CHAPTER 5: LET ME GO!

As soon as the bell rings for lunch break the next day, I’m out of my seat and dashing into the hall way. The main focus on my mind is successfully dodging Silas until the rest of the day is over. 

If I’m lucky enough, I can avoid him for the rest of the week till he completely forgets about me.

Amen to that.

I find a snack dispenser and move towards it, picking a granola bar. I should eat more as I’m pretty hungry but I’d take anything over stepping into the school cafeteria, where all the students are gathered - where Silas and Elena are waiting.

After popping a few coins in, I pick my granola bar from the dispenser, turning to leave but then, I’m suddenly shoved. The force pushes me back and I stagger, falling on my butt.

I groan in pain, wincing with my eyes shut.

“OMG, I’m so sorry.”

I look up to see a female student I haven’t quite seen before. Her dark blue eyes are heavy with worry and she helps me to my feet without wasting more than a second. My butt is sore and it takes a while for me to balance perfectly on my two feet.

“I’m really sorry.” She apologizes again.

“It’s all right.” I offer a small smile, still rubbing the sore spot on my tush.

Standing now, I admire her more closely. She’s as beautiful as most people are in Crescent Moon Academy. Her short jet black hair in a pixie cut molds her oval face perfectly. Her features have an innocent beauty to it and she’s only few inches taller than I am.

“My mind was somewhere else.” She explains now. “You’re pretty light and short… not that it’s the reason that I hit you. I mean, I didn’t hit you cause you’re short or anything, that was my fault. I’m just commenting on your height, though you might not appreciate that…” 

She begins ranting about different things.

“Its fine.” I stop her mind sentence, finding it adorable how frantic she’s being over a little shove. Well, to her it was a little but it’s enough force to knock me off my feet.

I remember I have to somehow survive in a school of stronger wolves while pretending to be one of them.

“I’m Xena Foster, I’m a Zeta in training.” She offers an outstretched arm and a friendly smile.

I’m reluctant to take it or believe the sincerity of that smile, but it’s rude to keep her hanging, so I take her hand and return a polite grin, the best way I can.

“Freya Willows, Alpha.”

“You’re not going to the cafeteria?”

I’m surprised she hasn’t pointed out the fact that she recognizes me from the rumors. For once, it’s nice to meet a friendly face that isn’t fixated on what happened between Silas and I.

“No, it’s a little crowded and I just want a little space to myself to eat.”

She nods at my words and thinks for a second. “I know someplace somewhat secluded.”

“If it's the lavatory, don’t bother, already tried that spot.”

I respond dryly, recalling what happened with Elena and Lila. It’s been hours but the hurt still stings like a fresh wound.

“No, not the lavatory. There’s a stairwell to the rooftop that’s almost always empty. If you’re looking for the secluded, that’s your best spot.”

“Really?” Relief fills me instantly. Finally finding someplace to myself to think and eat without losing my appetite, without judging stares.

“Yeah. Just go down this hall, take a left after the water dispenser. Head straight from there; there’s a stairwell that will take you directly to the roof top.”

“Why are you being so nice?” 

there might be some kind of catch behind this.

Xena laughs softly. It sounds genuine; I begin doubting my initial suspicions about her.

“Why not, silly? You obviously look like you need some help. I’ll see you around.”

She waves a bit before dashing to the direction of the cafeteria.

Taking my granola bars, I follow her directive, finding the stairwell easily. I climb up and step out into the very vast space of the roof top. It’s wide and spacious and blissfully empty. I feel relaxed, like I can finally drop my defenses and breathe.

I settle down against a wall, taking the first bite into my granola. I’m relaxed but my only thoughts linger on the fact that I have to climb a flight of stairs every day from now on just to get a sense of peace. 

I don’t have a clue on what to do about the thing with Elena and Lila. They’re my roommates, we literally live together. I sigh, knowing I have to sleep with an open eye now.

Then there is Silas.

An arrogant spoilt Alpha who I can’t seem to figure out or get out of my mind. One moment, he’s the world’s most prideful asshole, demanding I bow to him like he’s some god. Then the next, he’s apologizing with flowers and inviting me to eat lunch at his table. Nothing made sense.

Any slight mistake would reveal my secret. I need to be extra careful with him.

I finish the first bar, folding its wrap and tucking it into my pockets to dispose later. The doors suddenly fly wide open, slamming against the walls. 

