One Mate and a Rejection

Chapter four

I had thought the symptoms of nervousness were fidgeting, sweating, maybe stuttering even, but nobody mentioned the heart pounding. My chest was a practical drum set as I walked into third period after the talk me and Jared had.

The bell hadn’t rung yet but a few people sat at their desks, reading their projects due for today.

I remembered with sudden panic that Jared was my partner and sigh.

My heart began to beat even faster.

I watched as students arrived into the classroom, one by one, completely consumed within my thoughts.

I imagined the worst, as alway.

What if Jared and Jasmine were called up to the stage to act out a love scene?

What if they’d have to kiss?

I could imagine everybody whispering about how this must be crushing me, tormenting me, driving me insane even.

Than I imagined the cruel, teasing snickers that would no doubt come from the students.

“Good Afternoon class!” said a slightly accented female voice.

I jumped up and glanced at the front of the class where Mrs. Spencer, our drama teacher, stood, in her usual crazy outfits.

Today, it was a dress from the eighteenth century and a long green pendent that glowed between her breasts.

Her curly, orange hair was tied at the top of her head in a tight knot that looked like it hurt.

“Good afternoon Mrs. Spencer,” we all replied, less enthusiastically.

I let my eyes casually drift to the front where Jasmine and Jared sat side by side, holding hands beneath the table.

I looked away quickly before anybody had a chance to see.

“Alright class, today you will be acting out the scenes that you wrote with your partners,” she said.

Some booed, others cheered.

Me? I felt as if I was ready to shoot myself.

“But,” continued the teacher,” you’ll be acting out someone else’s project and not your own. That way I will be able to mark you on acting a scene you aren’t familiar.”

I looked around the classroom in fear.

Who would me and Jared get? Stacy? She seemed like the type to write about things like romance.

Or maybe Evan, he loved drama class.

And with a sudden horror-filled thought, my eyes fell on Romania.

All she did was gush about love. She dreamed about finding her soul-mate and becoming an author.

She was clearly the best student in this class.

I shut my eyes tight and prayed that her assignment wouldn’t be assigned to us.

“First pair,” said Mrs. Spencer,” Evan and Stacy.”

They came up to the stage and faced the audiences.

“you’ll be acting out Brad’s and Isabelle’s scene.”

She handed them a paper that she took from Brad and said,” Action.”

The lights faded a bit and focused on the pair.

“Annabelle,” Evan began, bringing his hands up to level his chest,“Why must you be so blind to the signs before your eyes?”

“You are mistaken solider, i see them as clearly as I see my reflection,” replied Stacy, her voice taking on a sharp edge.

“Than why do you ignore them?”

“I choose to ignore them, because in the end, all that’s left is memories of you and the rotting bones in your grave.”

“You mustn’t be so hopeless, faith shall help us survive-”

“but war won’t, and that’s where you’ll be.”

“How do I prove to you I will return?” Evan asked, grasping her shoulder,” you know I’ll do anything.”

She shook her head,” I don’t know that, solider, you’ve left me with nothing to trust. Two years I awaited your return. A call, a letter, anything would have eased the worry in my heart.”

“You know I apologized gravely for that. I wouldn’t put you in a situation similar if I wasn’t so sure.”

“One gun shot in a war of thousands. It takes one gun shot to destroy you. I’m not taking any chances with my heart again.”

“Than lend me your hope and I shall hopefully earn your heart when I return.”

“Returning to me earns you nothing, for you would have kept me worrying for another year or so.”

“Than what must I do to ease your worry and earn your love?” his hands trailed down to meet hers.

“Don’t go,” Stacy replied, her eyes softening at his touch.

Evan looked down as if her eyes burned him,” you know I can’t. I must do this for my family’s honor and to finally earn my fathers respect.”

“Than my heart you will never earn.”

With that, Stacy walked away, her head held high and her back straight.

The lights were back on and the audience cheered.

“That was amazing! Great job both pairs!”

Mrs. Spencer shuffled around with some papers,” Jared, Emerald, your next.”

I felt my heart dropping to my knees and I wasn’t sure I was quite capable of standing up.

“Emerald, everything alright?” asked the teacher, after a couple of minutes.

I nodded,” yeah, everything is fine.” i forced my legs to work and walked to the stage.

Everybody’s eyes were glued to us, waiting for me to suddenly blow up or something.

