Elle Pov
"I was thinking the same thing, but I don't believe so; maybe we just look like other people we know?" I say, trying to explain the feeling in my gut telling me to trust this guy I don't even know.
"Yeah, maybe." is Theo's response, but I can tell he isn't convinced. "So where should we start this tour?" he asks, going along with my plan to talk about anything else, and I am grateful for it. I hate trying to remember the time before living with the Ledgers.
"Have you gotten your school schedule yet?" I ask. That way, I can see what areas of the school to show him and the best routes.
"Yeah, I met with the principal, the Alpha, and the guidance counselor yesterday, where they went over my schedule," he says as he hands over a folded-up piece of paper. Opening it, I see we have every class together except training, which I am not allowed to participate in.
"Well, oddly, we have every class together, so it looks like you'll be sticking next to me all day," I say, handing the paper back to him.
"That doesn't sound like a bad place to be," Theo says, giving a heartwarming smile, causing my cheeks to flush instantly. While it's nice to have such a cute guy flirting with me, I couldn't help but wonder how Damon would respond to this if he heard. I should be more interested in this cute guy standing next to me than Damon would think. He is singlehandedly destroying my life.
"Um, well, let's head to our homeroom. Follow me this way," I say, turning away from further embarrassment and walking back to the main foyer. I walk up the stairs to the second floor, turning left to go down the hallway filled with yellow and blue lockers till I reach the last door on the left. "This is Mrs. Baisden's room; you'll come here for homeroom and fifth-period AP English. She is pretty cool, although she is a stickler on tardiness, so don't be late if you can help. Were you able to read the summer reading?" I ask him as I lead us to the seats in the far back by the windows.
"Yeah, I read most of these books in ninth grade. My dad moves around a lot because of his job, so making friends has always been difficult. So I read a lot. I own so many we need a separate truck to move them," Theo chuckles, and I feel at ease knowing I am around a fellow nerd.
"Oh really? What's your dad's job?" I ask. It's rare for werewolves to move between packs frequently.
"Oh, my dad is a council representative." I already see myself getting along with his easygoing nature. "He goes to different packs on the council's behalf. I don't understand what he does at each pack as it's confidential, but his job has allowed me to see the beauty in the world, so I am not mad at constantly moving." Theo answers, shrugging his shoulders, signaling he doesn't mind routinely packing up his life for a new adventure.
When the door opened, I was about to ask him another question, and Mrs. Baisden walked in with a rolling bag behind her.
"Good Morning, Mrs. Baisden," I greet her with a warm smile, and she looks at me, confused for a few seconds before realizing who I dawn on her face.
"Oh, Elle, is that you? I didn't recognize you! You look so different than last year!" she says, looking me up and down. How she looks at me, you would think I'm an alien.
"Yeah, Luna Olivia took me shopping for new clothes yesterday. She demanded I update my wardrobe." I chuckle; it's not a secret in the pack that Luna Olivia loves shopping, always the most fashionable woman in the room. Turing my attention to Theo, I introduce him to Mrs. Baisden.
"Welcome to Timberlake High, Theo. I hope you enjoy living here. The Alpha informed me that you moved into the pack on Saturday. Do you need time to complete the summer reading list?" Mrs. Baisden asks Theo.
"No, I have already read the books on this list a few years back," he responds warmly. Mrs. Baisden is about to say more when students start trickling in, and she directs them to find their seats. I can see the looks the students are giving me. The other girls look threatened or envious as I sit next to Theo, the jaw-dropping new kid. The guys are looking at me with lust while shooting daggers at Theo. I wonder how long it will be before one of the kids run to tell Damon about my outfit and that I am sitting next to Theo. They won't say anything if they're smart, missing Damon's wrath. Damon is a "kill the messenger" type of Alpha.
*****************
After twenty minutes of classmates finding my new look more interesting than the new kid or the class news, I was desperate for the bell to ring. As soon as it did, I was out of my seat with Theo hot on my heels. Theo doesn't say anything as he follows beside me silently, not asking about the kids in homeroom. Luckily it's a free period, so I can exit this hellscape for forty minutes before running into Damon.
Walking across the courtyard to the forest, Theo grabs my arm to make me face him.
"Elle, are you okay? Your classmates were staring at you the whole time, like your the crazy pack murderer or something," Theo says to me, his thumb running over my arm as he tries to comfort me.
