Ch.7 Chapter 6 - Rejected Lovers

Chapter Six - Running Wild

I grab my backpack and swing it over my shoulder before slamming my locker shut. I had forgotten my book for art and had to rush back during the five minutes we are provided with to get to our next class. I walk into the room and smile brightly when I spot Leon. He waves me over and I take a seat beside him just as the teacher, Mrs Samuels, walks in. She starts the lesson by giving us a new project to work on which is to be completed before the Christmas holidays.

"You all have to submit a portrait of your partner, who is sitting beside you." She states and I'm relieved that I'm going to be working with someone I know. "I also want a short summary on your choice of colors, background and media used. All portraits are to be submitted during the last class right before term ends. Any questions?"

Some students raise their hands while Leon turns to me. "Do you want to start on it after school and get it out of the way quicker?"

"Sure, I'll meet you at the pack house?" I smile as he nods in agreement.

"Yeah, I'll be in the study room." He replies and I make a mental note to meet him there.

The rest of the class flies by in a blur and so does the afternoon. Thankfully, Scarlett doesn't bother me again. In fact, I don't see her at all today so I assume she took a day off to heal from the wounds and bruises Arcadia gave her. I wouldn't want to be on her bad side that's for sure!

At the end of the day, Leon walks up to my locker with Emilia and soon Arcadia and Elias join as well before we all leave the school. We take the same car back to the pack house and I follow Leon into the study room so that we can get started on our project. I take out my sketchbook and pens since I will be drawing him in black and white instead of painting. But I notice that he's going to be using oil pastels which I find slightly trickier to work with.

"Ugh, I look terrible." I mumble as I try and fix my hair blindly.

"Shut it! You're beautiful!" He chuckles and I roll my eyes playfully in response. "Oh! Hello, Alpha Bauer."

Leon bows his head slightly which makes me turn. Atticus stands by the door with his hands in the pocket of his slacks. His hair is disheveled as if he ran his hand through it numerous times. The top two buttons of his shirt are open and reveal a peek of his golden tanned skin underneath.

"Hi Atticus!" I smile but it falters when I notice the dark and cold look in his eyes. "Is everything okay?"

"Fine." He mutters with a stiff nod before leaving without another word.

"I wonder what's wrong..." I trail off as I watch his retreating back before he disappears from the room.

"Maybe he's stressed or just tired?" Leon suggests distractedly as he rummages for something in his bag.

I nod but am still confused over his behavior throughout the evening. Leon and I decide to finish the rest of our homework in the study room together before I leave for dinner. I have only perfected the outline and placed some of his features so the next time we meet I'll be working on detailing it a bit more. I make my way back to the Bauer house before running upstairs to get changed into more casual clothes. Putting on my sweatpants and a hoodie I make my way down to the dining room where everyone except Atticus is present.

I frown as I take my seat as the food is served. Vasilia asks Tobias where Atticus is in a low murmur and I hear him say that he's finishing up some work and will be done late. His behavior earlier plays in my mind like a broken record and I find myself lost in my thoughts throughout the entire meal.

"Olivia dear, do you not like the food?" I hear Tobias ask and look up to find everyone's eyes now trained on me.

Blushing in embarrassment I give him a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry. I'm just not that hungry I guess."

"Well, there's always leftovers in the fridge if you feel like eating later okay?" Vasilia smiles warmly at me and I nod before everyone finishes.

Tobias and Vasilia head to the pack house to meet with some friends while Elias disappears into the gaming room. Arcadia grumbles about having an essay to complete for her English class and I chuckle at her miserable expression. She sticks her tongue out at me cheekily before running up the stairs.

I decide to check on Atticus and make my way through the hallways to his office. I knock on the door and hear his muffled reply to enter. Opening the door, I peek inside and see him standing by the window. His arms are crossed over his chest as he gazes out at his territory but I can see that his body is coiled tightly like a spring. He mood still seems off.

"Are you done with work?" I ask nervously as I step into the room and close the door.

"Yes." He replies but doesn't turn to face me.

"Is everything okay, Atticus?" My voice is soft as I make my way over to him.

"Everything is fine. Why do you ask?" He questions firmly but his eyes never meet mine as I stand beside him.

"You didn't seem like yourself earlier." I frown in confusion as I realize he's still acting cold.

"It's just work." He sighs heavily before turning to walk away.