“alright, since you guys are just so in love, I’m giving you Romania’s scene,” exclaimed the teacher in all happiness, clearly unaware of what’s happened.

I looked up at Jared as he gave me a reassuring smile. My eyes drifted to Jasmine who was now watching Jared with a smile on her face.

I wanted badly to hate her, but she wouldnt give me a reason to. It wasn’t her fault that my heart felt as if it’s been run over by a truck and went through the paper slicers machines in my dad’s office.

Mrs. Spencer clearly hadn’t noticed the sudden change of atmosphere and handed us a paper,” alright, you guys can began.”

Jared gazed into my eyes, reminding me of just how much I’d missed him.

“It’s an obligation,” he began, his voice hardening,” it’s expected of me.”

I glanced down at the paper and than back into his eyes and replied,” An obligation shouldn’t include heartbreak and separation between two lovers.”

“I am a prince, Hanna, I was doomed to marry Princess Lela since the day I was born.”

“Do you put your duty above your heart?” I asked, wanting so badly to look away.

I wanted to lean in and kiss those soft lips I’ve grown so familiar with.

“No, I do not, but I put my country above my heart-”

“You don’t love her, Leonardo! And you never will! How would you feel with yourself, carrying her infant and knowing the mother for the child should’ve been me!”

“I would push aside unnecessary feelings and focus on the fact that I did my duty as king.”

“Does that matter more than the consuming hole in your heart?”

“I was born for her, Hanna, not you. You must understand that! The gods have chosen for me to be her lover and I will gladly accept it.”

“W-...What about me?” I stuttered, my eyes tearing. Although it wasn’t in the script, it made the scene better and I just couldn’t seem to hold back my feelings.

This story was way too familiar. Too much like our realty, I made a mental note to ask Romania where she had gotten the idea.

I caught sight of the teacher practically gushing with happiness at our acting.

Little does she know we weren’t acting. This was our real emotions put into words for us by somebody else.

“I apologize for giving you hope for our future together,” said Jared,” I truly hoped your the one I’d be destined to be with, but i guess deep inside ive always known.”

“So now, after years of loving each other, you choose to walk away from me and marry her?”

“I will grow to love her, Hanna, even if it means breaking your heart,” he said, his voice soft an pleading.

I looked down, just as the scrip had said.

Jared grasped my chin and lifted my face to his.

I caught sight of the final sentence.

A kiss.

Tingles shot through my face as he continued to hold it in his large hands, reminding me too much of the past.

I closed my eyes and welcomed his lips.

I’m home, I thought.

My heart felt light weight as he pressed his lips on mine, enchanting me with the feelings I loved so much and just this once I allowed myself to believe everything was alright.

And so I escaped reality and let myself drift to the same cloud we had claimed as ours.

My arms circled around his neck and i felt fresh tears slide down my face and into his.

He pulled back, his eyes soft and sad.

Enough, they said, i dont want to lead you on, and hurt you some more.

I quickly looked away, welcomed by harsh reality, disappointed with the short kiss that only increased my pain.

The lights were back on and Mrs. Spencer was wiping her tears,” so much emotion!” she managed to choke out,” it was like you two were really Hanna and Leonardo! Perfect! Perfect job!”

“Excuse me?” said a voice.

I looked to the center of the classroom where Jasmine sat, her hands raised.

“Yes Jasmine?”

“Can I give a little advice?”

Mrs. Spencer, stunned, muttered,” sure, why not.”

“I couldn’t really hear Emerald and the kiss didn’t seem real enough. If Hanna and Leonardo are really in love, shouldn’t the kiss be more...filled with desire?”

That counts as a reason to hate her, right? I was allowed now to want to run her over, it’s not too wrong now that she’s given me a reason.

Mrs. Spencer nodded,” well, nothing is perfect dear.”

But all jasmine did was shrug as if she was truly doing nothing but giving advice.

My cheeks were flushed with anger when I got back to my seat. I felt as if I should have snapped something at her but it would have probably been something stupid and rushed like,” well, your-your a lousy waitress!”

Romania, sitting in front of me, turned around and smiled,” I think you did great. I cant think of any other pair I would have preferred to act out my scene. Don’t let her bring you down, your guys were amazing.”

I flashed her a fake smile,” thanks.”

