Your Man IS NOT My Mate

I lie in bed replaying the scene over and over again.

"Mate!" I have found my mate, but shouldn't I be more excited to finally know the truth, yet something keeps bothering me. I sigh, struggling to get myself to sleep but to no avail. I guess, I could kiss the thought of a restful night goodbye.

Morning comes much to quickly for my likings and I know it's time for the rubber to hit the road.

"Somebody's up very early." Mom comments the minute she sees me.

I simply nod unable to formulate a coherent sentence so early in the morning from a sleep deprived brain. My body is on autopilot as I complete my morning routine.

"Hey, have a great day, sweetheart...."

"And stay safe." Dad calls after me, finishing mom's sentence.

I give a smile, waving them bye as I open the front door.

"Oh and honey." I halt, turning slightly to let mom know I'm listening. "We've schedule Officer DéSilver to bring you home after school until we catch the culprit."

My body stiffens at the mention of his name, but I quickly recover with a quick nod of the head before fully leaving.

I enter school and honestly, I immediately overwhelmed by a sea of mixed feelings. I look around, surprised not to see Adrian in his usual spot waiting for me. However, casting my gaze further down the corridor, my eyes lock with Alaric.

He pushes off of the locker he was resting on and makes his way towards me, but I'm not up for a conversation with him, so I quickly hurry along to my class.

For the whole day Adrian is MIA and it's feels like I've spent the majority of the day avoiding Alaric.

The final bell rings and I leave class, heading straight for the school gates.

"Liyah Lee, how long are you going to keep avoiding me?"

"For as long as possible." I reply not bothering to face him

"Look, Lee-"

"It's Liyah Lee to you. And there's nothing for us to talk about."

"But I've been tasked to walk you home."

"That doesn't mean I have to talk to you." I say continuing to walk away.

"But-" my head snaps at him and he instantly goes mute, with a sigh.

We drive home in silence and as soon as I reach home, I slam the door shut, not even bothering to unpick my teeth. Rude, but there's no denying my anger.

The entire week carries the same rhythm, avoiding Alaric at all cost and no sight of Adrian, he won't even answer my calls.

Finally, I had enough.

Bright and early Monday morning, I march right up to Alaric. "Alright, spill. What did you do to Adrian?"

"Huh?"

"Don't play dumb with me, Officer DéSilver." I snap, registering the hurt on his face at the formal address.

"Lia-"

"What, were you too jealous and unable to handle your emotions in a civilised manner?" I accuse, refusing to back down.

He stares at me for a while, letting an air of silence linger in the atmosphere.

"I didn't do him anything." He sighs.

"I don't believe you." I retort, my anger steming purely from me since I blocked out Stella since that day.

"It's up to you to believe me, but I swear, I haven't done anything to him."

There's a pregnant pause before I walk off with a huff.

Another week goes by, no Adrian and surprisingly, Alaric doesn't push to talk to me anymore, he simply drives me home in silence and leaves.

Another Monday breaks and this time, I make my way to the principal's office. "Good morning, my favorite uncle." I smile, warming my way into his heart, stroking his ego.

He smile and I know I have just enough foothold in the door to get straight to the point. "You remember the generous donation mom gave because I took your offer to be the water girl?"

He nods, probably wondering where I am going with this.

"Well, I need a favor in return."

"Hmmm, $20?" He ask, fetching out his wallet. Of course he's willingly giving in hopes that when he needs to use me next time I'll be more willing to oblige because of his "generous" reward.

"No, I have a friend who I haven't seen in a while and I think something might be wrong with him. So, I would really like to visit him."

"Well, that's very thoughtful of you, but I can't excuse you from school to go visiting, you'll have to do that after school."

"No, no... I'd never skip school." Lies. Just give me the chance and I would. "I want to visit him after school.... But the thing is, I don't know where he lives."

"Oh. What's his name?"

"Adrian White."

A quick search and I'm handed his address.

"Thanks." I smile, rising from my seat.

"Keep in mind that you're only going to visit... Don't get carried away doing any other things." He stares at me.

"Eww, no! Of course not." Let him continue to think I'm innocent.. then again, I kinda am, but just not as innocent as he thinks.

He smiles brightly, no doubt so proud of me.

The day ends and I walk up to Alaric who is faithfully waiting at the school gate for me. "Amm.... I'm not going home today.... I am going to visit my- my auntie."

He looks at me skeptical.

"Look, I'll be safe. I don't need a you." Honestly, it came out a little harsher than it needed to be, but it got the job done.

He nods though reluctantly, before departing.

I wait till he fully gone before I make my way to the destination writing down on the slip of paper my uncle handed me.

Half an hour later, I exit the bus and walk towards a fairly big, white house.

I look down at the address on the paper, then back up at the house.

Wow. I had no idea he was from a well off family.

I could feel my nerves rising as I walk up to the house.

Deep breaths. I coach myself.

I lift my fist to knock, trying my best to suppress the nerves.

*Knock.... Knock*

I wait, my heart thumping wildly within its cage.

I hear footsteps, they stop in front the door.

I'm freaking out, a frickin ball of nervousness.

Then the door slowly opens.

My eyes widen in extreme shock.....

Alaric?

"Hey, brother, who's it at the doo-"

I freeze.

What the hell is going on!?