Scarlet's Mate

Part Twenty Two

~memory~

Elliot sat up straighter and looked at me with a serious look on his face, "do you accept me as your mate?"

His question shocked me, I didn't fully understand what he meant.  Accept him?  I thought that he was my mate and that was that, he was mine and I was his.  His face begins to twist with worry, waiting for my answer. 

I grab his hand, "yes Elliot, I accept you."

No didn't seem like an option.  With all the emotions and the previous drinking and everything else that was going on.  With the information that I had, of course I accepted.  Would this new information have steered me away from accepting?  I don't know.

I asked Elliot for some space, the look on his face when I asked almost made me change my mind.  But I needed to be alone, I needed to think about what Derek told me.  Who knew one weekend would completely blow up my life like this?  I just needed one moment where the world wasn't ending.  One moment where I was just a senior in highschool.

Crap, highschool.

I pulled out my phone and went to my messages.  I responded to my grandma's lengthy 'how's is going' text with a quick 'everythings amazing.'  Then I went to text Rayne.  I don't exactly know what a mate rejection is or exactly what she's going through but maybe a distraction could help.  At least it would with me.

'Hi, do you want to hangout?  We could work on our project for Mrs.Bridge's class.  Also I could really use an excuse to go out.  Let me know'

I set my phone down with the ringer on and went back to sketching in my notebook.  My dreams haven't left me feeling very inspired.  So instead I'm doing a rough sketch of Derek's wolf in the living room.  I can't seem to get him out of my mind. But It isn't a choice.  It's not Elliot or Derek.  It was Derek, now it's Elliot.  I don't really know if I could ever even walk away from Elliot now that I have him.

Still, I can't stop feeling like everywhere I turn a new truth reveals itself.  Whether I was being lied to on purpose or not.  I just feel so powerless, so stupid.

I slam shut the cover of my notebook and reach for my phone, I had been so caught up in my own thoughts I didn't even hear it go off.  There's a text from Rayne, 'Of course!  I could use some company.  I'll come get you, Elliot gave me the address, be there in 15'

I checked the time and decided I'll have to pack a bag of stuff I'll need to get ready for tomorrow.  It's late enough that I don't think I'll be coming back here tonight. 

With a sigh I gather my drawing things and make my way to the bedroom.  The door is closed so I lightly knock.

"You don't have to knock at your own door," Elliot said, trying to joke, though it came out more sad than humorous.

I opened the door and walked in and with a nervous laugh I say, "right."

I walked over to some of my boxes and grabbed an outfit for tomorrow along with some cosmetic things.  I shoved it all into my backpack and headed back for the door.  Without turning around I announced, "Rayne is on her way, I'll be spending the night there."

I waited for another couple seconds but when Elliot didn't respond I continued walking.  When I make it to the door I see all the broken decor scattered around.  The house really wasn't decorated for giant wolves to be running through it. 

I avoided all the brokenness and put my shoes on.  As if on cue my phone dings.  I checked and saw a text from Rayne saying she's here. 

Opening the door, I stepped outside.  The cold air hit me like a brick and I practically ran to Raynes' car.

The drive to Rayne's house was filled with us singing cheesy songs on the radio.  I definitely needed some normal teenage girl time with everything that's going on.  And I could tell she felt the same way.

"Derek rejected me as his mate," Rayne finally admits.

We had already finished our project and got ready for bed.  I didn't want to be the one who brought it up but I could tell it had been bothering her.  Despite her best efforts to keep a smile on her face, she couldn't fake it in the eyes.

"I know," I sigh, "Derek told me."

"He did?"

"Yes, this morning he stopped by when Elliot was out.  It was a whole thing," I tried to hide as much detail as I could not wanting to upset her even more.

"Did he tell you why?"  Rayne's eyes were glossy and the way her cheeks flushed made me wish I would've kept my damn mouth shut.

"He did, I'm sorry Rayne."

Her eyes stared into mine for a while before realization set in, "oh," was all she said.

With that she laid down and flicked off her bedside lamp.  The entire room was pitch black and the air seemed to become heavier.

After what felt like hours of laying in the dark listening to Rayne's steady breathing, I heard my phone buzz from the nightstand next to me.

There was a text from a blocked number, 'forget about me?' Was all it said.

I could feel my heart drop, I quickly tried to scope the room to make sure it was just Rayne and I in here.  My phone buzzed again, 'don't worry, I'm not inside.  You're safe... for now.'

My head felt dizzy, the more I tried to concentrate on breathing the less air I seemed to get.  I could feel myself spiraling into a panic.  Without even thinking I go to Derek's contact and text him, 'I need a distraction.'

Almost instantly he replied, 'what kind?'

'The kind that stops a panic attack.'

I watch as the three dots dance at the bottom of the screen.  For some reason just seeing them made my heart slow down.

'Do you want something funny or comforting?'

'Either works.'

'Well, something comforting would look like this: what you're feeling right now is scary, but it is not dangerous.  Something funny would be more like this: when I got overly emotional and shifted in your living room I destroyed my favorite shirt.'

The last part made me chuckle out loud.  Instantly I plopped my phone down shielding the light and stayed still, listening to see if I had woken Rayne.  After hearing her even breathing continue I slowly lifted my phone and answered, 'both were great, super helpful.  Thank you.'

The three dots appeared again, then disappeared.  This went on for about 5 minutes before a response finally came, 'don't take this the wrong way but why'd you text me?  Don't you sleep next to someone who's supposed to distract you?'

I thought about it then replied, 'long story.  Really though, thank you.  See you tomorrow?'

'Tomorrow,' was all he said.

I turned my phone off and set it back down.  My knee jerk reaction to text Derek and not Elliot was making my head spin.  I tried to ignore it by counting sheep but once I got to 134 I rendered defeat.

Sleep was just not in the cards for tonight.