Fight Like You Mean It (Berlin Wolves)

Chapter 9

The end of the school day passed quickly with little to no hate letters or evil glares. But then again, Alec was right beside me every second of the day just like Derek and Rylee were. If any girl so much as started to come near me, Rylee gave her a glare of death and she turned away imeadiately. In a way, I was glad that they were looking after me, but I was getting tired of being babied all day. I was tempted to yell at them several times during the day. At this rate, I wasn't going to be able to have any friends because these three kept scaring them off.

"So anyway, like I was saying...Addie? Addie! Are you listening to me?" Rylee said waving her hand in front of me blocking the way to my locker.

"Huh? Yeah, totally." I replied completely uninterested in what she had to say.

"Really? What was I just talking about then?" She asked putting her hands on her hips.

"Something about fish?" I suggested opening my locker and putting everything I had gathered throughout the day in there.

" Um No. I wasn't talking about that at all. Maybe if you would pay attention, then you would know what I've been talking about for the last five minutes," She replied crossing her arms.

"Sorry. I've just been thinking really hard," I said turning to face her as we walked towards the front door of the school.

"Anything you'd like to share?"

"Not particulalry...I dont want to make you guys listen to my stupid worries," I said getting in the car.

They stood outside just staring at me for a little while before getting in. The car ride back home was silent and I could tell they were all trying really hard to keep from asking me what was wrong. Especially Alec; his hands were gripping the wheel tightly, his knuckles turning white. Finally, Rylee couldn't take it anymore and leaned up to talk to me.

"Okay, what is wrong with you. Ever since those bitches left that stuff on your locker, you've been really weird. Did someone else say something to you?" She asked as everyone looked at me curiously.

"Nothing else happened. It was my first day and obviously people didn't like me hanging out with you guys. You guys had to put up so much effort just to keep people away from me, and I dont like bothering you just because some jealous girls want to hurt me. I can take care of myself, I just dont want to be babied; because then I feel like I'm obligated to just be your charity case," I replied crossing my arms and looking out the window as Alec kept on driving.

After my rant, everyone was silent again. It seemed they didn't know what to say to that, and I was grateful. I didn't want their excuses honestly. I noticed we were pulling onto my road and I immediately got ready to jump out of the car. As soon as Alec pulled into my driveway, I hopped out of the car and ran inside. I could hear Rylee calling after me but I ignored her. I peeked out of the kitchen window and saw them all finally leave, I guess wanting to give me some space.

"How was your first day?" Jace's mom asked coming up behind me in the kitchen.

I sighed and turned to sit on one of the stools at the bar. I regaled my time at school today and everything that had happened. Liz sat down beside me on another stool and looked at me seriously.

"Addie, when James and I were first thinking about having another child we found it very difficult to do so. That is why we decided to adopt, it seemed like the best plan at the time. When I first saw you sitting there, I knew immedately that you were the child I had been looking for; so beautiful and outgoing. It was only when you finally started to settle down here that I realized how much I wanted to keep you. And it seems to me that your friends feel the same way. There is something so special about you Addeline; I just can't put my finger on it. Alec has been through so much...all of the kids in that pack have. For you to be able to make friends with them so quickly, and to catch Alec's attention like that...its unbelieveable. No one but their immediate friends have ever been able to spark the reaction in them the way you do. So of course people are going to be jealous. And they're going to hate you. But if you have amazing friends who are willing to look after you and be there for you, do you really think all those mean people matter?"

Liz's argument made quite a bit of sense. I understood what she meant, and I knew maybe I had been too harsh on my friends. Tomorrow would be different. A fresh start.

"I think you're right. I just dont want to be bullied, it's not a good feeling," I replied looking down with sad eyes.

"Im almost positive that Alec isn't going to let that be a problem anymore. James has already heard it loud and clear from Alec through the mind link earlier that bullying of any kind will not be tolerated in the pack," She said putting her hand on my shoulder then getting up to start supper.

I smiled at her, then made my way up to my room. The urge to text Alec and apologize overwhelmed me, but I wondered if he would even respond. My curiosity peaked and I sent him a simple "Hey". Within minutes my phone started ringing and Alec's name popped up on the screen.
"Hi" was his reply.
I spent the next 20 minutes trying to form an explanation and an apology that seemed good enough for him. I guess that was too much time because I heard tapping on my window. Nervous, I walked to the window cautiously aware that it might not be Alec like my wild imagination wanted it to be. I pulled back the curtains a little, peeking out onto the small balcony.
My heart leapt in my chest at the sight of Alec, simply dressed in a red hoodie and dark jeans. I could tell he was breathing a little hard, suspecting that he had just ran to my house. My common sense kicked in and I finally opened the window for him to crawl in. Except crawl didn't quite describe how Alec came into my room. His tall frame swept over the window sill and stepped gracefully, and quietly in. Once he stood up fully, I realized how close we were standing and chill passed over my body.
I looked up into his dark brown eyes, and that damn chill came back.
"Are you cold?" Alec asked concerned.
I shook my head no, but he had already pulled the hoodie over his head and onto my body. It was extremely warm and comfortable and I realized maybe I should have been cold a while ago.
"Thank you," I replied walking to take a seat on the edge of my bed.
"Are you feeling better?" He asked, carefully sitting down beside me, but not too close for us to touch.
"I owe you an explanation and really big apology Alec. You have been nothing but nice and welcoming to me since I got here. I have no clue why, and it still makes me curious. But you and Derek and Riley were only trying to help and look after me. The bullying thing is hard and I don't want to put up with it. But I didn't want you guys babying me every time it happened, I want to be able to stand up for myself."
Alec was quiet for what felt like a really long time before turning a little to look at me. "I accept your apology. You had every right to react the way you did. But I won't let them treat you like that Addie. It's not fair to you if I just sit back and let them be mean and rude. That's not who I am. And just so you know, I took very good care of our bullying problem earlier today. There will be a no tolerance policy about it to anyone who feels like they're being singled out. Every wolf who is in this pack or the next has a place, but it is not to be ridiculed because maybe they aren't the strongest or best looking. Everyone here is family and we will treat each other as such."
Alec finished his speech with a proud release of breath and finally his face relaxed and he smiled.
"What?" I asked glancing at his weird expression.
"I just thought about something. I'll tell you about it sometime. But right now, I need to be getting back to my house." He replied standing from the bed. I followed him to the window, he stopped and turned to me.
Suddenly I was enveloped in his strong arms, my face pressed to his chest. Warmth surrounding me and inviting me in to stay forever. I sighed and settled into him a little bit, it was a nice silence. As I pulled my head back to look at him, his face inches from my own, my breath caught. I felt his arms tightens lightly around me and we just looked at each other, taking it all in.
"Addie, dinner" Liz called, knocking at my door.
The trance broke and I lowered my head into his chest. "You should go. I'll see you tomorrow."
He pulled away and kissed my cheek quickly as I rushed to the door. I was stepping out into the hallway, and turned back behind me. The only thing moving in my room as I went downstairs to the kitchen were the curtains billowing from the open window.

A/N !!!!
HOLY COW. It's been so long since I've updated and I'm severely sorry. Writers block has been nothing but a pain and I had no inspiration to finish this chapter until tonight and it just happened. I swear to you all that I will update again soon, and not a year from now 😅 anyway, hope you likes
- leah ❤️