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- "niffles nd himpers."

I walk at a leisurely pace, shoving my hands into my pockets and enjoying the cool breeze. The wind blows softly, making my hair fly from my forehead.

What a pleasant weather...

Just kidding.

The afternoon sun is scorching, burning right overhead. But I still walk slowly, 'cause I want time to think.

Lunch isn't over yet, and since Seneca seemed to be overly eager to avoid being late, I'd told her to go.

Now, There's a handful of minutes remaining for the first bell and my class is only 10 steps far from where I'm standing; which is in front of the building by the way.

Seneca had earlier dragged me to the school garden if you're wondering.

Going off topic, Micajah.

Yeah, so where was I?

In front of the building.

I sigh and rush to climb the front steps, because if I stand one more minute in the burning heat, I'd get a heat stroke. I push open the sliding double doors and get in, and the rush of conditioned cool air that greets me with open arms make me sigh in delight.

Overdramatic, I know.

I open my eyes and expect nothing of consequence, but as usual, there's always something that I don't want to see.

In this case, I see the back of a short girl, and a blond ponytail, which is unmistakably the stunted form of Nora—standing in front of my class. The hallways are deserted because no one here wants to be that dork who always comes early to class.

What the heck is she doing here?

I'm about to turn around and take the other route, which is through the back door of the building, when she senses my presence and turns around.

Crap.

"Mike!" I'm prepared to even run if that's what it takes, but the desperation and hysteria in her usually bubbly voice stop me in my tracks. I reluctantly turn my eyes to her, and the sight that meets me makes my heart squeeze painfully.

Nora has tears running down her cheeks and mascara dripping down in an ugly trial.

Don't cave Micajah, don't. She will hurt you again.

I ignore the old need to comfort her at her time of need, and push away all those feelings. I will not fall for her tricks once again.

I think of the scene she created minutes ago, and feel anger surge through me. With that in mind, I steel myself and stalk forward, looking straight ahead at the door.

Just as I'd predicted, Nora rushes forward, grabbing my arm in her death grip. "Mike, Mike! Please, You've gotta listen—"

"Shut up, Nora. Just stop all this and leave me out of whatever you're planning," I snap at her, glaring with all the anger I can muster. Her tear-filled eyes well with fresh tears, and I, once again have to stifle the urge to apologize. I yank my arm back forcefully from her grip, and I've not even taken two steps when she catches up to me again.

"Mike, you don't kn—"

"The wound is still too fresh, Lenora." I say, looking directly at her this time. I have never used her full name before, and I can see the surprise and hurt in her eyes when I do so. She swallows hard.

"I'm sorry," She whispers, her voice sounding so broken.

Don't, Don't, Don't!

I bite my lip as I look at her disheveled state, her haphazardly combed hair, and her big doe eyes. Maybe there was a reason for what she did, Maybe—

'Think of our Mate!' My Wolf barks.

That snaps me out of it.

I shake my head and take one last glance at her, as I leave her behind, and walk towards the door of Room 2B.

At least, it is just Ms. Smith's class... She will cut me some slack.

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'Freedom!' I cry out mentally, as the holy sound of bell ringing reaches my ears. Everyone rushes out, carrying their books and I don't wait a second to do the same.

I had met Nicole at P.E., but being the adamant person she is, she'd refused to open her darned mouth. I'd threatened her in all ways possible, but she hadn't caved to my obviously fake threats.

I shake my head and continue walking, determined this time to not think about Nora and her problems anymore.

When I reach the parking lot, I see Seneca leaning on her car, as usual, waiting patiently for me. Beta Ezra is there too, but he's loudly chatting away in his phone, so he doesn't notice me coming. I contemplate whether to risk the awkwardness that would be the result if I go with Seneca to home when suddenly I hear high-pitched squeals.

Gag. My ears almost bleed.

Having decided to go with Beta Ezra, I near the two cars when the squeals become louder and closer. I turn around to see Emerald Richmond and her posse of two; Candace Everdeen and Priscilla Black.

Sigh. What are they doing here?

They strut our way surprisingly fast in their 4-inch stilettos, and I almost puke when Emerald rushes forward wraps her bony arms around Beta Ezra's neck, placing her overly painted red lips on his.

Yuck.

I'm about to avert my eyes and give them their privacy when thankfully they part, and Beta Ezra looks at me with a smirk.

Why . . . ?

The answer to my question becomes clear when he opens the passenger door of his car for Emerald. Candace and Priscilla open the back doors and make themselves comfortable in his four-seater car.

Oh!

My jaw slacks.

Beta Ezra closes Emerald's scissor door for her, and climbs into the driver seat, closing it, all the while I gape at him. He revs the engine and waves me a girly goodbye, smiling saccharinely. "Enjoy the ride with Alpha!" He calls over his back, and speeds out of his parking lot!

So, this was his plan all the while?

Fûck him.

I clench my jaw in frustration and turn around, only to see Seneca already in the driver's seat of her car, looking straight ahead. I gulp and walk around the bonnet to the passenger seat. I bend down and knock on the window and she turns to the side raising her brow.

