One Mate and a Rejection

Chapter 27

Em’s pov

Jace stopped right by my house, smiling lightly as an attempt to lighten the tense atmosphere.

“Sorry,” I began,” for what happened today. You really didn’t have to miss lunch to get me some pills.”

“It’s cool, the important thing is that you’re okay.”

“Thanks for the ride, I probably made you miss next peroid.”

“A break from Mr. Jeff? I should be thanking you.”

I laughed,” No problem then.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Yeah,” I muttered nervously, already knowing what the question will be.

The tensing of the atmosphere became as noticeable as it grew thicker.

“Why was Blade Russell so concerned for you? Isn’t he an enemy?”

“It’s...It’s complicated.”

He smiled,” It’s alright if you’d rather not talk about it. I was just curious.”

I breathed a sigh of relief,” Thanks.”

“No problem.”

“So do you want to meet tomorrow at the school’s main entrance? At three?”

“Will you be alright?”

“Probably.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, there’s no need to worry, I’ll just get tons of sleep tonight and try to get rid of the ugly bags underneath my eyes. I look gross.”

“Make sure to eat waffles that aren’t expired okay?”

I laughed as I exited the car,” I’ll try.”

“See ya tomorrow.”

“See ya,” I replied, turning to leave until his voice stopped me.

“Oh, by the way,” he said,” I think you’re pretty even with all those bags.”

He drove off leaving me standing there, blushing like an idiot.

I headed inside a minute later to the realization that no one was home. I ran upstairs feeling a bit dizzy afterwards and stumbled into my room.

Ding!

I checked my phone to see a text from Jared.

‘Hey, what happened? Are you okay?’

Feeling to tired to answer, I threw the phone at my dresser and fell face first into my bed.

After a restless night of sleep, filled with nightmares and frightening images, I welcomed the new day with screaming.

“What’s going on!” dad yelled, running into my room.

I awoke, jolted by his screaming.

“Sorry dad,” I muttered tiredly,” just another nightmare.”

He sighed and exited the room.

I wouldn’t blame him for being so annoyed. I’d no doubt, woke them up three times while sleeping.

I stood up only to collapse on the bed again.

After my bathroom routine and getting dressed, I exited the house careful with avoiding mom and dad but at the last minute mom shouted from upstairs,” Emerald! Eat your damn breakfast!”

I sighed and yelled back,” Okay!”

I headed to the kitchen and picked up my plate full of eggs and bacon. I resumed on to throw it in the garbage as if I had eaten it and left.

I was expecting to walk to school considering Jace drove me home yesterday and my car was still at school but I was surprised to see it right there.

Jace must have brought it back.

I smiled gratefully.

At school, I ran into the washroom before anyone had a chance to see me.

I caught Blade’s concerned eyes on the way and acted as if I hadn’t seen him.

In the washroom, I took out my makeup bag and attempted To cover up my purple bags and redness.

I only succeed in covering less then half. I caught sight of Jasmine watching me from the mirror and turned to face her.

“Can I help you with something?” I snapped.

“Help yourself first,” she sneered and left.

“Ugh,” I growled under my breath and resumed.

Lunch arrived slowly after that and I walked in to the cafeteria only to be faced with Jared.

“Where were you yesterday durning drama?” he snapped.

“I went home.”

“Why? Lisa just said you ran out of the Caf yesterday? Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just had some bad waffles,” I muttered eager to get away,” it’s fine.”

“You drove yourself? While sick?!”

I rolled my eyes,” No dad, Jace drove me.”

I was about to leave when he grabbed my arm,” Who the hell is Jace?”

I sighed,” My friend.”

I shoved his hands away, covering my arm quickly, hoping a bruise hadn’t formed.

“Like the new pack member Jace?”

“Yeah,” I snapped,” problem?”

“Yes, I don’t think he’s a good influence Em.”

“Stay out of my personal life Jared.”

“At least introduce me to him!” he said.

“Right after you put your girlfriend on a leash,” I snapped and walked off.

Lunch went by slowly. Blade didn’t seem to be anywhere around, not that I checked every five seconds.

I forced my curiosity away and pretended to take relief in his hardly noticeable absence.

Hardly noticeable my butt, I thought and grumpily munched on my turkey sandwich, forcing myself to enjoy it.

After school, I threw everything into my locker and took out the list of fun things in this town.

I read it over quickly and grabbed my phone before heading towards the school’s main entrance.

When I got there, I saw Blade who just happened to be standing right where Jace and I will meet.

I rolled my eyes when I saw that he was pretending to talk on the phone and sat at the bench.

I couldn’t help the constant peeks I’d take when he wouldn’t be looking.

