by Simone Elise
“I wouldn’t go there, if I were you.”
“You’re my MATE! I can say what I WANT!” Xavier hissed and I saw the vein on his neck bulge. I had to ignore how those words made me feel, and the jealousy.
“Correction.” I removed any emotion from my face and kept my expression blank. “I am your side-lined mate.”
Xavier’s anger dropped. “That’s what you think you are to me?”
His office door swung open. And of all people. I couldn’t believe it.
“Oh, Sorry, Mr. Clark. My bad,” Scott quickly apologized. “The buses are here early.”
Xavier let out a deep breath. By the sound of it, he was attempting to calm himself.
“Thanks for informing me, Scott. Can you start rounding up the teams early then?” Xavier spoke to Scott. I quickly turned on my heel.
“I’ll help,” I said, walking towards the door.
“I thought you were going with Dan.” Scott smirked at me.
“I am. But I thought I could help you.” I said lightly. “Thanks for the chat, Mr. Clark. It really helped.”
I didn’t turn to see his expression and I didn’t give a second thought to whatever he was going to say before Scott barged in. Because at the end of the day, he still wants his wife over me.
***
“So a human, eh?” Dan smiled at me as we drove behind the school bus on the highway.
“Yeah, it was just a date,” I said lightly, while looking at him sideways. “How did you find out?”
“Your mom was going on about in the pack house. It got back to me.” Dan smirked. “So, is he toilet trained?”
“Dan,” I said firmly. “Don’t start on me.”
“I’m not. It’s just…aw come on.” Dan’s smile got slightly larger. “It’s funny.”
“I see nothing funny about it.”
Dan chuckled before signaling to go around the bus, which was moving painfully slowly. “I don’t get it though. Why would you want a human when you have me?”
“Because a human can’t mate. You, on the other hand, have a beautiful mate out there waiting for you.” I attempted to suppress the sadness I felt about Dan finding someone else.
“Maybe I don’t have a mate,” Dan said lightly. “Maybe your mate was meant to deny you. Maybe you and I are meant to be together and that’s the plan all along.”
“Or maybe you just haven’t met her yet, and my mate was meant to deny me because fate and karma have it in for me.”
“Why did your mate deny you?” Dan shot me a sideways glance. “If you don’t mind me asking.”
Everyone knew I had a mate. Everyone knew he denied me. No one, apart from my family and the elders, knew who he was or why.
“He just didn’t want me,” I muttered under my breath. “He wanted someone else.”
“Like anyone could not want you, Chloe. You’re gorgeous.” Dan made a scoffing noise. “He sounds like a drop kick. But I’m glad.”
“You’re glad?”
“Yeah, cause I got you.” He winked at me.
I rolled my eyes. “Trust me, once you find her, you won’t give me a second thought.”
“You’re right. You’re my first thought.”
I shook my head at his determination. Did he really think we were meant to be together?
***
“CHLOE!” Sally screamed at me, before she tossed me the ball and I quickly passed it on to our power forward. We were creaming them and our boys on the side were cheering us on like no tomorrow.
I couldn’t stop grinning every time Dan threw a comment my way. Though what I would give to have those comments come from Xavier’s lips really burnt a hole in my self-control.
I jogged back to the center, as we scored yet another goal. We were up 15. We really needed to slow down now. I didn’t want our team to get ahead by too much. Though it was an automatic reaction for us to just stop the ball. Our defense was strong.
I tossed the ball to our power forward. She missed it on purpose, scoring the other team an advantage. I lazily missed the ball and it was caught by the other center.
The timer chimed, signaling halftime. The boys were cheering as we walked up to them. Did they do nothing else?
Smiling, I sat down next to Dan, after he pushed Scott off the bench.
“Nice skills out there.” He winked at me and I rolled my eyes.
“Aren’t you guys meant to be playing basketball?” I asked, before taking a gulp from my water bottle.
