One Mate and a Rejection

Chapter five

Weeks passed and everything stayed the same. My parents still treated me as if I was a piece of expensive broken glass, handling me gently and lightly. I bit back my frustrations and the urge to scream out. I got an A in drama for my ‘Emotion-filled acting, that felt as if it were really from the heart and not just an act.’ Mrs. Spencer’s words, not mine.

Jared stayed away, giving me the space he thought I needed. Little did he know I’d wouldn’t want to be even be a hair-length away from him. I’d rather be tangled in his arms and caught up in his kisses.

Did he not know that I still saw him and Jasmine kissing in the halls?

Did he think staying away from me would blur out the images completely?

My organs may have stopped working but my eyes still saw.

Sometimes I’d wake up from a nightmare at night, and relief would always be the emotion afterwards because maybe the while thing has just been just a dream.

The illusion would tease me lightly before reality decided to crash my party.

I also noticed the guys still eager to ask me out. I didn’t understand it at first, I thought i was just a boost to their population.

Turns out, there’s more.

The boys were from the enemy pack, and wanted nothing more than to pick a fight with Jared, the alphas son.

I felt useless just thinking about it and turned my attention to my last period class, science.

Mr. Jeff’s accented voice was too loud and deep. He could easily be mistaken as someone who’d fling their desk at you.

And that type of person he was.

I watched in amusement as his wooden meter ruler snapped into a desk, startling a pitiful sleeper who’s just been doomed by Mr. Jeff’s presence.

He was a big man, Mr. Jeff. Not fat, but muscly and tall, with jet black hair and combat boots that he stepped on hopes and dreams with.

It was rather a mystery why he chose teaching and not wrestling instead.

The bell rang loudly, and I took my time packing up my books.

“E-Emerald?”

I turn around and smiled at Ben, the son of a women in our pack.

“Hey Ben,” I replied, taking in his appearance,” how’s your mom?”

Ben was one of those people considered as a nerd. He was skinny and tall with slight acne, glasses and braces.

“She’s good, awesome actually.”

“Whats up?” I asked, ignoring the feeling of someones gaze on my back.

“I was wondering, since your single now, if you wanted to, uhh.”

I was ready to reject him, the words rising on the tip of my tongue before I bit them back.

I’ll be eighteen tomorrow, and I still haven’t found a mate.

“Yeah, sure,” I said to him,” when?”

He smiled,” Uhh, tonight? It’s Friday, so I thought-”

“Sounds good,” I stopped his rambling, forcing myself to think its cute,“Seven-ish?”

“Y-yeah,” he said,” I-I’ll pick you up. At seven. Tonight.”

He picked up his books and exited the classroom, turning his head back at me continuously.

I smiled despite the tugging of my chest and the voice screaming that it’s wrong and exited the classroom, aware of Blade Russell who stood by his desk, still packing his stuff.

At home, I dragged my feet upstairs, acting ignorant to the way my parents looked at me.

I decided to finish my homework and shower until seven, before Ben picks me up.

I was just about done my math when I heard my mothers voice greeting Amanda, Jason’s mate.

“Emerald, Amanda’s here,” yelled mom.

I sigh. Why should I care? I jumped out of my bed and went downstairs to face the girl that’d steal my brother away from me.

“Hey Em,” she greeted, pinching my cheeks.

I stared at her, a scowl forming on my face,” your only a year older than me, don’t pinch my cheeks.”

“Emerald,” my mom muttered in a warning tone.

I rolled my eyes.

“Hey,” Jason walked in and planted a kiss on Amanda’s lips, unaware of me or moms presence.

Watching them look so...so in love made me want to puke. It was disgusting and stupid and...

And it made me want to cry.

It reminded me of Jared, and the way he looked at me.

I ripped my eyes away from the happy couple,” so, why is she here?” I asked.

“She’s here to help Jason pack his stuff,” mom replied, talking slowly and carefully.

I chuckled,” I’m not gonna start crying, you can quit with the voice.”

I spun on my heel and went upstairs, leaving them staring at me.

Picking my outfit wasn’t hard at all, unlike with Jared, it only took me about five minutes to choose it.

Maybe because with Jared, I cared what he thinks. Ben is just...he’s not Jared.

Is that how I’m going to feel with every guy?

I sigh and pushed away unnessacry feelings.

