First Bite

Chapter 2

Lara's POV

I felt anxious and somehow excited. It's almost as if my brain knows that something big is going to happen today.

I slowly walked down the deserted hallway. I was already extremely late to class but I couldn't be bothered. My fingers continued to twitch and pull at my coloured shirt. I don't know what in the world possessed me to wear a pretty shirt to school. It's almost as if I'm trying to impress someone.

The lunchbell rang loud and clear, the sound echoing along the walls of the corridor. Students spilled out of classroom doors and quickly formed their groups before rushing towards the cafeteria. I slowly made my way towards the same direction. The doors stared at me, almost daring me to enter and face what lay ahead. Dear Lord, I sound more scared then a mouse would be of a cat. I shook my head with a scoff before entering.

I joined the line of hungry students and bought my lunch before heading back towards the doors. I was so ready to leave the criticizing stares of my pack members when I was roughly pulled to the side by an arm that caused sparks to erupt on my skin.

"What the hell!" My confusion turned to anger as I watched my lunch tray fall to the ground, the contents now scattered on the white tiled floor. With angry green eyes, I looked up and froze at the stormy grey eyes that stared back. His face was so close to mine and for a moment, my heart seemed to stop. What is happening?

"You have got to be kidding me." He scoffed before he roughly pushed me away. My brows furrowed in confusion at his behaviour and the hurt that I felt. Why am I feeling this way?

"Babe, what happened?" Audrey sweetly asked as she placed her perfectly manicured nails on his arm. Why do I have the urge to snap her pretty wrist in two?

"You can't be my mate." James muttered under his breath but everyone seemed to hear as the noisy cafeteria suddenly grew silent. Perks of being a werewolf: you have the ability to eavesdrop on other people's conversation.

"I have a mate?" The words passed through my lips without my permission. My eyes widened slightly at the realisation but the glare he threw in my direction made me look down instantly. "No, you don't." He replied coldly as he stepped towards me again and I quickly took a step back.

"You're just a worthless human. You are weak and useless and ugly. I refuse to accept you as my mate and Luna. You cannot lead a pack. I can never be with you. It's impossible." He snapped in disgust. I felt my  withered heart crack but it didn't break. I wouldn't let it. I know where this is leading to and though I'm not ready for it, I will face it head on.

"I, James Reynold, the future Alpha of the Emerald pack, reject you Lara Odell as my mate and Luna." Painful was an understatement. I felt like the air was sucked out of my body and my ears started ringing with all the whispers that erupted from the gathering crowd.

With every ounce of courage and dignity that I had left, I pulled on a blank mask and looked at my mate straight in the eyes before I answered. "I, Lara Odell, accept your rejection and hereby break this cursed matebond." My voice rang loud and clear with an authority that startled me. I calmly walked out of the cafeteria and for the first time ever, I held my head high and refused to back down.

I guess I was right. My mate did reject me. Was I hurt? You don't know the half of it. Was I going to run away from my problems? Hell no. I am among many things but I am not a coward.

I will face this. I will survive. I will move on. And then...? I will make him regret what he said. Every single word.

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