“Our game follows yours. How many games you guys got to play?” Dan asked
“I think three, or something,” I replied casually before clipping my drink bottle lid closed. “So why aren’t you guys wearing shirts?”
Dan laughed and his pearly whites showed. “Scott wants the ladies’ attention.”
I glanced over at the team we were playing. The boys sure had their eyes. In fact, I think they had everyone’s eyes, including the female coaches’. I laughed. “I think it worked.”
Dan pulled his sunglasses down from the top of his head, wrapping an arm around my shoulder and pulling me into his side. “You can stake your claim if you want? Take me off the market.”
I laughed. “Really? You would do that for me?”
Dan smirked. “I may have some other reasons. But the way they are eyeing me, your luck is running out.”
Shaking my head, I got up from the bench and to do some leg stretches. My legs were still slightly sore from gym this morning. Putting my leg on the bench, I flexed my calf.
Pulling my arm behind my head, I stretched my arm and head at the same time, cracking my neck. Man, that relieved some stress.
I gasped as water splashed across my top, and it wasn’t a little bit. It soaked me. Turning around and bringing my foot from the bench, I glared at Scott. “You did that why?” I snapped, glancing down at my light blue tank, which was now soaking wet.
“The human boys were demanding it. Honestly, it only adds to the sex appeal.” Scott smirked, while Dan shot him a dirty look from under his glasses.
Glancing around, I suddenly noticed the other male basketball teams, all looking our way. I wanted to get that drink bottle and slap it across Scott’s face.
“Thanks for that, Scott,” I snapped in his direction and crossed my arms.
“What?” Scott tossed the bottle to the side. “It’s a hot day. You will dry before you know it.”
“I might take you up on that offer now, Dan,” I grumbled under my breath, scanning the human boys’ lust-filled eyes.
Dan stood up. “Well, I guess it was a good thing, then.”
I shook my head, still looking across the court and then my eyes widened when they landed on a certain pair of eyes I wouldn’t have expected to see here.
“Hey, I’ll be back,” I shot at Dan before jogging off.
Coming to a stop in front of a circle of guys, my focus was on the middle one. All the boys were staring at me with complete and utter shock.
“Hey, you! What you doing here?” I smiled, my high ponytail flipping as I cocked my head to the side.
He didn’t say anything. He just stared at me with his mouth open before snapping it shut.
“Um, my sister is playing.”
I nodded my head. “Gee, how long you been here?” I placed my hands on my hips, still smiling at him. He looked so cute all shocked.
“Um, since it started.” Cole nodded his head in the direction of the team we were playing “You’re playing her.”
“So, you have been watching me all day? And didn’t think of talking to me?” I laughed lightly and placed a hand on my heart. “I’m hurt, Cole.”
“Yeah.” Cole rubbed the back of his neck. “Didn’t want to be like a stalker or anything.”
“CHLOE!”
I looked over my shoulder. Dan was waving his hand for me to come back.
Turning by head back to Cole, I said, “So, this is awkward. I be
t you didn’t really want to call me, did ya?”
One of his friends jeered, which caused me to frown slightly, until Cole shot him a dirty look.
“Of course I was going to call you, Chloe. I just wasn’t sure if you wanted me to,” Cole said, still looking really uncomfortable.
“Well, like I said last night, you should use my number.” I winked at him. “Anyway, I better get back to the team.” I turned to jog off before Cole stopped me.
“You sure about that, Chloe. Looks like you have enough guys over there.”
Frowning, I stopped and turned around. “Didn’t pick you as the jealous type.” I smiled shyly. “But you know, I also didn’t pick you as the kind of guy to let others intimidate you.”
Cole smirked slightly. “Game on then.”
I laughed. Just what I wanted. Another guy to play games with. Well, at least this one couldn’t burn me.
Dan glared at the boys. “Human guys are pathetic.”
I shook my head as the buzzer rang, signaling that halftime was over. “Don’t be jealous, Dan.”
