I kept my head low all day, but did end up eating lunch with Asher. I noticed that Daniel was there, but he sat farthest away from Asher and I, and he never engaged with either of us.
“So, Warren where are you from?” Diana asks. Diana and Em seemed to like me best, it seemed as if, regardless of the fact that I had been an asshole, that they understood.
“Uh, around here.” I lowered my eyes to my tray and picked at my food. I had just kind of bounced around, and I never really considered anywhere my home. My parents had died when I was young, and it was easy to get fostered as a child, but I was never adopted. The only family that tried was declined. When I reached about eight, it got harder and the stretches of time between families got longer and longer.
“Oh, how come?” Em asked.
“I’ve been in social services for most of my life.” I respond, I wasn’t really proud of this fact, and I would normally try to hide it for as long as I could. However, I knew that these were my mate’s friends, and that if I wanted things to work with him, I had to be honest. Well, as honest as I could.
Em put a hand over her mouth, clearly shocked. “Does that mean you went through the shift with no help? Without knowing what was going on?”
“Pretty much.” I stuttered. Most of the table was looking at me in shock, and I inwardly rolled my eyes. I understood that wolves had packs and families that helped them through this stuff, but like I was annoyed at all this attention.
Asher threaded his hand with mine and squeezed before letting go. I gave him a timid smile, and beat down the instincts that were telling me to run away.
“How did you survive? I mean, you must of thought that you were dying, and without help, I can’t even imagine going through that without a pack.” one of the other guys remarked. I just gave an uneasy shrug to answer him.
“What pack are you in currently?” Asher turns to me.
“Uhm-what?” I become very nervous, and I can tell that everyone at the table, except maybe Diana, notices the way my heart speeds up.
“Your pack, what pack are you in?” he repeats.
“I’m not in one.” I respond as if it isn’t a big deal, but if everyone’s attention wasn’t focused on me before, it certainly was now.
“What do you mean? Lone wolves aren’t really a thing.” a girl interjects.
“I mean I haven’t had one my entire life, I don’t exactly need one now.” I respond blandly.
“Well that settles the debate about who was joining whose pack. You can join ours!” Em says enthusiastically. I do not share that enthusiasm, I didn’t want to be surrounded by wolves 24/7. Asher seems to notice, but he doesn't mention it. For that, I am grateful, even though I know that he will probably interrogate me at a later date. Probably our date two days from now.
It was near the end of lunch, and I guess Asher sensed I was uncomfortable so he pulled me away from the table and said we were going to go to our lockers. We didn’t talk until we reached mine. “Are you okay?” he asks. I shrug half heartedly and grab my bag.
“Talk to me.” he pleads.
“I’m just not comfortable with the topic on hand.” I answer.
“Why not? You went through a horrific ordeal, but you survived.”
“Look I just don't want to talk about it, okay?” I snap. Asher nods, seemingly unaffected by my harsh reply. I feel bad, but I'm still scared of what he'll do to me when he finds out what I am. I mean I was playing with fire even trying to have a relationship with him, he was going to find our eventually if I kept going like this.
We walk to our next class after finishing up at the lockers. I stared at Asher wondering what he was thinking about, he appeared to be deep in thought before he glanced over at me. We were about three seats apart and I was one row behind him too. He gave me a small smile, but looked away before I could return it.
I spent the rest of the period with my mind preoccupied by Asher. I had conflicting feelings, he genuinely seemed like a good guy and I wanted to explore what I felt for him, but at the same time the thought of him finding out what I was made me anxious and made me want to run far, far away.
He met me after school and said he wanted to walk me home. I figured he might as well meet Jenny, even though things weren't serious, except for, you know, the little fact that he's my mate.
We walked in an awkward silence, and I figured he could tell how anxious I was because of my beating heart. “So, what kinds of things do you do for fun? I need an idea for the date on Saturday.”
I glance at Asher, before responding, “I mean I like music, movies, uh I don't really know what to say. But maybe we could figure out something more private?” I ask nervously.
“Totally.” he grins. “It means I don't have to share you with anyone.” he says, causing my cheeks to tinge pink. I didn't blush much, but being around him turned my head upside down.
“What about a picnic? I mean I know that it's cliche but it's private and I could find a great plate in the forest or something. On the pack land we have pretty extensive woodsy type lands that are pretty cool.” he says after thinking about it for a second.
“Sure that sounds cool.” I say, hoping it would be far from the wolves in Asher’s pack.
I motioned for Asher to go into the house, after a split second of doubt plagued my mind.
“I’m home, and I brought someone for you to meet.” I called out to Jenny.
“Hi, my name’s Jenny.” she held a hand out for Asher to take.
He shook it briefly, “Asher.”
“We’ll be upstairs.” I tell her before dragging him away. I shut the door before joining Asher on the bed.
Why is mate here? Cole huffed.
He just is okay? He must know that we aren’t a wolf by now. He saw our eyes, but his weren’t that of a wolf’s either. I don’t think… I respond.
Cole growled nervously. My anxiety only fueled his uneasiness.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, you just make me really nervous.” I tell him.
“Why?” I watch as his eyebrows furrow.
“You just do.” I mutter.
“I don't mean to. And I'm really sorry for doing whatever I did to make you shut down.”
“It isn't your fault.” I don't want him to think it is, when it's mine.
“I wanted to ask you about that. You had green eyes?” Asher says. I nod and he continues, “Wolves don't have green eyes, so I was wondering what you were.”
“I-” I cut myself off. I'm still scared to tell him.
“Warren, don't be scared to tell me. I'm,” he takes a deep breath, “I'm not a wolf either.”
YOU ARE READING
The Tiger and The Dragon (BxB)
Paranormal{I know the title is sucky but I'll change it when I think of something better!} Warren hasn't had a lot of luck in life so far, if he was being honest, which he wasn't a lot. He's anxious more often than he isn't, but he's trying at least. His juni...
