prolouge

screeching metal, burning ashes, thick scent of blood. Two dead, one still alive. People start to crowd around the car, sirens wailing in the background, searing pain.

one girl still lives, hair dark as night, eyes royal blue, glassed over from being on the brink of death. she's shouting,"No! Let me die! I can't live!" everyone ignoring her wishes. then darkness, not even the slightest ray of hope can penetrate it's way through, it could not shine through oblivion.

Not even her soul. 

PART ONE

      

chapter 1

2 years later

"Ariella, my shake tastes like it has sugar in it!" a snooty voice came from the living room from the pack house.

"It's Splenda Cherri," I answered back. this is my life now. this not-so-awesome, not-so-amazing life. I was a slave to the pack. literally, I did all the cooking, all the cleaning, it was like I wasn't the Beta to the pack. just a maid.

"Why the Hell is there Splenda in my shake." I could feel the horror spreading across her face.

"There's always been Splenda in it!"

"You Bitch! Alpha Nate!" she cried.

Aw crap.

"What." our Alpha cried as he descended down the stairs.

"Ariella is trying to poison me!" Cherri yelled. I didn't have to see Nate's face to know he was angry. I tried to hide behind the kitchen's island hoping he wouldn't try to find me. Nate burst in, swinging the door across the room. when he found me his black hair was tousled and his green eyes dark. he grabbed my arm and hauled me upright,"What did you do to Cherri?" he screamed in my face. his grip tightened when I didn't answer right away.

"Nothing, I just made Cherri's morning shake, the kind she usually drinks." I whimpered. Nate slapped me across the face, "That's not an answer." tears formed in my eyes. When I didn't respond he threw me across the floor, smashing my head on the countertop.

"You will be sleeping outside."

"But Alpha Nate, it's going to rain tonight," I whispered.

"Good."

 

 

A knock on the front door sounded. When nobody went to get it, I walked to the door, receiving glares from the pack I reached for the brass doorknob of the Mahogany door and pulled it open. There beyond the door lied a brown hair, blue eyed boy who was wearing a smile on his face.

"Alex!" I cried.

"Ariella!" he answered back. He took me in a tight embrace and spun me around.

"It's good to see you again." I muffled in his shoulder. He nodded his head,"me too."

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I got a break from college our professor quite and they couldn't find a replacement to the semesters over...for now," he added, smirking. I laughed, "And I may have found my Mate." he added. as he did a girl walked in the scene, she had long flowing blonde hair that played on her shoulders and gray eyes that you could get lost in.

"Hi, I'm Kristen," she said. She held out her hand to me but I looked at it funny, she quickly drew her hand away trying to play it off. I smiled,"in this family, we don't do handshakes." I outstretched my arms to her, she quickly hugged me, relieved that I didn't hate her. When she pulled back she turned to Alex,"Your sister looks a lot like you."

"I say more like her mom." I frowned.

"Either way, you are absolutely beautiful, and lucky to have a brother like him. she smiled at me. I gave her a weak smile.

"How are you," Alex said, voice getting suddenly serious.

"Fine."I lied.

"No Ariella, how are you?" he asked again, leaning in.

"I might wake up with a bruise on my face tomorrow, but nothing serious...yet." i shrugged one lean shoulder and saw Kristerns eyes get big. horror gripping her face.

"I swear I'm going to-"

"No Alex, you'll get disgraced from the Pack, we might be the Beta's but what Alpha says, goes." i said voice getting softer.

"What happened to you?" Alex gripped my shoulders, "I got slapped and i have to sleep outside tonight-"

"It's going to rain!" Kristen interjected.

"I know."

"Does your Alpha know?" she asked bewildered.

"Yes."

"That is what you call an Alpha! he is nothing but a- Alex! from now on i am going to protect her, you and I, " she said suddenly.

"You can't!"

"I can." she said back at me.

"You'll get hurt because of me!" I whispered.my eyes getting wide.

"A chance I'm going to take." suddenly the front door burst open," Ariella, cook us food now! my pack is hungry!" An angry Alpha Nate yelled through the door.

"Oh, hello Alex," Nate calmed down, "Who is this?" he asked pointing to Kristen.

"My Mate."