Blades pov

There was no doubt that I was beyond furious. My alpha blood boiled with the anger I held for Jared. I wanted to see him dead, at my knees for the pain he had caused Emerald.

How dare he touch her so intimately? His grasp on her shoulders had been too tight, as if she were still his.

Her words remained fresh in mind, echoing a thousand times.

“I hate that I love you,” she had said,” Does that count?”

She still loved him. After all he’s done, she remains blind to the betrayal and still melts at his feet.

I saw the way she gazed at him, as if wanting- or rather NEEDING to grab his face and plant her lips upon his.

Just the thought send an electrifying pain through my chest.

It should be me she’d gaze at like that, expect with no pain. Just love and desires

My cloths were shredded to pieces as I released, letting the animal within take over my body.

i ran around the forests, trying to lose my thoughts of her but they followed me wherever. It was like they were hot glued to my used-to-be wellbeing.

What had happened to mighty alpha Blade who let no feelings in? What happened to player Blade who got every girl he wanted without a problem?

And now, there’s only one girl who I wanted it, and I couldn’t have her.

Not only is she in the enemy pack, but i literally couldn’t have her. I cannot allow myself to open up that easily and allow her in. I was scarred up emotionally.

I never had the best childhood. I soon learned that love was pointless at my eighteenth birthday when I was forced to shift alone to my possible death while emerald was no doubt, making kissy faces with Jared.

She hadn’t once even considered the consequences of her actions.

She refused to believe that maybe he wasn’t her mate because she was too stubborn and blinded by her feelings.

She couldn’t even consider that somewhere out there was her real mate, risking his life by shifting without her.

I felt a growl ripple through out my body.

I should hate her. I shouldn’t feel so protective of her.

But I did. And my wolf wanted nothing more but to take Emerald into his arms and kiss her.

It surprised me when i noticed i wouldn’t even want anything too physical.

I’d wait.

This is stupid, I thought, pulling myself out of my thinking, she’s an enemy. My father taught me too much for me to waste it upon my feelings for some girl.

What feelings? I convinced myself to think, it was merely a little protectiveness from my wolf. That’s all. I can control him.

I growled again and headed home. I put on some pants and a t-shirt before taking a seat on my couch.

I thought about when she’s eighteen. It can’t be too far from now.

She will find out eventually if she came too close. She can’t feel their...connection now but she will later on.

What about when she shifts? Will I be there to help her?

I should let her do it all on her own, like she did to me. But the thought of her being in danger stopped my heart and triggered my anger.

But I have to avoid her. I have to continue on with life like she doesn’t exist.

Just as I were doing before.

Hopefully the feelings will go away and she’ll find another mate.

That is, if she survives the shift, growled my wolf.

I sigh and picked up the phone, dialing Tracy’s cell.

“hello?” she answered.

“Hey, are you at school?” i asked.

“no, we ditched, where are you?”

“can you come to my house?” I asked, ignoring the distaste of my wolf.

She giggled, causing me to distance my ear from the phone,” be there in five.”

I awaited her arrival, entertaining myself with some TV.

When she arrived, i couldn’t help the distaste that surfaced my body. Regularly, i would have appreciated the amount of skin showing. She was wearing a short pink skirt that showed a slight curve of her butt and a crop top.

Her blond hair was hanging loosely at her shoulders carrying no life, reminding me of Emerald’s soft looking brown locks that I so badly wanted to run my fingers through.

Tracy’s blue eyes were lit up and exited. The way Emeralds green eyes should be.

I thought about Jared again and forced my anger down from the surface.

“Hey,” she smirked, trailing her manicured finger down my chest as an attempt at seduction.

I smiled and forced myself to enjoy it,” hey.”

I grabbed her arms and set her on my lap, straddling me, kissing her hard on the lips. It was rough and desperate, nothing more but to proof to myself that I can get over whatever feelings i had for Emerald.

I’ve never kissed anyone like that. It felt as if i was trying too hard to enjoy it, deepening it until she pulled back to breath.

“wow,” she laughed, breathless.

I brought my lips to hers again, feeling even more disgusted with myself. My thoughts were wrapped around emerald again.

I couldn’t seem to get her out of my head. Her hair, her voice, her eyes and her lips. It was all too different from any other girl.

I tried to imagine myself kissing her instead but that ruined the whole purpose of this.

I finally pushed Tracy away, developing the sudden urge to shower,” you need to leave.”

