Infertile Luna novel Chapter 2

My genetics tho, that was something I didn't escape like many other teenagers insecure of their looks. I was a skinny shy little thing that had been held back two grades because of how fragile I looked. Finally the teachers decided I had to take my chances in the jungle of pimples, hormones, and rough housing. I managed just fine because of my grandfather's reputation for being the ruthless fighter that he was. He fought for his Nation and was appointed many medals for his great determination and skill. There was no discrimination on behalf of anyone in school. In fact they treated me like a fragile feather they feared might be carried by the wind into nothingness.

The bell rung and as I slipped from my chair as everyone else stopped to give me the lead. My cheeks blushed as I held my books against my chest. Just because I was scary skinny had buck teeth and flat blond hair did not mean they had to treat me like glass. Nevertheless I tried hard to ignore this as I made it out of class and towards my locker. Teenagers flooded the halls, laughing talking, and rough housing. The cheerleaders giggled and bounced about, the jocks wrestled one another for dominance, and the nerds, outcasts, and geeks simply scurried to get to class on time before the bell rung.

"Mindy, did you get your paper in for Lycanthrope History? I completely forgot they were supposed to be turned in today," Jeremiah said, while leaning beside my locker. I smiled as I popped open the small metal door and took what I needed for art class. I turned to look at him and smiled, my buck teeth begin the first thing to pop out as I handed him my sheet.

"You should write this stuff down on the calendar I gave you," I said, my S coming out too sharply.

Jeremiah Ardent was our future Alpha's brother, and a good friend. With his dirty blond hair, and charming crystal eyes he could sweep any female lycan off their feet. Even mine. Sure he was simply with girls to sow his royal oats but a girl could dream.

He nudged me playfully the action nearly pushing me to the ground as I lost balance. He reached forward and stood me still, the warmth from his hands seeping into my thin cotton sun dress. I blushed as I looked down, embarrassed to be so breakable and tinny.

"I'm sorry Mindy, I forget you are so fragile," he said, his hands finally letting go of my arms. I shook my head and smiled up at him trying to wave away his apology.

"That's fine Jeremiah, I like that you forget I am fragile," I replied.

He laughed, shining his bight grin as he patted me on my shoulder. "Thanks for the essay," he said, before walking away with an embarrassed, shameful look on his face. I knew he still felt bad for nudging me so hard, but it really hadn't bothered me. I wanted people to see me normally but it was hard when you looked like me.

****

By the time I reached home grandpa was already gathering the few logs we needed to keep warm. Winter was just around the corner, the leaves had begun to fall tainting the ground with brown, yellow, orange, and red. I tossed some of the leaves aside with my boot, smiling as the wind gushed and carried them further. Living by the lake had its quirks, in winter time the cold felt so much fiercer and in the hot sun it was a plus. Walking inside I tossed my book back over the living room couch and removed my sweater.

"Mindy you home?" he called out.

"I'm right here pa, just getting in," I shouted, making my way past the foyer and into the kitchen to the right of the house.

"I thought I smelled you," he replied.

I hugged him wrapping my arms tightly around his shoulders. "How was your day," I said, helping him to a chair. He grunted before he could fully sit and let out a heavy sigh.

"Grandpa, please don't, I know what you are going to say but it's not going to happen, I am not going to be picked and even if I was he would reject me the moment he saw me." I said.

"Why so stumpy self-worth? Haven't I always told you that splendor lies within," he said, his voice growing thick with anger. He rose from his chair, his hands fisting at his sides. The floor boards beneath his feet creaked with every step he took in my direction. I felt my throat knot and my gut clench as he stopped just a foot in front of me.

Even at the age of sixty eight grandfather was still a stout man. He was tall, broad shoulders and although his eyes had faded with time and he relied on glasses, the look in them had never failed to scare me whenever I had upset him.

I stared down at all the stems of dried pasta on the ground and gently bent over to pick them all up. Forcing myself to concentrate on gathering every single one of them.

"Yes Sir," I managed to reply after a few lost seconds.

"Then what makes you think he is going to reject you?" he asked.

I shrugged looking anywhere but in his direction. Yes I understood that beauty came from within, all female lycan's understood that, but men, well men didn't. It was once in a life time that you came across one of those.