Instant Enemies

by Emily Zimmerman

  She laughed lightly. “Okay, thanks I guess.” She joked.

  “No problem.” I said, starting down the hall.

  I was late, but I didn’t really care. History could wait for me. I opened the door and Mr. Raman glared at me. “Sorry Mr. Raman, I was in the bathroom when the bell rang.” I said.

  His glare softened. “That’s alright. Sit down please, Ms. Harington.”

  I smiled. “Thanks.”

  I sat down in the seat between Damian and Trevor. Damian looked me over with approval and I rolled my eyes. “Uh-oh.” Trevor murmured.

  I looked over at him, his eyes were glazed over and his face was in a grimace. “What?” I asked him.

  I heard Damian’s growl and looked over at him. “What?”

  “There is a rumor going around…that you are fucking Mr. Raman.” Trevor said, his grimace growing more pronounced.

  “What?” I yelled.

  “Ms. Harington, is there something you’d like to share?” Mr. Raman asked me.

  I looked up, realizing I was receiving a lot of stares. I blushed. “No, nothing Mr. Raman.” I said.

  “Alright, then I suggest you pay attention.” He said.

  “Sorry.”

  He turned back to the board and I looked at Trevor with incredulous eyes. “I’m fucking who? What the hell-“

  “You take him out of class when he gets hacked off, and he lets you off the hook for a lot of stuff. I’m not saying that I believe it, but that’s enough reason for others to.” He told me, shrugging.

  “Oh my God.” I groaned quietly, putting my head in my hands.

  “Melody has been hearing stuff like this all day.” He told me.

  “Oh. My. God.” I repeated slowly.

  I sat in angry silence all through History, even Gabe didn’t seem to be in the mood to clown around. I left the class in a rush to get away from the accusing stares. I ignored the whispers and the stares and threw my books into my locker, slamming it closed. I just wanted to get to lunch and get it over with.

  Damian followed a few feet behind me, and Trevor went to find Melody. I was walking at a brisk pace and didn’t notice that someone had put their leg out to trip me until I was already hurtling towards the floor. Just as I was reaching out to catch myself, my hands landed on a sturdy chest and I looked up at Damian as he helped me up. “Are you alright?” he asked softly.

  I pushed my bangs from my face. “I’m fine.” I said.

  His eyes hardened and he pulled away from me, in one swift movement, the kid that tripped me was punched out on the floor. “Who is the son of a bitch that started the roomer?” he asked no one in particular. “Huh?” he asked loudly.

  “Damian, stop. It’s not worth it.” I told him, putting my hand on his chest to get his attention.

  His eyes were almost completely black, but I could see that he was struggling for control. He looked down at me and I could see that he was thinking of walking away, so I put my hand on his arm in a tight grip. “You promised.” I reminded him.

  He sighed and put his hand on my cheek. “Let’s go to lunch.” He said.

  Our gym class was canceled because Coach Lorre was sick with a stomach virus, so I sat on the bleachers watching Damian at football practice. Hailey sat beside me, admiring the hot guys, I was admiring Damian. He was pulling his shirt off because of the heat, and I was afraid I might drool. “Ah, Cat?” Hailey asked me.

  “Yeah.”

  “Your mouth is hanging open.”

  I snapped my mouth closed and watched as Damian glanced our way with a small smirk. “Shit.” I muttered under my breath.

  “Girl, I don’t have to be a mind reader to know what was going through that head of yours.” She told me.

  “Was it that bad?” I asked her, wincing.

  “You would have jumped him if I didn’t interrupt your fantasies.” She told me seriously, and I could swear I heard Damian snicker.

  “Shit.” I repeated.

  I got up and brushed the grass from my pants, only to be pushed back down again by the slut of the school, Mandy. “Hello, Slut. Has Damian dumped you yet?” she sneered.

  I rolled my eyes and got up again. “No. He knows I didn’t fuck Mr. Raman. And you know it too, Skank.” I said.

  She scoffed and threw her blonde hair back over her shoulder, her dark brown eyes defiant. “I know you’ve been fucking him. I also know that you weren’t raped in Elementary, you probably liked it, didn’t you?”

  I felt my anger flare and my hands clenched into fists. “You probably planned to meet him in the janitors closet, didn’t you? And you were so desperate to keep your secret that you claimed he raped-“ She was cut off by a fist in her face, it was a few long seconds after the sickening smack and watching her fall to the ground that I realized it was my fist.

  I leaned down to where she sat with her hand to her mouth. “You know nothing you sick, sadistic slut!” I snarled in her face, feeling my wolf take over. “You have no idea the emotional toll it took on me to have had that happen. You’re just trying to get the attention back on yourself, right? Let me tell you something, I’m not fucking Mr. Raman, and I sure as hell-fire didn’t fuck my elementary school teacher! So shut the fuck up before I do something even worse then punch you in the face, got it?”

  She whimpered, but nodded quickly. I stood up and looked around, everyone had paused what they were doing, and Damian was standing close by, ready to help if I needed it. All of the football players were gaping at me. “What? Can I help you guys with something?” I asked incredulously.