“what? Why? We were just getting started,” she whined.

“I’m sorry, I forgot that i have to be somewhere,” I lied, pushing her out the door.

“Cant it wait?” she asked, as I shoved her out.

“No, it’s really Important.”

“Jessica said you did the same thing with her on Friday and kicked her out!” she screamed.

I sign and closed the door.

“Blade!” I heard her scream out in frustration.

I watched out the window as she got into her car and drove away.

Well, that was a start to moving on from Emerald.

Emerald’s pov

It was frustrating. Really, it was, stepping into your own home and having the people you call your family treating you like a complete stranger with broken body parts. They’d hand you the salt slowly and carefully as if frightened one of your fingers would come off or something.

So careful with their words, making sure to form every sentence mentally first as if expecting you to break down in tears.

Dinner has never been so awkward.

“So, Jason, how was school?” mom decided to start us off.

He shrugged,” Good, I really like this collage and I’m planing on moving out soon.”

My eyes immediately darted to him.

“What?” I asked, weakly.

“Well, I’m nineteen, I think it’s time to move out. Plus, I’ve saved up a lot of money so I can afford an apartment.”

“Why can’t you stay a little longer? I thought you went to this collage so you can stay close to us, so why move away so quickly?” I snapped. I don’t think I can take another person being snatched out of my life.

“It’s embarrassing. I’m an adult now, I should live on my own-”

“nineteen is barely an adult,” I retorted.

“Emmy, are you okay?” he asked.

“Yes, I just don’t see why you have to leave us so soon,” I said, holding in the tears that pooled inside my eyes.

“it’s not soon. Ive been in collage for a year now and still live here.”

“Is it that bad living with us? That you just have to move away?”

“I’ll be like twenty minutes away Em-”

“than what’s the point in leaving anyway? It’s better here and free.”

“Yeah but me and Amanda have been planning it for a couple of months now so-”

“Amanda!” I yelled, dropping my fork and standing up,” of course.”

I ran up to my room, ignoring the puzzled expressions on my parents faces and the continues calling of Jason.

I flopped down on my bed, and punched it repeatedly, sobbing silently.

I didn’t know what got over me. I felt as if I’d die if another person I loved was separated from me.

I felt over-protective.

The next day at school I felt like complete and utter poop. Lisa and John had dragged me to our school cafe in the morning and I was cursed to suffer the agony of the provided entertainment of Jasmine’s and Jared’s ogle show just two tables down.

I walked down the hallways of our school until I reached my locker, wishing to hide my face away from everybody.

Tap!

I jumped up when I heard someone loudly tap the locker besides mine.

It was Alex from English class, leaning against the metal and smirking in a way I can only describe as cocky.

“Can I help you?” I asked, slightly creeped. Him and I have been in the same class for months and he’s never bothered to once talk to me.

He wasn’t bad looking, with blond hair and grey eyes that held a spark of something dangerous.

“So, you and Jared are over now, huh?” he asked.

I rolled my eyes,” yes, now is there anything specific you wanted.”

He took a hold of my hand and planted his lips on it,” Just a date.”

“your asking me out?” I asked, furrowing my eyebrows.

“If you wanna put it that way, sure.”

“Sorry, no,” I took my hands out of his grasp and walked away.

“Come on,” he pressed,” One date, why not?”

“Because you only want me because I was the Alphas sons girlfriend.”

“no, that’s not true.”

“Alex, no.”

I walked away from him, ignoring the looks of other people.

Something about today was different. I can feel it.

At math class I noticed that many guys were fighting or my attention.

Celeb threw me a letter halfway through the period, asking me out. I shook my head no.

At lunch, two guys offered to buy me food while I put my books away.

“Its fine,” I had told them, closing my locket with a loud ‘THUD’, “I got it.”

I headed to the cafeteria, annoyed with the behavior of all the guys.

Normally, I’d feel kind of flattered, but instead, I felt used.

Those guys only wanted me for the reputation.

Dating the alphas son’s girlfriend would surly boost up their importance.

I was too focused with my thoughts that I didn’t see the hand that darted out of the janitors closet until it grabbed me and pulled me inside.

I screamed out, barely having any time to grab on to something.

The person shut the door and pressed me against the wall. It was too dark to see their face but from the outline of his body, it was clearly a guy.

“What are you doing!” I screamed out, struggling against his strong grasp.