"Pleased to meet you," he said in a lighter tone," I'm Nate, the Alpha." Kristen shook his hand. with the speed of light, she knocked him on the curb,"If you think about hurting a hair on that girls head, you will have to answer to me." Kristen locked eyes with Nate, he broke away lokking at me, glaring daggers. Kristen cleared her throat.

"Welcome to the pack."

 

I cooked gluten free pasta and garlic bread, poured wine in glasses and when i was done, Alpha Nate ecused me from the table, i was never allowed to eat with the pack.

ever.

I took a bag of Cheetoes and left for my shabby room in tears. I cried, my life will never be the same again. my mom used to tell me," you always have to have a little rain before you have a rainbow."  i used to always think she was right. but if she is anymore, this is no storm, this is hurricane Catrina.

After i was through crying, i layed on my bed, my small bed.i could barly fit, my legs swung out. it wasn't always my room, i had another one. it had a window and a side bed, another small bed on the south wall, a bathroom, a large closet, a personalized desk, a couch a T.V. a dresser. back when our current alpha wasn't the alpha, they let me paint my room scarlet blue. now i only had a bed, a small desk, and a closet, no windows. a small pittering came on the door. i thought it was Nate coming to tell me that i had to go sleep outside now, but the a small feminen voice came through," It's me, Kristen."

i stifled a tear,"Come in." Kristen emerged, blonde hair cascading down her back, and grey eyes livid. She smiled at me,"I brought you pasta." she held out a plate.

"It;s okay, i already ate."

"Oh, yes, because a bag of Cheetoes is food." she said sarcasticly rolling her eyes, "Now eat."

I shook my head, "Ariella, your going to starve." she sighed.

"Don't you see i already have?" i said pointing to a picture on my desk, it was one with me Alex and my parents. We were on the bridge in Hooken, i was fat and chubby, while Alex was bone skinny. We both changed, i became the skinny one while Alex filledout and gained muscle.

"Oh Ariella!" she set the plate down and came to embrace me, she felt just like mom. It's been so long scince i can remember what a real motherly hug felt like, i buried my face in her shoulder. there was a banging on the door, "Ariella it's ten o'clock, you know what to do!" cried Alpha Nate.

"Yes Alpha." Kristen walked with me to the door, she opend it," if you hurt her-"

"I'm not going to hurt her!" he growled,"But she will be sleeping outside for a week." he walked away.

"How old is he?"

"a year older than me, 17," I said.

"I should not have a seventeen year old bossing me around!"Kristen cried in mock horror.

"Good-night Ari." nobody called me Ari anymore,"Good-night." tears came to my eyes.

 

Just as i said, it rained. the rain soaked my hair plastering it to my face. i cradled myself in a corner, waiting for the sun to rise. if it ever will... i don't think I'll be able to sleep

chapter 2

"Ariella, wake up." a soft voice prodded. I groaned and turned to my side.

"That's not how you wake up." It said again. I waved off the holder of the voice, they gave out an impatient sigh,"You asked for it." suddenly something hit my leg hard. I sat up and rubbed my thigh,"What was that for?" I said I saw Alex above me.

"You're dripping wet and it's time for school," he stated simply. I got up, hair sticking to my face

"I don't want to go to school." I knew what would happen if I went to school, go to class, act like a mindless zombie and when I get home, waiting for me are men. they come to beat me. It's always every other day, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. at least they have enough decency to leave the weekends off.

"Too bad, you're going." he said.

"Kristen, get Ariella ready!" Alex shouted. It was still dark outside, it must've been six in the morning.

"Why so early?"

"I know, but it's for the best." Alex looked over at Kristen.

"Why," i asked tilting my head.

"Because I know something you don't."

"So do I!" I protested. Alex stared at me hard, "Fine, I'll go." i gave up, "For you."

"Come on Ariella, we have alot of work to do!" Kristen sang.

"We? Work?" I looked helplessly at Alex, he just laughed and shrugged his shoulders. Kristen led me inside.

"Now, first we are going to get you cleaned up," she said turning right, into a hallway,"Then we fix your hair and your makeup." she finnished stopping at a door. "No offence, but why the Hell do I need to get fancied up?"

"Because!" Kristen opend the door that lead to a large room, much similar to my old room.

