#5 Cinderella

"You can do it!" I muttered under my breath, descending the staircase as stealthily as possible.

It was a desperate mantra I kept repeating in my head to muster the courage to face Jake after what happened last night. Well, I was failing miserably at it.

The kitchen was eerily quiet when I entered, and for a moment, I was overjoyed. I was hungry. I reached for the milk, hurrying to leave before I saw anyone. That was when I heard it—a familiar, disarming voice.

"That's not enough food, mate?" Jake’s voice was smooth, teasing.

But his words managed to send a jolt through my entire body. And with that, the composure I had built shattered like glass. It was as though he had a direct line to my emotions, capable of triggering a storm with just a few words.

Steadying myself, I let out a deep breath to face him. This was my reality now. Facing this devil day in and day out and hiding my feelings. How long can I keep up? My hands trembled slightly as I fumbled with the milk carton, struggling to keep my composure. “Ummm... I love milk!” I managed to stammer, my voice betraying my inner turmoil.

"Mm-hmm," he didn't try too hard, brushing past me to grab the milk carton, our skin touching. Accidentally? But the tingles that tremored through my body were unbearable.

As I turned to leave, unable to take his presence, my body smashed into his chest! Damn! What was he doing behind me?

"You want this?" His voice came out raspy as he towered over me, his face inches closer than mine. I swear I felt his bulge, but I didn't dare to check it again. He had put some safe distance between us already.

But before he could do something, tell me something that would expose me, I fled from the kitchen. I cursed him under my breath, frustration and desire lacing my words. I was angry at him for stirring these crazy feelings I wasn’t ready to confront. I cursed myself for being so easily swayed.

The school was also nothing different!

"Did she really move to the Blackmoon pack?"

"So is she going to change pack? Such a disgrace to the White lineage."

"Look at our new Cinderella!"

"She can go to the space but look shit!"

"Look at her clothes. Gold digger!"

"Mate, how is your new house?"

I was suddenly the object of ridicule and gossip for the entire school. No one wanted to believe my fate had changed again. The disapproving glares and unwanted gossip shrouded me, driving me to an edge. I have no idea how the word got out that we moved to Jake's house.

“Cinderella” or a “gold digger”.

How could I ever be those things? I was the previous alpha's daughter. If fate had not played with me, would these people be able to tell such hateful things to me? Their words were sharp and piercing. I had never belonged to their world. Not as the remarkable white wolf. Not now as the wolfless omega. So why couldn't they leave me alone?

"Dude, your clothes are wow. But why wouldn't you put on some makeup?" John said as he sat beside us at the lunch table. Kathy glowered at him.

"What? Are we now bending to gossip? I like that she can have a better life now!" John puffed nonchalantly.

"John, I didn't ask for these clothes, but my old ones are not there anymore! And he is not my boyfriend." I scoffed, expecting better from him.

"Well, we all know! You can't have him as your boyfriend in this life. Even Hana can't. Sylvie is something!" John boasted as he munched his food.

"What is wrong with me?" I sneered, feeling hurt. Why was I not good enough? He was reminding me that I can't have Jake. And it felt like a throne in my chest.

"Well, you think you can have a boyfriend like him, mate?" Someone from a nearby table turned and directly ridiculed me. The school had picked up my new nickname - Mate. And there was nothing good about it.

"Of course, mate. Now that she leaves with alpha Jake, she might think she is an alpha as well." Another jumped in, not leaving any chance to destroy me.

"Well, last time I checked, she was a princess."

"What are you talking about? That was five years ago." Two of them broke down into laughter.

"Enough! Don't forget she is still a White." Kathy beamed, smashing her table. John stood in front of me like a soldier. But their piercing eyes scathed me, igniting old memories and reaping old wounds.

"Elsa!" A clear, loud, powerful voice pierced through the crowd.

The arrival of Jake was a sudden and dramatic shift in the atmosphere. His presence was commanding, and the room fell silent in his wake. Even though he was the alpha of another pack, the fear in everyone's eyes was palpable.

I looked up. His dark eyes were already fixed on me with an intensity that made my heart race. His aura was one of authority and power, unlike how cool and calm he was when he was just around me.

"You should leave with Jake," Kathy whispered, pushing me towards Jake. That is when I snapped out of the daze. As I looked around, I saw that the fear that gripped the room was a testament to his formidable reputation. I felt strange- my emotions were a mix of relief and nervousness.

"Let's go," He said in a commanding voice.

I nodded, following him without hesitation. With him ahead of me, a strange comfort engulfed me. My savior. Why was he here? Who told him about what was happening in the school? How did he know I needed some immediate relief? Has he planted a spy? But as I walked behind him, my feelings for him stirred.

Leaving the campus, he let out a deep sigh, closing his eyes to let go of his anger. I could tell he was fuming otherwise.

"Are you alright?" He asked, making me startled, now his dark eyes boring mine. It shook my resolve. He cared for me like no one else.

I nodded, gulping hard, my feelings rising like a tidal force.

I was grateful for Jake’s intervention, but the emotional turmoil he was putting me into was far more exhausting. His presence was a double-edged sword. He was the one who provided me with a breath of fresh air. But the feelings for me were beginning to choke me.

"Let's take you home," he pointed towards his car.

And what scared me more was the ride alone with him!