I close the door in their faces, and stare down at the food they brought me. They canโt possibly know itโs me, right? They canโt know Iโm their rival's daughter; my mom took steps to hide me. How did I not put it together once I saw Gunner and Dean together? Goddess, Iโm so stupid.Are they just trying to be nice, since they thought I was sick? Itโs sweet as long as this food isnโt poisoned. How am I going to keep my distance from them, if theyโre showing up at my cabin? Goddess, help me.I walk to the trash can and throw away the food, even if there was something in here, I could eat, I have no appetite anymore. They did ask to come in. Was that so itโd be easier for them to grab me once the drugs took effect?Stop, Grace! Youโre being paranoid! Pull yourself together! Thereโs no way for them to know who you are! They were just being nice!After my little pep talk, I take a deep breath and head to my room. I was thinking about taking a shower tonight, but now Iโm nervo
โYeah, thatโs how I refer to people who donโt tell me their names. By their eye color.โ I explain, Sarahโs eyes dart to green eyes. โBut his eyes arenโt green. I mean greens in there, but theyโre not just green.โ Sarah says, and my eyes dart to his. Theyโre green! What the heck is she talking about? I lean closer on the table, to look better. Everyone at the table now paying attention. Why do I only see green? Are they crazy, or am I? Sarah laughs, โAll of their eye color is actually pretty close to yours, except around their pupils is more yellow, where yours is golden.โ I stare at her in disbelief and then shake my head, โNo. They all have different eye color. That and their scent, how else would you tell those two apart.โ I say pointing to green eyes and Dean. Olivia laughs, โWe donโt. I guess most of the time. Youโre going crazy their scents the same too.โ I narrow my eyes at her, โAre you guys fucking with me?โ Everybody at the table laughs, but shakes their h
Issac eyes me the whole way to the door, but I give him a reassuring smile. With that Justin pulls him out of the classroom, as I make it to the front of the room. โGrace, your disruptions during class are very inappropriate.โ Jefferson states and I nearly laugh. โWith all due respect, Mr. Jefferson, if you didnโt point out every sound I made it wouldnโt be an issue.โ I tell him and his eyes widen in surprise, then narrow in anger. โGrace, you may have the future Alpha protecting you right now but let me assure you that wonโt always be the case. I suggest you take my warning and straighten up.โ I roll my eyes having no idea what heโs talking about. Just because Issac stood up for me one time, heโs protecting me? โSo, in your classroom we canโt have discussions, got it.โ I turn on my heels and start walking away. His hand snatches my wrist, his claws come out slowly, piercing through my hoodie then my skin. I hiss in pain but hold his stare. โI suggest you stop acting lik
โGrace!โ Jessica exclaims once I walk through the door. I smile widely at her. โHey, Jessica!โ I exclaim back to her. โWhat can I do for you?โ She asks, standing up to walk closer to me. โUmโฆ I was wondering if you could show me the nurses office.โ She frowns, โWhat happened? Are you not feeling well?โ She asks as she starts to put her hand on my forehead. I smile and shake my head. โItโs nothing big, Iโm fine. Just need to see her.โ Her frown deepens, but she throws her head in the direction down the hall.I follow her until we get to a well-lit room at the end of the hall. A lady looks up from her desk with a huge smile on her face. Her short brown hair is pulled back into a ponytail and green eyes are sparkling at me. Jessica nudges me into the room, โGrace here needs to speak with you.โ The nurse stands and walks over to me, โOkay! Hi Grace, Iโm nurse Shelia. What seems to be the problem?โ She asks nudging me to the bed. Jessica stands in the corner, waiting
My brotherโs and I circle around Grace as she clutches her stomach with her uninjured hand and refuses to move her other hand. โGrace, let me see your stomach.โ I say aiming to head for her hoodie. My mate is injured and all I can think about is to what extent. She slaps my hands away still grimacing in pain. โNo! Donโt touch me. Iโm fine!โ She yells, causing me to pull back a little bit. Any thought that thought maybe the hoodie wasnโt hiding something falls out the window right then. By the look on both my brotherโs faces, I know theyโre thinking the same thing.โOkay Grace. Can we pick you up, so we can get you to the nurse's office?โ Dean asks calmly. โNo. Iโm fine.โ She says, quieter now. She grimaces as she attempts to sit up. Her breathing labored and I can hear how fast her heart is beating. I want nothing more than to hold her to my chest, easing her pain. I donโt know if that part of the bond can be felt by her yet, but we could try. I canโt stand to see
I wake up, and the first thing I see is Sarah sleeping on a chair in the corner, still wearing the same clothes she was in yesterday. I grimace when I try and sit up, I look down hoping no one touched me in my sleep. Iโm still dressed in yesterday's clothes so thatโs good. I sit on the edge of the bed dreading the act of pulling my body into a standing position, but I really need to pee, and I wouldnโt mind a shower. I hear a gasp then someone stumbling over to me. I look over at Sarah again, sheโs smiling and yawning on her way over to me. โYou stayed the night?โ I ask, pretty surprised that someone I meant yesterday stayed the night to make sure I was okay. She laughed, โWe all did. Your living room looks like the aftermath of a frat party.โ I stare at her wide-eyed than laugh. Why would they all stay with me? My thoughts are cut short when her arm lands in front of me. I look up at Sarah and she nudges me to take her arm to help me up. โYouโve been asleep for a while.