After I took a shower Kristen blow dried my hair and said she knew just what to do with it. she put it in medium curls and ran the blow dryer through it to make it look windblown. She did my make-up asking if I had ever worn make-up before and complimenting on my dark Royal blue eyes. She put pink eyeshadow on, mascara, eyeliner, and blush, telling me the trick is to always go light on the make-up. When she was done, she told me there was an outfit on the bed for me. When I saw it I gasped.

It was a navy blue dress with white polka dots that complimented my eyes, yellow wedges, and a brown leather belt. When I lifted the dress I realized it was strapless. Dad always said that if I ever wore strapless he would kill me. Guess that's not going to happen.

"It's very pretty." i said sustaining my tears.

"Great because i have more than enough outfits that I'm donating to you." Kristen smiled. I noticed Kristen's hair was straight and wearing a white spaghetti strap shirt with yellow shorts, and nude wedges.

"Oh no, Kristen, I can't."

"Nonsence, you will have prettier outfits than those sluts." Kristen put her hands on her hips.

"But-"

"No buts, you are Beta, all the other omega girls should not be prettier than you or the Luna." Kristen pursed her lips.

"There is no Luna," i said rolling my eyes. Kristen Smiled.

She went outside and I put the outfit on, my hair made my skin look pale, but the dress made it look sun-kissed. I looked at myself in her mirror, I had never looked this way, I looked...pretty. I walked out into the hallway and ran right into Cherri, her red hair straightened and her make-up heavy. she glared at me through narrowed eyes,"Make me my Breakfast." she said through clenched teeth, green eyes blazing. I nodded my head, she stormed off. I smiled and left for the kitchen. Instead of making protein shakes I made scrambled eggs instead, with wheat toast and two percent milk. Everybody floated in to get their breakfast. Cherri walked in, "Eggs? Toast?" 

"Don't worry, i made a special shake for you." I said handing it to her, she smiled at it and began to walk away.

"Hey Penny."Nate said and placed a kiss on Cherri's head. my heart gave a sudden pull, i frowned.

"She didn't act up." Cherri said, narrowing her eyes at me. Cherri and Nate had been going out since their Sophmore year, this year, we were all seniors.

"Good." When Nate turned to look at me as Cherri left, he seemed as if he were too narrow his eyes at me, but they widened instead. When he looked at me I felt the strange tug again, I quickly handed him his breakfast, "Thank you." he said. I stared at him, he cleared his throat,"Tonight there is a pack meeting after school. Be here."

"I'm still alowed to those?" i snapped.

"Every meeting with another pack needs to have the Alpha and the Beta present, you are the Beta, therefore, you go." he fired back. i lowered my head,"Yes Alpha Nate." i lturned and left the pack house.

It was mid-October and the leaves were starting to pile up on the ground in heaps again, brilliant shades of crisp golden and sunset oranges mixed in with cherry reds on the ground. A scene like this would want to make an artist paint it.

Our school wasn't far from the packed house, but most of our pack chooses to drive their cars. I hardly use mine. I try to blend in by walking, I have only one friend d at school, anyone who would try I would push away and such. All I need to do is worry about getting through the day alive, not worry about how many friends I have.

 

First period, American History

Second period, Math connections

Third period, Band,

Fourth period, AP Science

Fifth period, Algebra 1

Sixth period. lunch

Seventh period, ELA

Eighth period, Science connections

Ninth period, Athletics

the only problem I have with this scheduale is the fact that I have Nate in every class.

After school, I took the usualroute home. I was sweaty from athletics and still wearing my athletic clothes. I rounded near the alley the guys normally meet me at, and they were thaer. two of them, one I didn't reconize.

"Hello Ariella." the first one greeted.

"Hello James." i answered. the first man steped into the light, out from the shadows, red hair and deep blue eyes. he gave me an evil smile.

"Who's your friend?" I asked, jerking my head to the other guy. He stepped out of the shadows, auburn hair and light blue eyes,"My younger brother, Darwin." I shook my head. "Let's just get it over with."

"I like you, so straight forward." they sauntered toward me. They punched and kicked me while I screamed out in pain. The new one, Darwin, threw me against the brick wall beside me, slamming my head on the bricks, James took a knife and cut me, stabbing my arms and legs.

