It had been a week and I was avoiding the martial arts. I wasn't made for this class. A strong hand picked the sealed bottle of water. He sat next to me. He twisted the lid and finished the bottle in one big gulp.
"Wow!" I turned my gaze to him.
Jasper grinned and put the empty bottle with a thud, "What's the plan for today?" He asked, arching his brows.
I shrugged my shoulders, "No classes, no job." I smiled.
He leaned back and looked at me, "Where are your friends? Aren't they taking you out?" He asked, with a twist at the corners of his lips.
"Can I go out of the campus?" My voice was full of excitement. I wasn't minding coming to the cafeteria in my pyjamas and full sleeves warm top. I brushed my hair before getting downstairs.
"Of course," He chuckled.
"What are you still doing in your pyjamas?" Silver stood over the other side of the table. She stared at my clothes, thinning her lips.
One look at her was told me that she was good for a runway walk. Her rose-pink dress was short, with a cut on the one side of her dress, her bag was hanging over her shoulder, and her make-up was perfect.
"No one told me that I was going somewhere," I said, looking at my plate.
"Well," She folded her arms, "I'm telling you now. Move your a**, Emma. Now," She stared at me.
"You can't talk to my friend like that." Jasper threw his arm over my shoulder. He smirked at Silver, his gaze was challenging.
She rolled her eyes, "She needs it. She'll feel good among humans."
"You're also human." They looked at me expressionlessly. Indeed all gazes landed on me, "Um, less human, more werewolf." I tried to smile.
I wasn't bothered by others. They flashed their smiles my way. Exhaling, I relaxed in my chair.
"That was better," Jasper patted my back and I jerked forward with the impact.
"I'm the delicate piece of God, you know." I grabbed the side of the table to stop myself from falling.
His teeth showing a smile flashed, showing his perfect teeth, "Yea, sometimes I forgot." He removed his hand and pressed his first two fingers to his temple.
I grabbed the grilled sandwich and drew on my feet, "I'll be back soon."
"Sure," Silver said.
Jasper grabbed my plate and began to eat, "You're not getting anything after returning." his eyes were on the plate.
"I'm full," I said.
I don't usually pile my plate. The guy ahead of me in the queue shoved it in my hand. I don't want to waste food. So I took it.
"Who served you?" Silver asked, her eyes narrowed slightly. She always did this when she witnessed something unwanted.
"The boy ahead of me. His friends called him..." She didn't let me complete it.
"He could have poisoned you." Her eyes narrowed fully at me.
I took a step back. I had faced it before. I ended up in the hospital.
Jasper smelled the food, "It's not poisoned. But you can't take things, who you don't know.'' His voice was holding power.
I huffed but nodded. They knew this place better than me.
" I'm not going to harm you," Silver dropped her arms, her shoulders dropped.
"I know. I'll be back in ten minutes," I spun and left the cafeteria.
'They can't treat me like a child. Why will someone poison me? Werewolves can do it with one swipe of their claw over my throat. What will anyone get from my death? My job and a lot of responsibilities.'
I saw shifters running freely. I wasn't scared of them anymore. I was getting used to them around me. The morning view is always pleasant, wolves running around like playing kids in the park. I was trying to have a glimpse of the black wolf. All I got - was disappointment.
I already consigned to death signing the paper, keeping the secret a secret, of being a part of the shifter world, when I entered this academy. Things had changed. I liked to be here.
Avidly, I walked toward my room. I never thought another place would feel like home. I was allowed out. That wasn't in my mind when I was thinking about my family.
I changed into black trousers, a black blouse with thick stripes. I grabbed my backpack. It was looking outdated with my outfit. It was gifted by my sister. I kept it close to me. I was genuinely curious to go out.
I peered into the cafeteria. There was no sign of them. They must be in the parking lot.
I quickened my steps. Jasper was leaning against a giant SUV. It was matching his personality, making him look tougher. He straightened at my sight and shoved his phone in his pocket.
I peeped inside, "Where's Elizabeth and Silver? "
He opened the door for me, "Hop in," He said, walking around the car.
I stared at him with confusion. He got behind the wheel and ignited the car. It broke the silence and roared like a wild beast.
Doubtfully, I sat in. I was safe with him, "Why aren't they coming?" I asked.
He handed me his phone. I peered at the screen. Her name was flashing over the big screen. I answered it immediately, taking it from him, "Why am I without a phone?" I furrowed my brows in irritation.
I heard her chuckle. But it died immediately, "My grandma isn't feeling well. She wanted to see me. I have to leave without informing you."
She seemed panicked, "It's okay."
"Jasper is a good company."
"I know,"
I advanced my hand at Jasper. He took it without any expression, "I'm dropping you at the mall. Exactly, after thirty minutes, I will meet you in a cafe." He said, lifting his hand from the steering wheel, glancing at his wrist,
Questions were hovering in my mind. I couldn't ask. I didn't want to interfere.
"Ok," I nodded.
He smirked looking at me before turning his gaze straight, "You're not asking questions. The basic nature of humans." He let out a chuckle.