I walk myself to the dining hall, granted it takes a bit longer than usual. I donโt know why what Dean says bothers me so much. Itโs not like I even like him like that, the thought hasnโt even crossed my mind. Maybe Issac intense stare this morning got to me. Made me think there might be more going on than I thought. But that was with Issac. Why am I projecting those thoughts onto Dean? I grab my apple and water and go to sit down. Issac and Gunner take the spots next to me. Their scents immediately engulfing me, strangely making the pain in my torso not hurt so bad. Gunner has a Caramel and vanilla scent that mixes well with Issacs. I find myself trying to lean more into them just so I can bast in it. Then I remember that Iโm just a pack member to them. Not that I should care, even if we were into each other, there literally canโt be a future for us. Their family will only see me as a golden ticket, to take charge in the conflict between our packs. I shake my head, try
I finally get to see my mate again today, after not seeing her since breakfast. She wasnโt at lunch, and Iโm not sure where she was, but Iโm sure sheโll be here. Issac walks over to me, looking around me. โIs she here yet?โ I shake my head. โWhereโs Dean?โ I finally look at him, he has something he needs to tell us, itโs written all over his face. โWhat happened?โ He grimaces, โLets wait for Dean.โ Iโm about to respond when Dean comes over sulking. Heโs been like this since what he said to Grace this morning.He wasnโt trying to hurt her, but itโs one of those rules with the mate bond. He didnโt want to say something to make her think we were head over heels after two days, regardless of if we are or not, making her possibly think thereโs a bond. โGood, Dean. Has dad said anything more about Mr. Jefferson.โ Issac asks, instantly making my hair stand on end. What the fuck did he do to our girl now? Dean looks up at Issac, anger already clearly evident in his gaze. โNo.
I rested until kitchen duty, then kitchen duty was uneventful. When I sat at the table, next to Olivia on the edge, the triplets were eyeing me to whole dinner. I canโt eat; I was too nervous for this conversation. I donโt even know why. Iโm pulled from my thoughts when Gia squeals. โMidnight moon ball is coming soon?โ She yells, beyond excited. I look past Olivia to see her. Her face is bright with joy, I can already see the ideas for her dress running through her mind. I smile, seeing how happy she is.Sarah smiles, โYeah! My dad just told me! All the juniors and seniors here will have a pass to leave for the weekend!โ She claps her hands together practically jumping up and down. Iโve never been to a ball. Iโve had dancing lessons, because Heath said once he marries me off, I needed to be a good wife. I roll my eyes thinking about Heath and his stupid rules.โWhat balls arenโt your thing?โ Justin asks me. Olivia laughs, her mind taking a dirty turn.I look at Justin,
I canโt even think straight, with Grace being mad at us. My wolf wonโt calm down, walking around in circles in my head. Us both trying to think of ways to make her feel better about us. Hopefully tonight we can work it all out. I donโt know what Iโll do if we donโt. I watch her and Cole walk down the hill, he starts walking towards us, but she takes a sidestep. Stopping next to the coach, waiting there for instructions on what weโre doing. Cole sighs loudly, when he gets closer to us and realizes he lost her. โMan, I donโt know if sheโll forgive you guys for whatever sheโs mad about, but I do know she put Brycen in his place today. His charms are definitely no longer working on her.โ He smiles, seemingly thinking of a memory. All of our heads shoot to him when he says that. โHe got pissed when she told him she didnโt want to hang out with him tonight because she was hanging out with you guys. Definitely showed some of his true colors. Even had the nerve to act like he mi
โWhat do you mean, youโve rarely ever been able to make choices for yourself?โ Issacโs cold voice comes low and menacing. I just stare at him, not sure what to say. โItโs nothing.โ I say gruffly, not having an actual excuse. I see his eyes narrow, but then he sits down, taking the desk in front of me and turning it around. Crap, I forgot about the group project. This should be fun. Jordan sits next to me, while Justin grabs the seat next to Issac, flipping his around to. We read over the battle and the boys start discussing it. I sit there listening, but not really participating. How has so much happened in my life in five days? โWhat do you think?โ Cole nudges my arm tearing me from my thoughts. I look around all eyes are on me. โSorry. What?โ I ask and Cole gives me a knowing look, before repeating what was said.I somehow make it through the rest of the class, praising the Goddess when the bell finally rings. Grabbing my things and making a run for it. I donโt kno