They didn't stop throwing me around on the ground. A long time ago they told me that they would kill anyone I told this to. So I never said anything. After they were done kicking me in the ribs, they jerked their hoodies on and ran away. As soon as I left, I began to limp back to the Packhouse. Because of my vast healing ability, my cuts healed and scabbed faster than humans and my broken or fractured bones rest themselves in place again. I hated those men, but the alley was the only way home without getting run over by cars. One of my was taking a while to heal, it must have been pretty deep.

I finally reached the pack house, i shiftedd my bags over my shoulder and reatched for the door knob. Before i could reach it, it swung open, making me jump back.

"Your late." Nate said through clentched teeth.

"You never said a spacific time." I whispered eyes getting wide.

"Just follow me, we are in the back 'forest'''. He grabed my wrist but instanly let go, my blood drentched his hand.

"Ariella? What happend?" He asked.

"Nothing."  I turned away. He would've demanded and  but a howl came from the back.

"Hurry." we both ran to the back door. when we came through, Nate changed into a wolf, he nodded at me, i turned too. I had white fur and Blue eyes, i was the only wolf who had white fur. I had been itching to change, it's like that feeling you get when your about to jumo into a pool on a long hot summer day.

 

'Ariella'

Nates Voice was inside my head.

'you know as Alpha it's my job to protect my pack?' his green eyes bore into mine.

'What? Suddenly I'm worth protecting?' I answered.

'you are a part of my pack therefore part of my duty to protection' He growled.

'you never thought of that when you slaped me' I growled back. he bit into my neck and I wimpered. We both contined down the back into the forest where two different clans were waiting. The other Alpha's fur was brown and had cold eyes. He bared his teeth at us. 

'Finally your Beta arives. you girl, do you always dissapoint your Alpha?' His dark voice echoing in my heaad.

'Do you always apear when not wanteed?' I answered back.

'Control your Beta!' He growled.

'I taught you well.' Nate gleamed.  I walked off towards the back were i reconized Alex's fur, I sat by him

'I bring a warning, we needed to warn you that two of our pack is no longer with us. we now concider them rougues, they were caught multiple times beating another wolf from the Northern Clan, if you see them, they are to be killed. that is all.' The Alpha said.

'How do we know who they are?' Cherri piped up.

'You'll know.' and with that he left, as did the rest of there clan. we all started to head back to the Pack house when Kristen decided to ask, 'Why are you Beta?' I was acught off haurd.

'Because, when Mom and Dad died, she was not ranked high on the pack list, she would've been treated worse if i didn't give up my spot for her.' Alex said.

I nudged him,'I love you.'

'love you too.'

'Ariella!' Nate called. I ran to him and asked him what was wrong.

'The pack already ate so you can just go ahead and just stay out here to sleep.' he said tossing his head.

'But I haven't eaten yet.' i whimpered.

'Then starve.'

 

After I changed back into my human form, I found my sleep wear and headed outside, i found a lawn chair and curled up in it

 

It was dark. I saw flashes of faces in front of me, then pounding on my skin as if some one was beating me. Then James apeared laughing at me. Next Alex's face yelling at me, "i know somthing you don't!"

"Ariella!"

"Ariella!"

"Ariella!" something was grabbing my shoulders, shaking it. my eyes flashed open. Nate was in front of me, water dripping down his face, black hair plastered to his forehead. I heard lound noises, like some one was throwing rock on pavment.

"Come on! get inside! It's hailing!" Nate cried. I got to my feet slow, then i half jogged half walked with Nate inside. He opened the door, a piece of hail hit my shoulder, i cried out in pain. Nate looked back at me, he grabed my hand and drsgged me inside.

But out of nowhere, as if somebody skipped a chapter in a book, Nate was kissing me. Softly at first, as if he was going through Hell doing it. I could tell he was expecting me to pull back, i knew i should've. He was my gate way to Hell anyway. But i didn't, i couldn't. i felt as if there was a cord between us, pulling us together. i kissed  him back. it was dark, in the middle of the night, he kissed me harder, puching me on the wall, our hands exploring each other. and we were getting more violent. 

