Chapter two

Britney’s pov

I stared up at the ceiling of my room as the first light of morning tinted the sky, I couldn’t sleep last night, I tossed and turned but couldn’t get comfortable enough to put my mind to rest, I don’t think anything could put my mind to rest right now.

I pushed the covers off of me and went into my bathroom to get ready for school, it was two hours before my alarm would go off but my body was starting to ache from all the tossing and turning.

I was nervous, freaking out, my mind was going crazy. I stood in front of the mirror and almost laughed at the girl looking back, hair all over the place, bags under her eyes, my face looked as pale as paper and I looked like I had a rough night, technically, I did.

“Frey, I’m going to need a little boost today” I said to my wolf, Freya, “no need to ask” she said and I felt her warmth move through me, my skin got its colour back and I looked a little alive.

I hopped into the shower to wash myself but every time I closed my eyes, my mind took me back to Saturday night, when I got my first kiss. It was after the game, our school had won; obviously, we couldn’t lose when it was wolves playing against humans.

We were having some food at the local diner after the game, just me, Cole, Mia, Trevor and Wade and I was having a great time like I usually do. I excused myself to use the bathroom and when I came out, I bumped into Cole, who was standing outside, “oh, sorry, I didn’t see you there” I said with a little giggle.

I didn’t have time to react before I felt his lips on mine, I was stunned for a moment but I quickly snapped out of it and kissed him back. My very first kiss, with a guy I was head over heels for. His lips were so soft and full, I couldn’t help moaning at the feel of their softness against mine, and he was so gentle.

I broke the kiss because my lungs were screaming for air, “I can’t wait for you to finally be mine” he said pecking my lips before disappearing into the men’s bathroom.

I stood there, dazed and still feeling the delicious tingles his lips had left on mine, my stomach filled with butterflies, my heart beating out of control and my blood rushing through my veins, I didn’t need an expert to tell me I was blushing like an idiot.

Like a zombie, I walked back to our table and sat down, my appetite all gone; the only thing on my mind was his soft lips and the way my lips were still tingling. “Are you ok? You’re all red” I heard Mia say but she sounded so far, “what?” I asked shaking my head to clear the fog so I could think straight, “did something happen back there?” she asked, her expression growing serious as she looked back the way I just came from, ever so protective of me.

“No, nothing happened, I’m just feeling a little hot” I said gazing down at my food just as Cole made it back to the table.

I hopped out of the shower, dried myself and put some lotion on; I stood in front of the mirror and combed my hair, letting it fall in soft waves. I went back into my bedroom to find something to wear; I wanted something that would make me invisible today and it was quite easy to find, don’t know if I should be happy or disappointed in my wardrobe.

I pulled on a pair of black skinny jeans, black and white vans, a tank top and an oversized hoodie, “nobody will recognize me” I sighed with satisfaction.

“Why are we being invisible again?” Freya asked and I rolled my eyes, “you know why” I said packing my books into my school bag, "so what if he isn’t our mate, we’ll get over it and find the one destined to be ours” Freya said in a matter of fact tone.

“Wait a minute, what do you mean we’ll get over it? Freya do you like him?” I asked, this being news to me, Freya has never said anything about liking Cole but she’s never objected to my feelings for him either.

“He is good looking, sweet and I really like Jackson” she said and I just stood there, frozen in the middle of room, my wolf likes Cole and his wolf, “why have you never said anything?” I asked and she just kept quiet.

Rolling my eyes at her silent treatment, I slung my bag over my shoulder; I tip toed across the floor and made it safely down the stairs and out of the pack house, got into my car and literally raced to school.

I never drive fast, I hate driving fast but today, I made it to school in record time. The school was empty, what else was I expecting, I’m two hours early. I went to my locker to take out the books I would need for the first three classes and headed to the library, might as well do some reading while I wait for classes to start.

I was lost in a book when the bell rang, sighing, I put the book away and made it to class, I was glad that Cole didn’t share the first three classes with me and I would have to avoid him at lunch, “really?” Freya rolled her eyes and I just blocked her out, I was going to prolong seeing him for as long as I possibly could.

I made it to class and took my seat, looking down and hiding under my hoodie. "Oh, hey Cole, she’s right here” I heard Mia say sitting down beside me and I shrunk in my seat looking up hesitantly, instead of Cole, I was met with Mia laughter, “you really are running from him aren’t you” she said between laughs, “not funny Mia” I huffed looking down at my table.

“Why are you running from Cole?” Trevor asked the second he sat down behind us, “I’m not running from Cole!” I exclaimed wishing they would quit it already.

“Yes, you are” Mia said and I just huffed in response, they were never going to stop, “and he’s not happy about it either” Trevor added and I started feeling bad, maybe I should have just faced him and got it out of the way.

“That boy went knocking on your door first the minute he woke up, been in a mood because he couldn’t find you” Mia added making me feel even worse.

“As you should” Freya huffed retreating to the back of my mind, seemingly not happy with me either.

“Hey, I know you like him, everyone does, and I know the thought of you two not being mates is scary but what if you are and you running from him and hiding is only delaying the two of you finally being together and happy, goddess we’re all waiting for it to happen” Mia said with a comforting smile.

I took a deep breathe, absorbing her words and I felt a bit of courage fill my heart, “ok” I said and she smiled at me, the teacher walked in and began her lesson, I still had three more hours to mentally prepare myself for whatever outcome.

