My Werewolf Mate is a Nerd

Chapter 8

Chapter 8 

It was finally Friday.  There was a football game and then afterwards everyone was going to Zander’s house for the big party.  At midnight he turned 18, and he’d find his mate.  Every unmated girl in the school was invited.  So many girls were hoping they would be Zander’s mate and be the next Luna of his pack. 

I was not excited at all.  I was in no mood to cheer at the game and in even less of a mood to party.  I just wanted to stay home, curled up in bed and feeling sorry for myself.  I knew I was being dumb and childish, but I didn’t care.  I wanted to throw a pity party.  I would be the guest of honor and eat ice cream…listen to songs of unrequited love and feel bad for myself.  Was that so wrong?

But I knew I couldn’t do that.  So, there I was, waiting to take the field and smile big and cheer my heart out.  The game was not even close, and our school won without much effort.  Zander, of course was cheered and the guys carried him off the field as a hero.  I just sat back watching the spectacle.  No wonder Zander had a big head. 

I quickly dressed and was ready to head to Zander’s party. Jamie was waiting for me outside of the locker room.  She was dressed in a short black skirt with a small slit up the thigh.  She was wearing a hot pink tank top and a short black sweater over the top than hung off one shoulder and had her blonde curly hair in a ponytail.

“Damn, Jamie!” I said, “You trying to attract 10 mates tonight?!”  She blushed and acted innocent. “What?”  she giggled.  “It’s my party outfit.” 

“Meanwhile, I’m dressed like this…” looking down at myself.  I had on a black button-down blouse, pair of tight jeans, and black ballet flats.  My hair was thrown up in a messy bun.   

“Yeah, what’s up with you…not that you don’t look good, but you’ve seemed upset all week.”  She said with concern in her eyes. 

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to tell her.  Jamie was my best friend, but this was still hard to talk about.  She must have sensed my trepidation. “C’mon, Lane…you know you can tell me anything.”

“Ok.  But you can’t say a word…”  I stared her right in the eye.  “I found my mate.” 

“OH MY GOD!”  Jamie jumped up and down.  Then she saw my lack of excitement.  “What’s wrong?  You’re not excited.  Did he hurt you?!  Because if he did, I swear to goddess, I’ll kill him!”  I appreciated her looking out for me. 

I was biting my thumb nail, trying to figure out what to say next.  “It’s complicated.”  Is all I managed to squeak out. 

“Well, who is he?  Can you at least give me that?”  She asked.  “I can’t believe you haven’t told me any of this. “

“I wanted to, but my head hasn’t been able to wrap around it.  Remember that boy you stopped from falling down the stairs on Monday?” Jamie Nodded. 

“Him…”

“Him?!”  she asked amazed.  “You sure?”

“I’m pretty sure.  But he doesn’t seem to want me.” I said. 

“Psssh.  That’s his loss, not yours.  He’s crazy if he doesn’t want you.”  She said grabbing my right hand. “Did he officially reject you?” 

“No.  His mom thinks he’s just confused, but I’m not so sure…”I trailed off.

“Let’s not think about this anymore.”  She said “Just go and have fun.  Maybe you’ll find someone else to take your mind off this undeserving guy.”  She smiled big and pulled me down the hall to the door to the parking lot.  We jumped in her car and were off to Zander’s house.

Zander’s house was huge, of course.  There were tons of cars outside and it was full of teenagers from “the Allies”, which are all of our packs who work together.  I took a deep breath before heading inside.  I just wanted to go home and sleep, but Jamie needed to be here.    We walked in and the place was wall to wall bodies, red solo cups, alcohol, and music.  Jamie squeezed my hand as we forced our way through the living room to the kitchen to get our own cups.  “I think he’s here.”  Jamie said leaning in close to me so I could hear her over the music.  She leaned back, sniffing the air. 

“Who?”  I asked, literally everyone in a hundred-mile radius was here, packed into this house!

 “My Mate!” Jamie said nervously.  “I smell sandalwood and spices.” 

Just then Zander sauntered up and put his arms around the two of us, spilling some liquid from his cup and narrowly missing my shoulder.  “Ladies, Ladies. Great to see you here tonight.  Laney, I see you’ve come to your senses and decided to give into me and become my mate.”  He slurred. 

“What gave you that idea” I asked rolling my eyes. 

“Well, you showed up, didn’t you?” He said. 

“Leave her alone, Zander.  She already has a mate.”  Jamie said without thinking.

I stared daggers into her eyes. 

“Oops.  Sorry Laney.” She mouthed. 

Great!  I knew she didn’t mean to do it.  But I didn’t want people to know. 

“WHAT!” yelled Zander “Laney, how could you!”  he seemed almost genuinely upset.  Zander sat down on a stool and rubbed his forehead with the hand not holding the cup.  I stood there not sure what was really going on. He looked up at me with the hint of tears in his eyes and whispered, “I thought for sure we’d be mates.”

That was when it hit me.  All those times I thought he’d been joking; those were real thoughts he had.  He honestly thought we would be paired.  I felt bad for the guy.  I put my hand on his shoulder.   “Zander, I know your mate is out there. It just might take you a while to find her.  But I know you’ll find her, and she will be so much better than me.” 

Zander scoffed at my words.  “Who is your mate?”  He said quietly.  I didn’t want to answer him.  “It doesn’t matter right now.” I said and turned to Jamie, but she was gone.  “Jamie!”  I called out but didn’t see her.  Damn that girl.  First, she brings me to a party I didn’t want to go to, then she blurts out my secret to Zander, then she just disappears?!  I was mad. 

I took a step and felt Zander grab my wrist and pull me back to face him.  His eyes were full of hurt and he stared at me for a minute.  But then he did something I never expected.  He brushed the back of his hand against my cheek and said.  “I hope he treats you well, cause if he doesn’t, I will be there to kill him.”  Then he stood up, filled his cup full of straight Vodka and walked off. 

I turned back around and began to search for my friend.  We had only been there 20 minutes and I’d already had enough and wanted to leave.