Suddenly, out of my intentions my teeth grazed his lip. He groaned and said my name, pulling me to the kitchen island. i don't know what happend next, but his tounge was definatly in my mouth and mine was definatly in his. it was like we were trying to eat each other.

Then Nate stoped and pulled away mutering,"no.no.no.no!"

"What?" i was still in shock of our little display.

"This can't be..." Nate continued to mutter.

"What?"!" i demanded to know what was going on.

"Your my Mate."

 

chapter 3

Those words echoed in my head. Mates. Mates. Mates. 

"I don't want you, don't tell anyone we're mates. I don't want you!" Nate yelled grabbing his hair in frustration.

"This never happened." he walked out like he was carrying a burden on his shoulders.

I was his burden.

 

"Kristen!" I pounded her door so loud a ringing in my ear started to form. The door slowly opened revealing a sleepy Kristen. Blonde hair tangled and gray eyes droopy.

"What? don't you know what time it is?"

"Can I come in?" I asked almost on the verge of tears again. she must have sensed it, suddenly becoming alerted and opened the door wide enough for me to squeeze through.

"What is it?" she asked sitting on her bed.

"My Mate...is Alpha Nate."

"Oh wow...already? I figured you too wouldn't find out til like another week!" she threw her hands up.

"What?" I shook my head,"you knew?"

"Sadly yes. Even your brother knows. He talked to the old Alpha and Luna if you could be removed from the Pack House, he didn't say why, but they said no. a week later we finally found out why. You were going to be the new Luna." she whispered her eyes slowly closed in shame that she knew too much.

I sighed,"He doesn't want me."

"just as I thought, just as we all thought. We all came up with a plan. even the Old Alpha and Luna agreed. you are going to use Jon, Nates brother, to make Nate jealous. So he's going to be you pretend boyfriend. And since the Mate Bonds is so powerful, Nate cannot refuse." Kristen laughed.

"I'm so confused." I shook my head.

"Don't worry, just sleep here with me and I'll get you ready in the morning. Jon will explain." she patted the area beside her indicating me to lie down. I crawled under the pink Satin covers, she lied beside me,"Good-night Ariella."

"Night Kristen."

chapter 4

In the morning Kristen flat ironed my hair and put mascara, eyeliner, aqua eyeshadow, and pink lip gloss. she gave me an aqua floral shirt and navy blue shorts and black flats. I smiled. I always wanted to dress like this, but mom never lets me. Claiming on the fact that we didn't ever have enough money. I never complained. I ran downstairs to order food. Today was Taco Tuesday, although the girls are anorexic sluts, they eat the taco's to make the boys happy.

As the tacos arrived, everybody started to wake up from the smell of bacon. I placed out all of the steaming tacos, burning the tips of my fingers at times, on the island.

The island.

The island where I had my first kiss, with Nate. The island where we expressed our emotions so freely I'm surprised it didn't swallow us whole. The island where he said he didn't want me. The island is where I had my first heartbreak.

"Ehem!" som one coughed in my ear. I spun around to find Dianna waiting for me. "Bean and cheese." was all she said. Caroline and Penelope came down together, laughing like maniacs. they didn't even seem to notice me as I handed them tacos. Anna and Jake walked in holding hands. Jake muttered a "Thanks.'' then Cherri walked in.Annoyed she grabbed a taco shot me a look and trotted off. And then the unexpected happened.

"Hey babe," Jon winked as he walked in. I lifted an eyebrow, confused on how comfortable he is with saying that. Saying like he has many times before,"I know about last night." he whispered nodding his head toward the dining room table. I followed him, he pulled a chair for me and I awkwardly sat in it. He sat down on the chair next to me.

"Kristen told me this morning...about what happened. I figured Nate would do that. He's too busy with his slut." Jon said while unwrapping his taco, steamy from the foil. I stared at him questioningly when he slid something in my view. as I could've guessed it, a taco. 

"Why are you helping me?" I whispered faintly. Jon stopped mid-bite.

"Because unlike my stupid brother I'm still waiting for my Mate. When I gave up the Alpha spot, I thought Nate was going to do great things. And he has....but to be like this to his Beta/Mate, it's unacceptable. And I won't let it slide," Jon sighed. I nodded my head as if I understood what he was saying.

