Chapter 13: I promised...
I was shaken up to say the least. Andrew and Tony had left yesterday after dinner to stay over at a friend's house so I was able to wake up to my alarm clock rather than their morning pranks. But Kegan was home and this threat was still very much real.
Jayden had said that I wouldn't have to face my pack alone at school but I didn't see him in the morning and his car was not in the garage when I went to get my bike.
I was seated in the quad under a tree. The leaves had started to change colour but the remnants of summer still lingered due to the heat. I had my book open on my lap when I began to notice people looking my way but when I looked up instead of doing the usually snicker or laugh they hid their faces from me.
I read two chapters sitting under the shade of the tree when a pair of girls walked up to me. They looked familiar and when the more dominant one of the pair spoke I remembered it was the same girl who gave me advice about mates.
"There is talk about someone dating you. We know it's all a lie but we had to hear it from you." she said flipping her hair over her shoulder. She ducked her head low as we were sharing secrets,
"I know how you feel about mates and all but it's sad you would make up a fake boyfriend."
She gave me a wicked look daring me to prove her wrong. The people around us were beginning to openly pay attention to me and some were giving me pity looks. I guess she spread the word about me pretending to have a boyfriend.
Well she had another thing coming.
"I do have a boyfriend."
I said and without giving her another chance to humiliate me like before, I walked away brushing my shoulder against hers.
I held my head high and didn't crumble under anyone's stare. I had better and more serious things to worry about in life. I walked to my last class and I felt my phone vibrate.
The screen read, Jayden C.
"How do you have my number?" I asked answering it.
"Alpha Neal gave it to me." he said and I could hear people talking in the background.
"Where are you?"
"At your school, what are you doing now?" he said.
"I have my last class then I'm done for the day." I said wondering what he was up to.
"Where is it?" he said quickly.
"Lincoln Hall. Why?" I asked walking up to the building.
"See you there." he said and ended the call.
What?
I walked into the lecture theatre. I was one of the last few students to arrive so that meant every single person's eyes were on me.
Does she really have a boyfriend?
Who would date her? Just look at her body!
I think the guy must be desperate.
She must be an easy lay.
All these comments flooded into my mind through the pack link. I knew how to exclude myself from the link so I could hear everyone but they never knew I could.
It was a blessing but majority of the time it was a curse.
"Hey cutie, who you looking for?" I heard the sultry voice of the girl from before.
"My girlfriend" he said and I turned around hearing that distinct voice. His eyes were on me but he stood in front of her and said, "she has beautiful brown hair that if you don't look close enough it would look black. She has the most breathtaking and honest hazel eyes that I can look into all day. She has a kind and innocent heart that I plan to spoil. Plus a killer body."
He smirked and winked before turning back to the blond girl and asking, "Have you seen her?"
"No" she huffed and sat back down with her friends who were scowling him.
I remained standing with a silly smile on my face. He walked to me and the whispers grew as they realised he was walking to me.
"Hey Angel. I missed you." He said and ducked his head towards me for a soft kiss. He sucked on my bottom lip and pulled away. I heard the gasps and the conversations begin all around us.
We sat down and he rested his arm on the back of my seat. During class he just sat and played with my fingers. I didn't even try to pay attention because Jayden was a very good distraction. Class ended and he led me to his car that was parked over at the main entrance of the campus.
"Sorry I was late, I was asking your father for something." he said smiling at me as he opened my door.
I pulled my eyebrows together silently asking him about what when he walked around to the driver's side.
"I asked him if I could date my mate."
My eyes shot open and I turned my body to face him, "You what?"
"He was asking me if any male wolves showed an attraction towards you. He wanted to take a trip to another neighbouring pack to see if you would find your mate. I couldn't just sit and talk about a matchmaking trip for my mate." He looked at me and without blinking and firmly said, "You are mine, Angel, as I am yours."
I let out a long breath and sat back, "I guess the cat is out of the bag."
I opened the front door and before I could close the door behind me I heard Kate yell,
"You found your MATE!" she came running to me and pulled me into a huge hug. I hugged her back but her hold on my neck was borderline painful.