  They all started rambling at the same time and I rolled my eyes. “I’m going home.” I told Hailey.

  “Okay. Call me later.” She told me happily, ignoring the fact that I just punched out the school slut.

  “Kay.” I said, smiling.

  I walked at a leisurely pace through the parking lot, it was almost empty because school ended, so the only cars here were the football team’s, Damian’s motorcycle, my car, and Hailey’s car. I hummed to myself softly and danced to the tune in my head, skipping to the car. Just as I was pulling my keys, I was pushed to the ground. I looked up to find the man that was in the mirror. “Please, forgive me, my dear mother.” He snapped his fingers, and the last thing I remember before I blacked out was a slight tingling feeling in my head.

  Part Twelve: Possessed.

  I awoke slowly, and my mind was muddled as I felt a terrible headache brewing. The first thing I registered was the sound of an echoing drip as if I were in a cave. The wet, musty smell and the feel of wet rock floor below me only seemed to strengthen that notion.

  I slowly opened my eyes as I realized that I was against a small pillar, my arms were bound behind me around the pillar, and I was beside the opening of a torch-lit cave. It was raining heavily outside, and I could hear echoing footsteps of something or someone deeper into the cave.

  I tried to loosen the binds on my hands, but they wouldn’t budge. I moved my foot a little, and looked down, realizing that I was barefoot. I knew that if I could change into my wolf form, I could break the binds and run, I searched for my inner wolf, but she was nowhere to be found.

  “Shit.” I groaned under my breath.

  No inner animal means no speaking to the pack through the bond. No contact with Damian.

  I heard murmuring and multiple footsteps approaching from deep inside the cave, and felt fear envelope me. What did I remember before I blacked out? I thought quickly, my forehead breaking out into a sweat as the footsteps drew closer. I suddenly remembered the leader of the coven’s face, he was standing over me.

  As the vampires approached, I realized just how weak I was. I had no strength, no speed, I felt…human.

  “Hello, dear mother. I do apologize for taking your wolf away, I assure you, though, she is safe.” The leader of the coven said.

  It was as if I was possessed. “My son, Paul, please, do not do this. I will be devastated if you destroy my pack. I live in this body; therefor
e I feel what it feels. My daughter feels pain, and sorrow. Please, I beg of you, do not hurt my family.” I spoke in a voice that wasn’t my own, and it shocked me.

  Paul looked down at me and sadly shook his head, clicking his tongue softly. “I cannot stop, my dear, sweet mother. I have to avenge my poor daughter, and with you away from the pack, I can do it safely.” He told me.

  I regained control of my body, and it seemed that The Wolven Goddess had given up trying to negotiate. “Please.” I felt a tear slip down my cheek. “Don’t hurt them.”

  He leaned down and, with a long, sharp nail, ran his finger down my cheek. “Sometimes I wonder why she chose you. You are weak. You think you cannot live without your precious pack. But you are wrong.” He growled in my face, making me flinch.

  “You don’t understand. He’s my mate, he dies…I’ll die.” I told him, my voice hoarse.

  Paul shrugged at my words. “Then our mother will find another to take host of.” He said, and his tone was casual as if he were speaking of the weather.

  The Wolven Goddess took hold of me again. “There will be no other chosen one for thousands of years!” she snarled from my lips.

  He immediately took his hand away from my cheek. “Then I will spare the mate’s life. Could you please spare his name?”

  “Damian.” I spat, gaining control once again.

  Paul clenched his fists. “Fine…I will spare Damian.” He told me, almost having to force the words.

  I didn’t feel assured. I felt hatred. Damian would not let his pack die. That wasn’t who he was. Damian was protective of his pack, and would do anything to keep them safe.

  Even if that meant sacrificing himself.

  I pulled at the ropes that bound me. “Please, think about what you are doing. You are killing off an entire pack, just for the sake of one female.” I pleaded.

  He smiled and stood up. “Exactly.”

  Part Thirteen: Mine.

  I tried to make myself comfortable, but all in all, I was failing miserably. With my arms bound behind me, and the rough stone pillar against by back, my body was aching with the attempt to stay sitting up. My neck hurt from when I dozed off with my head hanging low, and my back ached agonizingly because it’d been slumped so long. If I were still a wolf, I would have been able to sit here for days without before even feeling a twinge of pain…it had been three days and I felt like my body was deteriorating into nothing.

  I felt tears brim in my eyes as I realized I probably would never see Damian again. No matter if they spared him, he would give up his life for his pack. I cried quietly for the man I would ultimately lose, despair taking over. I should have never let him into my life. I was a bad luck charm. Anyone I let into my life left me, why did I think he would be any different?

  I felt more human than I’d ever felt in my life. I loved Damian, more than I loved anyone else. I couldn’t stand the thought of losing him.

  I was pulled from my thoughts of despair when I heard someone approach. I looked up to see a young vampire, probably just born into the supernatural world. “Hello.” He said timidly.

  “Hi.” I whispered.

