New Beginnings

Chapter VII

Jackie's P.O.V.

The rest of the day went by slower than I had wanted it to and the worst thing was I couldn't focus on anything after James had kissed me in the storage room thing. It was the best thing I had felt since my parents had died. I felt loved and secure. If I'm being honest, it felt really nice.

After he had pulled away from the kiss earlier, I wanted to smash my lips back onto his immediately. He smiled sweetly at me before slipping me a note and walking away. I almost couldn't control myself and almost ran after him but resisted the urge. The note he had given me had his phone number on it and the words 'call me' written under it.

As soon as I read the note I wanted to call him but I stopped myself. When had I become so desperate? I asked myself. This isn't like me. Well, I don't actually know how I really react to boys. I've never had a boyfriend before and have always tried to stay away from people.

The moment I started driving away from the school and was about a mile from it, Eco came forward. She had been at the very back of my mind since this morning and I really missed her. I normally never go that long without talking to her.

'Oh, thank God you're back. I've missed you so much' I spoke in my head.

'I don't like disappearing. It hurts not being able to talk to you when you need help,' She said, dropping her large head to the ground, pouting her big wolf pout.

'Yeah, I missed you being there.' I said, my voice light and meaningful. 'So, are we gonna talk about this or just act like the events of today didn't even happen?' I asked, frowning slightly. I want to know Eco's opinion on James but I also don't. I'm scared she's gonna judge me for acting weak and just acting on want.

'We need to talk about this but not right now. Let's go for a run, I think we just need to clear our heads right now,' She said, always being the one who thinks clearly.

'That sounds like a good plan,' I mumbled, trying to focus on the road. Eco didn't say anything for the rest of the ride home. Once we got out of the car I let Eco come forward and take control of our body.

She quickly stripped our clothes and put them in our bag. As soon as she shifted, she shot out into the forest like a bullet. The wind flowed through our hair and the trees were a blur of browns and greens. It was always an exhilarating feeling running through the woods as a wolf. You got a whole new perspective on things that you wouldn't as a human. You're one with nature and the animals. You feel like you're the only one in the world and can do anything. You're unstoppable.

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A few hours later, we finally stopped at a pond we stopped at when we had a lot to think about or just wanted to calm down. The last time we were here was a week ago when the rogue problem got out of hand. We're still concerned about it but we haven't seen one in a few days.

Eco shifted back into our human form and allowed me to come forward. I quickly changed back into my clothes and sat on the large rock beside the lake. It was the perfect height so if you were to swing your legs over the edge they wouldn't be touching the water.

This is my favorite spot in the whole forest. After my parents died I found this spot and have come here so many times. I love to be here and think. And a big plus about it is that the pond is always warm. It's never too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter. It's the perfect temperatures year round. 

'Eco, what if...' I stopped myself from sending the rest of the words through the link. 

'What if what, Jackie?' She asked me in a caring voice.

'What if he isn't our mate and all these feelings are fake? Could that be possible? Could this just be me looking for attention?' I rambled on about all the thoughts that had been clouding my mind. I know I'm overthinking this a lot but what if it's all true? This is the first time in a long time that I have actually been scared. 

'Stop overthinking this, Jackie,'  She snapped. 'You can't fake a mate bond.' 

'But what if it can? Witches exist and we're not a full werewolf. This could be something that our kind were afraid of. It could be screwing with the bond and making it mess up or something,' My voice wobbled at the end. 

'Listen, I know you're afraid but maybe this is a good thing. You have never acted this way before and it's good. These are normal emotions especially when you first find your mate,' She said in a soothing voice. The only other time she has been this gentle is when our parents died. She's the only reason I'm here. Without her, I would have lost my mind.

'What do you think would happen if he finds out we're not human? That we're a werewolf and witch half-breed?' I countered. 'He's an alpha for crying out loud! If I am going to be his mate he will find out and then his entire pack will know. The secret we and our parents have been trying to hide for eighteen years will be out and all this work would be for nothing.'

'That's just a risk we're going to have to take,' She said calmly.