My Foreign Mate

CHAPTER 2 Miss Hiding

Selena couldn’t believe what she had got herself into, not even a whole day at school and already starting to mingle with the one kind she absolutely needed to stay away from. She had to cool herself down and needed to get in control of the situation. Just eat, smile, and get away. That was her plan. She really couldn’t afford more difficulties in her life and Elara as well. It was just too dangerous. If these people found who they really were, if their cover blew, she and Elara would be dead. And they promised each other they would stay alive.

Olivia led the way to the table. Selena walked behind her trying not to draw too much attention to her as she noticed people started staring at her. She just wanted to keep a low profile, but it wasn’t working. It wasn’t working well at all actually. As they reached the table, Selena met Olivia’s friends, all of them wolves too. This was going to be more difficult than expected. Selena’s palms got sweaty. Olivia pointed at the chair for Selena to sit opposite her and Selena obeyed. 

“That’s an interesting choice of food you have, Selena.” Olivia pointed at Selena’s plate with her fork. Only now, did Selena noticed she had a weird combination of r****h, potato salad and gravy in front of her. Now she wouldn’t even have a proper meal, only a plate of something enjoyably disgusting.

“Yeah, I just wanted to try something new I guess.” Selena tried to hide the tears, thinking about how hungry she really was.

“Such a great idea! Always try something new. I like it.” Olivia smiled sincerely. Selena couldn’t believe it. “But where are my manners, forgive me. To your left is Alexandra, next to her is Anna, on my right Nicolas and next to him Jason. Guys, this is Selena. She is new.”

Anna, who was on her phone lifted her head smiled and then resumed typing, Nicolas winked, and Jason lifted his hand to indicate a ‘hi’ but kept on eating.

“Selena, that’s an interesting name. I can’t make out your accent. Where are you from?” Alexandra asked me curiously. Selena forced herself not to panic. This was exactly what she feared.

“I’m from Europe.”

“That’s cool.” Anna nodded still focusing on her phone.

“What’s your full name? I want to guess which country.” Alexandra kept asking and Selena just felt so interrogated. Just don’t say too much, she repeated like a mantra.

“Selena Hiding.”

“Hm. Not really distinctive. Olivia, I must admit this time you brought us a riveting guest. I’m sorry. I don’t want to be rude. Olivia is just the kind of person who makes friends with everyone. It’s in her nature. And I’m naturally curious, that’s all.” Alexandra smiled at me, turned to Olivia, and pinched her cheek softly. Selena had to smile watching the intimacy and witnessing this caused pain through her chest. She missed her friends.

“You have to spend the afternoon with us at the pool and tell us everything about you. We don’t often get to meet people from Europe.” As Selena took a mouthful of her potato salad gravy combination, she choked. How would she get out of this difficult situation. Luckily the others must have thought it was just her weird food.

“Olivia that’s a great idea! Stop shaking your head Selena Hiding. You are the most exciting thing that happened to this place in quite some time. You can’t leave us hanging.” Alexandra just couldn’t take no for an answer apparently. All Selena wanted was not to sit alone at lunch and now these wolves wanted to adopt her like a puppy. She had to get out of this situation.

“Guys, you are so welcoming, and I really appreciate your invitation. But I’m really busy this afternoon. You know we are not quite settled yet. We just have too much to do. Maybe another time. I have to get to my next class now. See you around and thank you.”

And with these words Selena got up and took off. With her wolf senses she could hear what the others kept saying as she left. ‘Olivia, she seems like a nice girl, a bit of a loner though. But you can’t always bring random people around. She is human, she wouldn’t really understand how we live.’ ‘You were the one to invite her to the pack house. She just had this very sad look in her eyes. There is something about her, I don’t know.’ Selena sighted in relief, the spell seemed to work. They thought she was human and didn’t pay attention to keeping their conversation ‘werewolf quiet’ as she left. At least one thing worked, even if not Selena’s ability to stay away from werewolves.

The school building was bigger and more confusing than she initially thought. Selena kept running around, at some point feeling like she was in a maze. When she finally found the classroom the lesson had already begun. This would be quite embarrassing now, she feared, as she entered.

“Sorry I’m late. I’m new here.” She directed her words to her teacher, while knowing the other students were staring at her. It made her nervous.

“Ah yes, of course. I was informed. We have a seat left here on the right hand side, next to Olivia.”

This couldn’t be true. Selena couldn’t stop cursing this day. As she walked to her seat, Olivia smiled at her. Selena desperately tried to calm herself.

“This is Selena Hiding. A new student from Austria. Isn’t this exciting, everyone?” This teacher really didn’t have to exaggerate, it’s not that exciting I’m not from planet Mars. Selena thought, and just wanted this lesson to be over so she could go home.

As soon as the bell rang Selena grabbed her bag and ran off hastily, almost pushing others away. This stress even made her wolf slightly irritated. Only when she got out of the building and onto the long road to her house, she slowed down a bit. That’s when she actually started paying attention to her surroundings. Bushes, grass, from time to time a tree and a few houses. It wasn’t completely dry, but it also wasn’t as green as what she was used to. She heard a car coming from behind. It slowed down as it got next to Selena. What now, Selena desperately wanted to just get home, so she could just hide from this world. She looked to her side at the silver car driving slowly up next to her, the window rolled down, thick black curls and a sunshine smile appeared. Olivia stared at her.

“It’s a hot day. You shouldn’t walk in the sun with your fair skin. You will burn. Can I take you somewhere?”

“I’m fine. Really, it’s alright.” What was going on with this girl? Why couldn’t she just leave me alone, Selena started to become suspicious.

“You don’t know your way around here. Trust me it is dangerous. I don’t take no for an answer.” Olivia drove the car in front of her, blocking Selena’s path. This was a reaction she didn’t expect. It seemed like Olivia was a sweet friendly person, she just had her pushy limits once she made up her mind. Dare you not cross her path, as she will cross yours. “Get in.” Was this vaguely an alpha sound? Could she belong to her pack’s Alpha family? Selena just wasn’t lucky, if that was the case, it was an even bigger problem, that the wolves would get suspicious. But for the moment she had no way to get out of this situation, so she got in the car.

“Thank you.” Selena mumbled; she wasn’t used to people helping her out. Olivia just smiled. “It would be great, if you could drop me off at the diner. My sister works there.” At this point, Selena had no choice but to be in the car with Olivia, that didn’t mean Olivia had to know where Selena lived. She felt a bit guilty, but Selena just wasn’t in a place to trust others, especially wolves. Olivia noticed it was the opposite direction but thankfully didn’t say anything. They drove in complete silence. Only when the car pulled over to the parking area in front of the diner, did she decide to say something.

“You can trust me you know. I don’t mean any harm. I’m just a kind person, or at least I’m trying to be.” She presented a disappointed smile which made Selena feel guiltier than before. She came to realize, they could be friends if her situation hadn’t been the way it was.

“I know. Believe me, I’m not trying to be rude or push people away. I just have to get used to my new life. But thanks for the ride. I will see you in class, I guess.” Selena got out and waved Olivia goodbye. As she turned around, she could feel Elara’s eyes staring at her with burning anger. It was time to face the mad she-wolf.