“I’m not jealous.” He crossed his arms. I turned away from him. Maybe I should end both these relationships I was having. Let’s face it. Nothing good was going to come of them.
I was pulled around sharply as a hand wrapped around my upper arm. Dan crushed his lips against mine. Some people say that romantic kisses are the best. Fireworks explode and life is just so much better. Well, I can tell you right now that kisses driven by passion are the best kisses you can receive.
Dan pulled his lips from mine with a huge smirk on his face. “Just let others beware. There is competition.”
I was still a little giddy from the kiss. “Well, I think they got the memo.”
I glanced behind Dan and saw the broken clipboard in Xavier’s hand. He was glaring so hard in our direction that I was surprised Dan wasn’t dead.
Turning to jog onto the court, I caught Cole’s expression out of the corner of my eye. He had a pleasant smirk on his face and his arms crossed. I sent him a small wink, while I threaded the bib over my arms and taking my position on the court.
Catching the ball, the umpire blew her whistle and the game began and I’m not just referring to the basketball game.
Chapter 9
“NO way!” I roared, with my fists clenched. “He is doing this on purpose!”
“Chloe, do not use that tone with me,” my mother shot back, crossing her legs as she sat on the couch. “Xavier has a point.”
“No he doesn’t. He’s just trying to control me!” I threw my hand up in the air. “And to keep me away from DAN!”
“Chloe, all Xavier mentioned to us was you are behind in your work and that two weeks away from school so close to the end of the semester isn’t the best idea.”
I scoffed. “I’m sure if I was going away with him, it would be fine!”
My mom rubbed the sides of her temples. “Please, Chloe, stop arguing with me on this. You and Dan can go away another time.”
“I already said I could go with him and his family!”
“And I will call them and tell them you can’t.”
I threw myself into an armchair and crossed my arms. “So you are just going to let Xavier boss me around then.”
“No. Xavier actually has your best educational interests in mind.”
“I hate him,” I muttered under my breath. I knew I was lying to a degree, but I did strongly dislike him. Who did he think he was going to my parents behind my back? I knew the only reason he did it was because he didn’t want me going away with Dan after the way Dan kissed me at the basketball game.
“Xavier’s only ever has one interest in mind, his,” I spat.
“Chloe, look. You really need to just calm down,” my mom said softly. “You only have yourself to blame for this.”
I sneered.
“It’s true, Chloe. If you hadn’t let your grades get so low, you wouldn’t have to do all this catching up.”
I glared into the carpet. “Whatever.”
I heard my mom sigh. “Why don’t you go around and see Dan tonight and explain to him why you can’t go.”
That didn’t sound like a half-bad idea. But I was not saying so to her.
“Whatever,” I muttered dryly and walked out of the room.
“You can stay the night too, if it is alright with Alice and Brett.”
“Dan’s parents won’t care,” I threw over my shoulder and stormed off in the direction of the stairs.
I flipped my phone out and sent Dan a quick text. I knew he wouldn’t care if I came over.
***
I pressed the button and Chad’s car locked. I slung my overnight bag over my shoulder. Since my car was totaled, I had to do some major sucking up to borrow Chad’s.
Bringing my fist up, I knocked lightly on Dan’s large white door. You really didn’t have to over knock. Not when werewolves lived in the house.
The door opened. Alice, Dan’s mom, whom I like to sometimes think of as my other mom, greeted me. Our families were pretty close.
“Chloe, sweetie, nice surprise.” She smiled and opened the door wide for me.
“Do you mind if I stay night?” I asked and readjusted the bag on my shoulder.
“No, I just got off the phone with your mom.” She smiled. “Dan’s in his room.”
“Thanks, Alice,” I said over my shoulder and skipped up the stairs two at a time.
“Oh, if it isn’t little Miss Trouble herself.”