“Em?” Moms voice called out,” There’s a guy for you at the door.”

Despite my knowledge of it being just Ben, my heart still thudded and hoped for Jared.

It was stupid and I wanted to smack myself for it.

I was doing this to myself. The pain, the stress, the hurt, it was all me. No one else had the capability of tearing me down to my last breath.

No one but Jared.

I sigh, bracing myself for the night and took my purse. Downstairs, mom looked at Ben with Hopeful eyes.

“Can I speak to you in the kitchen Emerald?” asked my dad.

I sighed an prepared myself for the speech.

“Yes dad.”

In the kitchen, he sat down at the table and fisted his hands.

“Your eighteen in a couple of hours, you’ll shift a couple of minutes after 12.”

I nodded,” I know, you taught me.”

“Do you remember all the stances I taught you? It’s the only way you can stop the pain.”

I nodded once again ,” I remember.”

“And this Ben guy, even if he isnt your mate, he has to help you.”

“Okay dad, I’ll make sure of it.”

“It’s almost impossible to shift without your mate,” his eyes teared,” Death will be a hair-string away, but you stay strong. For us, and everyone else that loves you.”

He stood up and captured me in an embrace, burying his head in my shoulders.

I patted his back,” Don’t worry dad, you taught me how to beat and I will.”

He pulled back and smiled,” See ya tonight.”

“Tomorrow actually cause I’ll be back after 12.”

He rolled his eyes,” Smart ass.”

My mom stood, leaning on the edge of the kitchen door, watching us, her eyes teary and sad.

“Mom?” I muttered.

She shook her head and exited the kitchen, going upstairs.

“Shes just worried, she might lose you Em.”

I smiled,” Go comfort her for me.”

“Got it.”

I headed to our living room and smiled at Ben, taking a hold of the roses in his hands, touching only the plastic wrap.

Little did he know I was allergic.

“Thanks,” I smiled, laying them on the couch,” They’re really nice.”

Ben smiled, revealing two deep dimples,” thanks, you look really nice.”

“you too.”

I couldn’t help but think of the tulips Jared always used to get me. The pretty white ones because he knew they were my favorite, but they were hardly ever in market here so he’d drive all the way to the next town over for about a hour and half to buy them.

I let my eyes trail to the ones he’d bought me a couple of weeks ago that lay in a vas of water.

“Ready to go?” I asked his, ripping my eyes away.

“Yeah, let’s go.”

He led me to a nice gray car that I knew belonged to his mom,” where are we going?”

“A really nice restaurant my parents used to go to,” he answered, getting inside.

Again, I couldn’t help but compare him and Jared.

Jared would have eased whatever tension was in the car and found a way to make me laugh. He also would have kept where we’re going a secret just to keep me interested.

It was annoying sometimes but I loved him for it.

We reached the restaurant after about thirty minutes of an awkward silence, the only sound being the healthy roar of the engine and the classical music coming from the radio.

Ben parked his car in the tiny lot and exited, running over to my door but I had already opened it.

I gave him a sheepish smile and stood up, pretending not to have seen his flushed cheeks of embarrassment.

We went inside and I discovered that the restaurant was actually an old diner.

It wasn’t bad though. It looks homey and comfortable. I was glad I’d dressed up so causally.

We walked across the red and white checkered floor, making our way towards one of the corner seats.

Ben pulled out my chair, refusing to meet my eyes. Confused, I took a seat and watched as he did the same.

I looked out the window.

It wasn’t a very nice view, just an empty street, a couple of trees and a light post.

“So,” Ben muttered, picking up his menu,” what will you be having?”

I picked up my menu and gazed at all the foods. They served breakfast, lunch and dinner whenever you wanted.

“Um,” I muttered,” the pasta looks really good.”

He smiled,” it is, and try the apple pie after, it’s amazing.”

I smiled,” Do you come here a lot?”

He shrugged,” Like twice every week. My mom used to bring me here as a kid. It was my favorite place and also the only place I knew that had banana ice cream.”

I laughed,” Are you ordering that? Cause I wanna try it.”

“Alright, order the pie and I’ll order the ice cream. We’ll share.”

I nodded, letting my yes drop back to the menu,” sure.”

I was suddenly ambushed with the memory of me and Jared’s last date.

He had said the same thing.