I shrug, pointing to the glass.

She presses the button and the glass slides down. I clear my throat.

"Actually, I wanted to tell you that Nic—"

"Sorry, I'm late!" She yells, interrupting me mid-sentence, as she runs towards the car; or more precisely towards me.

She comes to a halt two steps before me, panting and out of breath. When she sees Seneca in the car, she straightens up, looking down respectfully.

"Alpha," She greets, her tone low and polite.

"That's what I wanted to say." I point to a rigid Nicole. "We have a . . . History project that's due tomorrow and . . . yeah, I invited her over to our place to do it . . ." I trail off and blush when I realize the way I sounded, "The History project, I mean . . ." I add, unable to control the flushing of my cheeks.

Seneca looks at me flatly for a few seconds, and then her eyes shift to Nicole.

"She's Nicole Ma-chi-avelli, by the way." I mumble, jerking my thumb awkwardly.

"I know who she is." Seneca says and takes a deep breath.

"Um, yeah..." I murmur, looking down in embarrassment. "So . . . Since there's only one seat in the car, we'll walk . . . ?" I suggest in a questioning tone, and push my glasses up my nose, looking at her hopefully.

Seneca's grip on the wheel tightens, and she presses her lips together in an even harder line. She turns abruptly and meets Nicole's eyes and I can almost feel a message passing between them. Nicole's eyes widen a fraction and she nods hurriedly, making me confused.

I wonder what she told her . . .

Before I could linger on that any longer, Seneca turns to me, and her eyes darken.

"You two will study. Only study." She says in a warning tone and nods, before bringing the engine to life.

Is that jealousy I hear?

Nah, it's your imagination Micajah. Nothing else.

"Take care." She says lowly but clearly over the roar of the car and presses down the accelerator pedal, speeding away.

Was that an improvement from earlier or did I just dig my own grave?

I don't know.

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"I call dibs on the Nutella!" Nicole yells as she runs into the kitchen.

"It's mine!" I call as I charge after her.

After giving Nicole a tour of the house and enjoying her dramatic reactions to all the grandeur of this Mansion that oozes wealth at every corner, we'd decided to start with the given work. Brainstorming for two hours and mapping out the outline of our Project, had drained us out, and we'd decided to leave the study room and it's suffocating white walls to take a small snack break.

Yeah, I was the one who chose the study room, 'cause I didn't want to push my luck by taking Nicole to my room.

Who knows what Seneca would do if I do that . . .

"But I called dibs!" Nicole whines, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"Let's share," I suggest, and grab a spoon from the neatly arranged cutlery in the dining table. Nicole makes quick work of finding the bread from the pantry cupboard and I grab two plates from the table as well, placing them on the counter.

As Nicole places two slices on her plate, I dig the spoon into the heavenly chocolate and dig out a generous scoop. I place it on her bread and she watches with starry eyes as the chocolate drips from the spoon and falls on the bread.

"Wow, Micajah. I have never met such a generous Nutella lover before!" Nicole exclaims, and I can hear her salivating at the treat.

Ha.

"Who said I was generous?" I smirk and dump the entire jar on my plate. She shrieks in horror and tries to hit me from across the counter, but her arms are too short.

I laugh at her and grab the jar from my plate before she could capture it. I cradle it to my chest and run, but she jumps out of her bar stool, and pounces on my back. I yelp and before I could balance myself, her weight pushes me, and I land on the ground, breaking into fits of laughter.

"Give it to me!" Nicole yells, from somewhere on top of me. Tears of laughter blur my vision, but I don't give up, clutching the jar tightly to my chest.

"No!" I holler, trying to contain my laughter.

"Give it—"

"Will you two shut the fuck up?!"

Silence.

I turn my head slowly to the side, hoping against hope that it's not who I think it is.

Unfortunately, it is.

Seneca looks murderous as she stands there with her hands on her hips, glaring at us. Her eyes trail over the kitchen as she takes in the scene, at the Nutella spilled counter, my ruined clothes, and at Nicole who is grabbing my tee's collar—which I notice only now, and her straddling me.

Fück.

"Get a room," She spits out, her eyes and voice conveying disgust. She shakes her head and turns around, storming out.

"Fūck!" I curse under my breath, as I softly push Nicole away from me. I sit up and grab fistfuls of my blond locks, trying to curb the urge to yell out in frustration.

'Do something! Beg for forgiveness!' My Wolf yells at me, and this kick starts my body into action. I jump to a stand and am about to run after her, when I hear sniffling.

Crap.

I turn around to see Nicole's eyes brimming with tears.

Goddess, Is it 'Let's all cry day' or something?

"Nicole, I..."

"I'm so sorry, Micajah. I never meant to create a problem! I'm so sorry!" She cries, wiping her tears.

"Don't apologize, Nic. It wasn't just your fault." I mumble in a pathetic attempt to console her.

"But still, I'm so sorry... Aren't you going after her?" Nicole asks, standing up.

"No, Nic. I know Seneca, and I know she won't let me in." I sigh and turn back, gesturing to the mess. "Okay, who'll clean this up?"

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