“I- ugh, dammit,” Brandon muttered, “I don’t know what I’m saying.”
Say you want me.
“My wolf hasn’t been responding either.” I admitted even though I hated to.
“Really?” He raised an eyebrow and circled me so I had to turn around to look at him.
“Don’t look so surprised. You started this.” I accused and he narrowed his eyebrows. I interrupted his probably lame attempt at arguing back.
“But the question is, what does this all mean?” I asked.
“My wolf needs you.” He replied instantly. Brandon didn’t look away as I held his gaze. But I could feel the irritation from his voice. “I need to be around you,”
As much as I wished it wasn’t true, I needed him. For my wolf.
She’s angry with me for not accepting our mate. She wants to be with him, to touch him and kiss him. But I rejected him, and now she’s fading.
“I think, for the good of our wolves, that we should stay together.” I suggested, my voice shaking nervously. I had no idea if he agreed with me or not and that made me anxious.
Brandon made a grossed out face, looking like he just swallowed a lemon.
“I don’t need anyone.”
“Obviously you do.” I countered. Brandon looked pissed off- more than usual.
“We’re not going to be like normal mates.”
“Fine.” I hope he couldn’t see the hurt in my eyes.
“Deal?” He asked, holding out his hand. I already made one deal with him already and he tricked me into it. Should I really trust him again?
Desperate for my wolf to return to me and secretly hoping he would change his mind, I take his hand.
Because I’m nothing more than a stupid fool.
“Deal.”
*****
“I’m not doing this because I want to. I’m doing this because I have to.” Brandon muttered under his breath as he took the empty desk next to me in math class.
Sofia shot me a dirty look and flipped her hair over her shoulder, exposing her tan skin. Quick fact, we were once good friends a very long time ago. We were both tomboys and always had races during recess. We were always in the same class in elementary school, and still up to the end of fifth grade. Until seventh grade, when she started wearing makeup and hanging out with different people.
She changed and became someone she wasn’t.
I seriously wanted to bite her. But I took a deep breath, and tried to concentrate on the lesson.
Which was pretty hard when my heart beat was louder than the teacher talking. God, the moon goddess must hate me or something.
If there was any chance, any chance at all for my wolf to come back, I’d take it. I needed to get through this.
So I was basically stuck in this hell.
“I’m stuck in the same place,” Brandon muttered, leaning towards my ear.
Did I just say that out loud?
“No, it’s the mate bond.” He shook his head.
I stiffened, forgetting that mates knew what the other was thinking. Except Brandon was blocking his thoughts from me so I had no idea what he was thinking. What did he think about me?
Wait, why was I thinking about him?
I wasn’t.
Why did I care about what he thought of me?
I didn’t.
But I did have one question. I whispered it to him by accident, my mind wandering everywhere. Will we ever be normal mates?
His eyes darkened. “Never.”
He didn’t talk to me again.
My head says one thing but heart says another. Which one should I listen to?
*****
It wasn’t long before Albert called me. He rarely used his phone, since he hated technology and was super old fashioned. He was also very stubborn when it came to learning how to use one.
Me on the other hand. . .
“So, you finally figured out how to use a phone? Or you already knew how to use one but didn’t bother to call me.” I greeted bitterly. I was rarely mad at my brother since he was the only family I had left. But I was still mad about being kicked out.
I was so done with being left out. All I wanted was to be needed. Was that too much to ask for?
“I need you home.”
Those were the only words I thought he’d never say.
I was elated, smiling from ear to ear. I looked down at the ground, to make sure that I hadn’t flown away.
Until I remember the deal I made with Brandon.
I couldn’t leave him! Not when I just talked out a deal with him. I needed more time. . .
“But Albert-”
“It’s easier to watch you when you’re near. If Brandon’s pack is planning something, it’ll be easier to see if you’re close.”
“But-” I need to stay here!
“Brandon’s pack hasn’t done anything. No hunting, no crossing the boundary, no attacking our wolves,” Albert explained and he sounded frustrated, like he wanted Brandon to attack to get it over with.
“That’s because-” Brandon’s here at my school and not commanding his pack to attack! That’s why he hasn’t been doing anything you moron!
“I don’t trust him.” Would he stop interrupting me? Why won’t he listen to me?
“Stop interrupting me!” I screamed at him and he finally stopped trying to talk over me.
“For once, listen to me.”
“I am listening!”
“I want to stay here. My friends are here.” An outright lie but Albert couldn’t see my face, which was in my favor. I was a fail at lying.
It’s ironic really because Albert originally sent me away so I wouldn’t be found by hunters or enemy wolves, especially Brandon’s.
But Brandon’s here, which defeats the whole purpose.
“Last time I saw you, you wanted to come home. What’s changed?”
“I found my mate!” I blurted and covered my mouth instantly. Crap.
I walked around my room, pacing. No way I could take back what I said.
“Who? Who is it?” Albert demanded.
“Later,” I failed at changing the topic, “Give me a week.” Because I’m a weak, stupid girl.
“Fine. One week. Then you’re coming home.”
Albert hung up on me.
I threw the phone across the room and screamed at the top of my lungs.