Chapter Four

Jane woke up and looked at the gray sky. She had forgotten to close her curtains the previous night and she shivered slightly as she looked at the thick clouds. The day looked bleak and the dark clouds matched Jane’s mood.

She was quiet during breakfast and she was glad that her mother didn’t push her for conversation. She had probably spoken to her father the previous night. Jane didn’t want to think about it anymore and she was actually relieved when she heard the twins in the foyer.

Autumn was upon them and Jane could see the change in the leaves on the trees lining the streets. Gold and rust coloured leaves blew in the wind and Jane remained huddled in the backseat of the SUV as she drove to school with Reid and Ryan.

Reid kept glancing in the rearview mirror as he drove and Jane could feel his gaze burning into her. She wouldn’t acknowledge him by looking up and she pretended not to notice. Ryan was looking out of his window and for once the two brothers didn’t talk up a storm.

Reid parked the car and turned to look at Jane but she already had her door open and literally ran across the parking lot and into the school building. She had so many conflicting emotions going through her and she really had no interest in their bullying today.

She found Freya by her locker and smiled as she leaned forward, a little out of breath. Freya turned and Jane held up her hand, asking for a moment to stabilize her breathing. Freya huffed out a laugh and she heard a locker door slam shut.

“A little bird told me that tomorrow’s your birthday. Why didn’t you tell me?”

Jane straightened up and looked at Freya. “It’s not a big deal.”

“Not a big deal! You’re turning eighteen and who knows, maybe your mate’s in this school! I’ve never witnessed an imprinting before. Oh, I hope your mate’s here and you smell him before school! It would be so awesome!”

Jane could only laugh at Freya’s words. It was precisely what she needed to take her mind off her birthday, even if that was all Freya could talk about. She was twirling a lock of her hair around her finger as she dreamily described the way Jane’s mate would sweep her off her feet.

Jane went to class as Freya kept talking and shook her head as she disappeared into the class. The time went by quickly and before she knew it, the lunch bell had rung. She made her way to the cafeteria and immediately saw Sebastian. He stood in line with two trays and turned towards the cashier to pay.

“Here, I got you lunch.”

“Thanks Sebastian.” Jane felt touched by his generosity and took the tray from him.

They walked to an empty table and sat down across from each other. Jane looked around for Freya and was glad that Sebastian was there. Freya normally spent her lunch hour in the library with her packed lunch. At least now she didn’t have to eat alone, Sebastian was there.

“Can I ask you something?” Sebastian looked nervous and fidgeted with a fry before eating it.

“Sure.”

“How do you know the Heiden twins? What’s the deal there with you living in their house?”

Jane swallowed the bite of the hamburger she just took and looked at Sebastian. She hoped her friendship with him wouldn’t end because of those two. “My mom’s marrying their dad.”

“You should be careful around them, they’re bad news Jane.”

“What do you mean, Sebastian?” Jane got the idea that this went further than just normal bullying.

“They’re the typical future Alpha twins. They take what they want and when they don’t get it, people get hurt or banished. They have no honour, Jane. They’re bullies and they use girls. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

Jane laughed nervously thinking back to that damn dream she’d had. “You don’t have to worry about me being used. They’re my future stepbrothers but only because of this wedding. I don’t like them, never have and never will. They’re immature assholes.”

Sebastian smiled as he looked at Jane. “I’m glad we can both agree on that.”

They ate their lunch and Jane became aware of Sebastian’s foot touching hers. Sebastian was looking at her, an emotion flickering across his eyes that she couldn’t quite describe or understand. She cleared her throat and moved her foot away.

“Do you want your present at school or should I come pick you up to give you your present?”

Jane looked up at Sebastian. “My present?”

“It’s your birthday tomorrow, isn’t it?”

Jane smiled then and nodded her head. “It is but you really don’t have to get me anything.”

They stood up with their empty trays and deposited them back on the counter with the other empty ones. The moment turned awkward and Sebastian looked a bit flustered. “We’re friends and that’s what friends do. They buy each other birthday gifts.”

Jane took a step backwards but bumped into someone. She turned around with dismay as Reid and Ryan stood there with two very beautiful girls by their sides. Reid was glaring at Sebastian and Jane turned her head slightly to watch Sebastian, he was also glaring at Reid.

“You shouldn’t mix with a nobody, little pup,” Reid said.

Ryan glanced at Sebastian, looking down his nose at him. “You only date guys from math club, huh?”

Jane turned to look at the twins. “What does that have to do with you?” The girl next to Ryan looked at Jane in disgust. She couldn’t remember which one she was, Clarissa or Roxanne. “As for mixing with a nobody, that’s why I don’t mingle with you two.”

The girl’s eyes widened slightly and she sneered at Jane. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

Jane had to admit that Ryan’s girlfriend was beautiful, but her bitchy attitude ruined everything. “Keep your toy on her leash, Ryan. Come on, Sebastian.”

Ryan’s hand gripped her wrist, almost painfully. “Be careful who you befriend. This low life isn’t someone you should be seen with as a Heiden.”