"It's complicated," I say, and that is when my nose is invaded with Damon's scent-- eucalyptus and sandalwood. It reminds me of a library filled with old books, oversized leather chairs, and laundry. As much as I deny it, his smell is comforting, and I have missed it in his absence. I turn from Theo, looking for Damon, hoping he hasn't noticed me yet and we can get away before he does. I look towards the other end of the courtyard to see him throwing a football with Matt and Andrew. His back is turned; as I am about to turn around, a gust of wind blows past me, carrying my scent right to him. Then I hear Matt practically yelling, "Holy Shit! Is that Elle?!" Fuck. There is no getting away from him now.
While I hate to admit it, I have always found Damon attractive, but something changed during his time at camp. He has gotten taller, probably 6'7" now, which is tall even by Alpha standards. He is still lean, but his muscles have filled out, becoming more defined, and he has a sleeve tattoo on his right arm going up the side of his neck. I can see him stiffen and then turn, searching for me; as if our eyes are magnets, his blue orbs find green ones almost instantly, and I feel the air leave my lungs.
He looks almost relieved to see me, but then his eyes scan my body, and he finally notices Theo's hand still resting on my arm. Double Fuck. His eyes shift to full black as he wastes no time striding over to us. I can see his eyes shooting daggers at Theo, who still hasn't released my arm, adding to Damon's anger.
Damon's eyes of death never leave Theo, who surprisingly doesn't seem to be afraid like most kids around us, who can feel the Alpha aura pouring from the pissed-off Damon. It doesn't seem to affect Theo or me, but even Andrew and Matt look uncomfortable standing close to him.
"Elle, why are you showing him around? That has always been my job with new students," Damon says, his eyes still boring into Theo's, who doesn't blink or turn away. With Damon's attention still on Theo, he doesn't notice me roll my eyes at him.
"Talk to Alpha Charles. I understand he is trying to be nice, but he is making things worse for himself and me. He is the one that told her to give me a tour," Theo answers.
"I don't recall my father introducing you as Elle when we met yesterday," Damon snaps at Theo, "Do you? No, then keep your fucking mouth shut. Elle can speak for herself." Damon finally shifts his eyes for the first time since talking to us, and I swear butterflies are having a dance party in my stomach. Why am I so attracted to this man? I hate him.
"Elle, is that true?" Damon asks me, still looking in at me, and I can barely catch my breath.
"Yes." This is the only response I can croak out.
"And you must dress like a slut to show this mutt around the school?" Damon demands as he stares at me.
"No, I didn't even know I was going to do this until this morning," I fire back, starting to get fed up with his controlling bullshit.
"Oh, so you decided to dress like a slut for any male wolf that looks your way, then?" he steps closer, forcing me to look up at him.
"Maybe I did, Damon; what will you do about it?" I shoot back at him, crossing my arms over my chest in defiance. It is disrespectful to call an Alpha by only his name, regardless of his age. I know calling him by his name will set him off; I heard the sucks of air coming from my classmates, watching our interaction with interest.
Damon leans closer to my face, his lips right near my ear, and I swear I can't breathe from his closeness. His presence and scent have me completely frozen, terrified, and excited about what he might do to me. What the fuck is wrong with me?
Growling lowly, Damon responds, "It's Alpha to you, biscuit, and don't make me show you what I would do to you." His answer sends shivers down my stomach. I stay completely still as his head tilts, and I see him take a giant breath like he is smelling my hair. What the hell is happening right now? My stomach is in knots of confusion; what the hell is happening?
As I am about to give him some snarky response, despite the butterflies ruling my stomach when the bell rings in the distance letting all the students in the courtyard know it's time to move on to the next class.
I feel like I can breathe again as Damon releases my arm to step back and look me in the face before saying, "Better run along to class, Elle. We all know a nerd like you cannot tolerate being late."
Throwing one last murderous look at Theo, he strides past him. Damon shoulder-checks Theo on his way back to the school doors. Matt and Andrew, who have watched the entire interaction without saying a word, follow behind Damon.
Theo and I are left speechless as we watch the backs of Damon, Andrew, and Matt disappear into the building before following ourselves.
