TRAPPED✅

EIGHT

CHAPTER EIGHT
I wake up and get dressed as quickly as possible. Dread fills me as I think about meeting Don. I am still terrified of him. Being his mate, I am supposed to keep his anger at bay, but I guess I have the opposite effect. I put on a jumpsuit, and plait my hair into a ponytail. I check my bag for the locket, it is still there. I slide my bag over my shoulder and walk downstairs.
"Morning" I announce. No one replies. I am wondering why they aren't chattering away as usual.
"Morning," I hear Don's deep voice, and I shiver. How did I miss him?
"Morning" I repeat, and I sit down at the table.
"Breakfast?" Claire asks me, and I reply with a tight smile and an affirmative nod. Claire walks away, her usual smile not visible on her face. Don sure knows how to make everybody around him miserable. Claire returns with steamy, buttered pancakes.
"Thank you, Claire. I love pancakes" I start to pile the food in my mouth.
"You will choke if you are not careful" Don warns me. I don't even spare him a glance.
He suddenly hits the table with his fist.
"How dare you ignore me, Nala?"
This time, I look up, my vision blurry with tears. "Yes, sorry" I whisper, and I droop my head, so he doesn't see my tears.
"Yes, sorry" that's all I say.
"I am dropping you off, let's go. Now." I jump out of my chair immediately and follow him out of the mansion. My stomach still rumbles from hunger, but there is nothing I can do about it.
Don drives recklessly, and the car jostles as we move. We hit a few speed bumps. Yet, no complaints fall out of my mouth. When we arrive at my school, he practically pushes me out of the car.
"Don't go sleeping around'
That's all he says, and he is gone.
Immediately he leaves, my best friends surround me.
"Nala, did he hit you?"
"You look like you cried all night:"
"Did you even sleep?"
"You look miserable"
"Is this how you are meant to greet me this early?" I joke, not wanting my friends to know how angry and sad I am. I am never one to lose her cool, but Don annoys the hell out of me.
"Sorry, we are just worried," Willow assures me, and I fake a smile.
"I'm fine" I state.
"Are you sure?" Sheldon asks, and my control snaps.
"What is wrong with you all?!" I scream. "I am fine, I don't you understand that?" Their shocked faces stare back at me.
"W-we were just trying to look out for you," Dash mutters after a moment.
"And I don't want you to. Just leave me alone. I am fine" I say again, mostly to reassure myself.
"But, Nala......"
"You know what, leave me the hell alone. I'm fine!" I snap. I rush into the bathroom. There, I let out my pain and frustration. I really want to see my mom, but I know that seeing her will escalate my problems with Don.
I decide to skip classes, it is not as if I will be able to focus. I go into the library and stay there until it is time for lunch.
Our table is silent until I get the courage to speak up.
"I am really sorry, guys. I don't know what came over me. I just poured out my frustration on you all"
"I don't want to lose you guys" I continue, sniffing.
"We understand, Nala. You just need to talk to us so we can help." Keeran speaks up, and everyone nods in agreement.
"So, now tell us what is going on" Sheldon demands.
"His anger is horrible. I am scared he is going to hit me soon...." I drift off, as Willow's smile confuses me.
"Your mate can't hit you, especially when he has waited centuries to find you." She explains.
"He accused me of sleeping around because he smelt Jordan on me" I reply.
"And did you?" I give Sheldon a shocked expression.
"Shelly! You know I can't do that!" I almost laugh. "Thanks, guys. It is nice to finally talk to someone"
"Anytime," they all say, and I stand up to leave.
"See you guys tomorrow, love you," I say, with a broad smile on my face.
"We love you more, Nala"
I leave the cafeteria and sit under the oak tree, enjoying the last few moments of peace I have before the torture begins again. I wish that Don does not show up. I do not want fear to consume me again.
"Hey, Nala." Jordan walks up to me.
"How are you today?" I ask. His smile is all I need for happiness to feel me.
"You talking to me has made my day" he replies, and I smile.
"Nala, will you give me a second chance to show you how sorry I am.? The sudden change in the atmosphere is shocking.
I suck in my breath "Errrmmm.....Jordan, I need more time, but we are friends, okay?"
Okay, Nala, take all the time you need" I smile. At least, someone appreciates me and doesn't make me sad all the time.
"Thanks, Jordan," I state, and I hug him. I withdraw immediately, remembering Don's warning. It seems Jordan doesn't understand my move, because the next thing I know, his lips are on mine, and he locks me in a feverish kiss.
"What the fuck, Jordan?" I scream, and I step away from him.
"Miss." It is the same driver from the last time. I breathe a sigh of relief when I realize that the driver has come.
Thank Goodness.
"What a nice locket" the driver states. Thank goodness he said something.
I am summoned for dinner, and Don was still not back. A very small part of me cares about him, and it annoys me a lot. I am shocked to see him at the table. I eat silently, not wanting to upset him again.
"I can smell him all over you" he mutters between bites.
What the fuck is his problem?
"Don, please, I am tired. I am really tired" I say, trying to act strong, but my shaky voice betrays me.
"Really, Nala? You're sure about that?" he shoots from his seat and stands in an intimidating manner. I quickly decide that it is better to confess now, than risk punishment later.
"Okay, he kissed me, but I swear it meant nothing. I wasn't even expecting it." I confess.
"I knew something was up" he spits out angrily.
Shit, I sold myself out. He did not know about the kiss.
"Please, Don, don't overreact" I plead.
"Me? Overreact? You cheat on me twice, and you say I am overreacting?" he shouts, moving dangerously from his seat, towards me. For a second, I am sure he is going to hit me, but instead, he grabs the sides of my head and pulls me into a kiss. The kiss is rough, and very far from romantic or gentle.
"You are mine", he whispers, "and I don't like to share what is mine." I nod slowly.
"Good, I don't want to ever smell him on you" he shouts.
"Okay," I say, push back my chair, and race up the stairwell to my room.
My life is really a mess.