62
Pecan's pov
The cafeteria buzzed with chatter as students gathered in cliques, talking about the upcoming pack gathering. I sat alone at my usual spot by the window, my tray untouched. The last few weeks had been exhausting, with tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Stella's hatred was becoming harder to ignore, and the whispers that followed me wherever I went weren't helping.
I had grown used to the stares and the occasional snide remark, but today felt different. There was a crackle in the air, a sense of something brewing.
As I took a sip of water, I heard a familiar laugh ring out. Stella, flanked by Maya and a few of her loyal followers, strutted into the cafeteria. Her eyes scanned the room until they landed on me, and her lips curled into a smirk.
"Here we go," I muttered under my breath, bracing myself.
"Pecan!" Stella called out, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. "Sitting all alone again? How tragic."
