Chapter 2. Lost.

Sweat trickled down my temples as I slammed the locker shut. I felt like I was going to pass out in a matter of seconds.  

“Who would take it?” I whispered, my voice trembling. “There isn’t anyone else who I know has my locker combination but me and Clara, which is my birthday.”

Her wolf scolded her in her mind: Wrong choice, girl. It would be easy to open your locker if they knew you well enough…  

Shut up, Xienna, you’re not helping! I irritably snapped back.

I turned to my friend in slight panic, “Clara, can you do me a favor?”

Her reply was immediate, “Anything for you, bestie.”

“Can you get any kind of pain medicine from the school clinic?” I requested in an agitated tone as I took out my mobile from my dress’ deep pocket. “Anything strong will do. Just tell them that I’m in too much pain to get to the clinic myself.”

“But those meds are for humans. Will those work for you?”

“Not sure but they will have to do for now.”

“Okay, Naya. Just text me where you’ll be when I get those pain killers,” Clara shouted, since she was already running down the school hall towards the small but completely-furnished clinic.

I watched her disappear from sight before hurriedly dialing Sabrina’s number as I sprinted toward the school’s parking lot that was behind the main building. Each ring felt like an eternity, but the call went to voicemail. Where the hell was she? I understood she was the pack’s doctor and probably busy, but family always came first, right? 

“Pick up, Sabrina!” I yelled, hitting redial. Nothing.  

Just then my phone beeped. I text message has pushed through. I quickly checked it and saw my best friend’s number…

The message flashing on my mobile’s screen: “Bestie, I’m sorry but they won’t allow me to take the meds to you because it’s school regulation to release drugs without being examined first. It’s either you come here to be checked then drink what they will give you or I bring our school doctor to you so he can diagnose you.”

Frustration bubbled within me. I needed to get out of there. With the few gazes lingering on me, I would eventually run out of options and wolf out.  

As I turned the corner, I collided with someone… hard. I stumbled back, my head snapping up to meet a pair of surprised hazel eyes.  

“Whoa, easy there,” the young man said, steadying me with a firm grip.  

His scent hit my nostrils, and I felt my wolf whisper, “Mate…”  

No, it couldn’t be! I gave him a once over. He looked like any typical broad-shouldered young man in his early 20’s. His hair was a muddy dark brown and he was slightly tanned. Judging from his hairy and brawny arms, he was very hirsute underneath his beige sports shirt and jeans jacket. He strongly smelled of the fresh woods and waterfalls right after a storm, overwhelming me with it. For a moment, I was trapped in his hazel eyes, my heartbeat quickening.  

“I... I’m sorry,” I stammered, pulling away from his grasp. “I didn’t mean to hit you.” 

“You’re burning up, miss,” he said, his brow furrowing and stepping nearer, bridging the distance between us. “Are you okay?”  

I shook my head slowly, unable to find the strength to reply.  

“What’s happening to you?” he asked in concern, his voice softening. “You’re a wolf, aren’t you?”  

My eyes widened. “How did you kno~”  

“I can smell it,” he answered simply. “And the heat radiating off you isn’t normal. Do you need suppressants?”  

“Yes, yes,” I said immediately without a moment’s hesitation.  

He placed a hand into one of his jacket pockets, pulling out a small bottle of suppressant. I gasp in relief as I snatched the bottle from him, instantly opening it and pouring the pills into my hand.  

He watched me with surprise as I swallowed the pills hastily as if my life depended on it. And maybe it did. I didn’t give a damn of whatever he thought, nor anyone else for that matter. I just wanted to prevent myself from morphing and raping somebody just to ease my heat . 

“Thank you,” I whispered gratefully, as I returned the empty bottle to him while I felt my body slowly reverting back to its original state. 

A small smile tugged at his cupid bow lips as he mumbled, “Don't mention it. I'm Kieran,by the way.” as he held his free hand out to me while he slipped the small plastic back container back into his pocket with the other one.

However, before I could respond, the sudden screeching of tires caught my attention. I looked at the vehicle that was on idle beside us. It was Sabrina…

Perfect timing, don't you think?

“Naya!” she yelled, rushing out of the car from the passenger’s side as her boyfriend Seth carefully parked his black Toyota Sedan nearer to me and my sister. “We’ve been looking for you in your school and we couldn’t find you.” 

She looked worried, deep anxiety lining her voice. Sabrina had always been the one in my family to sense whenever I was in trouble. It helped that she was our pack's doctor as well. Her mate, Seth, stepped out of the parked vehicle, his green eyes locking with my blue ones for a brief moment. 

“Are you alright? I felt something was wrong and I…” 

My sister then paused, shifting her gaze to Kieran. Her lips folded as if she was going to say something that was a bit awkward and was thinking of how to properly phrase it. 

“He…He helped me,” I mumbled, breaking the uncomfortable silence. “It’s because of him that I’m ok now, sister.” 

“Nice to know you, Naya,” Kieran remarked with a friendly wave as he slowly strode away, in a self-confident and almost cocky manner. “See you again, soon. Take care.”

Sabrina's gaze lingered on his retreating form until he can no longer be seen from the parking lot. Then, she looked back at me to soothingly instruct me, Seth now silently standing by her side.

“Get into the car, girl,” my older sibling said with a hint or urgency in her voice. “We need to talk…”