CHAPTER 6: PRACTICALLY NAKED

Lunch flies by like a breeze but not the smooth gentle kind that tickles your ears and dances in your hair. It’s the kind that gives you a sense that a storm is brewing.

Now, the hallway is filled with buzzing muttering as I leave. They don’t even bother to hide their blatant gossips or whisper at least. I hear it in the hallways when I pass; I hear it behind me in class. They’re all on about Silas leaving Elena and showing obvious interest in me. They couldn’t be farther from the truth.

I don’t even know this guy that well and he’s already ruined my school reputation. If only he’ll leave me alone and focus on his actual girlfriend. A part of me knows he’s definitely not going to, and my wolf seems thrilled by it.

Damn you.

The day drifts and I’m now numb to it all. To sun falls and the night emerges. 

it’s almost time for the Full Moon ceremony.

It’s a ceremony held on the first night of a full moon in honor of the moon goddess. We change into our wolves and run free under its glow, symbolizing freedom and the power the moon grants us. The run is in form of a compulsory race to get the amity flag, tied deep in the thick woods.

I had been excited by the prospects of it on my first day during my tour with Elena. The prospects of meeting people and mingling, having an active school life with more than enough friends, 

but now I’m just flat out anxious.

I’ll be going alone, without any friends.

I walk into the school garden, decorated with tiny lights that shimmer in the dark. It’s more beautiful now than during the day. 

At the center of our gathering is a large fire place, engulfed in bright golden blazing flames. The thumping of several drums reverberates in the background as few people dance around. The whole area is littered with students chattering excitedly, drinking and having fun. I can’t help but feel envious of everyone else as I stand awkwardly in a corner.

“Hey!”

I turn towards the voice that calls me to see Xena. She smiles brightly and takes a hold of my hand in hers. I’m a bit startled but still smile warmly.

“I was looking for you. Was starting to think you wouldn’t make it.” She talks like we’ve known each other for long.

“Oh, yeah, wasn’t sure I was going to show up either. Sadly, it’s compulsory to attend.”

“Yeah. I love your outfit by the way.” She looks down to my clothes.

I’m wearing a nude crop top with straps for hand and a short silky flay skirt. I had tried to wear the bare minimum that would allow me to easily shift into my wolf without ripping through my clothes but also modest enough.

I found it was tradition to wear loose clothing that could easily be taken off during the transformation. Majority of the guys running round were clad in just shorts, the girls take the opportunity to wear revealing outfits.

“You look nice too.” I refer to her outfit that basically looks like a bikini but with a scarf resting on the curve of her hips. I’m impressed by the contours of her slender model like figure, jealous even.

“Thank you. We have to hang out together, I have a feeling we’re going to be best of friends.”

She tugs me towards a direction before I can protest, not that I would have let go of the chance. I am grateful that she invites me to have fun with her.

We dance for a while. Flaying our hands about and swaying to the beat of the drums. Compared to her, I’m an awful dancer, moving my hips awkwardly but she’s a pro with the way she syncs with the music.

For the first time, I’m having nothing but fun, laughing at myself for being terrible with someone that doesn’t make me question myself. It goes on for a while before I become painfully aware of the eyes on me.

I already know it’s him just by the intensity before I turn and meet his alluring eyes.

Few feet away, he’s standing there, shirtless and giving a full view of his toned six pack abs, biceps and triceps; red cup in his hands and watching me intently. 

He takes a sip from his cup and licks the edges of his lips slowly in the most tempting way.

My wolf howls, falling right for it too quickly.

Hell no, I’m not going to let him do this to me. Not while we’re surrounded by more than a hundred students. I’m not going to fall for his prank anymore.

Xena pauses, also noticing I’ve stopped dancing and looks at the direction I’m staring at. She grunts in annoyance, pulling her eyes away from Silas and back to me.

“I hate that guy.”

I stare wide-eyed by her words. She’s the first person I’ve met openly showing her distaste for the spoilt Alpha prince.

“I think we’re soul mates.” I say without a moment’s thought and she focuses on me again, this time with a touched smile.

We just might actually be best of friends.

“Have you heard the rumors?” I ask.

“Yeah. I’m sorry I didn’t want to bring it up cause I thought It would make you uncomfortable.”

“It’s okay. I really needed to have a break from all that drama.” It was a good few minutes of fun before he decides to ruin it for me. I try not to look too dejected though, wanting to reassure her that I’m really fine. But her worried glance doesn’t waver.

“You should know he’s bad news. You’re not the first new girl he’s flirted with for a few weeks.” Xena narrates the rumors. “He almost always has a flavor for the month and once he’s successfully gotten her wrapped around his fingers, he tosses them aside like trash and guess who takes the trash out when he’s done?”

“Elena?”

I had already figured as much. 

Play boy boyfriend with a possessive and jealous girlfriend; pretty interesting combination right there.

“The girls either leave school for mysterious reasons or their social life becomes completely non-existent because of strange rumors popping up. She destroys them for ever having an interest in Silas. He’s her betrothed after all.”

“A nice match, don’t you think?” I quip sarcastically but something within me doesn’t sit well with the whole thing.

“Just be careful.”

I nod. She’s right. I’m slacking way too much, I need to up my game and stay away from Silas.

Without falling for any of his charms.

SILAS’ POV

She looks breathtaking. I’m surprised.

My wolf growls in agreement.

More of her white creamy skin is on display and it almost glows under the moon light. I’m entranced by the subtle sway and jive of her hips. She laughs awkwardly with her new friend at something but continues dancing shyly.

