My Mates Influence

ChapterFour~Confusion

I lost my wolf

They said it was trauma, the doctors called it ‘psychic disconnect’ but deep down, I knew it was shame. My wolf had gone silent after the crash, after his accident, after I left him.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror outside the lecture hall, my dark curls were tied into a tight braid

Their eyes searched me up and down as if I was a prey in the midst, years but still haven't gained their approval. Their words

“She's crazy”

“Why is she still here” echoed as I walked forward, I tried not to pay attention to any of it but their painful remark to my pack made my hand clutched into a fist.

I adjusted my collar, grabbed my books, and turned the hallway. I heard a whistle as I turned to stare. I bumped into my worst bullies.

The ferrowood elite, the golden pack girls, alpha daughters with silver necklaces and scornful smiles that didn't bear their eyes.

Valarie was in front–tall, blonde, flawless. Her pack was tied to the high council, she looked down her nose at me like I am a trash

“Look, it's the wolf-less princess again,” one of the girls sneered, blocking my path.

Three others laughed except Valarie

“Still not yet gone?” Valerie sneered. “I don't get why you keep coming back”.

“You think you belong here, don't you?” Valarie said, stepping forward, her smirk curling cruelly. “Everybody knows your father bribed the council to put you in this Academy. You are a fraud, no wolf, no honors. Just a useless brat from the Dema line”

She laughed. “I bet your mother regret why she took you in”

My jaw tightened at the mention of my mother's name. Something inside me snapped

“Say it again” i whispered, my voice trembling with fury

The group laughed louder “Wolf less! Good for nothing! Your mother regretted it!”

Before I could stop myself, my hand shot out, I shoved one of the girls hard against the wall, my books scattering to the floor. Gasps filled the hallway

“Don't say anything about my mother,” I shouted. My chest hurts.

They quickly recovered, one grabbed my e by the wrist and yanked hard, spinning me, my body slammed into the edge of a locker, pain exploding across my ribs

“Pathetic” Valarie spat. “Can't even fight properly”

Anger roared in my eyes. I kicked at one coming, while my hands wounded one neck, she was struggling to breath. My neatly rowed ponytail loosened. The hallway started yelling. “WOLF LESS! WOLF LESS! WOLF LESS”

Before I could carry my next attack, Valarie shoved me too hard

I stumbled backward, already preparing myself for the hard fall but my body collided with something solid and warm. No–not something. Someone

Arms shot out instinctively, steadying me before I could hit the ground. Heat seared my skin where his hands gripped my waist, fingers strong. My breath caught, chest heaving as I titled my head up.

Grey eyes that was cold as ice

I froze. My heart shuttered in my chest

Jace

He looked at me like he was trying to place a memory, his brow furrowing, his jaw clenching. But even as anger flickered in his gaze, something else lingered there. His nostrils flared slightly like he was catching a scent he knew but couldn't name.

My heart heated up.

“What's going on here?” His voice sounded dangerously. He glanced around, his crutches clinking lightly against the floor as he balanced effortlessly.

“She doesn't belong here” one of the girls spat quickly, pointing at me. “Her father, Alpha Dema bribed the council. She's wolfless. Useless.”

The moment the left her lips, Jace went still, his hand at my waist tightened, also possessive before he shoved me forward and rounded on them

“Dema?” His voice was low, his entire body went rigid, muscle tight beneath his shirt. “Did you just say Alpha Dema”

“Yes,” one of them said smugly. “That's her father, she's nothing but a—”

In a flash, Jace had me by the neck

My back slammed against the lockers, my breath cut short, panic running through me. His grip wasn't enough to crush me, but enough to make my pulse hammered wildly. His face was inches from mine

The hallway fell into silence, even the girls backed away, started my the aura coming from him

“I’ll deal with her myself” Jace growled. His eyes never left mine as he dragged me away, his crutch making a sound.

My chest ached, every nerve in my body screamed, I should have been terrified but I wasn't. His touch excited me, his breath fanned against my cheek as he pulled me into the empty hallway, my skin tingled where his fingers pressed into me

When he shoved me against the way, caging me in with his body, i felt it. I missed his scent

“Do you think I don't remember?” He growled. “Do you think I forgot that day–one year ago? The crash. And you–” his voice cracked, his hands trembling where they held me

I flinched, tears burning my eyes, my lips parted but no words came out

“How come I don't know you?” His hand shook as he gripped my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. My body reacts to it.

His brows furrowed, anger mixing with confusion. “I know every Dema. Every single one. Yet you–where the hell did you come from? Was this some kind of setup? Did your pack send you to finish what they started? To finally kill me?

His words stabbed like knives, my throat tightened, as shame and fear battled inside of me. “No,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “No, I don't know what you are talking about. I don't know you” i lied

His grip tightened. “Don't you dare–”

The air shifted heavily, as a jolt went through my skin. My wolf, silent for one year, suddenly screamed loudly inside of my head.

Mate

I gasped, my knees buckling, my hands clutched his s**t unconsciously as the bond ripped through me.

Jace froze, his eyes darkened as he released me. “No…” he whispered hoarsely

We stood there, breathing each other's air, locked in the storm of a truth neither of us wanted. His eyes searched mine as though hoping it was a mistake.