One Mate and a Rejection

Chapter Nine

Sleep has been beyond absurd. It was almost silly to have expected a nigh full of peace and rest. Listening to the endless choked sobbing of my mother as she pleads my dad to return, only to have the voice mail limit cut short.

It hurt me that she was in this much pain, and it hurt even more knowing i can’t do anything about it. The everlasting times my mother has called my dad, only to receive no progress tells me that he won’t pick up even if I call. Jason is gone, careless to whatever is going on here, while being captured by Amanda’s hypnotizing allure.

Although the shattering pieces of my mothers heart imprisoned my every thoughts, my worry for Blade lay fresh at the side of my mind.

I still wondered what happened at the meeting. Are they running Blade’s pack to a different territory?

Maybe his pack is our look-out now, acting as our protectors as punishment.

Surely keeping the enemy safe would be torture enough for them.

I listened to the last words that left my mothers lips before she fell into yet another tearful mess . A voice mail later, a possible bottle of wine and two or more hiccups every couple of seconds.

The stress was constant in my mind.

The morning rolled around as slowly as possible and for the first time I had witnessed everything that happened outside in process.

The moon went up, than it went down. The sun went up, and lit the whole sky.

Simple as that yet more slowly than anything.

I got up, extra early and put on anything that smelled clean. I washed my face, and brushed my teeth, making sure everything was...presentable before heading to school.

My eyes roamed over the parking lot, scanning every face, passing even Jared’s and not hesitating once. I couldn’t help but notice the absence of Blade. His pack was here, but where is he?

The rest of the school day passed by fast and i was met with disappointment every time I looked past a face that wasn’t Blade’s.

I couldn’t understand why I had to see him so much. It’s silly, really, developing feelings for an enemy.

But I had no feelings, just...stirrings.

Possible pleasure when I’m near him that may or may not be BECAUSE of him.

Just...silly little emotions that would have never developed if he never saved me from that guy in the closet.

Besides, I have a mate.

Lunch rolled around fast and I found myself already in Drama, listening to Mrs. Spencer’s smooth, wise voice.

Today, she was dressed in an odd suit, the colors of soft bamboo striped with creamy white, fingering an old umbrella polka dotted light pink and brown.

Her bright orange hair was set in a french braid, tight and painful, as usual, but with no doubt, flawless.

I watched as two people preformed their dialogues, relieved that it wasn’t one of love.

The boy was fearful and the girl was evil. Simple as that.

I noticed that by the time they were done, I was dreading the next group.

Because it was Jasmine and Jared, and no doubt it would be something disgustingly romantic and bright.

Although I knew that if I had been up there with Jared, I wouldn’t have hated the theme as much but I couldn’t help the knotting of my stomach as the lights dimmed and focused on them.

As Jared opened his mouth to utter the first words, I shot out of my seat.

“May I please go to the washroom?” I shouted out.

Ms. Spencer stared at me,” Can it wait?”

“No, it really can’t. I feel sick.”

She sigh,” if you must.”

I practically darted out the door, avoiding the annoyed, knowing eyes of the students around me.

When I reached the washroom, I made sure to remain frozen until the painful lunges of knots eased down in my stomach.

I stared at my reflection.

There were the fading bruises and cuts that Amanda had given me, and the long scratch on my forehead from the time I banged my head against the window.

It seemed as if that scar was never going to leave.

It will forever be a reminder of how dangerously reckless I became when freshly heartbroken.

I exited the washroom ten minutes later, only to find Jared standing there, awaiting my exit.

“What are you doing here?” I practically snapped.

“I just came to make sure your okay.”

An image of Blade saying that popped up in my head.

“I’m fine,” i snapped, aware of how uncontrollably angry I was becoming,” You don’t always have to be checking on me. I’m not yours to worry about anymore.”

“I didn’t mean to-”

“I know you didn’t. But I can look after myself. You have your mate, and I have mine.”

“What?” he grabbed my shoulder, stopping me from taking another step,” You said you don’t have one.”

