CHAPTER THREE

Daphne needed extra study help so I invited her to join the study group I belonged to. Our teacher divided us and often gave us curriculums to read about in order for the success of our exams.

It felt good hanging out with them again after the school breaks we've encountered. 

I called on Jared to come drive us to the cafe where we spent most of our reading hours.

We waited at the school entrance for a long time and finally, he pulled up in his white Corolla vehicle looking all sweaty in his basketball shorts. 

Jared was yet to study further after highschool and just spent his free time doing the things he loved. I badly wanted to be him soon.

"Get in quick." Jared said. Him and cocky behaviour.

I scoffed and entered the back seat, staying together with my newest friend, Daphne who did not seem to notice my brother's behaviour. She seemed really sweet and reserved but what surprises me about her was the fact that I was the only person she spoke to in our entire class.

The car kept going fast as we approached the traffic light and Daphne yelled out.

"The light just turned red! Please, stop." 

Jared spared her a look from the front view mirror and she was wearing a frown. 

Geez. If only she knew my brother so well, she'd just shut up and let him control his car the way he wanted.

He ignored her and increased the gear going double fast and maneuvering lots of cars.

"Jared!" I flinched with the way the car was going. 

Daphne and I both held each other, screaming as the car wouldn't slow down.

After the intoxicating ride, Daphne and Jared started arguing which for the first time in a while, I found him very amusing.

"It was really wrong to drive like that..." Daphne said and I tuned their arguments all out. I need to focus. No, my mind has been trying to push something into my head and I need to focus.

I exited the car first before she did slamming the door which prompted my brother to exchange more words with her.

This is just great!.

They finally dismissed the argument with Daphne heading into the cafe first.

For some reason, Jared followed me in too.

"Aren't you going home?" I asked while we were at the door post

"I smell a wolf around here. Let me confirm first." He growled walking past me. I spotted my study group sitting at the edge of the cafe and I briefly waved at them.

Daphne was already seated with them but I didn't want to join yet. I had to see what Jared was up to.

I followed him and we both stopped on seeing Keiran sitting together with Hillary and two other guys I barely knew.

Yup...he was definitely the werewolf Jared was sniffing. He was apparently the only wolf at that table.

"Hi, Jared." Keiran greeted with a smug on his face. 

We had barely talked since two days — when he sneaked into my bedroom.

"You motherf**cker!" Jared growled and immediately lifted him by his collar.

The three boys stood up immediately as if to defend Keiran. Oh! This is bad. 

Jared is going to be angry that I didn't tell him about Keiran returning back to Ice Valley.

'Umbrie, better calm your brother down or this will end very bloody' That was a mind link message from Keiran and he had his eyes on me while delivering it.

"Jared, please." I pleaded gently touching his arm. 

Instantly, he left his collar and stepped away from him.

The both of them had an intense stare going on and I could tell Jared was threatening him. He bursted out of the cafe and I went after him.

"Why didn't you tell me that that jerk was back?" He asked almost yelling.

"I'm sorry, Jared." I muttered and then few drops of tears slid down from my eyelids.

"God! I can't wait to formally deal with that b*stard. I will also report this to Alpha. He needs to put him under control with how he treats you." He said angrily. 

He rushed into his car and drove, his face locked up with anger.

At least their first encounter didn't end up disastrous. I should be relieved but I was half way there.

Keiran was still inside the cafe. I hope he just ignores me till we are done.

"Umbrie, what just happened? Why did your brother almost beat up your boyfriend?" She asked in a whispering tone when I sat next time her at the table.

"He's not my boyfriend. They just don't get along so well." I groused bringing out my textbook.

"Shush.." Lucas hushed at us and I quickly lowered my head. He was the leader of the group. We picked him leader since he was the smartest among all of us and not because he had some leadership qualities.

That's what you should expect from students whom just want to be with the winning team.

I felt someone reaching into my thoughts and it almost drove me crazy when I realized it was Keiran.

He was singing a song and it was one hell of a distraction. I quickly turned off my mind link. It'd cause headaches but I didn't mind. 

As long as the jerk let me be. 

The door opened and Scott joined us, grabbing a seat from another table. I continued focusing on arithmetic I was solving from the textbook.

"You are doing it all wrong." He pointed out and took the pen and books from me. He started solving and I loved how he explained the results and methods. 

I don't know when I'll confidently be able to solve easy and tough equations on my own. It would be like a dream come true.

I turned around in search of Keiran but he was already leaving with his friends. 

I sighed shaking my head. Does it really mean I'm tangled to this guy forever?

The moon goddess sure does her own thing, doesn't she?

Why couldn't it be someone nicer or probably a human. That'd be much better than Keiran and his torments.

After study group, we parted ways since we all had different plans that evening. Daphne said she was shopping for groceries, while Scott had a night shift at this hotel he works at.

I had plans too... Just sitting in my bedroom and watching a sadistic movie with my laptop.

Such great plans.

I took the taxi home due our house being so away from the normal neighborhood. I'd probably pass out if I ever decide to walk to school..

I got home later and found solace on my bed. Just lying on it made me feel better. 

And I'd also prepare for what's coming from Jared later.

He despises Keiran so much and I feel like it's much deeper hatred far more bigger than what I feel for him after he left.

I decided to sober up and carry out the plans with Sky tonight. We both got dressed in black outfits and took flashlights for emergency since it was getting dark outside.

Mom and dad was attending a pack meeting and I knew they'd be home late. 

The taxi stopped us in front of their home and I stepped out with Sky.

This was ridiculous. We could have just visited like normal people and while I distract Daphne, Sky could heal her mother.

But she could be smart enough to know it was me. No! That way is more riskier.

We got into the house through the back door. 

"Stop! Do you hear that?" Sky asked making me halt on my tracks. It sounded like a woman singing.

We tip toed to the living room area and saw the woman who was singing and dancing.

"Is that the woman whom you said was dying of sickness?" Sky questioned and my skin stung.

How could someone sick be this active. She even did a cat wheel while dancing. Did... Did Daphne lie to me about her mother?

"The pictures." Sky whispered and I looked up at the walls. It was different pictures of Daphne with this woman and a man. They were her parents. The woman dancing was the woman in the picture.

Did she lie to me? 

I couldn't help but retreat with Sky rushing out of the house. I panted running as fast as my human form could go, my knees feeling wobbly too.the

Oh my goodness. I just exposed my brother to danger without being sure of the situation. I screwed things up! 

We returned home to an quiet house. No one was back yet. I retired to my room and pulled off the black outfits. So much for wanting to help her get out of the situation.

I laid quiet in my bed before looking into my phone. I flinched. Twenty missed calls from Keiran.

Why the hell did I keep his number anyway? Right. To decline the call whenever he called.

I was still baffled with the number of calls. He is not in trouble, is he? 

I smirked as I got on my bed snuggling my pillow. 

Suddenly, I felt a rush of ache around my body. I gasped sitting up from the bed. What was happening to me...

I could no longer speak as another painful burn escalated from my skin causing me excruciating pain. I let out a scream almost at the verge of tears.

'There's someone else. He's...with!' My wolf cried and I growled.

I could feel it everywhere. 

This only happens when one's mate is having a hot session with another person.

Wait, Keiran is sleeping with someone else. 

I screamed falling to the ground.