Chasing the Omega

by Jessica Edwards

  I run my hands through his hair when he suddenly kisses down the valley between my breasts and I can't help but shiver from the contact. No man has ever kissed that part of me.

  Just when I feel his hands on my breasts, I feel another presence coming into the room.

  'You have got to be kidding me!?' Both of our heads swing to the doorway, but neither of us move from the position we are in.

  'Do you mind?' Ryder growls at Sam which wakes me out of my trance. What the hell am I doing? Kissing Ryder was not supposed to happen.

  'In fact, I do mind. That's my best friend you were mauling just now.' Sam stands with her hands on her hips.

  Ryder strides over to Sam with his fists clenched. 'I was not mauling her. Did she look distressed or uncomfortable to you?'

  'Ryder, were you not here tonight? She's in a state that makes her vulnerable to doing anything.' I get off from the dresser and continue getting dressed.

  'You don't know what the hell you're talking about Sam.'

  Sam scoffs. 'Just leave okay? She's had a tough night and she needs a rest.'

  My eyes are cast downwards when I hear Ryder approaching me. 'Alice?'

  He cups my cheeks gently. 'Do you want me to leave?'

  I move out of his hold and look away. 'Yes.' I walk over to the window, giving Ryder my back.

  He doesn't move straight away like I thought he would.

  A few seconds go by when he walks out the room and down the stairs, I hear the front door slam shut.

  'If he's broken the fucking door there's no explaining that to my parents.'

  From my position in the window, I see Ryder only in his trousers running down the middle of the road. One second he's human, the next he's transformed.

  'Alice?'

  My eyes are still glued to where Ryder ran off . 'Yeah?'

  'You okay? You haven't really spoken since you've changed back.' Sam comes to a stop behind me.

  I turn around and smile at my best friend. 'I'm fine, thanks to you.'

  'If something would have happened to you....' Tears start to well in her eyes.

  'Sam, don't be like that.' I place my hands on her shoulders, 'Tonight, anything could’ve happened but I'm still standing and I'm fine.'

  Sam rubs her eyes and smiles. 'Do you feel any different?'

  I drop my hands and shrug. 'I feel no different than before, but I think some parts of me will change eventually. Like my hearing and my ability to smell things more clearly.'

  Sam walks to her dresser and sneers. 'And you're libido.'

  My what? 'Excuse me?'

  Sam looks surprised at me. 'You didn't know that?' Sam giggles to herself. 'If you watched The Vampire Diaries then you'd know that your sexual desire becomes more frequently.'

  'Meaning?'

  Sam snorts. 'Meaning you'll want sex all the time.'

  'There's no way that's true Sam and besides it's a tv show, doesn't mean that it's true.'

  Sam looks at me with a look of disgust on her face. 'Oh really? So it wasn't you just now trying to eat Ryder's face off?' Sam arches her brow.

  Kissing Ryder was a huge mistake, and I'm standing in Sam's room trying to come up with a reasonable explanation for why I did what I did, but I come up with nothing other than it was a mistake.

  'And don't try to tell me that it meant nothing because trust me, it didn't look like nothing.'

  'It just...happened and I can't believe I let it happen.'

  Sam looks at me with a huge grin. 'See? It's your libido.'

  I pinch the bridge of my nose and close my eyes. 'Okay that's enough talk.'

  'I'm just saying little virgin, that your whole life is about to change.' Sam smirks at me.

  Being a virgin is really not that big of a deal, I've had boyfriends before but I'd rather give it to someone that I really care about and besides, there's no rush to losing it. I'm only 18 unlike Sam who lost her virginity at 16.

  'I'm sure I'll be fine Sam.'

  Sam picks up her makeup and perfume and places them back on the dresser. 'If you say so but believe me, you and Ryder were pretty hot together.'

  'Sam!'

  'Imagine doing it with a wolf though? With Bane? Do you think with him it would be rough sex with lots of sweat involved or slow passionate love making?' Sam arches her brow at me.

  I find myself walking out of her bedroom to somehow escape. 'I'm not talking about this with you.'