I can’t look away even if I tried. It’s annoying and indescribable but my eyes just can’t ignore her, not when she’s in front of me, dressed like that.

She suddenly stops and looks up to me. She’s painfully aware of me the same way I am of her. A sudden urge to have those brown eyes stare only at me takes over, but I fight it down. 

Control, I remind myself. If it’s simply lust, I’ll have her sooner or later.

She turns away, having a conversation with her friend and more displeasure builds within me. Her eyes have moved away. My wolf urges me to approach her, but I maintain my distance.

Adam whistles from my side.

“Damn, good things do come is small packages.” He watches her intensely, looking all over her.

I growl menacingly at his comments, glaring dangerously at him. My eyes alone give a clear warning. Now, I’m more bothered about what she’s wearing than ever before.

“Calm down, she’s not yours yet.” He jokes, giving a playful shove that I don’t find a bit funny.

I want to argue it but I don’t. I walk ahead, not wanting to stand beside him longer before I do something I regret.

“Where you going?”

“Somewhere.”

FREYA’S POV

The air is lighter between Xena now we got the whole rumor situation out of the way and I feel more comfortable. We start talking about other things we have in common, besides despising Silas. 

The pressure I feel suddenly intensifies and shows the jerk of the hour standing right in front of us.

He passes an enraged glare my way, completely ignoring Xena’s presence beside me.

“What are you wearing?”

I stare at him like he’s grown a second head; smaller with a bluish green hue.

“Am I supposed to answer that?”

“You’re practically naked.”

At this point, I question the authenticity of his playboy reputation. He clearly doesn’t know what a naked girl looks like.

“And it’s your business because…”

“Your sarcasm is charming but I’m in no mood to joke around right now.”

I shouldn’t be surprised by his audacity at this point, but I can’t help but be. He has no right to be controlling yet he’s tossing words like he has some ownership of me.

“Sorry, did I miss your election into the position of student dress code supervisor?”

“Freya!” He seethes at this point.

“Literally everyone is more naked than I am right now.”

“Don’t make me repeat myself.”

“Or what? You’re going to toss me over your shoulder again like I’m some sack of beans and force me to change? Do your worst, Silas.” I’m mad now and I don’t care about the repercussions that follow.

He growls lowly and his gray eyes morphs into a yellow bright glow, letting me know his wolf is seconds away from ripping through its constraint. I should be scared. I should shut up, apologize and just put a shirt on to appease him but adrenaline pumps through me. I return as much of glare as he gives.

I am sick of this guy trying to control me like his property.

“Silas.”

A fourth member joins our group, calling his name and breaking the growing tension between us.

We both turn to Elena. She’s full on wearing a see-through silk dress with only small pieces of material hiding her tits.

And I’m the naked one?

“It’s almost time for the run, babe.” She flat out ignores the rest of us ,talking to her precious Silas.

His eyes runs down her outfit with a hint of interest. I shudder from disgust just watching him.

Disgust and annoyance.

“What will I get if I can get the scarf of amity for you, hmm?” She takes a hold of his hand, leaning closer to him seductively. 

My chest feels constricted just from watching and I know I have to get away from them.

I turn and run off, ignoring Xena’s call into a far distance feeling overwhelmed. It’s all Silas’ fault. Pretending like he’s interested in my modesty then staring at an almost naked girl the next minute.

Why the hell does he affect me this much?

I can finally breathe and make sense of things, being away from him and second guess my decision to show up for the ceremony, letting my curiosity get the better of me. Then I count the pros. I at least have an excuse to leave before the run begins. I’m not ready to start explaining why I can’t change into my wolf like everyone else.

They would be expecting something much bigger than I was.

Fast paced footsteps quickly find me in less than a minute and I grunt in frustration with an overwhelming urge to pull out my hair, realizing he followed me again.

“Do you have some kind of deformity that makes you incapable of taking a hint?” I speak before he can.

I can’t even look at him. I’m tired and I just want to go to my room and sleep the rest of the night away.

“Why did you run off? Aren’t you staying for the run? It's about to start.”

“Why wouldn’t I when you’re making this whole night unbearable and being an ass? If I could just have some peace without you for a few minutes, it would be amazing.”

He pauses for a moment pondering before he speaks.

“Are you saying I’m annoying?”

“Ding Ding, and we have a winner.” My comment annoys him and he’s frowning again but I really don’t care. “Now that you’ve figured it out, Einstein, can you just leave me alone?”

He says nothing but remains standing right there. Guess I can’t just win with this guy?

I try to leave but he holds me back. I turn wanting to yell, scream more words till he finally just lets me go but there’s a flash of something softer in his eyes and I forget everything I want to yell about.

“I’m sorry for being pushy earlier. There, I’ve apologized.”

I shake off the trance he’s trying to put me under, strengthening my resolve.

“I honestly don’t need your half assed apology.”

“C’mon, I’m trying to be friends here.”

“And I don’t want your friendship, Silas. Why can’t you just leave me alone? Go back to your friends and girlfriend, pretend like you don’t know me. I’ll be good with just that.”

I’m breathing heavily after ranting my heart out, hoping just this once he understands and walks away, preferable out of my life, but he doesn’t budge. Instead, he leans closer to me unexpectedly, still grasping my arm. His face is a few inches away from mine. If I tilt a little, our lips could touch.

“I don’t want to.” He says in a low sultry baritone.

I forget to breathe again which makes me dizzier each passing moment. His eyes move from mine to my lips and back up.

My wolf is howling to move closer and kiss him but I can’t even control my body to do anything.

And then, he starts leaning in.