- Caleb -

I was surprised when Everest didn't make much of a fuss about leaving, even more than surprised when she just straight up left.

It wasn't until I was laying in bed more than a few minutes after she had left that I truly realized I had just left a very beautiful and more than vulnerable girl to walk home alone.

I had run out of the house but couldn't find her anywhere.

I ran back to the truck and actually went around the town to see if I could find her, but every house was dark and there was no sign that she was ever even out tonight.

All I knew about this girl was her first name, her hair and eye color, and that she is a student here in town with a possessive father who she lives with.

But other than that she is a ghost to me.

I realized that I wasn't going to find her, she didn't want me to find her, damn for all I know she wanted to leave as much as I had wanted her to leave. She knew I wasn't serious about tonight, she knew it was all just a fuck...so why was I so worried all of a sudden?

Worried that something would happen to her.

Worse, worried that I would NEVER see her again.

'It's for the best.' I thought to myself, 'this is what I want, can't get caught up in something if I'm just leaving anyways.'

Suddenly I hoped I never did see her again, didn't need her coming in and confusing my plans.

_________

(four days later)

I found myself looking at the bar door once again as another person entered the bar, something I found myself doing lately, half expecting Everest to walk in...but she never did.

"Hey Caleb."

I turned to see one of the familiar blondes that had become a regular since the start of the new semester.

"Hey babe, what'll it be tonight."

I used the usual "babe" as I always do when I can't remember a girls name, or when I want to get her to come home with me.

In this case it was a little bit of both.

"Just the usual." She smiled sexily.

All of these sorority girls always order the same thing and therefore I gave her the same drink I give every single one of them. She happily took it and slide her money over the bar.

With every new person that entered I still couldn't help but look to see if Everest would enter.

"So we're having a football rally tomorrow evening around dusk, you should come."

I nodded, "I might."

"And you might think about being my date to the rally."

At this I chuckled, she was bold.

" I won't promise you anything I'm not sure I can keep, but I will say, I'll try." I admitted.

"You really should try Caleb, I've yet to show you some of my many talents...have I ever mentioned that I used to be quiet the gymnast?" She smirked seductively as she swirled her straw around in her glass, "and let's just say...while I haven't practiced in years, some things just stay with you, almost like riding a bike."

And she had just reeled me in.

"I'm sure I can make some time for you babe."

"It's Whitney by the way, but I'll let it slide this time..." She giggled as she hopped off the barstool "see ya tomorrow."

I shrugged as she left and then continued tending the bar the rest of the evening.

__________

"There's a spot over there." I said as I held Whitney's hand and lead her just outside of the crowd.

"Aww it's all the way in the back." She pouted.

I wrapped my arms around her waist from behind, "the better to move around, wouldn't you say so?" I asked as I placed a small kiss on the side of her neck, she let out a light giggle and I kissed the exact same place.

I had this urge to be aware of my surrounding.

But after having to come out tonight and put up with town members I had been trying to avoid this whole time, I was going to lay down the track for tonight to get Whitney into my bed.

She turned her head and found my mouth, I didn't miss a beat and her kissing had dulled that urge and silenced whatever was coursing through me as my mind was now a little more preoccupied trying not to get hard in front of this whole fucking crowd.

Soon the football team rushed out and the crowd around us cheered, Whitney included. I laughed alongside her enthusiasm and even found myself yelling some of the teams slogans.

__________

- Everest -

It had been a few days since that night with Caleb and I had knowingly stayed away, hoping the old adage 'absence makes the heart grow fonder' would hold true...I know it had for me as I was so desperate to see him that I actually excused myself from dinner and knowingly came to town to seek him out.

Upon arriving I found that some sort of town celebration was happening, I was completely confused as to what was going on but I could see that it looked like the whole town seemed to be outside so I realized instantly that I wouldn't likely find Caleb in the bar.

I closed my eyes and let my wolf feel for him, I have never tried finding my mate with my wolfs instincts alone, but it quickly worked as I began walking in the direction my wolf was urging me to go.

I didn't have to search for him, I found him easily as he was standing behind the main crowd, only he wasn't alone.

I was frozen to my spot, I wanted to shift but knew better. I wanted to run but found I couldn't look away or move.

My wolf was pissed.

And when the crowd started cheering it pulled me from my own personal hell as I was finally able to move, I didn't waste any time to hightail it out of there.

Once I was a safe distance away from the humans I shifted without so much as a second thought and angrily ran to my favorite spot. Once I reached the wide lake I sat on the lake shore and slowly calmed down long enough to shift back.

Naked, hurt, and all alone I sobbed quietly until the sun set completely.

I looked up at the moon and silently asked the moon goddess "why?"

My absence had not made his heart grow fonder nor did he feel the effects of us being mates, hell he didn't even know I was there tonight. I knew I was never going to be with him and my time was up.

Even though my birthday is still four days away, the party is tomorrow night, there's no way I am going to be able to be with him.

I have to be real with myself and just stop before things get harder.

I know if I ever want to get over him I have to reject him, that's the only way my wolf will stop pining to be with him, but there is no way I could face him tonight, i'd probably claw his dick off and then hunt down his little blonde bed warmer.

A cool breeze reminded me of myself, and how I was sitting on the ground outside, naked!

I shifted and ran home.

Once again my father wasn't home but the house was packed in preparation for the party tomorrow.

Everyone I passed stopped and acknowledged my wolfs form walking through the house but no one said a word about it.