My Hidden Wolf

Chapter Seventeen

William P.O.V

        "It makes the bond stronger before marking. Have you and Sam...?" I was a little shocked.

        "We were both going crazy on Saturday so we just relieved each other... with our hands." She avoided my gaze, fiddling with her hands turning bright red.

        "I didn't need to know quite that much Emily. What are you doing this afternoon?"

        "I've got to finish my painting and start setting up the art classroom for the exam." She looked relieved at the change of subject. "What about you? More revision?"

        "No, don't want to over revise. I can give you a hand with setting up the room if you like?"

        "That would be good, thank you."

        We collected our stuff and chatted as we made our way up to the art classroom. The first thing Emily did after putting down her bag was to throw open all the windows and the fire escape door. I sat down and pulled out my notebook which I doodled in while she put on her headphones and gathered together everything she needed to finish her painting. I kept looking up from my doodling every so often to watch her paint, she was humming along to her music and dancing from the waist down. I smiled to myself. If I didn't have Cara I would want someone like Emily, not Emily herself, she was just a friend and she reminded me too much of someone but I still don't know who. It was something about her mannerisms, her toughness and her sheer determination. Even in the short week that I had known her she had come out of her shell, she was so much more confidant than before. The other students would watch her whenever she went by, the boys with lust in their eyes and the girls with jealousy. She didn't see them looking at her. She went about her day completely oblivious, which is why I stayed with her whenever I could. I didn't want anything to happen to her and I knew Sam would kill me if she was hurt and I could have prevented it. They were lucky to have each other.

        "What are you looking at?"

        I jumped in my seat, dropping my pen. I had spaced out. Emily was standing in front of me looking down at my notebook.

        "They're good, really good. Why didn't you take art?" She asked, her headphones around her neck still playing music.

        "Thanks. I did it at AS Level but wanted to do P.E more and dad insisted on Maths and I found Politics interesting and thought it would be useful as an Alpha."

        "Fair enough. Good to see you still draw though."

        "Whenever I can, ever since I could hold a pencil to paper. I find it relaxing."

        "Me too, I was drawing before I could write. It soothes my soul."

        We smiled at each other for a moment before she turned her attention back to her almost finished painting, sliding her headphones back on. I focused on my doodling again.

        The last bell of the day rang and I helped Emily tidy up her paints after I had put my doodle book away in my bag. She had managed to avoid smearing paint across her face today. We made our way down to the car park where Sam was leaning against his car, waiting. We walked over to him.

        "How have your exams been William?" He asked me standing up straight.

        "First two went well and I've just got P.E theory left on Wednesday. How are things with you?"

        "They're going well. Continuing to monitor the Northern situation."    

        I flicked my eyes nervously to Emily who had moved into Sam's arms. He was holding her as though she was a life ring in the middle of the ocean. Like he would never let her go again.

        "Don't worry William, I already know about the Northern situation." Emily spoke up, smiling at me, her arms wrapped around Sam's waist.

        "That's good to know. Anyway I should head home. See you tomorrow."

        "Yeah, see you tomorrow. Have a good evening William."

        I smiled at Emily, nodded at Sam who nodded back and went on my way. He must really love her if he's dropping Alpha duties to pick her up from school. I wonder if he knows or if he's told her yet. They were clearly meant to be. Made for each other.

Sam P.O.V

        I was leaning against my car waiting for Emily to come out. Lots of the girls were staring at me but I ignored them. Emily eventually came out with William close on her heels. I noticed how the other boys looked at her with lust filled eyes. That didn't happen the last time I picked her up from school. She had changed, in a good way. She was more confident, walking with her head held high rather than looking at the ground but she was clearly oblivious to this change. To the attention from the other students. I felt the green monster of jealously rising in me, especially when William walked with her all the way to where I was. I pushed it down. He must have noticed the looks she was getting now. It seemed like he was acting as her body guard, always a pace or two behind her, he must be rather intimidating to the other students, tall and well built for a nineteen year old, even for a wolf. I wasn't that well built in school, tall and lanky is what I was. I wish it could be me, following her around making sure no one touched her, but I was grateful that she had someone watching her back. We exchanged pleasantries before William headed home. Emily was tucked into my side, arms wrapped around me as I held her.

        "Not that I'm not please to see you but what are you doing here?"

