Chapter 14

Three days later I sat in class with Lyla talking about Neil. The Chemistry teacher who was always punctual still hadn’t arrived so everyone in the class was using the opportunity to goof off.

“I can’t believe he’s still not talking to you, he’s so immature!” Lyla was saying to me.

I had told her about following Neil into the woods and how he’d reacted when I’d confronted him about it afterwards, but I failed to mention the white wolf or even the fact that I had been on trial. Some secrets were your own to keep.

I sighed; “It’s partially my fault though, I should have tried talking to him more about it, I mean she is the love of his life after all.”

I looked to the far end of the room. Neil had even moved from his seat beside me to sit as far away from me as possible. The last time I had been in a situation like this, was in kindergarten.

He really was being childish but I had to apologize to him. I couldn’t help but feel like it was my fault why he’d started hanging out with Steven and his friends. Oh yeah I guess I forgot to mention that part. He spent pretty much all his free time with the jerks and who knew what kind of trouble they were getting into. Oh wait, I did;

I winced as a felt the familiar stab of discomfort along my spine. This morning as I’d stood at my locker, Steven had walked up to me and slammed me into it, laughed and walked off, with Steven trailing behind him. He hadn’t even had the decency to look at me.

At the moment he had his head down on his desk and I felt another nudge of guilt because Carson had seen when Steven had done what he did and as the group of them had tried to walk pass him, Carson had punched him right in the face, just like that, boy had I been impressed. Then he’d taken Neil aside and said something to him. I wasn’t sure what exactly, but from the droop in Neil’s shoulders, it couldn’t have been good.

I sighed again.

“That was nothing for him to act that way over, that would be putting you at risk, he was selfish to ask you that.” Lyla said, for once her face was serious,

“Will everyone settle down please, settle down, settle down.” I heard the principal’s voice and reluctantly turned away from her to look to the front of the class and boy did my heart go on a race track.

I looked over at Lyla who was now looking at me, a grin spread wide on her face. I couldn’t even form a coherent thought, I just shifted my gaze once more to the front of the class.

“Mrs. Reid won’t be back for a while, apparently she has other things to take care of…at this time of the year,” the principal went on, he was clearly not impressed with Mrs. Reid’s lack of consideration ; “but fortunately, Mr. Sage here stepped in at the right time so he will be your substitute until she gets back.” He announced.

Then looked at his watch and turned and walked out of the class, leaving Mr. Tall dark and Sexy standing there, his gaze roaming the faces before him, to land on mine. He smiled and I could have sworn half the female population of the class sighed in pleasure.

Just like the first two times I had seen him, he was dressed in all black, only this time he wasn’t in a full suit but just looking at his attire, any amateur could see that, those clothes weren’t something a person could afford of a teacher’s salary. Family money maybe?

“Good morning class, as your principal already told you, I’m Mr. sage, but I do think it’s terribly boring so you can all just call me Lucas.” His heavily accented voice sent shivers down my spine. It sounded like British mixed with…Italian? and damn if it wasn’t dipped in honey because the rich sound was sweet on the ears.

His eyes still held mine, much like it had the night at the pizza place, only this time, he looked mildly amused rather than like he wanted to rip the clothes from my body.

“Today we won’t be doing any work, we’ll just try to get to know each other, so let’s have some introductions, starting with…you.” why wasn’t I surprised he’d called on me?

As I moved to stand, my heart pounding in my chest, Mr. Sage went over to the front of his desk and leaned against it, arms in his pockets.

“Your name, one thing you love and one thing you hate.” He said, looking directly into my eyes.

“Uhm… my name’s Laken Cardonelli, one thing I love is…” Carson’s face popped up in my mind at the thought but obviously I couldn’t say that., so I said the next best thing; “sour skittles and one think I hate is uhm…Math.”

“Really? That’s what you hate?” he asked, tilting his head to the side, and damn if that didn’t look strangely familiar.

“Well I think I’ll go next then, I’m Lucas Sage, as you all already know, I love a challenge and I hate broken promises.” He intoned his eyes boring into mine with such an intensity I had to look away and I got the strangest feeling he was trying to tell me something.