Time to put on my big girl panties and confront my fears, what kind of beta would I be if I can’t even face one man.

The bell for lunch echoed through my whole body, I swear I felt it’s vibrations as it announced my impending doom, “come on, you missed breakfast so I know for a fact that you’re starving” Mia said packing my bag for me, seeing as I was frozen in place.

I felt my stomach twist painfully as we made our way through the halls, my heart beat ringing in my ears, everything seemed to go in slow motion and every sound that made it to my ears was muffled.

When the doors of the cafeteria came into view, my world stopped and I knew I couldn’t walk through those doors, knowing he’d either be there or on his way, I knew I would have to face him eventually but maybe not now.

I stopped walking, making Mia and Trevor stop and look at me with concern in their eyes, “I can’t” I said taking a step back, “yes you can, the sooner the better” Mia said putting a hand on shoulder, I don’t know if it was to comfort me or stop me from running away.

“It’s either you do it now and get it out of the way or he’ll never stop hunting you and the longer it takes him to find you will just make him angrier” Trevor said and I would have laughed if I wasn’t the centre of all this.

“Come on before they finish all the good food” Mia whined making me chuckle, “you guys go on ahead, I’ll catch up” I said, making them give me a funny look. “You’re not going to run again are you?” Trevor asked squinting his eyes at me, “no, I just need a minute” I said and they nodded leaving me there.

I stood there for about five minutes, watching students walk in and some walking out of the cafeteria, I was literally frozen in place, I couldn’t bring myself to move, “and you think standing here is a good idea?” Freya asked rolling her eyes.

“You’re right, I should get out of here before he finds me” I said back to my wolf. I stood for a few seconds more, I wanted to go in there so bad but I couldn’t, “I can’t do this” I whispered and turned to run and hide, I know it makes me a coward but at this very moment, I don’t care.

I bumped into a wall and stumbled back a bit as I tried to escape, damn it, I rubbed my head with my eyes closed when I caught a delicious scent that made my insides go haywire and Freya jump around in glee, it was like the earth when it started raining with a hint of chocolate.

“Calm down before you give me a headache you damn wolf” I groaned opening my eyes to see where the scent was coming from.

Cole stood there, eyes black in anger looking down at my short frame, “mate, mate, mate!!” Freya chanted in my head and I just couldn’t bring myself to wrap my head around what she was saying. “Why are you running from me mate?” Cole asked stepping closer to me, closing the distance between us, his hands wrapped around my waist and I felt like I was being electrocuted, “you’re mine!” he growled claiming my lips and I simply melted.

Good thing we were the only ones in the hall way, that almost feral growl that vibrated through his chest would have humans asking way too many questions.

We broke the kiss and I licked my lips, feeling the tingling sensation I felt on Saturday, only this time, far more intense, I stared into his eyes and it finally sank in, Cole is my mate, he’s mine.

As if on cue, my stomach growled, reminding me that I skipped breakfast, my face felt like it was going to explode and Cole just smiled, amusement dancing in his eyes, silently saying "serves you right for running from me”.

“How about we get out of here? We’ll get some food and spend the rest of the day together” he proposed but as tempting as the offer was, I wasn’t about to bunk school.

“As much as I love you mister, I am not bunking school” I said with a small chuckle but then froze when I realized what I’d just said, oh dear goddess, now is not the time for my brain to stop working. What if I just scared him off? What if he thinks I’m moving too fast? Having dropped my gaze in shame, I felt his fingers on my chin, lifting my head so I could look at him, “I love you too Britney, I always have" he said kissing me.

My heart fluttered, my skin burned with desire, he loves me too, he loves me.

We broke the kiss and he took my hand, leading me into the cafeteria. Instead of going to get our food, he led us to our table, where our friends were waiting, “uhm Cole, I think we forgot to get our food” I said looking back at whatever was left and it wasn’t very appetising but at this point, I’d take whatever was given to me.

“Don’t worry, Trevor linked me and said they got us our food, something about you hesitating to come in here” he said and I blushed, looking away. I don’t know why I hadn’t realized it sooner, but as soon as we passed the cheerleader’s table, I noticed a lot of eyes were on me and Cole, Ramona was actually glaring, looking at our joint hands, I wanted to gloat, knowing how much she wanted my mate but knew she would never have him because he was mine.

“Well, well, well” Mia’s voice broke me out of my thoughts, I rolled my eyes once I saw the smug smile on her face, “don’t even think about it” I warned and she raised her hands in surrender but I knew she wasn’t about to let it go.

“Hey, I’m not fighting, all I’m saying is, all that running around wasn’t necessary, imagine knowing you were mates first thing” she said smirking, “oh shut up” I said taking a big bite of the pizza on my tray.

“I’m not saying she’s right, I’m just saying you didn’t have to miss breakfast” Trevor said not even looking up from his trey, “cut it out” I said feeling my cheeks burn.

“Why did you run away, I mean everyone knew you two were mates” Wade added and I wished the earth would open up and swallow me, “he’s not lying” Cole added and I literally gaped at him, “I knew you were my mate, you were just being stubborn” he said pecking my lips making me pout, was I really the only one who didn’t see it.

“Eat up, we don’t have much time left before lunch is over and congratulations you two” Mia said and I smiled at her, the others chorused the same and I only beamed, he truly is mine.