"Do you really have to work today?"
On this early Saturday morning, I really wished he could have a day off. Since he had to drive back to work yesterday after we met at the sports field and didn't come home until I was asleep, I just hoped he could at least stay with me today.
But my hope was in vain...
"I'll call it a day early, okay?"
He was already standing with one hand on the front door handle, his brown hair slicked back with gel and a thick blue raincoat on. But this time his encouraging smile didn't work. I rolled my eyes again, causing him to raise his eyebrow in amusement.
"See you later then," I hissed in disappointment, crossing my arms as he pulled open the door and disappeared into the rain.
Of course I understood that he had to work to pay for our house and everything, but I had no idea if I was still in control of myself. That wolf... He was so ingrained in my mind that it seemed impossible not to keep thinking about him.
Then I made myself comfortable at the kitchen table in my brown teddy bear pajamas and sipped my coffee to think about Monday.
Finally of age, everyone would be happy, but this day still gave me an unpleasant stomach ache. There were so many responsibilities that came with it, and fate that I just didn't know what had in store for me. Did I have a mate, or was it just the adrenaline with the wolf that fascinated me so much. What about my brother? He should no longer renounce love to protect me. He deserved so much more...
A sudden knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts and focused all of my attention on her.
Taking a deep breath, I then recognized the smell and immediately got up smiling to open the door for Aleya, who ran past me into the house, soaking wet and grinning.
But before I could close the front door behind her, a scent hit my nostrils that gave me goosebumps all over my body. Startled, I looked outside, but saw nothing but parked cars, neighbors' houses and the rain.
He was here... The wolf of the forest. I would recognize his scent among thousands. Was he following me?
An ice-cold shiver ran down my spine at that thought and I didn't know what his intentions were at all.
"Yad-"
When Aleya, standing close behind me, touched my shoulder, I jumped so violently that she was scared to death as well.
"My God, do you have to scare me like that?!" I growled and clutched my heart, which I'm sure had stopped a few times.
"I didn't mean to startle you," she murmured guiltily, removing her pink raincoat to hang it on one of the chairs at the dining table.
I glanced outside once more, irritated, and then slammed the door to sit down at the dining table with Aleya.
"Do you know what was going on at school?" she immediately struck up a conversation and I really had to strain to even hear her. The feeling of being watched made me very nervous and my gaze darted to the front door again and again, as if I was waiting for someone to just walk into the house.
"Jadelyn?"
I turned my gaze back to the one sitting across from me and raised my eyebrows questioningly, causing her to sigh softly.
"Are you even listening to me?" she asked, slightly annoyed, eyeing me with concern while I took a deep breath and looked at her reassuringly.
"Sorry, I thought I heard something," I cleared my throat and then smiled apologetically at her. "Go on."
"This Viola said that Trevis was Beta's son. But she doesn't know why he attacked your friend. Is he actually alright?"
I nodded.
"Yeah, he's fine and I don't know why he's mad at Devin either. Maybe he's just a psychopath."
She laughed briefly and then shook her head. "Maybe he's your-"
"No!" I immediately interrupted her and immediately got an uncomfortable feeling at the thought, because what if she were right. "Even if he did, I don't want him. I would never accept one of the superiors. Besides, I already have a partner," I explained, thinking of my brother, who had already found his mate but hadn't accepted her yet. Maybe it was even Aleya?
I looked the black haired girl up and down and then her birthday came to mind. She had three weeks after me.
"And what else? Have you been here alone all week?" she asked while looking around the narrow living room.
"Yes, I cleaned a lot", I smiled and had to think of the forest again.
"See," she smiled and then leaned back in the chair to just look at me for a long time.
"What is it?" I said when it got almost creepy.
"I hope for you that you might even get your partner as a mate on Monday," she explained while staring, but I avoided her gaze immediately.
"Devin is almost 20. If I were his mate, he would already know."
She nodded with a pitying look and then stood up again.
"I just wanted to see if you're all right. Are you coming to school on Monday?"
Not knowing what would happen until then, I just shrugged my shoulders and then stood up as well.
"I don't know, but I'm celebrating my birthday in here. Devin took extra time off on Monday. Would you like to come?"
She beamed at me and then unexpectedly pulled me into her arms.
"Of course," she whispered in my ear, then pulled away to put on her jacket.
"I'll text you from Devin's cell phone when and where," I told her while walking the few steps to the front door.
"And what do you wish for?" she asked smiling, but I immediately shook my head.
"Please no gifts. It's enough if you come." I pulled open the front door, gave her a slight smile and then watched her as she slowly disappeared into the rain.
"See you on Sunday," she called, waving, but my mind was elsewhere again, because somehow the smell of him was getting closer and stronger, and I hastily closed the door, only to then panic-shut all the curtains in the house.
Why was I just so stupid and again in the forest. This guy, whoever he was, sure meant trouble!