"C-can't breathe."
"Oh, sorry dear. It's just that my baby girl is growing up so soon." I looked at her and I could see tears forming in her eyes. I opened my mouth to say something but she cut me off and said, "Your father wants to talk to you both. He is in his office."
I walked to the closed door and knocked. We heard a muffled 'come in' and Jayden opened the door for me. I walked inside and took a seat on one of the chairs. Jayden stood behind me and rested his hands on the back of my chair.
"Jayden told me something very interesting this afternoon." Alpha Neal started. He looked at me and his eyes were turned down slightly, "Why did you hide it from me?"
"I was scared." I said but I didn't say of who and of what.
"I called you both here because I want to know that you both have been honest with each other." Alpha Neal said and from his eyes I could tell exactly what he meant.
"I know about Layla's past and that she did not have her first shift. But that doesn't change how I feel about her." Jayden said from behind me.
"I'm glad to hear that. Layla is my daughter and I care for her as if she was my own. Knowing that, I warn you that if you hurt her in anyway, you will have me to deal with." Alpha Neal said giving Jayden a hard look.
"Yes Alpha, I promise you to that I will never hurâ"
The door flew open and hit the back of the wall dropping some of the pictures that were hung up.
"You have a fucking Mate!?"
I turned around to see Kegan standing with his hand against the door.
"Watch who you are talking to son I am tired of your unnecessary outbursts. Leave while you still can and come back once you have come to your senses." Alpha Neal said in a firm voice.
"This isn't unnecessary. She is lying about her mate. She isn't even a full werewolf! You have always favoured and listened to her over your own. I won't stand by and let her walk all over us again. You made that mistake of bringing her home seven years ago and I have waited until the day I can get rid of her!" he said and slammed his hand against the desk.
"You are stepping out of line here Kegan! Go outside before I do something I'll regret." Alpha Neal yelled holding off from using his Alpha voice just yet.
"She comes back with a mate when you left her for a few days. Isn't that a little too convenient? And her mate happens to be a wolf who conspired against his pack. How much a fool can you be father!? She is toying with your emotions!" he yelled. His eyes were changing colour and his breathing was deeper.
He looked at Jayden and asked, "What are you getting out if it? Is she using her body? Trust me man it's not worth it. She was weak seven years ago when she watched her parents die and she isâ"
Jayden lunged towards him and punched him square in the nose. He stagger back but ran into Jayden pushing him back into the desk.
"Jayden!" I screamed and ran to him. I tried to shield Jayden from him and Alpha Neal moved towards Kegan.
"Get away from him!" I yelled at Kegan but his hand came up and stuck my cheek. I fell to the side and I heard Jayden growl. Alpha Neal ripped him off of Jayden and punched him in the gut. He fell back against the wall and Jayden wrapped his hand around his neck holding him up against the wall.
"Don't you ever touch my mate!" he said through clenched teeth. His eyes were dark black and his warm grey green eyes were long gone. His nails resembled claws and his voice had turned animal-like.
"Layla can you please leave us." Alpha Neal said curtly.
Tears stung my eyes but I refused to cry and show pain. I walked out and saw Kate standing outside. In the back I saw Andrew and Tony sitting on the couch, looking at me with embarrassment written on their faces. She made an attempt to approach me but I turned the corner and went up to my room. I opened the door and sat down my bed. One traitor tear fell down my cheek. I could feel my cheek start to tingle and I knew it would bruise. I could heal myself but it felt wrong to hide what Kegan had done for his sake. I wanted for it to heal on its own.
I laid back on my bed and shut my eyes. I could hear the muffled voices from downstairs but I only wanted to hear one voice and that was my mate's telling me it would be alright. Holding me when I felt I would break down any minute. I took a deep breath in and let it out.
I felt a cloth press against my mouth. My eyes shot open in fear. I struggled against the stranger's hold but I was held down. I felt my body go lax and my hands dropped to my sides.
"Layla, I promised I would come find you again."
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