I rolled my eyes at Alec. He walked out of the upstairs bathroom drying his hair. Alec was Dan’s older brother and, unlike Dan, complete and utter trouble. He was also Chad’s best friend. Though I didn’t call him Alec. I called him Ace and he hated it. Why did I call him Ace? Well, I had a pet rabbit when I was little and his name was Ace. I told Alec that he reminded me of the rabbit, which was a complete lie, but it really bugged him so the name stuck.
“Oh, Ace, you know I’m only half the trouble you are,” I shot back at him as I walked towards Dan’s door. “I saw an orange jumpsuit at the mall the other day, automatically thought of you.”
I grinned evilly. Alec did a month in prison a few months ago. No one knew what it was for, but he always got shitty when you mentioned it.
He threw the wet towel in my direction and missed me completely. “Your aim is off, Ace,” I sung over my shoulder, quickly pushing Dan’s door open and closing it behind me before he could respond.
To my surprise the room was empty.
“Danny boy?” I sung, looking around the empty room. The Xbox was on pause, so I knew he couldn’t be far. The sound of running water came from his bathroom. Well, that explained it.
What was with boys showering at the same time? Throwing my bag onto the couch across from the TV, I launched myself into his bed and scooped up the remote.
I was sure there was something on TV. But I couldn’t remember how to change it from the AV to TV. So instead I reached out for his laptop and typed in his password, danrules. What an original password.
***
How long does it take for a male to shower? You would think about five minutes or something, right? Well, I don’t think Dan got the memo. I glanced down at the side clock. Fifteen minutes I have been waiting here.
Sighing, I scrolled through Facebook statuses once more, stopping on Scott’s latest one. “Beer before bed.” Who has a beer before bed? Oh wait, he did. Rolling my eyes, I clicked on the comment box.
“Freak.” I pressed enter. Yep, that summed up what I thought of him. His reply to my comment flashed under mine. “you are.” I scoffed. Oh, what a great come back! So I decided to comment, “Nice comeback.”
“Nice rack.” I frowned at his comeback to my comeback. I heard the shower turn off. About time, Dan. Shaking my head, I closed the laptop. There was no winning with Scott.
The bathroom door swung open and my mouth dropped open. Dan stood there wit
h a towel around his waist, water droplets across his shoulders and chest. I closed my mouth and shook my head slightly to break my stare.
“Took you long enough,” I shot at him. His eyes registered surprise.
“How long have you been here?” He eyed me on the bed. “I thought you would still have been a ways away.”
“Well you know me. I have a lead foot.” I shrugged my shoulders. “And to answer your question, a while.”
Dan glanced at the bag on his couch and then back at me with a raised eyebrow.
“I thought we could have a sleep over.” I smiled and shifted the laptop from my lap.
“Did you now?” Dan muttered. He walked over to his drawers and pulled out some clothes. “What if I had plans?”
“Well…” I tapped my chin to add effect. “I would cancel them.”
Dan shook his head and grinned at me before walking back in the bathroom. He left the door slightly ajar.
“I can’t go away with you,” I sung from the bed, crossing my legs. “My parents said I have to stay.”
The door flung open and Dan walked back in, pulling a clean t-shirt over his head.
“What? Why?” he frowned at me, looking disappointed.
“Because of X— Mr. Clark,” I replied and dropped my eyes to my lap. “The school said I can’t afford a break, not before the end of the semester anyway.”
“Sucks,” Dan muttered before throwing himself onto the bed beside me. “That really sucks.”
“Yep,” I replied. “You’re telling me.”
“You could just come anyway. Defy them?” Dan asked hopefully. I laughed.
“Sorry, Dan.”
He grumbled to himself and crossed his arms. “Now I’m going to have to put up with Alec the whole time.”
“Ace isn’t that bad,” I said lightly, knowing full well that Dan and he just fought when they were near each other.
Dan shot me a dry look before sighing. “Why would Mr. Clark do that anyway? I don’t see him going to anyone’s parents all concerned.”
My eyes automatically snapped to my lap. I had debated whether to tell Dan about Mr. Clark being my mate. It would be nice to have someone else to talk to about it, apart from Chad and my parents.