Chapter Four
Ihaven't really spoken to the idiots I live with since that fight with my father.
I've ignored everyone for the last two days.
Amelia would be proud. Since I've been in a quiet, pissed off state, I'm surprised when today hits me.
I wake up and sit in bed staring at the wall for a good ten minutes after realising it's my eighteenth birthday.
Worry eats me up inside, thinking of what could happen.
Mate. That's what my mind is going to. I know I've always belittled the thought of meeting my mate but now that the day is here, it's astounding.
It has just become real. I can actually meet my mate.
I have negative thoughts about today, though.
Nothing good has ever happened to me. I am not expecting anything different from today.
My mind starts racing like crazy, weird thoughts shooting through every nerve that's connected in my head.
I don't realise an hour passes by. I shake my head to rid it of the thoughts, but they're still there.
I stand up and go to the bathroom. Not sensing anyone in the house, I let out a sigh of relief, knowing I'm alone.
After taking off my clothes and looking in the mirror, I try to remove myself from my mind and perceive myself as a guy would.
My hair is a wavy mess but the colour is pretty; a chocolate and caramel balayage.
The caramel looks like highlights but it's natural.
Just like my wolf, my hair is different colour shades.
My wolf has patches of brown, covering my ears and back region mostly.
A dirty white fur covers most of my body but in such a way that's toned by a light brown.
My eyes are amber, more enhanced in my wolf form.
I have pale skin, a light creamy colour.
My breasts are perky, my waist slim, a slender figure.
My body may be considered a nice body type but the bruises have left their mark.
Instead of milky white skin, half my torso is covered in purple blemishes.
I close my eyes and let out a shaky sigh, hating to look at what my body has become. Why can't it just heal already!
I get in the shower and decide to have a long one since no one’s here.
I look up, letting the water drizzle over my face.
After soaping my body up and deep conditioning my hair, I wash off and get out.
As much as that shower was encasing me in warmth and comfort, I know I'm already late for school.
After drying off my hair and getting dressed, I fill my bag up with snacks even though I'm not hungry and then head to school.
The parking lot is peaceful when I arrive, no hooligans messing around like every morning.
I make my way through the school to the office since I need to sign in given it's halfway through first period.
A scent floods through my nose making me halt and freeze in my stance.
A citrus essence, like the clean 'fresh out of the shower' aroma.
I look around but don't see anyone. Everyone's in class.
My feet stay planted in place as the scent gets stronger.
Someone walks around the corner rapidly then goes stiff when their eyes meet mine.
I'm staring into the glorious electric blue eyes of Joel Lewis.
His perfect appearance really hits me in the face at this moment, his dark brown spiky styled hair, his flawless fair skin, his athletic body.
But when I study his face, he looks remarkably unsettled.
“Babe, come on. I thought we were ditching.” Jenna appears out of nowhere and clings her arms around his neck. He turns to her for a quick second before staring back at me. Then he faces her.
“I got to go to the bathroom. I'll meet you at our secret spot.” He smiles at her but still looks unsettled. She nods and kisses his lips before walking away. All I can do is stand and watch. When she's out of sight, he walks over to me. “Elora, right?”
I don't think my voice will work so I just nod.
“You're my mate.” He scratches the back of his head, not even looking the slightest amount as confident as he usually is. “You know I'm with Jenna.”
“I... I know,” I stammer, not sure what I should even say.
“We aren't going to happen. Jenna is mine and I'm not losing her.” Joel’s words slice through me. I close my eyes trying not to let this affect me. “Elora,” he calls so I look back into his eyes.
“Just do it,” my voice is the softest it's ever been. You can hear the ultimate defeat in my voice.
“I, Joel Lewis, reject you, Elora...” He fumbles and looks embarrassed by not knowing my last name.
“Raines,” I give in, wanting this to be over.
“I reject you, Elora Raines.”
The ties break. The anguish surging through my heart is unbearable.
My body feels it too. I think this is worse than the beatings I get.
I physically can't move. My mind goes crippled and not a coherent thought can find its way through.
By the time I can breathe again, Joel is gone.
I go straight to my car and sit there. I was expecting rejection.
I was. But that was the most inhumane experience I've suffered.
That cannot be predicted. Whatever fight I've ever had in me, it's completely crushed now.