Forty- five

I could feel the energy between the newly found mates in the room and I hoped everyone could too, otherwise I was just going crazy. And I didn't fancy that prospect.

I was oblivious to everyone else in the room except Aiden. I didn't even pay any mind to the phone in my hand which had pinged thrice, signaling texts from Harper.

I think another reason why I was so fascinated with Aiden finding his mate had something to do with the way I had come to find out about mine. I knew that me and Harper didn't actually have a good start and so I was anticipating how two mates treated each other when they found out about their significant halves. Did they jump into each other's arms and make love till either of them loses their breath? Or was acceptance between certain mates a slow process mixed with a lot of drama and empty promises?

My eyes met Natalie's and each of our faces broke into a grin as we took in the surprised expression of our dear friend Samantha. 

Aiden swiftly got up from his seat beside me and Samantha looked like a deer caught in the headlights, with her eyeballs popping out of her sockets and her stance rigid and uncomfortable.

I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs at Aiden to go to her, towards Samantha. He must have heard my thoughts because he slowly stepped into the aisle between the rows of chairs and started walking towards his mate, Samantha.

I could see the tension in his shoulders and he had finally found the one person who would easily ease it. I was happy for him and I was excited to see what he was going to do next.

I followed him and stood a few feet away from them when I saw Aiden gently cup Samantha's jaw. I saw a blush rise in her cheeks and I couldn't help but grin at the scene. It was such a private moment and I thought of averting my eyes to give them some privacy but curiosity won in the end.

She was still too shocked to understand whatever was happening. Aiden lowered his head and gently brushed his lips against hers. It was a simple yet intimate action that brought another blush to my cheeks as I shamelessly imagined Harper's lips against mine.

I walked and stood beside Natalie who had a shit-eating mischievous grin on her face, which must have matched mine. We were enjoying the show, while our best friend was kissing.

Before anyone could say a word, Samantha pulled back from Aiden's lips, with a tormented expression on her face. I took in her face which showed so many options at once, when finally, a tear rolled down on her cheek.

Aiden respectfully stepped back, clearly understanding what was Samantha going to do. I turned to look at Natalie who was worried too, at how the dynamics between the two mates changed so suddenly.

Samantha gently shook her head as if to clear her head of all contradicting thoughts and gave Aiden a tight-lipped smile. "I'm sorry."

With that, she turned around and ran out of the small classroom, leaving the three of us in a hollow silence. 

I saw Aiden clench his fists, his face a stony mask, not allowing anyone to see his vulnerable side.

A few seconds passed in Natalie and I wondered what the hell happened. One minute they were kissing, and the next Samantha just ran out of her, leaving Aiden in the wind.

I snapped out of the silence first and touched Aiden's back gently. "Go after her," I said softly. He nodded absentmindedly and walked out of the classroom.

I watched his broad back run in the direction we had earlier seen Sam storm off. My head turned to look at everyone sitting in the class, eagerly waiting for any new drama. I sighed, this little scene would make the headlines of the school's gossip mill.

Before either of us could follow the couple, the teacher entered the class. Oh, talk about perfect timing!

He raised a questioning eyebrow at Nat and me, as we were standing right on the entry of the ass room. "I don't think you're in this class. Natalie, is it?"

Natalie blushed and shook her head. Mr. Reed crossed his arms again and gestured for Natalie to go to her class. Natalie gave me an understanding glance and walked out of the room.

He turned his gaze to me, then. "Aren't you taking a seat, Miss Hemming?" 

I blushed under his unwavering stare and meekly nodded. What I wanted to do was run after my friends and find out what had happened between them, instead, I slowly walked towards my seat, which I had vacated not too long ago.

I unlocked my phone, suddenly reminded of Harper's messages while I was lost gazing at Aiden and Samantha's embrace.

Tell me when it happens.

I sighed softly. I knew Harper had high hopes for Aiden and his mate. He wanted his love life to go smoothly, contrary to what his own had been. Moreover, Aiden was the beta, making his mate the beta female, second in power to the Luna of the pack. Harper never voiced his concerns but he wanted me to have a good relationship with Aiden's mate and he was petrified if one of his old hookups would have been the beta female. Would have caused a lot of drama, I'm sure.

I could practically feel Harper release a breath of relief even when we were nowhere near each other. Time to break his bubble!

I looked up from my lap to see Mr. Reed writing something on the board and typed my response with lightning speed.

She ran away from him.

I could picture a breath getting stuck in Harper's throat as he read the message I sent him. Short but precise. Maybe everything wouldn't be as simple as we thought it would be.

My phone vibrated in my hand again and I discreetly looked at it.

Where's he now?

I quickly typed my response.

He went after her.

Where are you now?

I sighed. I knew he would be able to sense my agitation and helplessness through my text.

Stuck in class.

I'm going to find them. Will keep you updated.

It would have been easy if we could just mind link each other.

We will. After I mark you. ;)

I bit my lip as I felt my cheeks grow warm. It would be an understatement if I said I wasn't excited for him to mark me. 

Our bodies had already begun to tune in to each other and although there were people who would argue that reading your significant other's mind was an invasion of privacy, I couldn't wait for that to happen. For me, it was another step for us to take as a couple.

I know you're blushing. ;)

We had even begun to understand each other's responses and the fact made me giddy and sigh in utter bliss.

The thrill of being marked was simply indescribable to me and I knew Harper had the same feelings about it.

My phone vibrated again and I opened it and found a text from Nat.

Meet us at the benches after the period is over.

I ran a frustrated through my hair because, from the look of this text, I was the only one being kept out of the loop and was the only one who was stuck in this boring ass class.

Before the bell had rung, I had packed up all of my stuff and was clutching my phone in impatience. 

I got out of my seat as humanly possible and made my way toward the benches on the football field.

I was breathless by the time I arrived on top of the stands. I could see four different figures standing at the bottom of the stairs, laughing and playing with each other.

I let out a huge breath of relief because I took it as a sign that everything was alright. As I climbed down the steps, four pairs of eyes snapped up to meet mine, and a large smile formed on my face.

I was immediately engulfed in a bear hug by Samantha, as soon as I reached the bottom of the benches, who was sporting a shitty grin on her face. 

"Thank you so much."

"What for?" I frowned when I looked at every other person who was looking at us with a gentle smile on their faces.

"For sending this idiot to search for me." She said and pointed her finger in Aiden's direction. He blushed and uncomfortably coughed while I laughed at his reaction.

Aiden encircled his arms around Sam's waist and pulled her into his body.

"So, I assume everything is settled between you two, then?" I asked, eyeing how comfortable with each other they seemed to be.

Samantha beamed at me while Aiden passed me an understanding smile.

I felt a pair of arms circle my waist and I was pulled into Harper's body. I leaned into his front and put my head back on his shoulder, loving how his chiseled torso felt against my back.

"Oh god! That means I will be fifth wheeling now if that's even a thing!" Natalie groaned and we all erupted into a laugh.