Chapter 41

Laura POV

As I entered the female-dominated territory, I approached my locker to grab my books for class. But before I could even open it, an unexpected arm reached out and slapped a poster on my locker, bold letters screaming.

"Stay away from Alpha Frank, Laura, loser!" I froze, my eyes fixed on the poster, its attractive design belied by its venomous message. But then a surge of determination coursed through me, and I swiftly turned to face my tormentor. My eyes locked onto Clara, her hand still stretched out, a smug smile spreading across her face.

"What if I wanted to keep him all to myself?" I asked, my voice laced with a hint of defiance, despite my trembling fingers betraying my fear. But Clara remained unfazed, her gaze steady, and her hands still firmly planted on my locker.

"Maybe this will be your last day on earth, Laura," she hissed, her eyes blazing with a sinister intensity that made my heart race with terror. I couldn't hide the fear that trembled in my voice as I asked, "What are you planning to do to me, Clara?"

"Oh, Laura. You have no idea what I'm capable of. But you'll find out soon enough." Yes, you know nothing about my capabilities, Laura.

I turned to open my locker, but Clara's arms were firmly planted on it, refusing to budge. "Get your hands off my locker, Clara," I demanded, my voice firm but shaking with anger.

Her eyes blazed with defiance. "Leave Frank alone, Laura. I'm not joking about my warnings," she spat, her saliva landing on my face and the warm liquid dripping down my nose and jaw. I used my elbow to wipe it off, my eyes fixed on my locker, trying to ignore her childish behavior.

"Clara, please," I growled, my voice hoarse with frustration. "Move your hands. I need to get to my books."

But Clara just laughed, her eyes glinting with malice. "You're not going anywhere, Laura. Not until you promise to stay away from Frank."

I let out a deep breath, trying to calm myself down, but my anger and frustration were simmering just below the surface, ready to erupt at any moment. "Apart from telling me to stay away from my mate, Frank, what else is your demand?" I asked, my voice laced with sarcasm. "Because your troublesome behavior is creeping into my thoughts, don't you get it? Frank is yours and has been yours for centuries; so have him and let me be, please, Clara."

My hands weakly clutched my locker, my fingers trembling with emotion. For a moment, my reasoning faltered, and my heart spoke out. "Have him, Clara. Take him and leave me alone."

But as soon as the words left my lips, I regretted them. Clara's eyes lit up with triumph, and her smile grew wider, revealing her sharp teeth. "Oh, Laura," she purred. "You have no idea what you've just done.”

"What else have I done?" I snarled, my eyes blazing with intensity, hatred coursing through my veins like ice. "You actually made this statement, Clara. 'Laura, stay away from Frank.' And Laura did exactly what you asked, so what do you want me to say, huh?" I mimicked her voice, my tone dripping with sarcasm and disdain.

"You're like a broken record, Clara. First, you claim Frank as yours, then you threaten me to stay away from him. What's your problem? Can't make up your mind?"

My voice rose, and my anger and frustration were boiling over. "You're suffocating me, Clara. Your constant demands, your threats, your possessiveness—it's choking me. Can't you just leave me alone?”

Clara's face was twisted in rage, her eyes flashing with anger. "How dare you!" she spat, her voice low and menacing. "You think you can talk to me like that? I'm the one who's been keeping you alive, Laura.

I laughed—a cold, mirthless sound. "Keeping me alive? You call this keeping alive? You're suffocating me, Clara. You're controlling every move I make and every breath I take. I'm not a prisoner; I'm a werewolf, and a great werewolf not to deal with. And I demand to be treated as such."

Clara's eyes narrowed, and her jaw clenched in anger. "You're not a werewolf, Laura. You're weak. And I'll do whatever it takes to keep you away from Frank."

I felt a chill run down my spine as Clara's eyes seemed to bore into my soul. I knew then that I was in grave danger. She is tinting my flesh.

"I'll be fine without you bothering me about Frank anymore," I said, my voice low and gentle. "Just leave my locker alone; I'll be late for classes, please. Just let me be." I pleaded, my eyes locked on hers, hoping she would relent.

Clara's gaze lingered on mine for a moment, then she shrugged and removed her arms from my locker. She turned to walk away but stopped halfway, her back still to me. "Remember, Laura," she said, her voice cold and detached. "I'm always watching. And if you think you can escape me, you're sadly mistaken."

"Just leave, please," I muttered, my back still to her. "Your presence is suffocating enough to crush my ribs." I turned back to my locker, searching through it, trying to shake off the feeling of unease that lingered around her.

But just as I thought I'd finally escaped her grasp, I heard Clara call out my name. "Laura!" Her voice was like a knife, cutting through the noise of the hallway and piercing my eardrums.

I froze, my heart sinking into my chest. What did she want now? I slowly turned around, my eyes meeting hers, and that's when I saw it—a small, sinister smile playing on her lips. "Yes, Clara?" I asked, my voice laced with a mix of fear and annoyance.

"Smile for the camera; our conversation is recorded," Clara said, her voice dripping with malice. "Frank will see how you never loved him." She walked away, swaying her hips, leaving me feeling uneasy and trapped.