“You may sit Mr. Cardonelli, who’s next?” and of course Lyla’s hand shot up.

“I’m Lyla Montee, I love love love my boyfriend Matt!” the class chuckled at this, “ and I hate pineapple pizza topping.”

That’s pretty much how the entire class went. After he’d told me to sit, I’d put my head on the desk and didn’t raise it again until the bell rang, signaling the end of the period.

“Come prepared to start some real work next time, Laken, may I speak with you please.”

“I’ll wait for you outside.” Lyla said with a wink.

I rolled my eyes and I slowly and with obvious reluctance, made my way over to him. He was half sitting on his desk his hand clasped loosely in his lap.

He didn’t speak until the last student exited the room.

“Is it that you have a really short memory or are you just trying to forget?” he was smiling as he said this.

I looked at him confused; “I don’t understand.”

“Try to remember who I am Laken, I’m sure if you give it even the slightest bit of thought it will come to you.”

“I remember you from the pizza place and the movies but-“ I started.

“You’ll figure it out.” He said then; “You may go.” And with that I went to go find Lyla who was standing at my locker.

“So?” she asked, eyes wide.

“So what?” I asked, trying to play ignorant.

“What did he want?!”

“He says I know him from somewhere and I should try to remember, that’s all, the guy is weird Lyla” I dumped my books into the locker and slammed it shut.

“hmm well do you?”

“I’m pretty sure I’d remember a face like that if I’d seen him before, but I feel like he’s familiar somehow, I don’t know.” I shrugged it off.

“You’re right; you would remember a face like that, omg! Imagine what Carson’s gonna say when he finds out he’s your teacher!” she exclaimed suddenly, eyes ablaze with delight.

I shook my head, he’d probably try to pull me from the class I joked to myself.

……………………

“You’re dropping chemistry.”

“What? I can’t drop chemistry, it’s my favorite subject!” it’s like I knew him inside out.

We were in my room at my parent’s house, I’d finally moved back on Sunday. I sat around my desk doing homework and he was across the room lounging on my bed.

“Laken the guy’s a fucking pervert, I don’t want you in that class with him.” He said. He sounded like he meant it but somehow I couldn’t quite take him seriously when he was lying on my bed playing catch with a stuffed rabbit I’d had since I was five years old.

I took up my phone and snapped a picture.

He didn’t notice.

“It’s not like he can do anything with so many students there.” I explained.

“And when he calls you into his office? Or gives you detention and you’re stuck there with him, then what?” he said wisely.

I didn’t want to drop chemistry so I’d just have to take the risk.

“You’re overreacting and I’m not dropping my favorite subject, I can hardly stand school as it is, this is probably the only think keeping me going.” I turned back to my books.

“You’re dropping it.” He was finally sitting up now, stuffed toy discarded.

I turned fully to look at him, eyes glinting “Is that an order Alpha? I don’t know why, but for some reason I thought we’d passed that stage.” I said, arms folded, mouth set in an angry line

He sighed and shook his head; “A…request.” and I could tell it was hard for him to say that.

“Well request denied.”

When he glared over at me, I grinned and got up, then sat down in his lap when I reached over to him. Putting my arms around his neck “Stop worrying so much, I’ll be fine.”

He slipped his arm around my waist but he still wasn’t smiling, so I kissed him and almost immediately, his bad mood was forgotten and he was kissing me back. Hands sliding up my shirt, causing me to shiver. I felt him tense when his hand travelled up my back.

“We can’t.” he said, releasing me and standing so that I was forced to get off his lap.

“Why not? I’m fine.honest!”

“You’re not fully healed and I’m not taking the chance of making it worse.” His voice was firm, which meant NO.

I glared up at him for a second then went back to my books.

You win some you lose some.

………………….

“Laken dinner’s ready!” my mom called up to me.

“Coming!” I was down stairs in a flash, man was I starving!

“Where’s dad?” I questioned when we sat at the table.

“Oh you know him, working late again.” he said, but she wouldn’t look me in the eyes, which meant she was lying.

Ever since the night of the trial my dad hadn’t said a word to me. He wouldn’t even look at me. I knew I’d disappointed him but his attitude towards me hurt. I’d have preferred if he’d yelled or called me every name he could think of, but to ignore me? It was the worst.