“I lied, I do have one.”

“You don’t have to make it up, Emerald. It’s okay to be alone-”

“I’m not alone! I have a mate!”

“Than who is it?” his eyes bore into mine, almost challenging me.

“I don’t know,” I bit out every word.

He shook his head,” It’s okay, Emerald. You still have me.”

“Except for I don’t.”

“I heard about you attacking Amanda. I know your angry, but you shouldn’t take it out on people.”

“who told you?”

“Look, we are just trying to protect you. You shouldn’t be so reckless. I also heard about your almost car crash,” he traced the outline of my scar.

I grabbed his hand and shoved it away,” Who told you this!”

“I don’t think she’ll like it if I told-”

“It’s only fair that you tell me,” I retorted, my voice breaking.

He sigh,“Amanda. I know you hate her but she was just worri-”

“How did she find out about the car crash?”

“Lisa told Jason, and I’m guessing he told her.”

My blood was boiling by this point. Any inch of guilt that once slithered through my veins was wiped away and i wanted nothing more but to scrape my nails across the clear creamy white skin of her face. Revenge pumped in my system. Anger is an understatement.

I was beyond furious and it must have shown on my face because Jared grabbed my shoulders and muttered,” Calm down,” into my ears.

But I didn’t register his words.

My mind was too busy plotting out Amanda’s death.

There was a ringing in my ear. Like an alarm or a warning bell.

“Emerald, Emmy what’s wrong?” Jared was asking.

I whipped my head to look at him,” Nothing. I’ve just been annoyed lately. Go back to class.”

“I don’t believe you. Is everything okay?”

“As okay as it can get.”

With that, I strut away from him, leaving him confused and staring at me.

I turned a few corners before deciding it was safe. I leaned against the walls and shut my eyes.

Years of hiding in the toilet stalls passed right before my eyes. I hated Amanda with all I had. And Jared was the one person I could go to to make my day better.

Now, I lost him. And bully Amanda might be back.

A sudden noise send my ears ringing again. I heard people, boys to be specific talking. Two or three boys.

I walked towards the nearest corner and spotted Ben, talking with a member of Blades pack.

I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but i caught bits and pieces that led to nowhere.

“Meet...Alpha...plan...”

I wondered what Ben was doing, talking with an enemy.

They seemed intimate and serious, like they were discussing something troubling.

I knew I shouldn’t be so quick to judge though because out of all our pack, I’d probably be the most unfaithful.

Not only have I thrown myself at the enemy alpha and cried like a weakling, but I’m also developing strange...stirrings for him.

So i decided to ask Ben about it later and walked away, back to class.

At home, I was both relieved and disappointed at the absence of Amanda. I wanted both to apologize to Jason and claw at her face some more.

I sat at the dining table, unsure of the silent person that has possessed the women in front of me was still my

mother.

I attempted to make a conversation, to take her mind off the pain that was surely taking over.

“Where are Amanda and Jason?”

She barely looked up at me,” Settling in. They’re done here.”

I nodded,” How was the pack meeting?”

“As good is it can get.”

“What are they doing to Blad- er, the enemy pack?” I stumbled on my words.

Her eyes whipped past the ground to meet my owns.

I was taken off guard with how angry they looked.

“They are our new look outs. They need to inform us of every single secret rouge pack and be our protecters. If not, they will be driven out of the territory.”

I nodded, nervous all of the sudden,” that seems fair.”

“I don’t think so.”

She stood up, leaving her untouched plate of pasta and left.

I sighed and began to clean the table.

After a long shower and two homework sheets in science, I stood up and headed downstairs.

I heard my mothers voice, talking to somebody, but I didn’t hear a reply.

As I got closer, i saw that she was on the phone.

“I’m sorry,” she swallowed,” I didn’t mean to be so angry. I forgave you a long time ago for the...incident. Come home, plea-”

Beeeep.

The voice mail limit cut short and she sighed, dropping the phone.

I looked away and headed back upstairs.