"Besides, It'll be fun to watch him get all jealous and protective of you. haha." Jon smirked.

"I can't let you do that. You'll get hurt because of me," I said. just one more person to add to James's threat list. Before Jon could reply Nate walked in, hair tousled and eyes sleepy, he looked very attractive. stop it, Ariella. don't think that! when Nate spotted us, his expression changed. a flicker of guilt flashed across his face, then he quickly turned away. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"Ha! did you see his face?" Jon whooped making me jump,"priceless..." Jon shoved the remains of his taco in his mouth. suddenly a loud crash came from the kitchen,"Ariella!" 

"There's my cue." I shoved my way off the mahogany table and tiptoed into the kitchen. I saw Nate standing and pointing to something on the floor,"clean it up." he demanded and walked out.

I sighed and reached for the knives one after another. flinching each time as I recalled the many times James stabbed me with them. As I reached for another knife, a hand shot out and grabbed it. I looked up to find Jon's innocent face.

"What are you doing?" I asked dubiously.

"Helping you, duh babe."

"Why?"

"Because we're dating remember?" Jon jerked his head to the door. I stole a glance and found Nate glaring icicles at me. I went back to putting on the knives in their holder. When I finished, Jon and I walked out; him holding my hand. It felt so weird, then he handed me my taco, I shook my head,"I'm not hungry."

"Good, then let's go." he grabbed my hand and lead me out the front door. My nose started to sting. It always stung when I felt like crying. I saw evil glares coming from Diana and Cheri, but I acted like I couldn't see them. Jon noticed, grabbed my arm and jerked me outside. I was almost in tears and could barely see, I was certain I was going to run into something. Jon put me in a red convertible, I slid into the leather seats...then the tears came. They were those big globby tears that reminded people of Alice in Wonderland. I normally only cry when I'm by myself, or if I'm in my room.

"Ariella..." Jon whispered to me.

"I'm fine, I promise." I wiped my tears and recollected myself. But I wasn't fine. I never would be.

"No you're not, what's wrong?" he asked accusingly.

Life Jon! That's what's wrong! But you can't fix life now can you?" I outbursted.

"No, I suppose not."

"Just drive. I wanna get to school already."

chapter 5

It was almost 8:30 and Jon insisted on buying me a smoothie. I think it was a kiss up for me to tell him what was wrong. But I can't and I won't. I was just hoping my friend Sunshine would be at school today. She flew to Ecuador to see her aunt, who was very sick. Sunshine said she would be at school on Monday, but she wasn't there. Sunshine wasn't really her name, it's just what I call her. Her real name is Isabel, but she hates it since it's the name of her mother, who abandoned her at 3. which was very brutal at her age, considering the fact that Sunshine...is a shifter. Sunshine is the only friend I had. She always smiled, always laughed and you could never tell if she hated you or not.

"School's about to start," I said to Jon as I hopped out of the car. I was greeted by several glares coming from our pack who were stationed by the statue of William Penn, the founder of our state. I quickly ran inside and was welcomed with a smack. I had run into somebody. I looked up to apologize when I looked into a face of blonde hair and brown eyes. 

"Sunshine!" I yelled.

"Ariella!" she pulled me into a tight embrace, warm and welcoming. I smiled and hugged her back.

 

The whole day she would not stop talking about how crappy this town was compared against Ecuador. I couldn't help but agree. She promised that she would tell me more at lunch. I hope it was not about a boy, I'm tired of boys from now on. I've just about had enough about boy drama. Come around time for lunch, Sunshine had finally noticed my change of clothing style. I told her about the whole "Mates" thing and she tried her best to understand. I sighed, I hated being shoved by hormonal teenagers getting in line to eat the most horrid meatloaf ever. So I never eat here. Or anywhere for that matter. But unlike me, Sunshine would bring her lunch in a coach bag. She could only afford that bag from series of babysitting. Something I didn't have time for. we sat at our normal table beside the bathrooms. It was the only table clean and far enough from Cheri scolding that "The smell of our weirdness was affecting her make up." That line alone made me want to throw up. Sunshine smiled at me like it was slapped across her face. I was about to ask her why she was smiling when somebody ran into me, shoving me to the corner of the table. I was used to it, but this time was different. Blood was seeping through my shirt, slipping to the ground,"Ah," I pressed my hand to my stomach against it. I pulled my hand away and it was drenched in my blood. "Ariella!" cried, two people. The one I recognized as Sunshine, but the other... I knew that voice, deep and smooth. It made me want to run to him. But it was a voice I didn't expect to hear.