FOUR YEARS LATER Elle- 22 years old; Damon- 23 years old ELLE POV ************************** I don't know what's going on with me, but it's not pretty, my stomach convulsing with another dry heave like it's waged a bloody war on my body without my knowledge. Goddess, what is this? Was I poisoned? It has to be poison. Someone trying to kill me slowly is the only obvious reason behind this sickness. Werewolves don't get sick. Leaning my head against the porcelain rim of a place my face should never be close to, I try catching my breath, my forehead pouring in sweat. A sickly sweet smell makes its way into my nostrils as another wave of nausea forces its way through me. Rolling my insides around like a boat in the middle of the ocean during a summer storm. "Happy Matesday!" Damon sings, pushing open the bathroom door, a tray in his hand, the offensive odor oozing from beneath the plate cover. Before I can keep it in, I am purging the nonexistent contents of my stomach. Once I f
DAMON POV I look like a fool, with a smile covering my lips, as I saunter into the decorated ballroom filled with our guests as they drink and mingle, eating from the appetizer trays being carried around the room. Some guests are already dancing to the music played by the DJ, typical of werewolf parties. Scanning the room, I find Andrew and Matt standing at the bar. My feet taking me to them, only to be stopped along the way by guests wishing me congratulations. Five minutes later, I finally make it to the bar where Andrew stands, glaring at the dance floor. Matt hands me a whiskey, an easy-go-lucky grin on his face. "That's the look of a man who got some biscuits," he chuckles. "Yeah," I grin, enjoying the banter, while licking my lips "and I ate the whole damn plate, it was delicious." My reply has Matt choking on his drink, making me laugh harder. Andrew remains unbothered, signaling to the bartender for a refill. "Come on," Matt says, coughing through the burn of his drink,
ELLE POV I thought the nerves of today would be so overwhelming that breathing is difficult, but for the first time in a long time, I am at peace. Twirling the ring I found in the psychic shop, the ring my father gave to my mother, I know I should get rid of it, but a part of me can't give it up. While my mother owned it for a time, it was never truly hers but belongs to the entire Luna lineage of Silver Run, so getting rid of it never felt right. So instead of thinking about my mother, I focus on the amazing Lunas' who wore it before her and will wear it after me. 'Biscuit,' Damon's husky voice comes through my mind, like liquid gold coating my body, sending shivers down my spine. 'I think your dad would understand if you didn't want to wear that ring.' He comments, knowing my inner struggles without verbalization. Choosing to learn from our parent's mistakes, we always keep the connection between us open. 'I know,' I sigh, as I stare at the ring sitting on my finger, 'I miss you
THREE DAYS LATER ELLE'S POV The last few days have been hectic as I try to make all the arrangements and keep New Moon running while also being in constant contact with Theo about what's happening in Silver Run; killing Tiberius and leaving the pack hasn't left the pack members in good faith. We haven't had the chance to talk about what we will do with both packs, but the distance makes running both nearly impossible. However, we are finally returning to Silver Run, and I can handle some pressing matters that need to be taken care of. Theo is doing his best but isn't an Alpha; the pack needs me, and Damon's pack needs him. How are we going to divide our time? The travel alone will be a bitch...and splitting from him is not an option. Tingles spark along my hand as Damon grabs my hand, pulling me from my rambling thoughts into the present as he turns the car onto the main road. Andrew follows behind us with Theo's dad, and the robin hood of rogues takes up the rear of the carava
DAMON POV The morning after finding my mate should be filled with nothing but mindblowing sex, energy bars, and water; nothing else, and certainly not this fucking bullshit. Not a blood-curdling anger that consumes every inch of my soul, one that seems to last forever now that I am marked to Elle. When Andrew and Matt interrupted my wonderful morning to tell me what had happened, I almost didn't believe them. There was no way my father would reject my mother. No, she was his entire world, and I believe in the bond because of them. Walking into the cell to see both my parents sobbing and somehow on the verge of unconsciousness. After getting the abbreviated version from my father while my mother remains silent, the rest of the world blows away as I fall into the black pit of wrath. I barely understand what I am saying, words of unintelligible hatred being spewed at my mother. I barely sense her fear, so lost in my anger, my father whimpers as he tries to manage the pain fueling me
ELLE POV Stretching my limbs, I roll onto my side, happiness spreading from the top of my head to the very bottom of my feet. Opening my eyes, I find Damon already awake, a large grin covering his face as he watches me sleep. "What's with the smile?" I ask him, wiggling my body closer to his, craving the skin contact as tingles erupt over my skin. "I remember everything," he answers, adjusting his body to wrap me in his arms, laying my head on his chest, "and I realized something." "Oh, what is that?" I ask him, trying to recall the overwhelming memories flooding my brain. Some of them are wonderful. Making breakfast with my father or when he would take me swimming back home. I remember the times with Theo and coming to New Moon to see Damon. But there are the darker ones, the memories I never want to talk about again- the ones that should be locked away in a box. Memories of my mother I never want to touch- she could be loving whenever my father was around, but if it was the two