  Sam follows. 'Yeah but aren't you a little curious about what sex is like?' I turn to look at Sam.

  'Honestly Sam, I haven't thought about it and it didn't even cross my mind.'

  Sam sticks her tongue out playfully. 'Until now.'

  'Look, we just kissed, that's all, no big deal.' End of discussion.

  I turn back around and walk into the kitchen to put the kettle on. 'Tea?'

  'Please.' Sam sits at the table and takes her phone out of her pocket.

  'Can I ask you a question?'

  Sam puts her phone down on the table and frowns. 'Sure.'

  'How do you have Ryder's number?'

  Sam shifts her weight on the seat and plays with her phone. 'I got it the other day at school when you and Max were getting food together. Ryder sat at the next table and he wanted to exchange numbers in case anything happened to you, so I gave it to him.'

  'Oh. Then it's a good thing you had it.'

  I place two teaspoons of sugar in each mug, grab two tea-bags, pour the hot water and milk into the mugs, throw away the tea-bag and stir the tea. I grab the two mugs and bring them over to the table.

  'Look, he came here tonight to help you, which obviously means he cares. The first thing he asked was if you were okay, and he didn't have to bother coming here tonight but he did. For you.' Sam takes a sip of her tea.

  I find myself not having anything to say to that, I just grab my mug of tea and take a sip.

  'You can stay here tonight if you want.'

  I place my mug back on the table and sigh. 'You won't mind? I haven't been the best company tonight.'

  Sam looks at me with shock. 'Alice, you went through hell tonight, and it's not your fault. Blame the wolf that bit you.'

  'I don't wanna be like this forever Sam. What if there's a cure out there somewhere?'

  Sam shakes her head. 'Alice I don't think there will be. This new part of you is gonna be with you for the rest of your life and somehow you're just gonna have to accept it, even if you don't want to.'

  I stifle a yawn and nod. 'Yeah, I guess you're right but I still can't believe this is happening to me. It's just not right.'

  Sam smiles reassuringly at me. 'There's nothing wrong with being what you are even though it's gonna change you're life. You should embrace it.'

  I don't say anything straight away but a part of me believes that what Sam says is right. 'You're right, I can't change what's happened so I've just got to live with it.'

  Sam gets out of her chair, takes her mug to the dishwasher and yawns. 'You should know by now that I'm always right.'

  'I can't argue with you on that.' I smile as I get up from the table.

  'You can sleep in the spare bedroom if you want, for privacy.' Sam waves as she makes her way up the stairs. 'Night.'

  'Goodnight.' I whisper.

  As I place the mug in the dishwasher and make my way to the spare bedroom, I think about the events of tonight. I managed to transform without hurting anybody other than Ryder, and besides he's not the one that got hurt.

  In a way I felt glad that Ryder was there with me, but I can't help but think about the kiss we shared. Facing him tomorrow won't be something I'll be excited about, avoiding him sounds like a great idea right about now.

  When I reach the spare bedroom, I see that Sam's given me something to wear for bed. I remove my clothes, put on the sweats and the vest then get into bed. The moment my head hits the pillow, I feel my eyes grow heavy and soon find that I can't keep my eyes open.

  Chapter 12

  It's the last day of the
week, and I couldn't be more happier that it’s finally Friday. This week has been beyond crazy and I'm ready to put this week completely behind me.

  When Sam comes to wake me up at 8, I get up from the bed, take a shower and wear the clothes that Sam has provided me with. I put on black skinny jeans and a band t-shirt that I'm unfamiliar with.

  When I come downstairs, I see that Sam's mother has prepared us both breakfast.

  'Morning Alice, did you sleep well?' She grabs the steaming kettle and pours the hot water into three mugs.

  I smile as I make my way to the table, 'Morning Sally, I actually slept better than I thought I would.' I cross my arms on the table and look out towards the window.

  'Sam should be down in a minute, she's probably trying to decide what to wear to school.' Sally brings a mug of tea over and places it in front of me.

  I thank her and place my hands around the hot mug to keep my hands nice and warm.

  Sally brings over a plate with butter covered toast to the table and sits down next to me. 'How's things at home? Your mom doing okay?' She grabs a little plate from the middle of the table and takes a piece of toast.