It was Nate's voice.....

Chapter 6

 I stared in disbelief to the voice I heard. I stared at him, Looking into his eyes just for a brief moment and getting lost in them. For once, he looked at me like a caring mate, his eyes were full of worry and fear as he stared at the blood gliding down my stomach. It felt hot and sticky like it was coming out it globs. I don't know why, but I just kept staring at him, like I was begging for his help. It didn't last long before Sunshine called out my name, pulling me out of the sweet trance I was in. Glancing back at her worried face, I pulled my jacket over my body, "Excuse me," I whispered softly and made my way out of the cafeteria.

Pushing through bodies I finally made it to the entrance of the school and took a deep breath. Removing my jacket from my wound I lifted up my shirt and to my horror saw that one of my wounds had reopened due to the shove. A loud growl sounded behind me and I jumped in fear, forgetting that Nate was watching me in the cafeteria and he most likely followed me outside. Quickly I pulled my shirt down and turned to face him. 

"Yes Alpha?" I asked softly and to my surprise, he held his hand out to me, as if expecting me to take it. Cautiously, I took his hand and he walked me to his car. Unlocking it and opening it, he helped me inside and shut it firmly closed. I jumped slightly and turned my head to look at him."Nate I-"

 "It's Alpha to you," he snapped at me.

"I'm sorry, Alpha, you don't have to take me to your car, I'm okay," I reached for the door handle but before I could grasp it, he locked the car.

"Ariella, who did this to you?" He growled angrily.

"No one," Lie.

"You suck at lying," he said casually before lifting my shirt and looking at the massive cut. His eyes widened at the sight. Fumbling with my hands I yanked my shirt down and zipped my jacket all the way up.

"Ariella..." he said in a soft voice. Reaching over he grabbed my hand and pulled it close to him, almost over his heart as he looked cautiously into my eyes,"Who is doing this to you? This is not an injury of some freak accident. Somebody hurt you." He said like a real mate would. genuine fear on his face. It was almost like it had been like this forever, us, together like this.

"Nate, I had a run in with the counter this morning. I didn't see where I was going and I was holding a knife and well." I trailed off.

"Did I do this?" he mused softly if it wasn't for our superhuman hearing I might not have been able to hear him.

"No!" I cried, "No, you didn't do this," I said quickly.

"So you admit that someone did?" He looked at me expectantly.

At a loss of words I stared at him, not believing he tricked me so easily,"N-No." I looked at the window, "Like I said, I was just clumsy."

Nate turned my head back to face him with two fingers under my chin, "please don't lie," He whispered and leaned forward, softly pressing his lips against mine like he had been itching to do so the entire time we sat in his car. I reluctantly let him kiss me, melting against his lips like I needed his breath on my lips. I could hear his growl from the back of his throat as he pulled away with a hard glare and quickly jumped out of the car, slamming the door closed, walking back to school and leaving me with a stupid expression on my face as I sat in his car alone.

Blinking and trying to reel in what just happened two seconds ago, I slowly got out of the car and closed the door, looking around to see if anyone had watched us I took in a breath, thankful to see that no one had. Or so I thought.

"What a display," Jon laughed. 

Gasping I turned to face him, "How long have you?"

"The whole time princess. How are you supposed to make him jealous if you keep letting him get what he wants?" Jon asked as he looked down at me.

"I don't know. I couldn't help myself." I whispered under my breath. 

He frowned and gave me a side ways glace, "alright but no more, we're going on our first date tonight and I can't have you kissing other men while I'm around," he joked and nudged me.

I smiled as he walked away and shook my head,"Oh dear." I frowned and held my torso as I walked back to the school.

Impressum

Texte: artemis herondale
Bildmaterialien: google images
Lektorat: my mom
Übersetzung: me! :)
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 29.05.2013

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Widmung:
to my bestie, she is always there when i need a new box of chocolates