“Order the lobster and I’ll order the steak, we’ll share.”

Well, that was before and I have to move on.

But was it wrong that I still had hope?

I snapped my menu shut and watched as a middle aged waitress approached our table.

“Hey Ben, who’s your friend?” she asked.

Ben blushed ,” Thats Emerald. Emerald, meet Jane, the best waitress in town.”

“Hi,” I smiled, shaking her hand.

“Your a pretty one, aren’t you? You ready to order, ?“she asked.

“Yes,” replied Ben,” the usual for me, and pasta number three for Em. For desert we’d like some banana ice cream and a slice of apple lie pie.”

She wrote it all down before he even finished talking, which I didnt think was possiable.

“Got it,” she smiled and walked away

Ben, noticing my shocked face smiled and said ” told you she’s the best waitress in town.”

The food arrived a couple of minutes later, still hot and fresh from the stove.

“Smells good,” I muttered, inhaling.

“Tastes even better.”

I began to eat the heaven before me, moaning in satisfaction.

“This is amazing,” I said through a full mouth.

Ben chuckled, taking a bite of his own.

We talked until our plates were empty, and than dug into the desert.

“I’ve probably gained like ten pounds,” I muttered.

Ben laughed,” it’s work it, don’t worry though, everything is made without all the greasy stuff so it’s not fattening at all.”

“Whoa, this has got to be the best diner ever!”

“They really care about their customers.”

We left the diner a couple of minutes later, walking towards a park.

“I call a swing!” I yelled and began to run.

Ben laughed and called out,” There are two swings!”

“Yeah but one is broken!” I replied.

He approached me a couple of seconds later and saw that I hadn’t lied, so he ended up taking a seat inside the baby swing.

“Does it hurt?” I asked after a while.

“What does?”

“Your butt.”

He shrugged,” Kind off. I think the metal is giving me a bruise.”

I burst out laughing, finally realizing that maybe I can move on from Jared. I looked at Ben and saw that he was okay looking. With his glasses and braces, you really couldn’t tell at all how cool he really was.

But sadly, I couldn’t see him as anything more than a friend.

I couldn’t possibly ask him to help me shift without offering his some sort of relationship.

I sigh and decided to enjoy my time while I still have it.

A sudden movements within the trees woke me up from

my daydreaming.

“what was that?” I asked Ben.

He shrugged again,” Probably a squirrel.”

We decided to leave the park about an hour later, the time being 11:10.

When we neared my house, I asked Ben to take a turn.

“But your house is the other way,” he said.

“Yeah, but I gotta pick something up from a friends house, can you drop me off here?” I lied, attempting to erase all worry off my face.

“Sure, do you want me to drive you back?”

“No it’s fine, I’m staying for a while so she’ll drive me back.”

He shrugged and parked the car.

“I had a really nice time,” I said.

He blushed and smiled,” me too.”

“see you Monday.”

“See you.”

I shut the door, waiting until his car was out of sight before I began to walk.

Blade’s pov

It was hard enough, trying to blend in with the night and seem invisible to your mate who was just across the street, on a date with some other guy, than they had to go to some children’s park too.

It was agonizing, witnessing the laughter of my mate being caused by someone who’s not me.

I wanted to rip his throat out.

He looked at her as if she was the prettiest women he’s ever laid eyes on and she so easily laughed back, unaware that nobody’s that good, and everybody has secrets.

Little does she know how big his secret is.

I followed them as they drove back to her house, making sure to remain out of sight and blend in the dark shade of my wolf with the night.

They made a sudden turn and I wondered if it was an accident.

But I caught sight of Emerald exiting the car and decided to follow her some more.

She walked towards the forest, no where near her house despite the late hour, careless to the doors the lay unopened.

I followed until she stopped at a clearing, looking around, trying to catch sight of anything familiar. Confusion dug into my gut, wondering why she’s come here of all the places.

I watched as Emerald brought her phone up to her face, not missing her panicked expression.

Emerald’s pov

11:58

I ripped my eyes away from the flashing numbers on the screen and focused on stifling the panic that has risen beneath visibility

Two more minutes and I would have already had my mate. Two more minutes awe Jared would be here with me, kissing me comfortingly and whispering calming words into my ears

I shut my eyes and fell to my knees, hugging myself and awaiting the shift that threatened my life.

Would I survive tonight?