“Be quite,” he hissed, planting his palm on my mouth.

I bit it, and pushed him away, causing him to trip over a broom on the floor. He fell forward and crashed into me, nearly bringing me down to the floor with him. He stood up quickly and grabbed my him, forcing his lips upon mine.

“No!” I managed to choke out, squeezing my lips together and moving my head from side to side.

He planted both wrists above my head in one hand, and his other was still holding my face tightly.

He forced his knee between my legs so I wouldn’t be able to kick him and leaned in.

“Get off!” I screamed, hoping somebody in the hall would hear me,” Stop! Help!”

“Shut up!” he snapped, his lips running down my jawline.

The room was suddenly engulfed with light. I could see the guys face clearly now and I realized I didn’t recognize him, maybe he was new.

Someone planted their fist to his face, causing his to stumble backwards, hitting the supplies on the shelf. He stood up and tried fighting my rescuer but was completely hopeless.

My rescuer threw punches at the man until he fell unconscious, but he didn’t stop. Blood pooled the floor, forming around my attackers back. My rescuer twisted the guy’s arm until I heard a loud crack and threw it down.

“Stop,” I said, grabbing his arm,” You’ll kill him.”

The man turned around, revealing his face as my savior.

But he was going to rape you!” snapped Blade Russell, practically huffing with anger.

“But he’s not worth going to jail for.”

“Don’t you understand what rape means!?” he roared out loud causing me to flinch back.

His eyes softened and he froze his movements.

Balde stepped away from the guy and faced me. He grabbed my face and checked it for injures. When he was satisfied, he let me go.

“You seem fine,” he muttered, clearing his throat.

I nodded,” Thank you.”

Suddenly, I felt overwhelmed.

I wanted to cry for everything that’s happened. I wanted to let the pain out and stop trying to hold it in.

It was like all the hurt had piled up and I just couldn’t take it.

Not with Jason moving away, and some guy trying to physically abuse me.

And especially not when the love of my life had been snatched out of my life.

I wanted to be held and caressed. To feel love again.

And there was something about Blade that made me want to spill all the beans to him.

Whether it was his strong muscled arms they would surly keep me safe from the world or the urge to rebel with the enemy pack, I did what I urged to do.

I gave in to the roaring passion that trailed with lust, desire and desperation deep within the core of my body.

Without a second thought, I flung myself at the enemy and cried into his strong shoulders.

I couldn’t control myself anymore and I waited for him to push me away and call me a freak.

But instead, he put his arms around me tight and held me close, much like Jared used too.

But all thoughts of him seemed to be thrown out the window as I was comforted by the enemy, and enjoying every second of it.

His chest was hard with muscles but still surprisingly comfy. My body fit with his perfectly as if designed that way.

I let all my worries fade away and leaned further into Blade, surrounded with his intoxicating scent of aftershave and something else I couldn’t quite place my finger on.

I felt one of his hands begin to rub soothing circles on my back and the second one went up to rub my hair.

When I felt slightly better, I pulled back and wiped my eyes with my sleeve.

“Sorry,” I muttered,” I-I don’t know why I did that. I’m normally not like this.”

He nodded, understanding filling his golden eyes,” It’s alright.”

“Thanks-again, and I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone what happened.”

“No problem,” he answered.

I nodded,” Thanks.”

I stepped out of the supply closet and headed to the washroom to clean up my face, feeling as if Blade’s arms were still wrapped around me.

Blade’s Pov

I watched as she walked away, leaving me on the edge with desire and want. She probably felt the connection, that’s why she threw herself into my arms without control, which meant I should work harder on staying away from her.

But when I heard the screams, I immediately knew it was her in there and just as if something had possessed me, I attacked without a second thought.

She’s right, I would have killed the pathetic rouge if she hadn’t stopped me. I can’t say I regret wanting to kill him.

Hopefully she didn’t figure out that he’s a rouge after my pack and not hers.

I sigh, not only am I putting her in danger but the rouges somehow found out she’s my mate.

I shut my eyes tightly, wondering when my life had gotten so complicated.

When she was in my arms I felt as it that’s the why it’s meant to be.

It’s the way I WANTED it to be.

I looked down to the bastard laying on floor, still unconscious. I kicked him a few times, just to let out a bit of my anger and walked away.

He’d probably wake up in a couple of hours and wonder about his newly bruised face and broken arm.