He looked different.

Tired.

Like he hadn’t slept in days.

Like me.

I looked away quickly when he turned and pretended to be occupied with the black screen on my phone.

I saw him smirk teasingly from the corner of my eyes.

Jace arrived five minutes later, smiling brightly.

“Hey, sorry I’m late, got lost in the halls again.”

I laughed,” It’s fine. Ready to go?”

“Yup, let’s roll.“.

We walked past Blade and Jace, being the over friendly person he is, smiled and said,” Hey, man!”

Blade rolled his eyes, growling lowly under his breath and stomped away.

Jace’s smile faded,” I get the feeling he doesn’t like me.”

“He doesn’t like anybody,” I said.

We got into his car and he started the engine.

“I forgot to thank you for bringing my car yesterday.”

“That wasn’t me.”

“What?” I muttered.

“I didn’t bring it, I went home.”

“Oh, must have been Lisa or John.”

“Yeah.”

“Where to first?”

“first thing on my list is downtown.”

I gave him direction to downtown and from there, showed him the mall, the movie theaters and some coffee shops that I liked.

We then headed to the second mall located near some park and I showed him all the beaches and rivers.

We drove around town for about two hours until he said,” Can I show you something now?”

“Sure.”

“It’s a place near my house, it’s amazing.”

We reached his house ten minutes later and he parked the car.

“From here we walk.”

He led me behind his house and into the forest.

“Is this the part where you murder me?” I asked.

He laughed,” Yup.”

We reached a swamp about five minutes of walking later.

I gasped at the sight.

It smelled freshly like oranges and cherries. The swamp was a reflective green color with a million swans everywhere.

There were cherry blossom trees that surrounded the swamp in all gracefulness.

“I discovered this place while I was out for a run,” Jace said.”

“Its so pretty.”

“I have a boat.”

“Seriously!”

“Yup, come on.”

He led me to his small wooden boat and let me go first.

I almost fell off, screaming lightly before he grabbed my arm and steadied me.

“I got you.”

I smiled,” thanks.”

He got in afterwards and sat down. He began to row the boat slowly leading us deeper into the swamp. I noticed a small waterfall later on. The swans moved out of the way letting us pass.

I looked up to see that the sky was covered with branches and trees. I couldn’t see a glimpse of blue.

“I wanna show you something I like to do.”

He stopped the boat in the middle of the swamp and laid on his back.

“What are you doing?” I laughed.

“Try it.”

I did as he did and laid beside him on my back.

“Now listen to all the noises. Close your eyes and imagine a perfect world.”

I watched as he closed his eyes and held a faint smile on his face.

I turned to look at the sky.

I wondered what he was thinking about.

Probably his dead parents and mate and what it would be like to have them back.

What’s a perfect would for me?

I closed my eyes and listened to the waterfall.

I thought I’d imagine clouds and blue skies and maybe Jared and I kissing in the rain.

Or maybe me and everybody I love living happily with no worries.

I thought I’d see a clear river that I floated on until the end where I was welcomed by Jared’s wide arms, inviting me home with his warm embrace.

But I didn’t see any of those things.

Instead, I saw Blade.

The everlasting swoon of my heart was in a continuos thundering as he grew closer.

I saw the shapes of his features, each one constructed with a bit more engrossment then others.

I saw his full, gentle lips that made my breath escape. They parted as slowly as the opposite speed of my heart.

My body swam into his two tawny seas and there it floated in escape of reality.

His eyes that I fell in love with held me hostage.

In my mind, I traced the edge of his cheekbones, trailing my finger down to his jawline.

I let my head lay on his chest, feeling the continues beating of his heart.

Was it strange that it sounded like a song to me? A tuneful poem in beautiful harmony?

His beauty spoke words as sharp as knives to me. His seemingly innocent face transformed into a wolf’s.

An angry, sick, revenge seeking beast that wanted my head on a stick.

I saw myself.

My mouth was wide open in a gap, screaming a blood curdling sound, with my eyes as terrified as seeing a monster in front of me.

And it was a monster, nonetheless.

The beast that had possessed my mate snarled loudly, baring his ice berg sharp fangs that thirsted for my blood.

I didn’t feel terrified though, I just looked terrified.

I felt like a mirror, witnessing everything that’s happening, even my own reflection.

But I didn’t feel any emotions.

Blade’s golden eyes transformed into a fiery amber, similar to the color of ashes.

Although they still held their beauty, the innocence was gone, leaving behind thick traces of anger and insanity.

It was still inviting, but in a wrong, dangerous way that terrified and excited me at the same time.

I saw myself shiver in lust and fear.