The Fated

Chapter Three

NOVA

By the time the lunch bell rings, I've barely had the chance to process the little hand-holding incident with Maverick and I. All my lessons this morning were new subjects that required concentration but considering today could very likely be my last day here, I’m already planning on blowing off the homework my teachers have assigned me. I start making my way towards Maverick and Blair's lockers, where we always meet up. When I arrive, I find only Blair and he looks pissed.

"Where's Mav--"

"The f*cker left us! He took the truck and dipped. He didn't even send me a text first," Blair cuts me off.

"Oh, that's weird… why would he leave without telling us anything?" I wonder aloud.

"You two are dense, I tell ya."

"Hey! Would you quit being a d**k for five seconds? What is that even supposed to mean?!" I snap back angrily.

"Nothing, never mind. I'm walking home, if he gets to skip, so do I," Blair grumbles and slams his locker shut, already turning to walk towards the exit.

"Fine, you both go, I'll be the responsible one who sticks it out for our last day of school!" I mutter to myself, annoyed that the boys are acting so oddly today. It seems like the nerves have everyone on edge...

I head to the cafeteria. My stomach is already grumbling again even though we had a filling breakfast. I grab a BLT sandwich, a veggie tray and chocolate milk before walking outside to my favourite pine tree. I love this spot. During my four years attending this school, there have hardly ever been times when I'm actually alone for lunch. It seems fitting that on what is to probably become my last day here, I get to enjoy my lunch quietly and alone in my favourite spot. I sit down under the tree and rest my back against the trunk. I take out my headphones, turn my music on and munch away on my sandwich. Before I'm even half way through my favourite song, I sense someone approaching me on my right side. My head snaps over and I stare at the innocent soul who dares disrupt me in this moment. My scowl immediately disappears when I recognize who it is, Mira Ellis. Mira's parents are omegas, her mother is a birthing hand and her father trains the Junior Warriors.

"Oh, hi, Mira. Sorry about my reaction, I thought you were…someone else," I declare.

"That's okay, I didn't want to bother you, but... normally, you, Blair and Maverick all eat together so I figured if anyone knew where he was it would be you," she seems timid.

"Which one, Blair or Maverick?"

"Oh, right, sorry. I'm wondering if you've seen Blair," she responds.

"Right, well, about five minutes ago Blair stormed out of school after Maverick ditched us, so I figure they're both probably home by now," I grumble. I'm not even bothering to hide my annoyance.

"Oh, okay. Thanks. Sorry for bothering you," she repeats. As Mira turns and starts walking away, I suddenly don't feel like eating alone anymore.

"Hey, Mira! Come sit with me," I pat the ground next to me twice.

She seems surprised but sits down with me anyways.

“Are you nervous, for tonight?” I already know the answer, but I still ask. Sometimes it’s nice knowing you’re not the only one feeling a certain way.

“You have no idea. I don’t want to get my hopes up, but I’ve dreamed of this night for years. Some of us get really lucky and find our mates immediately after shifting, like the oth--” she cuts herself off.

“Like the others. Like, me. It’s okay Mira. I’m not offended,” I chuckle. “I know I’m the Alpha’s daughter, but I’m also just Nova. Nova really isn’t intimidating, I swear…” I’m saddened that there’s always this invisible barrier, separating the omegas from anyone of higher rank in the pack. Yes, there are titles, but I don’t believe in letting them define who we are.

“I know you’re pretty much guaranteed to find your mate. I just hope I do too, and that my future job won’t suck,” Mira lets out a nervous laugh.

“You know, there’s always the chance I don’t find my mate tonight… it’s rare, but it happens. What if my mate is from another pack? I definitely don't see myself meeting up with any non-pack member wolves tonight. Plus, you’re so smart, you could do any job the Moon Goddess chose for you,” I try to be reassuring. Even though we have spent eighteen years being raised in the same pack, playing in the same school yard, passing each other in hallways… we barely know each other. I am struck by how strange this seems now. Mira must have sensed this too because she speaks up.

“I never realized how little we spoke until today. You’ve always been so nice to me, to everyone. It’s refreshing. I guess we both sort of kept to ourselves most of the time.”

I nod. “Yeah, exactly. I was always stuck spending time with the boys, I never bothered to try and make any more friends. I guess I wanted to but didn’t know how to approach anyone else. I feel like my whole life people have respectfully kept their distance from me, because of my parents,” I sound like such a spoiled brat, it makes me cringe.

“I guess maybe that’s true. You never missed an opportunity to stand up for people when they deserved it, though. When we were in first grade and I fell off the rope wall and hurt my arm, I started crying, Jace and Colton made fun of me but you told them off. They were always so scared to make fun of anyone after. It was cool,” Mira recalls.

I vaguely remember this day. I didn’t even realize how much this had affected the twins but now I realized it was true. Jace and Colton are two of the most humble and kind-hearted boys you’ll ever meet and have been since the first grade…

“You’re not one of those stuck-up and arrogant high ranking wolves that we’re all so weary off. You’re caring, and genuine. You’ve never been mean to anyone. I think maybe that’s why everyone respects you. Abuse of power tends to make enemies out of pack members whose loyalty is irreplaceable,” she finishes. I was really starting to like Mira, and I regret not sitting down and talking to her sooner.

“You’re really observant and honest. I respect that, Mira.” The lunch bell rings, signaling it was time to head back to class. “Thanks for keeping me company, it was really cool talking to you,” I smile and wave before dashing off to English Literature II with Ms. Taylor.

As I take my seat in class, I can’t help but feel really happy that I made a good connection with another female friend. Something about girl power really hypes a woman up. That’s when my brain catches onto something super obvious but that I somehow missed until now: was she not looking for Blair? What exactly was that about?