I never left

Freya’s POV:

I pulled Quinn up, and held his hand tightly as Declan stormed towards us. His hand trembled, vibrating nervously in my grip. I gently shoved him behind me.

“It’s going to be well.” I muttered to him. 

Declan was now about ten feet away. I swallowed hard, preparing my mind for what’s about to come next. To my greatest shock, Declan winked as he walked past us without saying a word. My eyes followed him, and I wondered what he was up to. 

He walked into the chancellor’s office, and about five minutes later, Brett was summoned into the chancellor’s office. I took a quick glance at Quinn, who was still trembling nervously. Other students stared and pointed fingers at him.

“It’s going to be fine.”

“Is he a beast? How could he push Brett so hard against the wall?” A female student yelled. I flung my eyes immediately at her, and before I could say a thing, others also began yelling, and the situation intensified in seconds.

I pulled Quinn into my embrace, covered his ears with my palms so he wouldn’t have to hear the bad words thrown at him. He was a prodigy in the pack. He had his first shift when he was thirteen, about five years earlier than other wolves, and that made him even more special to me.

A boy, slightly older than Quinn walked up to us, and took Quinn’s hand.

“I am proud of you, Quinn. Thanks for teaching the bully a lesson.” He mumbled, and about five other students who were victims of Brett came around and praised Quinn for his action.

“Did you hear that, Quinn? I am proud of you too.” I said to him, and for the first time that day, he smiled.

The chancellor’s door opened suddenly. I tried to read Declan’s expression as he walked out along with others. His eyes found mine, and he smiled. I heaved a sigh, and gently released Quinn out of my embrace.

The chancellor cleared his throat. All the students stared at him in eager anticipation. “Is he going to be expelled? I knew he was a beast.” The female student from before said, rolled her eyes over Quinn and scoffed. 

A wave of fury surged within me, but I hurriedly calmed myself down. I mustn't break in front of Quinn. He needed me to be there for him. I guessed the female student to be one of those girls crushing on Brett and other top guys in the school.

“Brett has been found guilty of several bullying incidents, and he is hereby suspended for a semester.” The chancellor announced, and turned his back to leave without any other word.

The students oozed in shock. The announcement was a sharp pain in their ears. I turned my gaze towards the female student. Her eyes popped out of their sockets, and her jaw dropped. I cleared my throat loudly, and our eyes met. I smirked, then raised my middle finger at her.

“Fvck you!”

I threw my gaze back at Declan, but he wasn’t there. My mind began to race. “Did he leave? Was he angry at me?” My mind reeled with various questions. I had told him to stay away back at the auto shop, but now I wished I hadn’t said those words. 

For some reason I couldn't explain, I felt sad. But why, when I was the one who asked him to stay away? 

I subconsciously looked around again, hoping he could miraculously appear, like he always did. But fortunately, I snapped back to reality. 

'What was I doing? Why would I yearn for his presence?' I shook my head as I mentally cautioned myself, but a sharp pain suddenly stung my heart. I held my chest tightly, and my heart began to race at a faster speed.

It was the mate bond. I could feel it now.

I slid my hands off Quinn, who was now being crowded by students congratulating him. I raced up the stairs leading to the chancellor’s office, then a familiar figure appeared in front of me.

“Are you happy now?” Brett asked, folding his arms across his chest.

I took a deep breath. “You should be ashamed of yourself. We used to be classmates, but you wasted your life away, and now share seats with teenagers. Quinn is way too smart, and there’s nothing you can do about it,” I paused, a smirk creeping up my lips.

“Another semester suspension! You might as well hold your mating ceremony while you are still a student, and well…that’s if you have one.” I spat across his face, and his eyes reddened in anger. He heaved furiously, and I could feel his hot breath fanning my face. I didn’t budge. Rather, I pointed my head forward;

“You deserve what happened to you today, but I will still make you pay for what you did to Quinn the last time.” I fired at him and stormed off. 

I reached the Chancellor's office, and the door opened as I raised my hand to knock on it. Declan walked out, glanced at my hand and smiled. “You came for me?” He muttered. His voice was low, and his eyes locked with mine. He took my hand which still hung in the air and placed it on his chest.

“Can you feel the mate bond now?” He asked warmly. My heart began to race as I stared into his eyes. He was strikingly handsome, and every part of me wanted him at the moment.

Still, I gently pulled my hand away from his chest and turned my back at him.

“I told you to stay away. Why did you still come to help me?” I asked him. My face flushed in embarrassment as I giggled silently.

I heard his low laugh. “Truth is, I never left.” His subtle voice traveled through my ears. 

“What?” I turned to face him immediately. My eyes searched for an answer in his’.

“You can call me a stalker if you want to, but I followed you to the store…you and your human friend. I am never leaving my mate all alone.” He smiled, and my mouth dropped in bewilderment.

“You must be joking.” I mumbled.

“I am not.” He uttered, then pulled me to his embrace. 

“You are my mate, Freya.” His warm voice knocked off the air in my lungs for a moment. I forgot how to breathe as I stared at him, and beads of sweat began to form on my face. 

“Was this happening for real? Am I really going to accept the mate bond?” I was still in thoughts when something changed in his expression.

Suddenly, his nose moved rhythmically as if he was sniffing a scent and he sharply flung his gaze away from me. 

“What’s wrong?” I asked, my eyes following his line of sight.

My palm curled up into fists, and I took a deep breath as my eyes rested on her.

Vanessa!