  Things at home have been kinda strange since recent events. Before being bitten, I never once had a boy over at my house let alone having 4 shapeshifters in my living room.

  I take a sip from the mug and look at my best friend's mother. 'Everything's fine and mom's always working at the hospital so I barely get to see her.'

  Sally smiles warmly. 'Your mother's always been a workaholic. I remember when your mother and I went to school together, she always carried a box of tissues with her at all times just in case someone got a nosebleed.'

  I snicker. 'Sounds like my mother.' I grab a piece of toast and take a bite.

  'Everything alright at school? Sam mentioned that you've got a new English teacher?' Sally looks behind her at the clock and shakes her head.

  I nod my head. Do I mention what happened to Mr. Daniels to her or not?

  'Yeah, Mr. Edmund has taken over the class.' I clear my throat, 'And school? The same as always I guess.'

  Sally rises her brow. 'Meaning?'

  'Meaning...' Before I have a chance to answer I get interrupted.

  'Meaning it's an absolutely pointless ritual that's full of hormonal teenage boys who drool at even a slight peak of a cleavage.'

  I'm looking at my best friend with my mouth hanging wide open; stunned into silence. When I think that her mother is going to yell at her daughter for being crude, Sally surprises me as she bursts out laughing. 'The words that come out of your mouth Sam.' She stands from the table and empties the contents into the sink. 'You're definitely our daughter.'

  Sam scoffs, 'And here I thought I was adopted.' Sam takes an apple from the fruit bowl that sits on the end of the table.

  'Oh honey, sorry to disappoint you.' Sally kisses the top of Sam's head and winks at me, 'You girls have a good day at school.' She waves and leaves the room.

  When the house door closes I smirk towards Sam, 'You wish you were adopted?'

  'You would be too if you heard what goes on in this house.' Sam looks in the microwave and looks at herself through the reflection, 'They're at it all the time.'

  I may have thrown up a little in my mouth hearing about Sam's parents' love life. I guess with how close we are as best friends it’s nice to know that she feels comfortable sharing things with me, but sharing things about her parents might just be a little bit too personal.

  'That's a little too much information Sam.'

  Sam turns around. 'I bet sex with Ryder was on your mind last night.'

  I groan, 'Can you please not bring last night up again, I feel weird that you had to witness that.'

  'Please.' Sam scoffs, 'Last night was nothing compared to what I've done, my parents have caught me doing way worse things.'

  I get up from the table, grab my shoes and bag from where I left them yesterday under the stairs.

  'My dad chased a guy once right down the drive with a baseball bat in his hands, he never visited again.' Sam grabs her keys and opens the front door.

  'I don't blame the poor guy, no one would wanna mess with your dad.'

  'That's what dads are for, chasing away every guy on the planet who wants to date their daughter, I mean what would your dad.....' I turn to see her clenching her eyes tightly. 'Shit.... I shouldn't have brought him up, I'm so sorry Alice.'

  In the past when people would ask a simple question like, 'what do your parents do?' I always responded with a lie. For eighteen years, I've learnt to accept the fact that he isn't coming back to me and my mother. Besides, after all these years I don't think she'd want anything to do with him. I remember the days when she'd lock herself in her room and never come out, and I'd sit outside her bedroom door for hours just to make sure that she was still breathing. Being that young and oblivious, I didn't know what was happening, there was nothing I could do to make her happy. I see it sometimes on her face when she isn't looking, the far away look she has in her eyes, and it makes me wonder if she actually misses him. It was hard seeing my mother lost like that, I never want to see my mother in that state ever again.

  I shrug. 'There's nothing to be sorry for, it's not your fault my dad just up and left.'

  She sighs. 'I know that we don't talk about it, it's just, why?' Sam shakes her head. 'Do you ever wonder why he left?'

  'Yeah, but after all these years I've stopped asking myself why because I'm not gonna find the answer, he's gone and I'd rather he didn't come back.'

  'And if he did?'

  I clench my jaw. 'I'd make him wish that he never came back.'

