My Enemy

Chapter 9

POV - Elle

I stopped and stared at him, rather doubtfully, "And how would you manage that?"

He looked away and shuffled his feet uncomfortably, "Well, you could ride on my back when I'm in wolf form."

I nearly scoffed at the idea but though better of it. Jayden was clearly uncomfortable with the idea, no need to rub it in. Wait, since when did I care about a werewolf’s feelings?

"Um, Ok I guess."

He nodded awkwardly and walked behind a cluster of bushes where he shifted before walking back out with his clothes in his mouth. I shuffled awkwardly over to him. He had brown fur except for the white mask on his face and his paws. He was huge, coming up to my waist, and suddenly, the idea of him carrying me in wolf form seemed far less far-fetched. I hesitantly swung one leg over his body, as I would do with a horse, and leaned forward, encircling his neck with my arms.

I was suddenly nervous. It was one thing to think about this happening, completely another to have it actually happen.

The wolf, no Jayden made a rumbling sound in the back of his thought, which I took to mean: Are you ready?

I hugged his neck more tightly and whispered, "I'm ready."

W without another hesitation he lunged forward in a steady lope. His steps were smooth and steady so I was not jolted or jostled. Trees flashed by on either side but our way stayed clear as we stayed on the small road. I closed my eyes and simply enjoyed the feeling of the wind grabbing at my body and clothes. My hair was whipped away from my face as the air rushed by my face and whistled in my ears, making my eyes water. It felt both wonderful and terrifying. 

All too soon we came to a stop and I opened my eyes to see we were just around the corner from my home. We were out of sight from the house but close enough to the trees to be able to make a hasty retreat in case anyone came in our direction.

I shakily got of the wolf, no JAYDEN. Why did I have to keep reminding myself? Why did I care?

He trotted of towards the trees and quickly reappeared in his human form.

"How did you find that?" he asked cockily, "scary?"

"No," I said as the exhilaration faded from my veins, "It was...bracing."

He snorted at my response, "Well, I'd better get going too."  Was that regret in his eyes?

"Yeah, I suppose you better had. Well, bye then, I guess."

"Yeah, see you," he turned and walked back into the forest and soon I heard the sound of paws, before that faded away. I stayed there for a moment looking at the spot I had last seen him. Why did I suddenly feel so sad? It couldn't be because he had to go...could it? I shook my head as I too turned to go home.

As I walked through the living room on my way to my room I came across Chloe, who sat curled up on a couch reading one of her many books. Chloe is just one year younger than me. She has long red hair like mine, but while mine is dark and wavy hers is light and uncontrollably curly.

As I passed she barely looked up, "You were out again today."

"Yeah, I was."

"That's unusual, for you."

I was surprised she even noticed me enough to know that. She is always very distant, always immersed in her books, so nobody notices you. But there are some advantages to that. Last year, when mom and dad had a really bad fight, she was the only one to know what it was about because they hadn't noticed her in the corner, hidden behind her book. All the rest of us knew was that our mother refused to talk to dad for days. I am the only one who knows Chloe was there, but she never told me what it was about. I swear, when you want to get information from Chloe that she doesn't want to give, you'd have more luck convincing a rock to sing.

I simply shrugged. I did not want to get into this conversation. "I'm going to my room, have you seen Raven?"

"She's waiting for you in your room, she seems worried."

I thanked her and went on my way. As Chloe had said, Raven was in my room.

"There you are. Why didn't you come with me to meet Jayden?"

"I just don't know if it's safe. What if your mother found out you had been meeting with a werewolf? A werewolf of all things!"

"Weren't you always the one saying that it was suspicious how we are forbidden to interact, that they weren't really savage beasts? Well you know what, you were right. Why are you suddenly so against it?"

"Is it worth it?" she was practically shouting, "Will it be worth it when you get caught and killed because of him? What makes you think he didn't set this up to get you in trouble?"

Her accusation struck me deeply. It awakened all those thoughts and suspicions that I had been suppressing. For a moment I wavered, but then I pulled myself together.

"No he wouldn't! Jayden wouldn't do that to me!"

"And how do you know that! For all you know–" She peered at me, "Do you like him?"

"I–I..."

"You do, don't you!" She was shocked.

"Don't be ridiculous, I would never!"

"I you say so," she was unconvinced.

"I don't! Look why don't you just come with me the next time we meet, then you can see for yourself."

"The next time?" she didn't look mad anymore, just resigned. She cut me off before I could protest, "Alright I'll come, but if this keeps on going we had better be carful as hell, especially around Isabella."

I swallowed. The same thought had crossed my mind.

Well speak of the devil! Isabella sauntered into my room. She raised a manicured eyebrow at the mess that built up again, so soon after having cleaned it up.

"I hear you're suddenly quite fond of going into the mortal town but I would bet you're just trying to get out of studying." she smirked

I ground my teeth. Let her thing what she wants.

"But that's not going to work. Mom says you'll have double the lessons you miss, so make sure you waste your own time. And that means you're busy, doesn't it? Looks like you missed history AND training."

Trying not to say all the poisonous remarks I could have said I got to my feet. No need to give Isabella incentive to investigate my mysterious 'outings'.

"And you," she sneered at Raven, "can just stay here. Why do you waste your time with such a lower-class ghost Elle? Even you should have more taste."

"I'm going to class already Isabella," I hissed her name, "now can you leave or do you intend on staying in my room all day?"

She smirked satisfied of getting a reaction, then turned on her heel and sauntered out again.

Shooting Raven an apologetic look a reluctantly made my way to my classes.

As I went I wondered if I could really like Jayden. Was it possible? Well, it might. I did feel a nagging sensation, urging me to get back t him, but surely that didn't mean anything, I barely knew him. 

This is pointless! There is no use wondering if I like him or not. There is plenty of time to prove that I do not care about him, as a friend at most. And if it turns out that I do like him...well then that's just that. I deal with it. Hopefully.