I trudged up the steps to school and walked into chemistry class. Laura and Derek met my eyes but instantly looked away. The bell rung.

"Miss Catlin, please take a seat." The teacher said. I walked to the back and sat down next to Derek as the teacher began to teach.

"I'm sorry." I barely whispered to Derek. He only scoffed. "I really am. I was just trying to protect you and your family."

"We don't need protection." Derek growled. "We've always taken care of ourselves."

"Derek,"

"Just stay away from me, Mara. Laura too." He got up and left.

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT TTTTTT

I walked down the steps of school. The courtyard was empty as I headed to my car.

"Must hurt." A voice sounded behind me and I turned to see Kate Argent.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Him not talking to me. Must break your little werewolf heart."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"You have a crush on Derek Hale."

"I must protest." She gave a high laugh.

"Don't be modest. You love him. I mean, it's understandable. He's gorgeous. But he's just so plain stupid." I clutched my fists.

"Much smarter than you."

"What's that? Smarter than me? Please, I'm not the one who just walked into a death trap." I couldn't hold back my anger anymore. I lashed my arm, flicking my hand across her face. Her hand flew up to her cheek which was turning a rosy red. She raised her head back up and glared at me. I took a step back but then held my ground. My wolf instincts kicked in and I ducked under her swinging arm and slid behind her and pushed her down on the ground. Kate got up and turned to hit me back but Derek stepped between us.

"That's enough." He growled, his eyes mostly glared at me. "Go home, Mara."

"That's just what I'm about to do." I growled. "Connor will be expecting me.

"No, I mean, back from where you came from. Back from whatever the hell country you came from." I looked at Derek with disbelief and took a step back.

"Excuse me?"

"Get out of town. You don't belong here. No one wants you here. The town already has two alphas. It doesn't need another one."

"You don't mean that."

"I do, Mara. Now, go. And don't come back." I turned and fled to my cars, tears running down my face. I felt like I was just shot with a wolfsbane bullet and I was suffering from the poison. I felt like the poison would stay in me forever, letting me rot from the inside.