I catch his wrist to stop him. He stiffens before facing me and I can't decipher the emotions running wild in his honey eyes. I know his change in behavior isn't because he's stressed about work but I don't want to ruin his mood even further by pushing him.

"Well, I was going for a run. Do you want to come with me?" I ask hopefully and watch the tension leave his body.

He nods with a small smile. "Alright."

I grin widely before taking his hand and pulling him to the door. He chuckles at my excitement and I can feel Jade yipping happily in my mind at the thought of running again. It's been weeks since I last let her out.

We make our way outside and into the woods before deciding on a spot to change our clothes and shift. I feel Jade stretch and shake her fur before bounding ahead. Atticus' wolf, Xander, follows behind and quickly catches up to me.

Jade jumps up and nips at his ear playfully before racing through the woods. The sound of Xander's growl echoing behind us spurs her on as she sprints to avoid him nipping at her legs. He chases her around the lake and just when he pounces she darts to the side. A bark escapes him as he falls head first into the water before shooting up onto the grass with an angry snarl. Jade prances around smugly which doesn't last long as Xander lunges for her and is successful this time in pinning her down to the ground.

She growls loudly and thrashes underneath him but he cuts her off with a warning growl. Keeping her pinned to the ground he rests his head on top of Jade's and with a defeated huff, she submits and relaxes underneath him. They remain silent as they listen to the sounds of nature around them in the quiet night. Owls hoot from their hiding places and some rabbits scurry across the woods in the distance.

Jade instantly perks up at the sound of the small creatures and escapes Xander's lax hold. She prowls forward with Xander following behind as she figures out where her prey is. Lowering her body until her belly grazes the ground she manages to spot a few of them and moves closer.

But just as she's about to go for the kill Xander jumps over her and catches two rabbits immediately. Jade growls angrily as the others run away before turning and walking away. Xander runs in front of her and drops the rabbits at her feet with a low whine. His golden eyes are filled with innocent confusion as he stares down at her which makes her huff before accepting the food.

She starts to eat before noticing that Xander is only watching her. Taking the other rabbit into her mouth she drops it in front of him before nudging his snout. He nuzzles her cheek in thanks before eating along with her. After, they walk back to the lake to drink some water before I ask Jade to give control back to me.

She runs behind the tree where my spare clothes were left. I shift and quickly put them on while hearing Atticus do the same somewhere nearby. Putting my hair up into a ponytail I walk up to him as he stands waiting for me. Looping my arm through his I sigh lightly as we begin to make our way back to the house.

"I didn't know how much I needed that." He chuckles which makes me smile up at him. "Thanks, Livi."

"No problem." I murmur happily as I look up at the night sky twinkling with the brightest stars and the silver moonlight shining down on us. "I'm glad it helped."

He sighs as he intertwines our hands. "I'm sorry for how rudely I was acting earlier."

"It's okay. Do you want to talk about it?"

"No." He smiles but I know it's fake. "I'll figure it out."

"Just take care of yourself, okay? You need to eat something too, you completely missed dinner." I frown as we enter the quiet house.

"I'm sure missing one meal wouldn't kill me." He chuckles and stares at me in amusement as I gesture for him to sit. "Olivia..."

With a stern look and a hush, I grab the leftovers and put a large serving onto a plate for him before warming it up. He smiles widely and his honey eyes twinkle with something unknown when I place the food in front of him yet he makes no move to eat.

"What are you waiting for? Eat up."

"Yes, ma'am." He grins boyishly before picking up his spoon. "Did you have dinner?"

"A little yeah." I nod my head as I move to sit on the chair beside him.

I squeal in surprise when I'm grabbed by my hips and placed on his lap. My cheeks flame in embarrassment as he holds out a spoonful to my lips. I frown up at him and he stares back stubbornly. Sighing, I take a bite before grabbing the spoon off him and feeding him. He won't be able to do anything when I have it!

"You're going to help me finish this." He states firmly as he manages to snatch the utensil off me.

"Atticus!" I groan when he holds me tighter as I try to get up. "You're so stubborn!"

I feel his chest vibrate against me as he laughs before feeling his hot breath fan my ear. "You love it."

I shake my head as a small smile blooms across my lips. He notices and laughs louder before pecking my cheek softly. And I spend the rest of the evening failing to fight the strong headed Alpha but also hoping he could hold me in his comforting embrace forever.

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