  When me and Sam arrive at school, we both part ways to our lessons, Sam making her way towards Math while I make my way towards Biology. I quietly walk to my desk at the front but realize that Max hasn't arrived yet.

  Maybe he's running late?

  He's probably missed the bus or something but I'd understand if he didn't come, not after what happened to him yesterday. I can't help but picture Max's beaten face, and it makes me want to check up on him to see if he's okay.

  As Mr. Thompson enters the classroom, he places his brown leather briefcase on his desk and claps his hands to gather the attention of his students.

  'Good morning everyone. For today's session, I'd like everybody to do some individual revision for the test next week. Any questions, just ask me.' Mr Thompson looks around the classroom, nods to himself then turns to sit behind his desk and starts up his laptop.

  Through the hour of Biology, I couldn't concentrate reading over my notes I'd written and gave up halfway through the lesson to watch the clock ticking instead.

  I sigh in contempt when I hear the bell that signals the end of lesson, I couldn't stand to sit at my desk any longer. I gather my notes and walk out of the classroom to head to my next class, English.

  As I round the corner I see Sam huddled over her phone with a huge grin on her face.

  'Did Bane finally send you a friend request on Facebook?' I nudge Sam as I stand next to her waiting for Mr. Edmund to arrive.

  She pouts, 'Still waiting for that too but I've found something better.'

  I arch my brows, 'What did you find?'

  Sam lowers her phone and looks at me, 'Do you want to go to a house party tonight?'

  Those were not the words I expected her to say.

  'Is someone we know having a party tonight?' I don't really know that many people in this school, so it's most likely one of Sam's friends.

  'Kind of.' She bites her lip.

  'Oh God, whose party is it?'

  Sam clears her throat and mumbles as she looks away from me.

  'Sam!?'

  'Don’t get pissed off with me…’

  ‘Whose party is it!?’

  ‘Alright! It's at Ryder's house! I really really wanna go! Please come with me Alice!' Sam is practically begging me, and she's causing a scene in front of our class.

  Just as I'm about to respond to her, Mr, E
dmund rounds the corner in his navy pea coat and black slacks. For a teacher he actually dresses quite smart.

  He unlocks the classroom door and ushers everyone in.

  He waits in front of the classroom and stands opposite my desk with a evil glint in his eye. I take my seat when suddenly the whole classroom goes silent, I understand why when I look up to see Ryder and his crew enter the room. Mr. Edmund watches them very closely as they sit in their seats.

  'Was I not clear yesterday?' Mr. Edmund's voice gathers everyone's attention.

  The class remains silent.

  I think about what Mr. Edmund's referring to and think about what happened in yesterday's lesson. The only events I can remember yesterday was the change, the fight with Ryder and Max’s injuries.

  Mr. Edmund looks at me with disappointment.

  'Can someone remind me what I said yesterday before I had to leave to deal with an important matter?'

  I peak a glance at Ryder to see him lounging in his seat watching Mr. Edmunds every move. He looks worn out but my attention is drawn back to the front when I hear my name being called out.

  'Yes, sir?'

  He crosses his arms against his chest and moves to stand right in front of my desk, 'What did I tell everyone not to do before I left this classroom?'

  I don’t know! I can’t remember!

  I clear my throat and shake my head, 'I don't know.'

  He tilts his head and frowns, 'You don't know?'

  ‘No sir.’

  Minutes go by when no one says a word.

  Then out of nowhere, Mr.Edmund slams his fist down on my desk that creates a loud deafening sound echo throughout the whole class. He stares at me a little longer, shakes his head then goes to stand directly in front of Ryder’s desk.

  ‘Mr. King, do you remember what I said yesterday?’ Mr. Edmund places his hands on his hips; showing no signs of the fact that he’s hurt himself.

  Ryder remains silent.

  ‘Surely you can remember? No?’

  I look towards Ryder to see him scowling at the teacher.

  ‘I’m not fond of the silent treatment Ryder.’ Mr. Edmund leans right into Ryder’s face, ‘I mean, is it really that hard to remember what I said? I’ll take that as a yes! Are you deaf? Incompetent or just lazy?’