The Alpha Next Door

Chapter 12 ⦔ Clematis Terniflora

Alpha Evert was looking out of his window at the house next door to his pack's home. He often found himself staring out of this window in his office. He hoped he would see Adelia but unless she was in the pool the chance was rare. Yet he still stood there many times a day hoping for a simple glimpse of his mate. 

Something had to be done. Even though Adelia wasn't feeling the effects of the mate bond at all it still hurt him. She was so untouchable though. The more Evert cared, the more it seemed Adelia did not. Evert gripped his hair tightly before releasing it and returning to his desk. 

Laila was stressed. Sometimes Laila loved school but sometimes it was her own personal Hell. She just wasn't sure she could do it today. It had gotten harder. Before people knew her mate was from a rival pack she was irrelevant but now she had become well known in her school and her pack. She heard people talking about her wherever she went. At school, at home, they followed her. 

"Hey Adelia, can you come pick me up?" Said Laila into her phone as she stood in the parking lot of her school. She had bearly made it through 2nd period before she got up and quickly left the classroom knowing she couldn't stay there. 

"Of course, where are you?"

"School car park?"

"Okay is this a be here right now kind of thing or can I be there in half an hour?" Asked Adelia and Laila laughed through the phone.

"You can be here in half an hour but please don't wait too long cause everyone breaks in 40 minutes and I don't want to see anyone." 

"Okay, I'll be there soon." 

"Thanks, Adelia."

"Of course darling." With that Laila ended the call and sat on the roof of her friend's car knowing they wouldn't mind while scrolling through her phone mindlessly. 

When Adelia finally pulled up and Laila got into her car she burst into tears as Adelia began to drive away. Adelia reached over to pull Laila into her shoulder where Laila happily cried. 

"Darling look in the bag down by your feet." Said Adelia once Laila's crying had stopped. Laila opened the bag where she came across a bag filled with her favorite foods, drinks, and a few small gifts. 

"Thank you so much." Said Laila who launched into another round of crying at the kind gesture.

"Your welcome kiddo. I knew you needed it. That's why I took a little bit longer to get you than I would have liked but it was worth it."

"I just love you so much Adelia. You're the best friend and mentor anyone could ask for."

"Oh, sweetheart if you keep talking like that then we will both be crying soon. Now, what happened today?" Said Adelia before wiping away one of Laila's tears.

"I just really don't wanna do it anymore. School is so stressful and I have all these things due and as soon as I finish one thing there are like two more in its place. Everyone stares at me and whispers about me because of my bloody mate who I'm not even allowed to see. I just wanna move far far away, where none of this shit can bother me." Laila threw her head in her hands and began to sob again while Adelia just rubbed her back gently mumbling sweet encouraging words. 

"Darling you can't do this. You bottle every stress and worry up, ignoring them so you can go to school. You have to prioritize yourself and your mental health. Take days off and actually look after you. Please darling stop and take care of yourself."

"I'm sorry and I know but I just forget sometimes."

"Its okay Laila but just look after yourself." Laila leaned into Adelia's shoulder hiding her face. The soft fabric of Adelia's top was wet with tears but neither woman cared. 

"Let's take you home now."

"Wait!" Blurted out Laila, her head flying off of Adelia's shoulder. "Can you take me to the all boy's high school just in the next town over?" Adelia shrugged not really giving it much of a worry as she turned the car around. 

Adelia pulled up to the high school but Laila just stayed in the car. Adelia decided not to question it as Laila seemed to have a plan and Adelia wasn't one to doubt her friends. Soon a boy jogged out of the school and made his way to the car.

"Laila you can't be here, anyone could see you and tell the family." Instead of responding Laila pulled him down to where she sat and firmly kissed him. 

"Here's my number," Said Laila as she pulled away and shoved a piece of paper into his hands. "Give me a fake name in your phone and I'll see you soon. Bye Myles." Adelia pulled her sunglasses on and pushed her foot on the accelerator leaving the boy in the dust while she just raised one perfectly shaped eyebrow as the girl next to her. 

"Wanna tell me about that?" 

"I think I've got myself a boyfriend."

"Well, I should hope he's your boyfriend after that performance." Joked Adelia but then her voice lowered back to her usual tone. "Laila this won't fix everything, you know that right? One boy won't fix everything going on in your head." 

"I know but sorting this will definitely relieve me of a lot of stress. I still have work to do but that will require more long term solutions. I'm working on that though. I promise." 

Hugo rocked back and forth on his bed. He had seen him but he was dead but he had still seen him. He knew he wasn't real. He was positive. Yet the man had looked so real from the glimpses Hugo had been seeing around the house. 

"He isn't real, he isn't real." Chanted Hugo over and over as he clamped his eyes tightly shut. 

"You won't get to Adelia! I am her brother and I will always protect her from you and from everyone else." Screamed Hugo into the silent house where his voice echoed off the walls through the great house.