I wake up with a splitting headache. I donโt even know if itโs from the alcohol, drowning, or the yelling. I groan loudly into my pillow, when I hear my door creak open. I pull my pillow off my face and see Gia standing there with a smile on her face and a mug in her hands.She walks over to me handing me the mug, along with some pain killers. โTea, with my secret ingredient. Itโll help with the hangover. I take both from her, giving her a grateful smile.Gia sits down on the foot of my bed, looking at her feet. She finally speaks after what feels like forever, โYou know Iโve known about Justinโs crush on me for a long time.โ My eyes widen, she always acts oblivious to his crush. She continues, โI knew before the triplets were even aware of it. One day Dean hit on me.โ She looks over at me, reading my face, but I give her nothing. Even if my heart feels like itโs shrinking on the inside. โJustin wouldnโt talk to him for days. Dean had no idea why. Finally, he put two an
We decided we shouldnโt all bombard Graceโs โwhateverโ with Brycen. I could see if her eyes how much it freaked her out when the bond tried to take effect, making her not want to leave. Her not understanding why I had that effect on her. I wish we could just tell her. Maybe none of this would be happening. Dean wouldnโt be out there, making sure our girls okay after being out with another guy. Fuck, the jealously is real though. I canโt even sit still, Iโve been pacing since we left the dining hall, Gunnerโs been brooding in the recliner. Jordan not understanding whatโs going on, and Justin trying to help, but not knowing what to do. We need to find a way to figure out her birthday, so we know how much longer this has to go on. This is going to kill us. I hear the door open, and slam back shut. My head whips up to see a fuming Dean. Fuck. โI fucked up. We fucked up. I mean. Fuck! This is all fucked up!โ He yells angrily, walking over to the fridge, swinging it open a
We walk in silence on the way to my cabin. She pushed me in! Was she actually willing to kill me? Just because I wasnโt willing to be her friend? Did it really effect her life that much? Iโm pulled from my mind when a body comes flying out of no where, grabbing Brycen and throwing him into the nearest tree. โWhy is she soaking wet? What the hell happened?โ Dean yells at Brycen. Goddess, this is the last thing I need right now. โDean!โ I run over to him and try pulling Dean off of Brycen, but he doesnโt budge. โDean, stop! He saved me! Stop!โ I yell at him, and he finally relents, pulling himself off of Brycen, the latter falling to the ground coughing. Oh my Goddess. Was Dean choking him? I go to help Brycen, patting his back. Dean looks at me, โWhat do you mean he saved you? Why did you need saving?โ I flinch at his tone but look up into his eyes. โI fell into the water. If he wouldnโt have helped me, I would have died.โ I explain, getting angry. If it wasnโt
I change my shorts and Hoodie and then hear a knock at my door. I go to open it, being graced with a beaming smile from Brycen, โYou ready?โ I nod, giving him a slight smile. Iโm still reeling over the turn of events from dinner.We walk in silence, til we get closer to the pond. โAre you okay?โ Brycen asks, and I look up at him. โIโm fine.โ He nods, โI saw what happened at dinner. It doesnโt surprise me that the triplets are trying to claim you.โ My brows furrow in confusion, โI donโt think theyโre trying to claim me. Theyโre just worried about me.โ I say, not understanding why heโd think that. He chuckles, โTrust me. Theyโre trying to claim you. They have like a pact or something to sleep with every girl here.โ My heart sinks when I hear that, regardless of it having no reason to. Why should I care that theyโve slept with every girl here. Granted, I guess I should care if Iโm their latest conquest. Is that why theyโre so nice to me? Is that why they donโt want me h
I managed to only slip and almost fall a handful of times before we finished. That was so exciting, so exhilarating! Iโve never done anything like that before! I end with a beaming smile on my face, having decided to forget about the weird moment I shared with Dean. โThat was so exciting!โ I lean into Gunner, whoโs smiling down at me. He wraps his arm around my waist pulling me closer, laughing at my reaction. I quickly pull away, having forgotten he doesnโt like being touched, โSorry.โ I say quickly once Iโm no longer touching him. He frowns, โFor what?โ โI was told you donโt like being touched. Iโm sorry I didnโt realize.โ I rush out, wanting him to forgive me for my previous transactions along with this one. His face changes to one of almostโฆ Panic? That canโt be right. โNoโฆ I mean, I donโt mind. I donโt mind when you touch me. I mean its only certain people.โ He stutters out, and my eyes soften. Before I can respond, Justin walks up, โOh, please. You wonโt eve
Music class was fine, Iโm still miserable at the piano, but I think Iโve learned a couple things.Now, Iโm sitting in Art, Cole by my side. Kids are still slowly making their way into class, when I see Brycen apart of the mix. He smiles when he sees me and starts walking over to me. โHey Grace, Hey Cole!โ He exclaims and I smile and give him a little wave. โHey, Brycen!โ I look at Cole, he just frowns and nods his head at Brycen. Weird. โMind if I sit with you today?โ Brycen asks, I nod my head pointing to the empty chair next to me. โSo, Grace, me and a few friends are hanging out tonight, down by the lake. I was wondering if you wanted to join? You can come to Cole, if you want.โ Brycen says, looking at me expectantly. I grimace slightly, thinking about hanging out at the lake, when I canโt swim. Then I realize Iโve been doing that all week. Cole shakes his head, โWeโre busy.โ My head whips to him. Did he just say we? โDoing what? I donโt remember making plans.โ