Chapter Four

Struggle:

Jace leaned over his desk, his eyes shut squeezing his hands into it. He could feel the wood giving under his hands. A map laid out in front of him. All little red markers on it, a total of ten now. He was trying to focus down his anger. The office door creaked open and Dante walked in. Jace knew who it was before the door was even opened. There were only two people who would just walk in his office without waiting to be approved. Dante and Wyatt. Jace’s ice blue snapped open staring down whoever walked in. Dante threw his hands up  a smirk on his face.

‘I come in peace.” Dante said, trying to lighten the very heavy mood.

Jace grunted but didn't respond. He looked back over the map, trying to find a pattern or something that would make sense. All he saw was Kip’s madness.

“How many now?” Dante asked quietly, coming to Jace’s side.

“Ten. Ten mindless attacks.” Jace said letting go of the sides of the desk

Dante’s eyes scanned over the map. Next to the map were newspaper articles stacked ontop of each other. The top page headline was “Animal attacks on the raise.” Dante frowned. He looked over the desk and raised an eyebrow to Jace. Jace saw him scan the desk and sighed.

“If I can't stop this, I will have to go to the council. I am building my case.” Jace explained walking to the window and looking out it.

“The council.” Dante repeated distaste in his mouth.

“Yes.” Jace said, gritting his teeth.

Dante was quiet, he hated the council, they were a bunch of power hungry wolves who thought they were better than everyone else. Dante let out a small sigh as he wondered why Jace was trying to figure out a pattern to this, Kip was insane and everyone knew it. His own pack knew it but they ethier enjoyed it or were too terrified to do anything about it.

“Set up a meeting with Kip, neutral territory.” Jace said the word sounded exhausting coming out of his mouth, as if it was one of the hardest things for him to say.

“What?” Dante asked, his ears had to be hearing wrong.

“Don't make me repeat myself.” Jace growled.

“Yes Alpha.” Dante answered quietly.

He was going to argue about how it was useless, that Kip was never going to listen to reason but he wasn't going to question his Alpha any further. Jace didn't say anything else and Dante quietly left the room. Jace paced back and forth in front of the window for a moment. He was restless, his wolf was restless. He needs to escape. He glanced down at his watch debating. He could go for a quick run. It would relax his mind and relax his wolf.

 The hallway began to fill with people. Nora shuddered as she tried to make it through the crowd. She felt like a ping pong ball as she bounced off one person to the next. Each one making some rude comment as she tried to hold her own. She pushed her way through until she was finally out of the hall. She leaned up against the wall panic setting in as she looked around. She felt like a cornered animal looking for a way out. She pressed her back further into the wall trying to stay far away from everyone passing. She glanced in the direction of the lunch room it was so close but so far away. She inhaled deeply and shut her eyes, tuning the noise out. The world around her went silent as she focused on her breathing. Her breathing slowed and she felt better. As she opened her eyes the halls were empty. She let out a sigh of relief as she stepped away from the wall. The school was quiet with the only noise coming from the cafeteria. Shaking, she put her brave face on and walked to the cafeteria. She took a deep breath pausing in the doorway of it. She never used to be like this. She didn't feel overwhelmed in any situation. She used to live for the thrill of competing in front of thousands of people for cheer but now she panics at a handful of kids her own age. I should just leave. She thought about withdrawing her foot from the entrance.

“Nora!” Joel's voice called to her as he began making his way over to her.

Nora relaxed a little bit even though every inch of her wanted to run and flee the school. She watches Joel walk to her. She forced a small smile on her face to let him know she was fine. Joel frowned at the smile as he got closer.

“So I know that's fake but we're going to ignore it. You're still here and making it through the day so you need to be proud of yourself right now.” Joel said, nudging her.

“If you say so.” Nora shrugged, she wasn't proud of anything lately.

“Shut up. Let's go get food. I am starving.” Joel smiled, looping his arm into hers and pulling her into the cafeteria.

She wasn't hungry, she was fighting the urge to nervously vomit off and on all day but she followed Joel. He escorted her over to the line and handed her a red tray. Nora grasped the red tray in hands , probably holding onto it more tightly then she should have. Jole moved in the lunch line and began placing  his food on his tray. Nora was up next and the lunch id gave her a look. Nora looked over the food, her stomach grumbled but still felt nauseous. Her eyes settled on the grilled cheese and fries. Without saying anything she pointed to it. The lunch aide nodded and took her tray. In  a few seconds Nora had her tray back, her sandwich and fries. Joel swiped his card at the check out spot twice. Nora already knew before she could get up there to stop him that he was paying for her food. She sighed giving him a look as she reached him. He flashed her a smile and began walking. Nora followed him. He paused scanning the lunch room. It was still very much like high school. The cheerleaders sat together eyeing the football players that were literally the next table over. The smart kids all sat towards the front of the lunchroom. The rebels in the very back corner. Nora looked around the room and realized she didn't fit in anywhere anymore. Joel nudged her, telling her to follow him. She slowly began walking after him. He made his way towards the left side of the cafeteria, Nora following slowly behind him. She kept her eyes locked on the ground as she made her way over. She saw Joel settle by the window and she smiled. Just as she was about to reach the table someone bumped into her.

The grilled cheese came toppled into her. The fries scattered to the ground and a loud smash was heard. The ketchup bottle smashed into the ground. The ketchup spilled all over the ground , a large red puddle pouring out of the bottle. Nora froze, staring at the ketchup on the ground. It looked like Blood. The tray fell out of her hands as an image of her parents sitting on the couch flashed through her mind. Then James. She began to shake, backing away from the ketchup.

“Nora?” The person said quietly that bumped into her.

Nora’s eyes flashed up to Brad. The last person she needed to see right now.  Brad was the captain of the football team and her ex boyfriend. The first thing he did  after her parents died was break up with her. He said he couldn't handle the rollercoaster of emotion she had turned into. Her eyes filled up with tears as she looked back down at the ketchup spill.  She let the red tray fall from her hands as she backed away from the mess. James vacant eyes stared back at her from the red puddle. 

“I can't do this.” She whispered before she turned and ran out.

“Nora.” Brad called after her.

“Shut up Brad.” Joel said, rushing by him, throwing his shoulder into Brad as she went by.

“What the Fuck.” Brad yelled angrily at Joel’s back.

Nora ran out into the hall heading to the closest exit. Her lungs burning as she raced down the hall, her eyes locked on the door to the outside. She needed air, she needed outside, she needed to be anywhere but here. 

“Nora No, not that door.” Joel yelled at her back.

It was too late Nora crashed into the door and pushed it open. As soon as she pushed the door open a siren began to sound. Nora didn't realize it but she busted through the fire exit. The fire alarms began to sound. Nora cringed but it was too late for her to do anything about it. She didn't care at that point anymore. She ran down the steps of the school, looking around for some place to disappear to. She spotted the woods just beyond the parking lot. She didn't know why it sounded like the best place to be right now but it did. She took off running as the students and teachers began exiting the school. She raced towards the woods like her life depending on it. She just wanted to disappear.