A Secret

I could barely sleep last night.

The events of yesterday were still fresh and refusing to make space for anything else to happen in my mind.

I dragged myself out of bed, heading to the bathroom.

Hoping that a cold shower would ease my mind and calm my heart.

“ping"my phone got an incoming message. I checked to see it was the school council group chat.

Amanda (devils child): Asap meeting for mate ball at 7:30 :)

I looked at the screen waiting to see who will anounce thier participation.

Xander <3: I’ll be there.

Everyone else answered and I could see everyone else was going to be there.

Suddenly, a private text of Xander popped up.

Xander <3: please tell me you’ll be there. I’m terrible at writing things down and my memory seems to fail me at a young age already. Pleaseee I need you to help me keep my father off my back.

Me: Sure thing, boss!

It sure was slightly easier speaking to him over the phone where the mate bond wasn’t as rough.

After getting dressed in casual green sweatpants and a cropped white tank top.

With a pair of grey sneakers.

I grabbed my backpack and headed downstairs.

Asher was already up, sipping his coffee and reading some news on his phone, as always.

He looked up as I entered the kitchen.

“Morning, Birdie,” he greeted, his nickname for me always bringing a small smile to my face.

“Morning, Asher,” I replied, grabbing a piece of toast and nibbling on it, my head slowly disappearing to yesterday’s encounter.

As I finished my breakfast, I took a deep breath and greeted everyone.

The moment I opened the front door, I nearly walked straight into Xander’s chest.

Who was standing there with his hand raised, about to knock.

He blushed a little and scratched the back of his head. Looking both surprised and relieved to see me.

“Dawn, hey,” he said his voice tinged with nervousness.

I felt a deep blush spread across my cheeks.

Without thinking, I slammed the door shut and leaned against it, trying to catch my breath.

My heart was racing, and I could hear Xander’s voice through the door.

“Umm, Dawn? Did I upset you?”

I quickly glanced at myself in the hallway mirror.

My reflection stared back at me.

Long, pin-straight black hair framing my tanned face.

My striking green eyes were wide with panic.

The casual outfit I was wearing suddenly made me feel completely underdressed.

I hated it. I wished I had taken more time to look more presentable.

“No, I’m not upset,” I yelled back, my voice sounding more panicked than I wanted it to.

I heard Xander’s soft chuckle through the door, and butterflies spread across stomach, filling every inch.

His laughter was sooooo infectious. And despite my nerves, it made me smile.

“Can you open the door?” he asked in a gentle and kind tone.

“Yeah, give me a second,” I replied, rushing to open the door.

When I met his gaze again, guilt washed over me.

Keeping this secret of our mate bond from him. It felt like a betrayal.

Yet seeing him standing there, looking at me the way that he does, I couldn’t help but fall deeper into this ocean of love.

We started walking to school together, the silence between us absolutely awkward.

I could feel my goosebumps erupt slowly as his teasing hand barely brushed past us every few steps.

Making my heart race. Finally, Xander broke the silence.

“Are you feeling better?” he asked.

I frowned in confusion. “What do you mean?”

He smiled slightly. “Mom told me you went home early yesterday because you weren’t feeling well.”

“Oh, right,” I said. My mind rushing to come up with an excuse.

“Yeah, I was feeling sick....

I guess something in the cafeteria food just wasn’t very welcome in my stomach, but I’m better now.”

Internally, I thought, “Yeah, I’m love sick and definitely not well yet.”

Xander nodded. “I’m glad to hear that. I was worried about you.”

“Soooo your birthday is coming up in about a week,” I tried to change the topic

“Yeah, speaking of which … I was thinking,” he began, with a hint of hesitation in his voice.

“maybe we could hang out tomorrow. I know things might change once I find my mate, so I want to spend time with you while I can.”

His words hit me like a punch to the gut.

His words making me feel even more guilty about this secret that he soon too would find out.

So I don’t know why I don’t just tell him.

But I can’t.

it would change everything between us and I would like to just enjoy our moments together before they will be gone forever.

Only a forgotten memory. I forced a smile, trying to hide my inner battle.

“Yeah, that sounds nice,” I said, my voice coming out just barely above a whisper.

“But what if your mate isn’t who you expect them to be?”

Xander looked thoughtful, as if considering my question seriously.

Before he responded, but before he could answer, a familiar and grating voice interrupted.

“What is the daughter of a traitor doing so close to our future alpha?

Are you trying to seduce him and manipulate him to tear this pack up from the inside out?”

Amanda stood at the entrance of the school, her eyes filled with hatred for me.

Her words ripped open an old wound that’s been there for as long as I could remember.

A wound my father and his schemes placed there that sealed me in this destiny.

I became angry and wanted to defend myself for the first time since Amanda’s tormenting started.

But before I could, Xander stepped in front of me, shielding me from Amanda’s judgemental gaze.

“Amanda, that’s enough,” he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

“Dawn is my friend, and you will learn to respect her. She will no longer be your punching bag.”

Amanda’s eyes widened in surprise, clearly not expecting Xander to defend me.

She sneered, but said nothing more. She turned around and made her way to the school council meeting.

“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice trembling.

He turned to me, his expression softening. “You don’t have to thank me, Dawn. I’m always here for you.”

We walked together into the meeting and grabbed my book and pen.

Preparing to take notes.

Most of the meeting revolved around the mating ball’s theme and what they thought was good.

We were all stuck between two themes, although one sounded cheap to me.

It was between. Under the sea or a masquerade ball.

I liked the idea of masks as it gave a mystery element to those who didn’t know their mates before the ball.

The cafeteria was also mentioned by Xander.

That we would have to check and see that the hygiene and products used were up to standard as he had gotten a few complaints about people getting sick.

The rest of the day went by in a blur, and when I got home, I ate dinner with my family and made my way to my room.

As I lay down on my bed, I thought back to Xander.

Was he mentioning the cafeteria because of what I said or genuinely several complaints that were mentioned to him?

He never was an easy person to read. My mind drifted to tomorrow, and I was both eager and completely dreading it.

How could I keep hiding my feelings when every moment with him made them soooooo much stronger?

Later that evening, my phone buzzed with a text message. It was from Xander.

Xander: Hey, Dawn. About tomorrow. I have a surprise for you. Can we meet at the clearing in the woods at dusk?

Me: The clearing? Why there?

Xander: You’ll see. Trust me. It’s a secret. 😊

My mind filled with a multitude of questions. What could he possibly have planned? And why the clearing in the woods? It was a secluded spot, away from prying eyes.

Me: Okay, I’ll be there. Dusk, right?

Xander: Yep. Can’t wait to see you there. Goodnight, Dawn.

Me: Goodnight, Xander.