbed my blue tote bag from the backseat and got out of the car. Connor drove away and I walked up the front steps. As I walked past Derek and Laura, I could tell Connor was right. They didn't smell human. The bell rang and everybody rushed inside to their classes. Everyone expect Derek and Laura. Laura made her way to me and I turned and smelt lavender on her.

"You must be the new girl." Laura said, her voice clear and high. Derek stayed behind her. I cleared my throat.

"Yeah, Mara Catlin."

"Laura Hale." She introduced herself. "My little brother, Derek. What class do you have first?" I looked down at my schedule.

"Chemistry." I answered.

"Same class as us. Come on, I'll show you to it." I followed Laura inside with Derek behind me who had a glare in his eyes and for a moment, I swear I saw his eyes flash electric blue for a split second.