  “Paul, my leader says you are our long lost mother. I can see now that he was right…” he hesitated.

  “What is it?” I asked him.

  He looked around and leaned down on one knee, whispering so no one could hear. “I cannot help but judge his reason for keeping you here. He tries to justify it, but already, new females have been sent to join our coven. He has no reason for revenge, but he insists. So I’m setting you free.” He reached into a small pouch that was tied around his waist and pulled out a jar. In the jar was a bright light. “I need you to close your eyes. This will be a little painful because I do not have the ability to render you unconscious just yet.” He told me with an apologetic look.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “Your inner wolf. I took her from our leader’s courters.” He told me.

  “Wait…before you do this…why? We are natural enemies. Shouldn’t you be trying to kill me?” I asked him.

  “Even natural enemies can help each other when in need.” He told me with a shrug.

  He looked around with apprehensive eyes once more before putting his hand on my forehead and leaning my head back against the pillar. I heard the jar open, and all of the sudden, I had to hold back a yelp as pain burned through my chest. But as quickly as the pain appeared, it was gone.

  ‘Cat, what happened? All I remember is the vampire staring down at us.’ Lorry said in alarm.

  ‘They took you out of me.’ I told her, sighing in relief as my wolf senses came back to me.

  The boy untied my hands and helped me up. Immediately, my sore muscles began to heal. “Thank you. What is your name?” I asked him.

  He bowed his head. “My name is Rae.”

  “I can’t thank you enough. Be safe, Rae.” I told him softly.

  “I will, thank you, mother.”

  I ran from the cave entrance and smiled at the exhilaration of inhuman speed. I followed the familiar scent of wolf until I reached the pack house. Just as I reached the back door, it opened and I slammed into a sturdy chest, sending us both tumbling to the floor.

  I looked up and realized I’d slammed into Damian. “Oops.” I said, my cheeks flushing in embarrassment.

  I got up and pulled Damian up with me, realizing that my hands were muddy; I quickly walked over to the kitchen sink and washed them off. Just as I was turning the water off, I was turned around and Damian’s eyes were boring into mine. “Where have you been?” he growled.

  “I’ve been…places. Now I really need a shower, because I probably stink.” I changed the subject quickly.

  He caught my arm as I moved from his grasp. “What places? Do you know how worried I’ve been? I have the whole pack out there looking for you! Your parents thought you were dead, and your brother is going insane!” he yelled at me.

  I ripped my arm from his grasp, my control finally slipping. “I just need to take a shower alright?” I yelled back.

  “No! You are going to tell me what happened!” his voice turned Alpha, and I whimpered involuntarily.

  “Fine. You want to know what happened? I was kidnapped, tied up, My inner wolf was taken from me, and I was told I’d lose everything that mattered to me. Got it? Good, I’m going to take a shower now.”

  I turned on my heel and left Damian standing there, shocked into silence. I stormed up the stairs, grumbling to myself. I was very mad at Damian now that I knew he was alright. It made me smile a bit through my anger to realize just how ridiculous Damian and I were. We fought over the simplest remarks. I turned the shower on to boiling hot and jumped in, letting the water heat my skin until it turned red.

  As I washed myself, I felt my entire world slip away, the heat of the water washed all of my stress away, leaving nothing but a calm, collective feeling. My thoughts drifted to Damian, and instead of the hostile feelings I expected to feel, all I felt was love, compassion, and understanding. I was suddenly able to put myself in Damian’s shoes. I was able to see that he wasn’t angry at me, but he was worried out of his mind. I felt like I could see from his point of view with this new, clearer mind. He loved me so much, that the thought of him losing me was just as bad as the thought of me losing him.

  So as I stepped from the shower, I felt guilt encroach upon the calm feeling I had. I’d snapped at him, and all because I was afraid.

  I sighed, wrapping a towel around myself and stepping into the guest room that I’d picked to shower in. Damian sat on the other side of the guest bed, staring out the window with his back to me. “Damian…I’m sorry.” I told him softly.

  He slowly shook his head, still not turning. “It’s not your fault. I was too harsh.” He told me.

  “No, I don’t mean that. I mean, of course I’m sorry about that, but that’s not the only thing. I know the reason why we fight. And it isn’t because we want to.” I sighed. “Have you ever noticed that you
never start the fights? It’s always me, challenging you, trying to find reasons to…to stay away from you. It’s a survival instinct…actually,” I stated thoughtfully, “It’s more like a protective instinct. Because I always seem to do it to people I get close to-“ I realized I was babbling and cut myself off, Damian still hadn’t looked at me, but he was listening, I could tell by the way his back was tense, he was waiting for something…but what?

  “My point is that I push you away, and I don’t even realize what I’m doing until…” I trailed off.

  He finally turned to look at me as I sank down on the bed beside him, running a hand through my wet hair. His eyes met mine and he waited silently for me to continue. “Until it’s too late. I push you away because I’m trying to keep you from harm’s way. But seeing as you’re my mate and are obviously not going to back down…I guess I was wrong in doing so.” I sighed.