I climbed out the window again, and took off, shifting into my furry, four legged other self.

I searched the endless night, as always, calling out for my mate. It must have worked because when I reached the cliff, he sat, as if awaiting my arrival.

I smiled and felt all my worries melting away.

I skid the rest of my worries as I traveled the everlasting forests with my mate.

We played near the lakes, ran around and sometimes just laid down in a position where we would be touching, savoring the feeling of being near each other.

I turned my head towards him.

Shift, my eyes said.

He stared at me for a moment. His eyes were begging, pleading and desperate.

Something told me he did want to shift, more than anything.

Something was keeping him back, I knew as much.

And so I bit back my aching disappointment and nodded my head, looking away.

Next day was Saturday and I awoke to the sound of my ringing phone.

I picked it up, my eyes still groggy and blind.

“Hello,” I croaked out.

“Emerald?” said a voice.

“Dad,” I muttered, not sure whether to be relieved or angry,” Hi, where are you?”

“Can you meet me somewhere?”

“Yeah, sure, where?”

“You know that little cafe on Earl street, I used to take you to?”

“yeah,” I said,” see you there in ten.”

I quickly stood up, and as a result, I came tumbling into the floor, unaware of my tangled right foot in the bed sheets.

Great, I thought, like I need another face injury.

I did the morning usual and drove to the cafe, avoiding the suspicious lingering questions of my mother.

When I reached the small coffee place, I caught sight of my fathers car, parked there.

I entered the cafe, realizing its smaller than what I remember.

“Over here,” my father waved from his seat.

I smiled hesitantly and headed over.

How do you react with your father when he’s been out of the house for a few days now with no phone calls or anything?

I took a seat in front of him,” Hey.”

He looked me over, confusion taking in his stressed features,” What happened?”

“Which part are you referring to?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“That long scratch on your forehead was there when I left, but now there’s bags, and little cuts and bruises. Whats going on?”

I gave out a long sigh,” Long story, Can I ask you something?”

“Yes?”

“What happens to somebody if they can’t be with their mate?”

He searched my face,” Jared isn’t-”

“I know,” I snapped. When I saw the hurt look on his face, my tone softened,” I know. But, what happens of you know you have a mate, but for some reason, you can’t be together. What happens to the person?”

“Well, both mates will be depressed. They wont be able to sleep without nightmares. They will experience unexplainable anger. Sometimes they even become physically furious. They become violent.”

I nodded,” Do they ever become...needy?”

His eyes showed that he was confused,” Needy of what?”

I sighed,” Needy of, each other?”

“of course. They have this attraction that can’t be broken. Even when they are by each other, they will feel the other near.”

“And, what does this feeling, feel like?”

“Its pleasurable. Aching but wonderful.”

Blade crossed my mind and needless to say, i had a hard time blocking him from my thoughts.

“Is that how you felt with mom?”

He looked away,” I can’t explain how i feel with your mom.”

“Than why are you here and not with her?”

“I wake up every morning to her smiling, forgiving face and kiss her, hug her and act like I was always faithful. She forgave me so easily. It hurt. When she brought it up, I knew she still hurts from it too. I-I knew I couldn’t hurt her anymore-”

“Your hurting her by staying away. You know she stays up all night, leaving you voice mails? You know she barely sleeps these days? Do you know tha-”

“I get it, okay? I messed up.”

I nodded,” you did. Did you hear about the enemy pack?”

“yeah, I was at the meeting.”

“so you saw mom?”

He nodded, silently.

I secretly wondered if that’s why mom had gotten so angry and barely responsive when I asked her about it.

When I went home that morning, there was something bugging me.

Actually, more than one thing.

I wondered why Ben was talking with the enemy pack.

I wondered if dad was gonna come home.

And I wondered why did Blade beat up Jared?

“sometimes they even become physically furious. They become violent,” dad had said.

Could that be why I had been getting so angry lately? Could that be why Blade had been getting so angry?

I erased the thought from my head as soon as it was there.