The Bite [Luke Hemmings AU]

Chapter Eighteen

Jackson at the top!
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When Darcy and Jackson took me back to the school, Cooper was leaned up against my car with his arms across his chest. I got out of the car, bidding my goodbyes to Darcy and Jackson. I walked towards Cooper and he pushed his body off the car, revealing who stood beside him. Ariel stood with a slight smile. I hadn't talked with her in while. Mental note: talk to Ariel more.

I smiled at her and she hugged me tightly. "You never talk to me since you quit volleyball," she said quietly in my ear.

"I'm sorry. I've just had a lot on my mind," I said as we pulled away from our embrace. She smiled and Cooper cleared his throat.

"I was completely bewildered when I could not find my ride after school. I remember my best friend saying that she would take me home because my car had broken down. But, when I came out to her car, she was no where to be seen. Her car was here, but she wasn't! Claire, I thought you were kidnapped or something," he said with a stern, yet worried tone. "I called you a million times."

"Coop, I'm sorry. Darcy and Jackson needed to talk to me about...something," I hesitated and looked at Ariel. Sweet, naive Ariel. "I didn't know you called. My phone died a while ago," I answered a bit frantically.

He said nothing but put his arms around me with a sigh. "We'll talk about it later," he said so quietly in my ear I could only hear it because of my wolf hearing.

I nodded and he pulled back.

I didn't realize until that moment that Ariel had no reason to really be there with us. As I thought about more, it made less sense.

"I have a question," I said quietly. They both nodded, edging me on. "Not that I don't want you here, but why are you here?" I asked turning to Ariel.

She chuckled. "Well, I saw Cooper after school, sitting on top of your car, and so I went over to talk to him and we kept talking and yeah," she said smiling up at him. He smiled back and I swear my heart jumped over a bridge. It was the sweetest thing I have ever seen.

I smiled. "So, I can take you both home if I need to," I smiled.

"No, my car's here. I was just keeping him company," Ariel smiled.

She walked over to car after hugging us both. Cooper and I got into my car and I just stared at him.

"What?!" he practically yelled as he caught me staring.

"You thought I was missing and you just stayed here?" I asked raising an eyebrow.

"Saunders, Tara, and Luke are all looking for you in the woods and Cam and your parents are calling everyone. I have a search party going on. I just stayed there in case you came back and you did. I'm gonna call Saunders and your dad," he said before pulling his phone out and dialing a number.

I chuckled and started driving to his house.

Once off the phone with Saunders, Cooper looked over at me and sighed. "Claire, do you remember what you told me that night Steve came after us? Saunders bit that hunter and you went after him while I stayed with the hunter," he said quietly.

I knew this was coming. "Coop, I was just really, I don't know what I was thinking. Can we just forget about it?"

"Claire, you obviously know that I don't feel the same way and I'm sorry about that, but what about Luke? You like him, don't you?" he asked and I could see the smile crawling on his face.

I blushed and shook my head. "Shut it, Blacke," I said and pushed his shoulder. I only called him by his last name when I was either extremely mad at him or I just wanted him to shut the hell up.

He put his hands up and said, "Fine don't admit your feelings. But, I know you can." He made a kissy face towards me and I rolled my eyes.

"Cooper, I swear I will kill you," I said as I laughed slightly.

He laughed at me and mumbled a "You couldn't even if you tried."

As I pulled into his driveway I saw his mom standing with her arms across her chest. "Cooper, you did tell your parents where you were out with me, right?"

"That may have slipped my mind," he mumbled.

I unbuckled my seatbelt and got out of the car to talk to her.

I approached her slowly and her hardened eyes softened as she saw me. "Claire," she said as she took me in a hug.

"Hi, Mrs. Blacke. Sorry. I told Cooper that he should've called you. We were out at the school with Ariel. There was a project we had to get done," I lied with a smile. Wow, I've gotten good at this whole making shit up on the spot.

She pulled back and looked at Cooper, who stood behind me with his hands shoved inside his pockets.

"Sorry," he said with a small smile.

I smiled and bid my goodbyes before driving home. I prepared myself for what was to come. I'd have my actual family scolding me along with my brother figure, Saunders scolding me as well. With Luke trying to comfort me and Tara and Cam just praising the fact that I'm still alive. And Zack would be there just to make sure I was okay.

I pulled into my driveway and sighed for probably the millionth time that day. This is going to be a long night, I told myself.

I walked in the door to be greeted by the rest of the pack along with my parents.

My mom ran to me and hugged me so tightly I swear she could've suffocated me. My dad was right behind her ready for the next hug.

Instead of a hug, Saunders, with his eyebrows furrowed together and a mean look on his face, slapped the back of my head.

"What the hell?" I asked as I rubbed my head.

"Why were you with Darcy? What was so important that you couldn't have even called?" he practically yelled in my face.

I looked behind him at Zack and Luke who were sitting on the couch and to my surprise, Tara and Cam weren't there. I bit my lip and shook my head. "I don't want to talk about it," I said softly. I brushed passed him and Luke stood up to hug me. I hugged him back tightly.

"I need to talk to you," I whispered in his ear softly.

I pulled back and looked at Zack. I would never be able to look at him without wanting to just kill Collin.

"Come on. I'll take you guys home," I said softly.

"I can drive home," Zack spoke up. I nodded. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay," he said and hugged me quickly.

Zack left after a few minutes and Luke and I started walking to his house.

"What do you need to tell me?" he asked as walked along the road.

I thought about how I could tell him, but at that moment, I decided it could wait.

"Nothing. We can talk tomorrow," I said and smiled softly.

How could I tell any of them that one of their friends was going to die in a matter of days.

That night I dreamt of what I saw in Darcy's mind and how I'd have to be the one to tell the sheriff that I watched his son die. That I couldn't save him because that was his fate, to die at the hands of selfish, vindictive werewolf.