        "I came to pick you up."

        "I can walk back you know. I do appreciate the gesture though."

        "I needed a break from paperwork and I wanted to see you."

        "So you missed me?" Her tone was teasing.

        "Yes I missed you." I said quietly into her ear.

        She turned her head and kissed me like she meant it, wrapping her arms around my neck, pulling me down to her. I wrapped my arms around her waist and lifted her up, she instinctively wound her legs around my waist. People were staring but I didn't care, and apparently, neither did she. I want the whole school to know that she had someone already.

        "Miss Emily Pearson!" The Maths teacher, Mrs Osbourne was marching towards us.

        We broke apart and I put her down but still held her close. She was blushing.

        "Just what do you think you are doing?"

        "Kissing my boyfriend miss."

        "On school property?! I never would have expected such things from you." Mrs Osbourne finally looked up at me, I was a good six inches taller than her, at least. "Well if it isn't Samuel Carson, you always were trouble. Aren't you too old for Miss Pearson? You're six years her senior if I remember correctly."

        "I am Mrs Osbourne, but if I remember correctly your husband is nine years older than you." I spoke calmly, she couldn't put me in detention anymore.

        "Still causing trouble then. Why don't the both of you get going before I put Miss Pearson in detention." Her voice was serious but I could see a smile teasing her lips. "Have a good evening you two." She said before walking off to hide her now spreading smile.

        "Come on, lets go home." I opened the passenger door for Emily and closed it once she was seated in the car. I got in myself, did up my seat belt and started the engine. We were quiet for the journey home. Emily seemed like she was thinking about something so I didn't want to disturb her. I pulled up outside the house and turned the engine off.

        "Have you thought about completing the mate bond at all?" She asked very quietly.

        "I have thought about it, yes but I didn't want to rush you."

        "Why don't you ask me in a few weeks." She said confidently. This confused me. Was she saying she was ready? "Oh and I was wondering if I could go to town on Sunday afternoon?"

        "To do what?" I was only half listening to her.

        "To meet up with Cara, William's mate."

        This got my full attention.

        "Will he be there?" I asked trying to keep the growl out of my voice.

        "Yes he will, you're welcome to come too. I want to talk to Cara about some girly stuff."

        "What's wrong with talking to my mum about that stuff?"

        "If my father was around would you be comfortable talking about intimate stuff with him?"

        "Point taken." I relaxed knowing she wasn't hiding anything from me.

        We headed into the house and she went straight upstairs. Probably to shower and change. I shook my head. I hadn't even asked her how her exam went today. I went into the kitchen to get a drink where Kyle cornered me.

        "Where the hell have you been?! He asked through gritted teeth. "Thomas Richardson has been waiting for you for a quarter of an hour. He's in your office."

        "What's he doing here?"

        "He wants to discuss Charles Jefferson."

        "Ah... right." All thoughts of Emily left my mind. I had some apologising to do. I headed to my office, opened the door and there he was, patiently waiting.

        "So sorry to keep you waiting Mr Richardson, I had some errands to run in town. Can I get you anything? A drink perhaps?" I walked over to a side table where a few decanters sat. I poured myself a whiskey and looked over my shoulder at Thomas.

        "Thank you." He nodded.

        I poured him a glass and walked back to my desk. Handing him his glass I sat down in my chair opposite him and took a sip before speaking.

        "Kyle tells me you would like to discuss Charles Jefferson."

        "Yes I would." He took a sip of his whiskey before continuing. "As the Vale packs closest ally there is some information that you should know. I don't know if your parents have told you this but I was married to his daughter, Claire for a while. She is William's mother."

        "No they didn't tell me. Why are you no longer married?" I managed to keep my voice steady, hiding my surprise at this new information.

        "She left when William was still a baby, we weren't mates you see, her father, Charles Jefferson had forced her into the marriage. She was just sixteen when we met, I had no idea she was so young until it was too late. She was seventeen when William was born. Anyway, she left me for her mate, she had found him, he was from another pack. I never looked for her, she had asked me not to and I respected her wishes, but... um..." He paused, choosing his next words.

        At that moment there was a knock on the door, thinking it was just Kyle I spoke.

        "Come in."

        It wasn't Kyle, it was Emily. Thomas looked at her, something like recognition crossing his features before his mask was back in place.