I thought of the stances I’d get in. On my knees, dad had said, it will ease the pain.

I thought of if I didnt survive.

How would mom and dad feel? What about Jason, and Lisa and john?

What about Jared?

Will he feel as if he’s responsible? Will he feel guilt?

I felt a wave of shameful satisfaction Why would I want him to hurt? Maybe as revenage for hurting me?

I pushed away suffocating thoughts and pictured myself alive after this.

A fully shifted werewolf, independent and forever non-mated. I didn’t know why I couldn’t picture myself finding out my mate. I guess it was because I couldn’t picture myself without Jared, let alone anyone else.

I sigh and a awaited the pain that would surly arrive. And than, I felt a sudden movement inside my body.

It didn’t hurt, the opposite actually. It felt as if a sore muscle had just popped.

I smiled in relief. Maybe the pain wouldn’t be as bad as I thought.

I felt the blood rushing to my face as a bloodcurdling scream made its way out of my mouth.

I gripped my waist, dropping my phone in process where it sat on the on the muddy ground flashing the numbers 12:04.

The bones inside my body began to circle and shift directions and I struggled to get on my knees.

My arms seemed to have stopped working and my right leg was set in a twisted angle.

Tears burned my eyes and blurred my vision as I tried to keep my screaming under control.

I couldn’t move!

Everything inside my body had stopped obeying me and was now doing its own thing.

My shoulders rolled back, letting out a sicking popping sound that made me flinch.

I felt a shadow approach and begged that it wasn’t human but I couldn’t turn around to see who.

I felt my nails and teeth extend as I sat frozen. I felt hand-or rather paws that gripped my paralyzed waist and turned my over.

They brought my legs up and fixed them both so that I lau on my hands and knees.

The pain slightly eased and I felt the shift speeding up.

My elbow crackled and bended but I didn’t see it, I couldn’t.

My hearing and sensing was improving and I was suddenly aware of everything around me, especially the unidentified stranger that had gratefully helped me.

Despite my shut eyes, my vision showed fire.

I saw cracking and burning, much like the pain.

I let out another scream as my back cracked and twisted.

I had the sudden urge to be set free. I wanted to run around the whole forest and feel freedom as it rushed to sooth my tension and ease my worry.

And I wanted to be loved. I wanted something that wasn’t quite there, yet I yearned for it.

I craved for it like an addictive drug that I haven’t yet taken.

I felt my whole body release into the wolf I’ve been waiting for since I was born, feeling a lot like a ripped bandage.

I let out a growl and blinked to regain my improved vision to catch sight of my beautiful hazel color.

My eyes shifted to the person that had helped me and I saw that it was actually a wolf.

A gorgeous black wolf that made my fresh knees week. Confused, I nudged him with my nose and almost fell as the contact sank in.

My eyes searched his own as I begged reality that it wouldn’t be true.

Mate.

The word was sparkled, highlighted and capitalized in my mind, making it impossible to ignore.

While my wolf wanted nothing more than to cherish the word, my human side wanted to cry out loud for the betrayal I felt.

I felt as if I was cheating Jared.

Anger flooded my veins for my thoughts of him. I shouldn’t feel like that, not when I have finally found my mate.

I found myself wanting to touch him more, to discover just what can he make me feel.

I let my nose trail the slope of his neck as a sign of affection.

I wondered who this person what, and just how handsome he must be.

Blades pov

The gut tearing feeling had dropped on me as soon as she released into her wolf.

My breath suddenly was held captive at my throat as I watched the most beautiful thing in my life unleash.

She was a mouth watering hazel color with the structure of a proud, independent female.

Much like an alpha, she stood high on all her fours with her chin up in the air, taking in her surroundings.

Her eyes shifted to where my black wolf stood, jaw opened and no doubt looking like a complete fool.

She nudged me with her nose, making me weak with the fire that flashed through my body.

I could tell she was confused and I wanted nothing more than to capture her in my arms and spill everything.

A moment later she must have discovered we were mates because she ran her nose down the slope of my neck, affectionately.

My wolf purred and growled at the tease, wanting nothing more than to lay my lips upon hers and make magic.

I responded back immediately, as a person would to breathing.

My tongue stuck out and licked her beautiful face as sign of lust.

She rubbed her nose against me, her eyes saying one thing.

Shift.