My Enemy, My Mate

Chapter 8

"Ding"

I wake up to see the morning sun belting through the gaps in my curtains. I slowly roll over to check the message on my phone.

It's Aria. I feel bad for her. She spent so much time helping me get ready and was really looking forward to the party only to be kicked out along with all the other guests without explanation.

Aria: Hey, are you okay? What happened last night?

I lay there thinking of what I was going to answer, but I had no words.

Me:"I'm fine. Thanks for your help last night."

I dreaded going downstairs. I knew mum would be waiting to ask questions. I'm sure Dad would have told her. I would also have to deal with an angry dad and an extremely curious big brother. All I was not prepared to face. Nor was I ready to face the school day. The pity looks, whispers and rumors that were sure to arise about the Alpha's daughter, whose party was suddenly cut short.

After finally gathering up enough courage to get up and get ready, I quickly made my bed and got dressed to head down stairs.

Once I reached the bottom of the stairs, Dad's eyes met mine and we stood for a brief moment. His expressions clearly showed that he was not impressed. I felt a sense of failure, like I had done something wrong. But what was I to do about the events that occurred last night? I didn't choose Grey to be my true mate... I had absolutely no choice in that!

I sat at my spot at the breakfast bar where Paul was already eating his vegemite on toast. I looked up at Mum and she tried hard not to look back at me. I started to eat my toast in hopes that if I ate fast enough I would get out of the room before the topic of last night came up. As Dad left the kitchen, Mum met my gaze. She could see my disappointment.

"Good morning." She said almost as a peace offering. "Your father and I have spoken about the events of last night," She continued.

I sat thinking about what she might say next. I hoped that it would be about how sorry he was over how he reacted, but that hope was quickly destroyed. The feeling he brought to me was so strong it left me longing for more.

"We have decided that you are not to speak to him. If we hear or see you interacting with Grey there will be serious consequences," She demanded with a cold expression on her face. I knew she was absolutely dead serious. "Do you understand me?" She sternly questioned.

My heart sank, as I processed what she had just demanded of me. I was not to see or speak to Grey. This thought continued to linger in my mind. The pain I felt was indescribable. How was I going to stay away from him when I was so drawn to him? Shay was howling in my head.

"DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?" Mum yelled, clearly frustrated at my lack of response.

"Yes mum I understand." I lied. I didn't understand and I definitely didn't want to agree with what they were asking of me either. "What about at school? We have classes together?" I add warily.

"School is the exception." Mum answered shortly, "But only in a professional, educational sense." She added for clarification. It seemed like a gray area.

"Oh and what happened last night is strictly family business, no one is to know," Mum added before leaving the room.

All the pain and responsibility that was dumped on me I now had to suffer and get through alone.

I had no idea how I was going to get through this but I knew I had to.

As I collected my bag and walked out the door, I tried to put last night and this morning's conversation behind me, but Shay wouldn't budge. She was beyond annoyed. She couldn't understand why I would walk away from my true mate. She was completely blocking me out. If Shay could give me the cold shoulder, this would be it.

The bus slowly pulled up in front of my house and I took my seat next to Aria. Turning away from her, so that I could mask my emotions, but she knows me too well.

"Willow! What is going on with you?" She softly questioned.

"Nothing, I'm fine. How are you?" I answered quickly, trying to change the topic.

Not only did I have to stay away from my mate, I also had to lie to my best friend.

Aria sighed and turned to face the window. She knew that there was no point asking me questions because I wasn't going to answer.

Suddenly, I felt a rush of sadness and pain as we pulled up out the front of school. As we stepped off of the bus, the feeling only got stronger. I look up to see Grey standing at the front entrance of the main school building. I force myself to avoid eye contact and walk away. Shay's feelings try to take over. I start to shake as I push her to the back of my mind. This was difficult as her anger was incredibly strong.

As I reach the front doors of the Arts building, I look back to see Grey standing in the same spot still staring at me. Juliet blabbers to him whilst wrapping her arms around his biceps. Grey stands in shock. For a minute, it feels like Grey and I are the only two beings on earth. Shay was taking over. I had to gain control back. I was feeling irrationally jealous of Juliet rubbing her hands all over him. It made no sense considering we aren't even anything and it is forbidden anyway. I start getting annoyed at myself. I knew today would be hard, but the school day hadn't even started and the pain was unbearable.

"Willow?" Aria sounds even more concerned now.

I have to mask my emotions better, but how?

"I'll be ok Aria. I just really need you to stop asking, OK? I can't tell you." I try to convince her to let it go. Aria seems to understand as she entwines her fingers in mine and squeezes gently. Supporting me. A lone tear rolls down my cheek and I quickly wipe it away before any more follow its lead.

I can do this.