Forever (Book 1) (Editing)

Chapter Thirty Three

Lady was sitting beside me, her face held into a perfect smile, and to everyone besides me it didn't show that anything was wrong. Hell had I not been connected to her through our bond, I too would be fooled; she was that good at pasting a perfect mask to her beautiful face. I, of course, knew better though. I could feel the inner turmoil that was flowing through her veins. I could read the anguish in the way she moved her body or the tiniest shift of her eyes. I knew that the end of her friendship with Liam was hurting her much more than she was letting on, and I, myself, was battling the urge I had to find some way to make it right. I knew this wasn't something she wanted me to butt into the middle of and seeing as she and I had finally found a way to get along, I really didn't want to screw it up again.

I wanted her as happy as she’d been the last few days. I couldn’t help but wish that I could go back into the past to change the way Greg and I had both treated Liam. If I could than this wouldn’t have happened. It was unfair that my sweet Lady was being forced to suffer the punishment for our actions. Sure I did want to re-establish my friendship with Liam but that I knew would never happen and I’d long ago accepted it.

I was furious with Liam for standing there and giving Lady an ultimatum like he had. He knew damn well how strong the bond between mates was and he knew she’d never leave me for something like that. I’d have to really hurt her for her to ever gain the strength it would take to walk away from what we have. I wasn’t about to do anything even close to that, EVER. Now that I’d marked her, hurting her went against everything that we werewolves stood for. I’d die before I ever hurt her.

“Where’s Liam today?” One of the wolves voiced aloud, clueless to the momentary stiffening that ran through Lady at his question.

“He had some things he needed to take care of.” Nick supplied the answer to try and smooth over the tension before it could erupt.

“That’s a relief. I always feel weird when that boy’s around. It makes me feel like he’s going to hit on me or something. Every time he even looks my way I feel the chills run up my spine. He’s such an abomination. Honestly Lady I don’t know how your friends with him. He’s so different.” Kyle, one of the younger boys at the table said without the slightest thought for her feelings regarding her friend.

I watched as Lady’s jaw clenched tightly shut to keep from saying anything to his careless words. Greg, who was seated on her other side, was glaring daggers at Kyle and not even trying to hide it. I was more than a little surprised that the boys words had riled him however slightly, but like Lady he kept quiet saying nothing. His knuckles were going white as he held the edge of the table to keep himself seated.

“Really Lady, a pretty girl like you could make better friends then the school’s faggot.” One of the girls laughed out joining the apparent bashing that Kyle had started. “Liam is such a loser.”

I could smell the magic that was beginning to flood her veins with the second comment thrown at Liam. I knew if this kept up it wouldn’t lead to a very good place at all. Lady had trouble controlling her abilities at the best of times, if the burns had been any indication. I knew Liam had in a way caused that to happen, but even without him here she could easily lose control and I wasn’t sure that she was even aware of what she could do. She never talked about it with me but I knew a little about the subject from Greg. Both times before, she didn’t have the hurt flowing through her when the anger was instigated, nor had she felt the need to protect anyone as strongly as she felt it for Liam.

“Let’s not bash Liam guys.” I said as calmly as I could manage.

“Please… You and Greg are always the first two to start the rounds off. Why stop now just because your girlfriend happens to be friends with him? I mean if she can't handle what we think of the fairy then she has no right to be here either. I never wanted her at this table to begin with and you’re well aware of it.” Layla threw in her snarky remark gaining the laughter from the others who always seemed to side with her.