Chapter 3 - Zaine

I walked out of my exam not even sure If I had done all that I needed. Pissed off with my father for distracting me just before I had gone in, and unable to stop myself but wonder if that had been his plan. He had always been reluctant for me to come to college. Adamant I would learn more from being by his side in pack. That was what he wanted to mould me into, the next version of him. The thing was, I was nothing like him. I was ready to change our pack. Modernise it. Update it... Change was not a bad thing. Being stuck in the past was.

My hand lingered upon my phone within my pocket, considering calling, desperate to know what it was that had been urgent enough for my Dad to call. He only called when he had urgent business to discuss. And I did not believe for a moment his excuse of him calling to wish me luck on my exam. He never had before...

No. I was not going to give him the satisfaction. 'Not yet you mean?' Blade chuckled inside of my mind. He seemed to be in a cheerful mood despite our lack of sleep, and the exam.

'Not funny.' I warned him, which earned me another chuckle. He knew I was desperate to call, but I would fight that urge as much as I could, and I continued to make my way home, only hoping my Dad may be the one to cave first and call me.

Presley was waiting for me by the front door to my place, coffee in hand and a warm smile on her face. She was looking far more human than the last time I had seen her. Or as human as a werewolf can... “Hey you.” She greeted me.

“Oh, so you are back in the land of the living now?” I teased.

“Erm, excuse me, I have come to see how your exam went, and brought you a coffee to say thank you for taking care of you. I can run the other way if you are going to act like a grumpy mother fucker, and throw around insults, you know.” She stuck her tongue out at me, flicking her long hair pink hair, which had now been neatly brushed, over her shoulder, in a faked angry motion, making me laugh.

“You run? Ha!” I continued to tease. “But if you have turned over a new leaf and have suddenly taken up exercise and not told me and do chose to run, please leave the coffee. I didn't get chance for one before the exam.”

She offered me the large take away cup, along with a wry smile. “You failed then?” She teased, crossing her eyes at me playfully, while pulling her face. Presley knew how hard I tried in my classes, and I knew she believed I would easily pass the exam. The thing was, after what had happened this morning, and the fact my mind had been so distracted, I was unsure now that I would. I was genuinely worried I could fail. After everything, I may actually fail; and thought terrified me.

“Hey, what is wrong, Zee?” She looked at me with concern as I sighed, opening the door. “Did the exam not go as you expected?”

I shrugged. “Not helped that I was distracted by my Dad’s call. He said he needs to talk to me later.”

Her beautiful big brown eyes narrow as she turns to me, before she drops to the sofa now we are in the small lounge within my apartment. “You think he did that on purpose?”

Why does it not surprise me that my friend went to the exact same thought space as me when it came to this? This girl has sat for many an hour listening to me complain about my controlling Dad. She understood what a pack was like. What an Alpha was like. I trusted her, so she was often my go to person for complaining about Dad and his frustrating ways. And not once had she judged.

“I don’t’t know. He said it is nearly time for me to go home. Basically said to stop wasting time.”

She shook her head slowly. “It has gone quick, huh?”

I knew that Presley had loved her time in college as much as I had. She was popular. Had been since the day she had arrived. That smile of hers drawing people in… and, despite her lack of tolerance for alcohol, and the fact she was somewhat lacking in common sense, she was incredibly smart. But, I knew she actually would not mind heading back to her pack. She was much loved there, and her degree gave her options. Many of which would benefit her pack while she remained there. Presley had a great future ahead of her. Basically, she did not have the same responsibility laying upon her as I did when leaving the fun filled space that college had been…

I could feel her eyes upon me. Eyes filled with concern. “If you’re worried, call him.” She urged. "Get your answers, and but your mind at rest. Don't let him ruin those last few days here, Zee." Her hand rested gently on top on my own. Would my Dad actually leave me days without explaining what he wanted to talk about? Presley could be right... that would be the sort of trick he pulled. Control... But me calling him was showing he had control.

“And admit he got inside of my head?” I told her dismissively. That would be exactly what he would hve wanted. I was not about to let that happen. I was stuck.

“You are a stubborn ass you know that?” Presley rolled her eyes at me. “Because now it will be on your mind all damn day. Longer if he continues to play his game and keep this going for longer.”

“We could always go for a drink?” I suggested with a grin, knowing today she was class free. I may not be able to drink continously if my Dad did not get in touch until I return home, but I could avoid thoughts of it today at least...

“I have only just recovered from last night.”

“Three years into college and you still cant handle your drink. Jeez, girl…” I teased, dropping next to her on the sofa, her head instantly finding my shoulder. “Get some food down you and you should be good.”

“You really want to be drunk when your Dad calls for that conversation whenever it may be?” Presley suggested, and I grin in her direction. That was exactly what I was wanting…