Stepping Out Of The Shadows

Chapter 3

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Alila's POV

For what felt like, the briefest of moments, I had been content; I had smiled and laughed at Jack's lame jokes; and I had fallen asleep with a smile on my face.

When I woke up, however, the giddy feeling had long since left me, and a horrible sense of foreboding had taken its place; my gut practically screaming that today was going to be a day from hell. I tried to ignore it, throwing myself into the work the teachers set me, trying to keep my mind from dwelling on the worst, but it wasn't working; and I walked the halls just as miserable as ever, still oblivious to what the day had in store. To anyone else, though; who bothered enough to notice me, I would appear happy; because that was always the face I put on, when I felt this bad, it was like I was comforting myself, because nobody else would, and I can't go to Jack for every problem I have. He does have a life, even if I don't.

It was always a battle trying to get to my locker; and even when I was concentrating, I managed to get knocked down; but now that my mind was elsewhere, it made everything even more difficult. I'd been thrown around so many times, I wasn't even sure I was walking in the right direction anymore. Then I collided with what felt like a brick wall, and closed my eyes, instinctively, bracing myself for the pain, when my head was to connect with the floor. But instead, I felt a pair of strong arms catch me just in time, before tightening and pulling me upright. "Thanks," I murmured, reflexively, before I opened my eyelids; the dizzy feeling from before, fading, but all I could make out was a chest covered in a tight fitting black t-shirt; and, can I just say, what a good sight it was. That's weird. I suddenly felt all warm; and tingles shot through my body... Realisation hit me like a ton of bricks. Even before I looked up, I knew who had saved me. Rob. The fall, had knocked me breathless, and the fact that my mate was now holding me in his arms, left me feeling a little lightheaded, unable to think about anything but what was happening. My wolf was rejoicing, howling in appreciation at him holding me in such an intimate way, crushed to his chest, his arms wrapped tightly around my back, overlapping, and gripping my shoulders, as if he could sense I would fall otherwise. I lifted my chin, to get a better view of his handsome face and my eyes caught his, and I found myself staring into a pair of bright blue eyes, somewhat reminding me of the sea; never ending. Ironic, I thought distantly, this is how I found out he was my mate. Then I saw his facial expression change, from one of shock, to one of confusion... I forced myself to think, to remember where I was. Then I panicked. I had spoken to him. I broke eye contact, and slid out of his strong grip, easily, because of my petite frame, pushing my hands against his chest, and grabbing my book bag off the floor in the space of a second, and retreating into the bustling crowd, not giving him the chance to call me back, as when he heard my voice he would have known... and I didn't want to see his reaction when he realised... when he realised he was stuck with me.

Rob's POV

My eyes lost her, as she became part of the throng of students, pushing through the narrow hallway, but I could still smell her, feel the touch she had left on my skin, like a burn, but in the nicest possible way. The warmth that spread through me like a wildfire. I was glued to the spot. What the hell? Only one word could explain why I was feeling this.

Mate.

The word itself, sent my heart into a frenzy. I walked through the already thinning crowd, following her. Why had she walked away? Who was she? Does she know? The questions were endless.

I turned a corner, and followed the scent, leading me across the football field, and under the bleachers. She was sobbing, with her arms wrapped around her knees, and her face hidden, with her back to me. The sight before me tore my heart out, like someone had punched me in the stomach, making me gasp audibly. She hadn't heard me though, clearly absorbed in her own thoughts. My muscles were urging me forwards, my inner wolf coaxing me towards her, to comfort her, but I reined it in, feeling it inappropriate for someone I had just met. Instead, I coughed, making my presence known. At the sound, she jumped to her feet, and spun around, wiping her face. She was gorgeous. She had long wavy brown hair, that hung to her waist. Her eyes were a bright violet, a colour I had never seen before. Her skin was tanned, which was only to be expected, her being a wolf and all. She had a thin petite frame. Too thin, perhaps, she looked as though she hadn't eaten in days, possibly weeks. She wore a thin, grey, long-sleeved t-shirt, and a pair of navy-blue skinny jeans, with a pair of runners. Both the trousers and the top, looked as though they were meant to be tight fitting, but on her fell loose and baggy. When she noticed me; she pursed her lips, and tensed, visibly. Ah, so she did know.

"What do you want?" she said, crossing her arms over her chest, standing stiffly with her feet stighlty apart, in line with her shoulders, almost. Her voice was strong, unwavering, and if it weren't for the red cheeks, and puffy eyes, you would never have guessed she'd been crying just a moment ago. The acidic tone to her voice, made me flinch; so I replied just as icily, to mask my hurt.

"Is that any way to speak to your future alpha... and mate?" I questioned, in a hard voice, staring straight into those hypnotic eyes of hers. Her breathing hitched.

"Well, you're not my mate, because I don't want a mate." Another blow. I wasn't going to let her know how her words affected me, though.

But those stupid hurt feelings were the cause of what I said next.

"Well, I was going to say the same thing. I'm glad we're on the same page; at least this way it won't be hard for either of us to say goodbye." She flinched at my cruel words, and I instantly regretted them. What was I doing?

　

Alila's POV

His words hurt; a lot, and as much as I tried to hide it, my body gave me away, and I recoiled, even though this was exactly what I had been preparing myself for. "Goodbye." I forced the word out, and was glad to hear it was strong, not giving away any of my true feelings.

I stood up, raised my chin, and pushed against the bond that was trying to get me to run up to him and kiss him; and walked out from under the bleachers, making my way towards the empty parking lot, as school had finished ages ago, and got into my car. I heard him follow me out of the bleachers, and then stop, but I could feel his eyes boring into my back, as I drove away. I looked into the review mirror, just in time to see him run into the forest, that lined the north end of the football field. When I was sure he could no longer see me, I let my guard down, and told myself it was okay to cry now, but there were no tears left.

I went to bed that night, in my dingy, studio apartment, a changed woman. After my parents died, I was weak, and emotional, I let everything and anything get to me. Well, no more, I won't allow myself to get hurt further, because anyone I allow myself to love ends up hurting me eventually, even if they never meant to. That's why I rejected him. I practically felt my heart turn to stone, as I thought the words through in my head. I am not Alila Blossom, the invisible orphan, the social outcast of the Red Diamond Pack. I am Alila Blossom, a rogue. Goodbye memory lane, hello world.

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A/N Two uploads in one... Morning to me. 

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