Ch. 3

"What do you have next period?" Ash came up behind me making me jump. I slapped his arm.

"Stop that." I hate when he masks his presence to me. "I have science." I told him.

"I have math on the other side of the building. Toni has science during this period though." He smiled. "Hey Toni!" He called him over. "Will you walk Ember to class for me? Please. I don't like the idea of her alone in these halls with all these assholes." He sounded like Dad for a moment.

"Ash! You can't just ask someone you just met to walk me around school. Quit it!" I scolded him.

"I don't mind." Toni smiled at me and my heart skipped for a moment. He has a really sweet smile like Rachel's. Only his smile does something different to me.

I fought the crimson off my cheeks, as I blushed too quickly for me to stop it entirely. Ash noticed it and arched an eyebrow at me curiously.

'Shut up.' I linked him and he smiled.

"Meet you at lunch." He yelled back, walking down the hall. He and Rachel were headed the same way so they were talking as they walked.

"You ready?" Toni asked and I turned to see his face closer than I expected.

His eyes met mine, setting my stomach a blaze with butterflies. I nodded my head at him, afraid my voice would give away how timid I was feeling right now. I'm not normally so bashful around boys. I usually just find them all annoying, but something's different with him. I'm not sure what.

"So where were you and Ash going to school before you came here?" He asked, trying to make friendly conversation.

I peered at him from the corner of my eye. He was really handsome up close too. He had a strong face, yet with a smile on it, it seemed so inviting. He had a strong jawline and a little nose. He had tan skin, and I'm pretty sure he's Hispanic. I liked the way his hair waved perfectly together.

"Um, we went to school in the elf kingdom nearby. That's where we live. After school is dragon training with our Dad. Eryn trains us in magic, archery, and swordsmanship every other evening. On the weekends Charles comes over and trains us in fighting and then helps Ash train his wolf so that he doesn't take him over power wise. Apparently that can be a thing." I answered, realizing I gave him more information than he asked for.

"Geez that's a lot. Why so much?" He raised his eyebrows, surprised.

"Mom grew up not knowing she was part elf and she fell behind on getting to know that part of her. She wants to make sure that Ash and I know every bit of ourselves, our magic and our heritage." I sighed. "Although, I feel like most of it doesn't apply to me right now."

I don't know why I was opening up to him like this. I don't usually say how I feel aloud, yet alone to someone else.

"Why do you have to?" He asked, curious. He wasn't giving me any pity and I appreciated that.

"My mom is just hoping that my magic or even my wolf are just dormant. I think she's hoping for too much at this point." I shook my head. "I'm already 17, I think it would have happened by now."

"I mean it could be. I've known some people that didn't get their wolf till they were 20 and their body could handle them. The more powerful the wolf the later they come sometimes. Maybe yours is just too powerful." He smiled trying to make me feel better. I chuckled, shaking my head.

"Doubtful." Although, what I wouldn't give for that to be true.

We got to the classroom, finally. There was an older man with a receding hairline standing at the door greeting everyone.

"You'll love Mr. Black. He's really sweet and makes this class as fun as he can." Toni whispered to me as we approached. His breath sent goosebumps down my spine. I could smell the mint in it. I love the smell of mint.

"Hello there. You must be the new student I keep hearing about. I'm Mr. Black." He shook my hand as I approached him.

"Ember Viseron." I told him.

"Come on in Ember. You can sit with Toni. He's been without a lab partner for some time now. Thanks for being here Ember." He moved aside letting me into the room.

"Viseron is your last name?" Toni asked.

"Yup." I followed him to our table. They were lab tables that sat 2 per table on stools.

"So the Charles you spoke about earlier is the Alpha Charles?" He asked me, utterly shocked.

"Yup that's him. He's my mom's 1st mate. Kinda like a second dad to me." Between Charles and Eryn, I was closest to Charles. He seemed to understand me better.

"So, that means Ash is the next alpha." He was clicking pieces together in his mind.

"No, Ash is going to be taking over the kingdom. My mom's pregnant right now with Charlie, Charles' kid. He'll get the pack when he comes of age." I corrected him. We had decided this a while back. Ash shined better in the elf kingdom than the pack lands. I somehow did better on pack lands maybe because I was just as strong as them in human form, but Charlie will be the rightful heir.

Toni's mouth fell open. He seemed so surprised.

"How come I've never even seen you guys there?" His chocolate eyes were melting away my resolve to stay clear of boys.

"We stay there during the summers when we aren't in school. Our summer schedule is different from the school year schedule."

"That explains it. My family and Rachel's travel to visit our other family during the summer." He nodded his head. "That's pretty cool though." He gave me a dashing smile, his teeth shining perfectly.

"Thanks." I smirked, my heart set a flutter.

Mr. Black was really fun. He had us do a lab, and Toni wasn't just handsome, but smart too. I'm pretty sure I know more though, but I won't be arrogant enough to say that aloud.

I went to grab the microscope from the center of the table at the same time Toni did. Our hands touched and my head started to ring loudly. It felt like a terrible headache. Yet where his hand touched mine felt like fireworks were going off. My hairs stood on my arms, goosebumps running through me.

I grabbed my head from all the ringing. It was so loud and strong. I squeezed at my temples, wincing.

"Mate" Toni's wolf said so silently I almost didn't hear it.

I started getting dizzy, my head was spinning and my vision was tunneling. Can I have a mate? I don't have a wolf. Shouldn't he be with someone with a wolf?

"Ember?" His voice rang in my ear, but it was too late. I was falling out of my chair, passing out. I felt him catch me before I hit the floor, his touch sent fireworks through me.