“How can I make him know how sory I am? What do I have to do mom?” I asked.

She looked over at me, tears in her eyes, then reached across the table for my hand. “Just give him time dear, he’ll come around, I promise.” Then she offered me a small smile which didn’t help in any way to make me feel better about the situation.

“I really wish you’d just tell me why you went into the woods Laken.” she voiced, her eyes pleading.

“We got a new Chem. teacher today, Mrs. Reid just up and left.” I said changing the subject. She sighed, but played along anyway.

“Really? I hope she knows her stuff, can’t have her ruining your favorite subject for you.” She smiled.

“Actually it’s a guy-“

We looked around when I heard the key in the door which meant dad was home. I straightened in the chair.

“Night.” He grumbled when he entered.

“Hey sweetheart, how was your day?” my mom asked when he came over and kissed her on the cheek.

“Not bad.” was his reply, then he was out of the room and up the stairs. He hadn’t even spared me a glance.

“Don’t worry honey, I’ll talk to him for you.” My mom said, trying to make me feel better.

Instead of answering, I took up my fork and ate a few bites, my appetite now nonexistent.

After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, she said; “You know I heard the council will be gathering a group of females werewolves next week. They say it’s strange the Alpha hasn’t found his mate yet so they’re going to try to help him out.” She said excitedly.

“Can you imagine? The alpha finding his mate, it will be so sweet to watch.” She continued with a grin.

My eyes flashed up to her and I swallowed hard. Carson hadn’t said anything about that.

“They can do that?”

“Of course, they’re the council, but obviously it will still be the Alpha’s decision whether or not he wants to go through with it, but why wouldn’t he.” she said scooping up some mashed potato.

“Mom? What if…what if the Alpha never finds a mate…Then what?” I asked my voice soft and shallow.

“Well...I doubt that will happen but it’s possible and if his mate doesn’t show up before his 20th birthday, then she won’t show up at all. The council will choose someone for him and he’ll eventually perform the ritual, that’s the custom.”

“Yeah” I answered in a soft voice, I put my hand over my heart. I could literally feel it breaking. His birthday was on the thirteenth of January and today was the 5th of December.

He didn’t have much time left, and it seemed that no matter how this played out I’d be the one to lose out. If he didn’t find a mate, one would be selected for him. My hand drifted up to the pendant and I clutched it and closed my eyes.

“Laken are you alright?” when I opened them it was to find her staring at me in concern.

“I don’t feel very well, I think I’ll go to bed.” Then I pushed out of the chair.

“What’s wrong honey?” she had gotten up as well, her eyes wide with the concern of a mother.

“Just a headache mom.” Then I ran up the stairs, slammed my room door shut and buried my head in my pillow, waiting for the tears to come. Nothing happened. I think I was probably just too heartbroken to cry.

I don’t know how long as I lay there looking up at the ceiling before I took up my phone and sent him a text.

“ Y didn’t u tell me the council wld choose a mate for u if u don’t find 1 by ur 2oth?

……………………………………….

I woke up with a jolt, my heart pounding in my chest from the dream I’d just had. It had been about the white wolf, he’d been lying in the forest hurt and dying, and with his last breath he’d said I should have kept my promise.

That’s what woke me at 3: am that morning. I’d finally figured it out… Mr. Sage was the white wolf!

AUTHOR'S NOTES

DUN DUN DUUUNNNNNN!! PRETTY SURE MOST OF YOU HAD ALREADY FIGURED IT OUT...BUT FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HADN'T...SURPRISE!!

HOPE YOU LIKE THIS CHAPTER...OH AND JUST A QUICK SIDE NOTE; ( when this book ends, i'll be posting a new story, another awesome boyxboy so don't forget to check it out...it will be up as soon as this story ends...(think i'll end this at chapter 31 who knows) :))

ShOuT oUtS: To Vonnilea..your crazy comments had be cracking up! and to scblais who loves Carson probably just as much as I do :D..love you guys!!!

My twitter: TwinZ_Double

-DoUbLe.A

-unedited.