CHAPTER 6 - A WHISPER IN THE WIND
1561 Words
VALERIE
The whole class' attention was fixed on me now, as everyone waited to see who I would choose as my partner for the project.
Even our science teacher, Mr. Greg seemed a little interested in knowing my choice, as he tilted his head to get a better view of me.
"We're waiting for you, Valerie," He announced.
For me, it was pretty obvious that Kyle hated me the most out of the triplets. Definitely, he should be the one to avoid, at least for now.
"I'll go with Chris and Evans," I murmured finally, and the whole class booed.
"Great choice then," Mr. Greg smiled and handed me a paper. "That's your topic. Hopefully, you can be a good influence on the boys."
He went on to share the rest of the class into groups of three's before starting his lesson for the day, but I found it very hard to concentrate. Kyle who was sitting just across had his eyes on me the whole time and I wondered if not choosing him was going to make him hate me more.
At the end of the class, I wanted to leave immediately, to avoid further drama. However, Chris and Evans were already grinning at my table.
"Guess we're partners now," Evans started.
"Yeah, I guess," I nodded. "We were lucky to get an easy topic."
"Does that mean you can handle all the work?" Evans asked, his eyes glinting with excitement.
"Not at all," Chris cut in. "It means we get to spend more time with her."
Evans looked a bit disappointed with the idea of actually working on a science project but the smile on his face returned almost immediately.
"At least we're spending some time with you," He smiled. "Oh, and I thought I should tell you - "
He paused and turned to face Chris who nodded in approval.
" - I'm done playing games with Ellen," He continued. "I tried to get her to apologize for what she did to you at the mall but she didn't budge."
I frowned as he ranted on. Why was he trying to make her the scapegoat? They were all in on the plan to humiliate me on my birthday and if not for the mate bond, they would probably still be saying hurtful words to me by now.
"Listen, Valerie," Chris said and slipped his fingers in mine. "We're not denying the fact that we've been jerks all our lives. All we want to do now is to make up for the bad things we've done to you."
I heaved a deep breath as painful memories flashed through my mind. Truly, I had been through hell with the triplets. It was going to be difficult for me to trust them again, after everything they had put me through.
"And don't forget we've had some good times too," Evans chipped in. "Like the day you fell from a tree. Chris caught you in his hands and spun you around like his newly wedded bride."
I could feel my face redden as I remembered that incident. It was one of the only occasions that he had shown some level of humanity and at that time, we even joked about how I would have broken all the bones in my body if not for him.
"It wasn't fun falling from a tree though," I said finally. "I thought I was going to die."
"But you didn't," Chris smiled. "The moon goddess had other plans for you, for us."
He trailed his cold fingers across my left cheek and I felt a sudden pull to him. In that moment, his sea green eyes darkened by a notch, and he suddenly looked more handsome than normal.
Maybe he was being sincere after all?
"I don't know - " I uttered in a low whisper. "Maybe she does."
"Maybe?"
I spun around on impulse and I came face to face with Kyle. He glared hard at me, his eyes burning with anger.
"You're ours," He hissed. "There's no maybe. That's the only reason Chris saved your worthless life, Valerie. That's the only reason I had to protect you from that blockhead, Ellen."
He inched so close to me, that I could feel the warmth of his breath on my face.
"Because you're ours."
"Don't put it that way, brother," Chris cut in.
"That's exactly how it should be," Kyle fired back and turned to me. "Or what did you think, four eyes? That we're equals now because some dumb moon goddess made a mistake?"
"Kyle!" Chris thundered. "That's enough!"
The brothers squared off for a long time, long enough for me to fear that they were going to have a fight, but just then, Kyle's lips pursed in a slow smile.
"You're wasting your time, brother," He said. "She would never love you, not after all you've done to her in the past."
He turned on his heels without another word and walked out of the classroom, leaving me with freshly open wounds.
Stupid of me to think that they could ever change. It didn't matter if I was their mate or not. They were never going to see me as one. I was forever going to be the nerdy Omega slave girl. The painful realization clawed at my chest and I felt the tears begin to well up in my eyes.
"We could discuss the project some other time," I muttered. "I'll be going home now."
"Valerie, wait - "
But I was already sprinting towards the door, and he didn't make any move to hold me back.
Lily was waiting for me just outside the class and as soon as she saw me, she knew that everything had gone wrong.
"I don't want to talk about it, Lily," I sighed. "Let's just go."
She nodded in understanding and we started off together.
A few meters away from us, Ellen and her bratty friends were chatting away noisily. I tried my best to avoid her, but she was not yet done with me.
"Hey, Valerie," She called.
"Don't answer," Lily grunted to me and we kept walking.
"I'm talking to you!" Ellen repeated, louder this time.
I paused and turned to face her.
"Are those tears I see?" She laughed. "He has already broken your heart, hasn't he?"
"What do you want from me?" I asked, glaring hard at her.
"No one can love you," She spat out. "Not with the way you look! He probably wanted a taste of the nerdy virgin, and now that he's had his fill of you, he'll come back begging for me."
The confidence in her voice disgusted me and I wished I could make her understand that I didn't even care about her ex. If the moon goddess hadn't been cruel, I would have been in a better pack by now, starting afresh, making new friends, and having a life.
But because of some stupid mate bond, I was stuck in the Crest View Pack with the three people I detested the most in the world.
"Say something, you witch!" Ellen growled. "Don't just stand there looking dumb."
Chris and Evans walked in, alerted by the noise and I knew I had to leave before things got ugly.
"What's going on here?" Chris frowned.
But Ellen ignored him. She walked straight to Evans and slid her hands through his shirt.
"I know you just wanted some fun with her," She said. "I've forgiven you and we can pretend that it never happened."
I wanted to leave immediately, but I found myself rooted to the spot. I knew Ellen's charms were going to work on him, but I needed to confirm it. Not like I cared anyways.
"I'm sorry, Ellen," Evans grunted and swatted her hand away swiftly. "Our episode is over now."
He turned his attention to me before continuing. "Valerie is my mate and I plan to remain loyal to her."
Ellen looked rattled. Her eyes were wild with shock as she had not expected Evans to reject her again for me.
"And - and - and all we've been through?" She stammered. "Would you let go of everything just for that witch?"
"I'm sorry, but yes," Evans said and started towards me. "Valerie."
I couldn't think well at that point and I decided it was best to keep moving, so I turned on my heels and walked down the hallway with Lily.
All the way home, we didn't say a word about what had happened and when we were about to part ways at the road leading to her house, she hugged me for a long time.
"I hope you find happiness," She said before walking off.
I sighed as she left and I continued my journey home. The drama I had avoided at school was still going to haunt me when the boys got home. I was never going to be at peace with them.
The many thoughts running through my mind made it hard for me to focus and I didn't realize it until I heard the shrill call.
"Valerie..."
It sounded like a whisper in the wind and as I tried to guess the direction it was coming from, I sighted a dark figure slip through the shadows.
Slowly the realization hit me - I was not alone. Someone was watching me.
- Writer