Jane ripped her wrist away from Ryan and stomped on his foot. “Leave me alone, Ryan! You’re the only low life here and I’ll never be a Heiden. I’m a Winters!”

Jane grabbed Sebastian’s hand and stormed out of the cafeteria. Reid was laughing and she could feel Ryan’s glare boring into her back. She exhaled with a loud ugh and then only realized she was still holding Sebastian’s hand.

“Remind me never to piss you off.”

Jane couldn’t help but laugh at Sebastian as he grinned at her. “I’m sorry, they’re just so infuriating.”

“It’s okay, Jane. Ryan was more than his normal asshole self today.”

Jane sighed audibly as they walked back to her locker. “I really don’t get what his problem is. I mean, I knew they were assholes but things seem worse than last year.”

Sebastian raised one eyebrow questioningly. “Last year? How long have you known them?”

“Last year they were in my previous high school for two semesters and they bullied me constantly, took my friends away and made me feel like I had leprosy, at least, that’s how everyone treated me.”

Sebastian looked down and shook his head. “I’m sorry that happened to you. They won’t ruin our friendship, I promise you that. They’re just your typical run of the mill future Alphas who think the world belongs to them.”

“What’s their deal with you?”

Sebastian smiled and tucked some of her stray hair behind her ear. “That’s a long story for another day, but let’s just say that we’ve never been friends.”

The bell rang then and Jane looked down the hall. Reid and Ryan stood on the other side at their lockers and were sending glares their way. Jane rolled her eyes, got her books from her locker and made her way to her next class.

The day dragged on but finally the school day was over. Jane smiled when she found Sebastian waiting for her on the steps. He took her backpack and smiled at her. “Come on, I’ll take you home. That’ll give you time to tell me everything you like and dislike.” 

Reid and Ryan watched Jane climb into Sebastian’s car and she could see Reid’s clenched fists. They drove behind them all the way home and she wondered why they were annoyed. They didn’t like her so why was her friendship with Sebastian bothering them so much?

For some reason she started to like to annoy them. If she had to live with them, she had to learn their ways. The previous year had been so different but here in the Midnight Pack, she felt braver, bolder and surer of herself.

After dinner, which had been tense and quiet, the twins taking turns to stare at her, Ryan mostly glaring but she had escaped as soon as she could and this time she remembered to take her phone. She didn’t want any reason to go out of her room and potentially run into one of them, or worse, both of them.

A knock on her door had Jane looking up, her heart suddenly beating erratically. “Jane?”

“Come in Mom.”

The door opened and Sarah stepped inside, worry creasing her brow. She closed the door behind her softly and sat down next to Jane on the bed. Sarah took Jane’s hand and then she smiled at her, a smile that only a mother could give, a smile filled with love.

“Is something wrong, Mom?”

“I’m just checking up on you. You’ve been so quiet since we moved in. I know it’s a big change and that things are different here. I guess, what I’m trying to say is that I just want you to be happy.” Sarah stroked Jane’s hair and she closed her eyes for a moment.

“I’m just glad you’re happy, Mom.”

“Your happiness matters too. Is everything okay? Are you getting along with your new stepbrother? I saw the glares between your friend and Reid yesterday.” 

Sebastian and Reid? Jane looked at her mother, not wanting to worry her and put on her best smile. “Everything’s fine Mom, I promise.”

“It seemed to me that Reid didn’t like the boy.”

Jane bit her bottom lip for a few seconds, thinking quickly. “Maybe they’re taking this whole brother sister thing a bit too seriously.”

Sarah smiled then and chuckled. “They’ve never had a sister before and especially not one as special and beautiful as you.” Her mother tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and Jane almost believed her.

“Only you think I’m beautiful.”

Sarah took Jane’s face in both hands and kissed her cheek. “You are beautiful, sweetie. That boy looks at you like he thinks you’re beautiful too. I love you, Jane, never forget that and if ever there’s something that bothers you, know that you can always talk to me.”

“Mom … why did you and Dad get divorced?”

Sarah shifted on the bed and folded her hands on her lap. “Why are you asking me this now?”

“I just want to make sense of things. You always seemed so happy together, I remember us laughing all the time.” Jane’s voice had softened at the end.

“Oh, sweetheart, I guess you’re old enough for the brutal truth. Your father met his mate. We were young when we got married and we thought the mate bond was just something stupid, that we’d reject our mates when we met them and live happily ever after.”

“You weren’t mates?” Jane felt shocked to discover this bit of knowledge.

“When you meet your mate everything changes, Jane. The world shifts and it’s something you can’t deny or push away. To reject your mate is a sin. It’s just not done, sweetheart. You’ll understand it better when you meet yours. It’s special and magical and just the best thing to ever happen to a wolf.”

Jane looked down then and gripped her mother’s hand. “Is Kyle your mate?”

“He is, Jane. That’s why I took the leap of faith to move us here because he’s the man meant for me. He fits the other half of my soul.”

Jane leaned forward then and hugged her mother. “I love you too Mom.”