The Fated

Chapter Six

NOVA

Overall, today has been a very odd day. As the last bell rings out, I feel a sense of closure. To the humans, today is just a normal day, but for us wolves, today is our last day of Human High. Tomorrow, we will begin to be taught by our career coaches and educators from the pack. Tomorrow, us wolves will start jobs and, as humans would call them, "college studies" Chosen for each of us by the Moon Goddess herself.

Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of our lives. Some of us are to become Alpha, Betas and Gammas. Some of us will be doctors, teachers and Warriors... Beach Moon is nothing without its Omegas. We celebrate and cherish this. We are known as one of the strongest and most peaceful packs in the whole country.

The humans are quick to pack up their belongings and file out of the classroom. Only Mira and I remain in sixth period Sociology and Interpersonal Relations. We smile at each other, both of us clearly taking in our final moments here in Human High.

"Are you catching the bus with me, then?" Mira asks casually.

I smile with ease. "Yep, let's walk."

Together we leave the classroom and make our way to our lockers, needing to empty them out. As I shove everything except the textbooks from my teachers into my backpack, I slide the lock off my locker, click it shut, and drop it in my bag. This is a moment in every werewolf teen's life that we consider a tradition.

Mira and I meet up near the exit doors where the busses line up. As soon as we step foot outside, I hear a low whine… similar to that of a whimpering wolf. Both our heads snap over to see Maverick leaning against the Denali with his head lowered and shoulders drooped.

A fire ignites in my stomach. Suddenly, I am mad at him. Very, very mad. P*ssed off that he left me alone on our last momentous day here, that he held my hand and ran off, leaving me with unanswered questions.

Mira sees him too. "Oh boy... Blair is not with him, his scent is too faint. I'll leave you guys to it, you seem like you need to talk. Catch you later, Nova!" She scurries away, leaving me alone to stand and stare at Maverick from across the parking lot.

"What the f*ck, Mav?!" I snap from over a dozen meters away..

He hears me. "I'm sorry, please come here… I have to talk to you," he replies, perfectly audible from where I stand.

Fuming, I march over as all the busses begin to start up. One by one, they roll out of the school parking lot as I reach Maverick.

We're standing too close to each other.

Neither of us moves.

This close, it's almost as though he is murmuring in my ear.

"This morning… I should have been more of a man and spoke up. I didn't even realize what I did until we stopped walking. I don't regret it... I don’t know why I couldn't talk to you about this until I spoke with my Dad. I shouldn't have flaked out on you. I'm sorry, Nova. I just panicked cause--"

"Can we take this somewhere else? I want to go to Arrow Lanes… you owe me." I cut him off. I'm no longer mad but still not ready to accept his apology, not here in the empty parking lot at school. He sighs with relief and shoots me his familiar grin. The one he uses to get his way. My heart speeds up a little.

"I'm not mad anymore, but you're still not off the hook," I stick my nose up in the air with fake snootiness and he laughs. Maverick opens the truck door for me.

"M'lady." His hand appears, palm up.

I try to hide my grin. "M'lord," I respond, placing my hand in his as he helps me into the truck. The door closes gently once I'm inside. Maverick climbs into the driver's seat and starts the truck. Instantly, I'm as giddy as this morning with all the luxury and technology that surrounds me. Maverick's parents, Mavis and Mason Brisbane, chose a damn nice vehicle to purchase.

Speaking of the Betas…

"How pissed were your parents when they found out you skipped?" I taunt Maverick as he drives us to the local bowling alley and retro diner: Arrow Lanes. As Maverick and my parents know, it's my favourite place in Freshwater.

"Surprisingly, not that pissed. They let me borrow the truck again, after all. Although, I'm pretty sure they only did it for your benefit," he replies.

Maverick's parents love him unconditionally, but even still, we all know I hold a special place in their hearts.

"That's probably true," I laugh.

We pull into the parking lot. It's quiet today, mainly because most of the population of Freshwater are wolves from the Beach Moon pack and most of them are eagerly getting ready for tonight.

Maverick and I take a seat at the last booth in the back, our usual spot. Save for us, the diner is empty.

Marcie, the wolf waitress who has worked here my whole life, comes to our table right away.

"Your usual, Miss Solara?" She inquires with a soft smile.

"Yes please! Extra whipping cream!" I am nearly bouncing in my seat, the thought of food making my mouth water. A werewolf is always ready to eat.

"You as well, Mr. Brisbane?" Marcie asks.

"Not today, just a large chocolate shake, please." Maverick smiles back gratefully. She disappears to bring our order to the kitchen.

"About before…" he starts.

"I have something I need to say too," I blurt out at the same time.

We both laugh.

"You first."

He puffs out a huge breath of air. He is quiet for a moment, gathering his thoughts and courage.

"I realized something today that I think I have known for a really long time. We’ve always been close. You’re my best friend, no one knows us better than each other. Normally, we can talk about anything. But today, what I’ve realized... I was scared to tell you about it. I was scared to let it become a reality. You mean too much to me and I don’t want to lose you. But that’s the thing, tonight is the Ceremony and both of us will more than likely find our mates. I realized that... I want you as mine. More than I’ve ever wanted anything before, Nova. That’s why I was scared of losing you. I didn’t know that you would feel the same, maybe the friendship is lost, or worse, maybe you’re not my mate but someone else’s. I know I waited too long, I should have brought this up sooner… I just wasn’t sure how to admit that I love you. I really, really, love you…”

My breath hitches in my chest. I'm speechless. The silence goes on forever.

"Please say something," Maverick whispers.

“I’m not sure what to say. You know I love you, Maverick. You’re my closest friend. We’ve shared our whole lives with each other.” This morning, that odd pull I felt at breakfast… Did that mean more than I let myself believe?

“I saw you this morning,” I blurt out as Maverick sits across from me, no longer meeting my eyes.

He looks up at me then, confused. His brow furrows. “Yes, we see each other every morning,” he mutters.

“No, I mean. I really saw you. Like I was seeing you for the first time…” I can’t stop myself from talking now. It all comes slipping out. A light sparks in Maverick’s eyes. “I’ve never thought about us as anything more than friends, but this morning I felt something new,” I’m so nervous now that I’m visibly shaking.

“Nova,” he reaches his hand out and rests it on top of mine on the table just as Marcie returns. He quickly pulls his hand away.

“Here you are, you two. Made fresh. Chocolate chip banana pancakes, extra thin, extra chocolate chips, heavy whip cream for Nova and a large chocolate shake for Maverick. Enjoy, holler if you need anything.” Marcie smiles and walks away, shooting us a knowing wink.

My stomach is in knots, as delicious as my favourite food looks, I can’t bring myself to eat any. My cheeks flush as I stare into Maverick’s eyes.

Suddenly, his familiar grin returns. He leans over with a fork and rips off a huge chunk of pancake before stuffing it in his smiling mouth.

“So, what you’re telling me is that, I’m forgiven?”

I laugh and let out a breath of relief. “Yes, for now… until the next dumb thing you do.”

Together we laugh and talk about the Ceremony, sharing my pancakes. The easy, carefree nature between us returns immediately, as always. For now, we decide not to worry about tonight, but enjoy our day together before everything in our lives change, for better or for worse.