I feel scared shitless, getting into a defense position by impulse. My wolf suddenly jumps happily like she already knows who it is from the scent.

I’m standing there on the roof top, face to face with Silas.

“W-What are you doing here?” I stutter, still recovering from the abrupt surprise.

He’s staring me down intensely like he always does and I have an urge to cover myself up again, except I’m already covered up in my clothes.

“I didn’t see you in the Cafeteria.”

“No shit, Sherlock. That’s because I turned down your request, remember?”

Did he remember or he chose to ignore what I said and just went straight to expecting me to show up?

“Actually, I don’t remember.”

There’s something playful and mischievous in his eyes as he slowly moves up to me. I walk backwards, trying to maintain the space between us but my back hits the wall and suddenly, he’s all up in my personal space, breathing the same air with me. His scent fills my nose as I force air into my lungs. Addictive, that’s how it feels.

Breathe, I chant to myself.

Breathe.

The scent rushes into my brain, messing up my senses. Pine and peppermint floods my thoughts. I’m on the verge of moaning before I’m able to gain control again.

My wolf is suddenly too restless, she urges me to move closer so we can feel the warm heat oozing from him, or take in more of that addictive smell. I resist her, pulling hard on my reigns of restraint.

“Remind me what it was.” He smiles mischievously.

I put my hand between us, softly pushing his chest away from mine. The brief contact shocks me. I pull away quickly.

“I said I wasn’t interested in eating with you.” I respond firmly though my knees wobble.

He’s unbothered by my answer, almost like he does not believe that I don’t want to eat with him.

“How did you even know I was here?”

“Your scent.” His voice is low and deep. He takes a lock of my hair swirling the ends round his fingertips.

“Yeah and you’re some kind of golden retriever?” The cafeteria was a good distance away. No way he sniffed me out.

I slide away from the position he’s forced me in, putting more distance between us. I need to get away so I can breathe properly again.

“I think I’ve said it enough, but just in case you might actually have some kind of hearing issue, I do not want to sit with you.”

Please, go away.

It’s the obvious plea behind my words. Why can’t he take the hint? I’m still trying to maintain my composure when my feet are quickly lifted from the floor and I’m being swooped up like a sack and tossed over his shoulders, like I weigh nothing. 

I instantly panic. This isn’t okay.

“Are you crazy? Let me go!”

“I didn’t come all the way up here for a ‘no’, sweetheart, you’re coming with me.” He speaks firmly, giving no room for refusal.

Despite my wriggling and obvious protest, he ignores, walking towards the exit.

“You’re pretty light.” He comments as he heads towards the cafeteria now.

I’m absolutely mortified as we step into the large refectory hall. I feel all the confused and questioning glances coming my way and I instantly kiss my dream of a normal life away. 

There’s no way the entire school would be forgetting this anytime soon.We reach his table and he drops me, surprisingly gentle, right by his side with his large hands.

I’m greeted with the sight of his two friends. They both pass a perplexed look that shifts between Silas and I, and I can’t help but blush from embarrassment. I hope they at least say something but they remain silent.

I quickly notice Elena, sitting on the other side next to Silas and she’s glaring daggers at me, not even bothering to hide her disgust this time.

“What’s she doing here?”

“I invited her.” Silas’ response is curt and he doesn’t bother to look her way as he answers. It only makes her more furious and continues to shoot her angry eye beams my way.

Why is she so pissed with me? He’s literally the one that dragged me down here, yet I am the one to blame.

“If you let her stay a moment more, I’m going to leave Silas.”

Silence engulfs the table at her sudden threat. I’m staring. His friends are staring. We’re all staring, like it’s some showdown between the two. She’s livid and he takes a bite out of his sausage like nothing worthwhile is going on.

“Silas!”

He drops his fork and looks at her with a menacing smirk that sends frightening chills down my spine, not just mine. She shows apprehension in her eyes as she stares at him, moving slightly away, knowing she’s pushed too much.

“Be my guest.”

That did it.

Her face explodes into a bright red shade of embarrassment. She huffs and storms away dramatically, only drawing more attention to our table. At this point, I don’t care who looks anymore. I reach for the eggs on the plate placed in front of me and take a bite.

“I’m Lucas, this is Adam.”

I look up to both his friends that introduce themselves in Silas’ steed.

“Hi, I’m Freya.”

They both return an overly friendly smile now that Elena is gone and it almost seems like there’s some inside joke I’m not getting somewhere.

“Nice to meet you, Freya.”