A Mate That was Lost

Chapter 4

It’s been three days since we met Jake’s wolf, Hades. Three whole days, which means today is my birthday. Today is the day I turn 16 and tonight at midnight I am supposed to meet my wolf. I am a mixture of excited and nervous to meet her.

Aside from the death glares I get from Jake and the Gamma twins, they have left me alone for the most part. I suspect that it has something to do with the fact that Brian has gone out of his way to be nice to me at school now. He’s always smiling at me and talking to me about normal things. I was suspicious at first, thinking this could be a set up to some cruel joke but, so far, nothing bad has happened to me.

Jake has been extra moody lately, even going as far as to growl every time Brian walks me to my locker. He has a bad habit of moving my hair out of my eyes and tucking it behind my ear. 

While I am thinking about the events of the last three days, I don’t notice my parents slipping into my room with a stack of pancakes with nutella spread and 16 candles lit.

“Happy birthday Lani,” they both yell, causing me to jump.

They are smiling so hard, clearly excited. I rest my hand over my heart in an attempt to slow my heart beat. When it finally slows down, I look up at my parents and smile.

“Thank you guys,” I said.

I look at the plate they brought in and blow out the candles. I hug both my parents.

“Alright we will bring this downstairs,” my mom said. “We will leave you to get dressed.”

I nod my head and watch them exit my room before I head to my bathroom to take a quick shower. When I get out of the shower, I quickly throw my hair into a half updo. I put on some makeup and exit my bathroom to get dressed.

I decided to wear a dark blue dress paired with a black belt and black ballet flats. I check myself in the mirror and decide that I am satisfied with my look then head downstairs to eat my birthday breakfast. My parents don’t said anything to me until I am done eating

“Have a good day, darling,” mom said.

My dad just nods in agreement. I nod back since my mouth is still full. I grab my bag and walk out the door. On my walk to school I feel a presence behind me. I quickly turn, only to see Brian walking up to me with a big smile on his face.

“Happy birthday,” Brian said, grinning like a mad man. “Mind if I walk you to school?”

I shake my head no and turn to continue walking. We walk in silence for a few more minutes.

“How’d you know it was my birthday,” I ask.

“Hmmm,” Brian hums. “I heard your parents talking about it at Jake’s party.”

“Oh,” is all I can say.

I take a deep breath. I am still not entirely sure how to talk to Brian but I have become a little more comfortable with his presence. We walk in a comfortable silence for a few more moments until he breaks the silence.

“So do you have any plans for tonight,” he asks casually.

“No,” I answer, shrugging. “I don’t have any friends so it’s just gonna be me and my parents tonight.”

“Maybe...,” Brian starts. “Maybe I can come by and celebrate with you and your parents?”

“Hmmm,” I think about it. “I don’t see why not. I mean, I guess we are friends, right?”

“Yeah,” he smiles. “We are friends.”

We continue to talk until we get to school. When we get to school we see Jake and the twins standing at the top of the stairs with their arms crossed. Jake spots us and he smiles evilly. As soon as we reach the stairs there is a crowd around us.

“Good morning,” Jake said, still grinning.

“Morning,” Brian said coolly.

I glance between Jake and Brian. My stomach starts to knot when Jake’s gaze lands on me. I am starting to get a bad feeling.

“Thanks for bringing the Omega b***h,” Jake sneers.

He nods to someone behind him and someone grabs Brian and pulls him into the crowd. Now it’s just me standing in front of Jake and the twins with nowhere to go.

Ok now I really have a bad feeling.

Jake glares at me narrowing his eyes.

“I heard it’s someone’s birthday today,” Jake sneers.

I can’t move, I am so scared. I don’t know what he has planned but I know it can’t be good. Jake continues to keep his gaze on me. As if some unseen signal is heard the Gamma twins walk up to me with a cup in their hands.

“Happy birthday, slut,” they said.

When they get to me they hold their cup above my head and dump whatever is inside on my head. It's chocolate and strawberry milkshakes. I gasp as the cold drink lands on my head. This starts a food fight and everyone's target is me. I cover my face as I am pelted with multiple food items. I push my way through the crowd and try to get up the stairs. I make it to the top of the stairs and I turn around to look at everyone with tears in my eyes. I look around and see Jake laughing along with the rest of the school. My eyes move around and soon I spot Brian in the back with a cold look on his face.

I feel someone behind me but before I can turn around I feel someone push me down the stairs. I tumble down the stairs. I hit the bottom and hit my head on the sidewalk. I see stars and before I black out I look up to see Jake’s shocked face which is quickly covered up with a blank look.

Jake’s POV

I watch laughing as Jenna walks up behind Lani and pushes her. My laughter quickly turns into shock as I watch her fall down the stairs. When she lands at the bottom her head slams onto the sidewalk. I look down at her dazed face and quickly recover schooling my features into a blank look.

I am shoved from behind and I turn to see Brian fuming.

“What the f**k, dude,” Brian yells at me.

“What, man,” I ask, nonchalantly. “She’s fine just knocked out. Besides who cares? She will heal eventually. I just wanted to make this birthday a memorable one.” I turn and yell to everyone. “Let’s go. Just leave her there.”

I turn on my heel and grab the fuming Brian and drag him inside the school building. He is yelling profanities at me and struggling to get outside and help Lani.

“Brian,” I yell. “Dude, chill. She’s fine. She’s probably getting up right now and going to be walking through the doors just fine.”

“You are such an ass,” he glares at me. “One day you are gonna regret being such an ass to her. We don’t know where she came from. For all you know she could be the one that brings this pack down because of all the f****d up s**t you and the twins do to her.”

We stare at each other fuming. Brian turns on his heel and storms away leaving me to fume silently.

The school day passes and nobody has seen the Omega. As the last bell rings, I walk outside and look at the spot where I last saw her. I see something dark on the ground and walk up to it. It’s dried blood. I look up and look around to see if I can spot Lani and decide that I was going to apologize profusely to her because I know Brian is right. When I don’t find her I look for Brian and spot him walking down the street.

I figured he was going to check up on Lani and so I follow him. My suspicions are right when I watch him knock on the door of a small two story house. A worried looking couple answer the door and they start talking. I strain my ears and catch the end of the conversation.

“....she’s gone,” the woman said and hands Brian a note. I freeze as I watch Brian read the note. When he’s done he hands the note back and walks away. I can see from my hiding spot he’s pissed but also sad.

I know then that I went too far and that Lani ran away.

This is all my fault.