"I don't poke my nose in personal matters." I shrugged my shoulders slightly. The road was surrounded by woods. This was a different path but a smooth one, no debris, no dirt, no dust.
"Hm," He sped the car.
"Your car is so beautiful, " I rarely sat in the car. I missed my bicycle.
He didn't let me complete, "This is made for tough things." He proudly smiled.
"Tough things for tough shifters." The thought made me roll my eyes.
Jasper chuckled, "Here, my number is on the speed dial. Call me if you're in trouble, only in trouble."
I looked down at his extended hand, "My phone," It looked the same, "Can I call my family?" I asked.
"Of course," He pulled over the car, "Stay out of trouble, out there," He gestured at the door of the mall.
I nodded happily. Shifting in my seat, I reached for the door. I jumped out and waved my hand at him as he drove away. I turned to the door. I could hear the loud sound of the engine on the road when he sped away. It faded immediately.
Walking toward the door, I clicked on her number. She answered in the first ring, "I was waiting for your call."
"You already knew it," I giggled, attracting attention.
"It's the weekend," I could imagine her rolling her eyes.
"How are you, and mom? Is she fine? She's not having nightmares."
"She's getting better."
My feet halted. I inhaled deeply, tears welled in my eyes. I wasn't bothered that I was laughingstock, though, I ignored them as they weren't around her. It made things easy.
"I'm so glad to hear it," My voice cracked.
"Are you crying?"
"No! Ava. I always wanted to hear it,"
"Did you meet any hotty?"
"Hey! Don't change the topic."
"I'm not talking if you're going to cry."
"I'm not crying," I look around the mall. It was crowded. A lot of people, people! Not werewolves.
"Tell me, sister."
"No one."
"Really?"
"Really," My gaze stopped on a figure. Black Wolf! " I'll call you later," I shoved the phone back in my pocket immediately ending the call. I didn't avert my eyes from his back. My heart picked up speed.
I'm going to see his face.
Waves of excitement rushed through my body. I quickened my feet toward the stairs. I rolled my eyes. There were other options too. He picked the stairs.
My shoulder bumped into the crowd. I placed my hand over the shoulder while trudging through the crowd. Valiantly, I walked behind him, my gaze didn't leave his back.
"I don't even know his name," I quickened my treads at him. More people bumped into me as I was walking opposite the crowd.
Another bump and I stumbled back. I pursed my lips to suppress the pain, "Are you hurt, darling?" He extended his hand to touch me. He was a tall and big man with a beard and dark glasses. His smirk was evil, giving me the warning to stay away.
I recoiled back, away from his touch, "I was in a hurry. I'm sorry." I looked at the stairs. I couldn't see him anywhere.
No! I can't miss the chance to see him.
I tried to walk past him. I uttered a loud cry when his hand closed around my waist, lifting me off the ground and yanked me close to him. I gagged when I smelled alcohol. His breath was stormy over my face. I covered my mouth. I was going to throw up. I pushed myself away with the help of my hand. He didn't move. I swallowed my fear. Holding my breath I pushed him away with full force.
He laughed, "Oh! You, little girl." he lifted his hand.
"Let go of me," I squealed when his other hand landed over my shoulder with a thud. I felt Goosebumps at the back of my neck.
A strong arm came around my stomach from behind. I could smell the forest, the sweet smell of soil with the first ray of sun. I inhaled relaxing, leaning my back against his well-built chest.
He scowled, staring above my shoulder.
A shiver passed down my spine when he growled behind me. A wave of his anger enclosed him. He landed a hard jab on his chest and the man flew away from us.
Despite the pain in my shoulder, I twirled on my heels. He is blessed with brutal strength and tactics. One hard punch of him sent the man flying in the air.
He was tall, tanned skin, striking forest green eyes, tousled dark hair shorter on the sides with a little more length on top. But while he looked like a genetically blessed human, his energy was far from normal, he was the king. He towered over me. His eyes were flashing fire. His expressions were steeled. He was looking at me without blinking, my cheeks flaming.
My fingers brushed his abs as I attempted to push back. His arm was steeled around me.
"Your eyes, it changes colour." My voice was soft.
He heaved a sigh and blinked his eyes. His lashes were thick. His eyes changed colour, forest green eyes!
"I know you," I said, blushing.
He tilted his head, looking at me with his forest green eyes. He removed his arm and began to walk away.
I blinked at his back, "Hi, wait for me." I ran after him. He took the stairs, climbing up two at the same time with his long strides, "You are too agile," My chest began to rise and fall while climbing the stairs hurriedly.
"Don't follow me." He said without looking at me.
"I wanna talk to you. We have met before. Not in...." I trailed off. I couldn't say it.
He spun, his eyes were soft on me, "You're safe now, go." He said and spun to stride away.
"Why can't you talk to me? I don't bite, I swear." I said sadly. My pulses started to throb in my temple, Hurt welled in my eyes in the shape of tears.
'There's nothing to cry about. We weren't friends, lovers or anything. It hurts so much. He just walked away. A little talk won't hurt him.'
My eyes swam with tears. I twirled and climbed down the stairs. I glanced at the floor and blinked my eyes, making the tears fall.