Watching Eyes

Freya’s POV:

“Do you know how expensive those clipboards are, Freya? This is the second time you are breaking them.” Gus, my boss screamed as he heightened his steps towards me. 

“Oh! I…I am sorry. I will visit the store now to replace them.” I stammered. I hurriedly wiped the sweat that formed on my forehead and bent down to clear the broken pieces when Gus suddenly rubbed a wipe against my feet.

“Look at you. You didn't even know you were bleeding. Always take care of yourself, Freya.” He mumbled with a sigh.

“Thanks, boss.”

“Take some money from the safe, get the clipboards and find something to eat also.” He said as he dumped the blood-stained wipe in the bin. He turned on the tap and rinsed his hand. He threw a quick glance at me, and sighed once again.

“Look, Freya. I don’t know what your relationship is with the alpha prince, but I am sure you know what the stakes are, right?” 

“Yeah… I am just…I am fine. Thank you.” I managed to say, forcing a smile on my lips.

He nodded his head, and headed towards his office. 

“You can go home to rest. It’s been a long day already. Just ensure you eat and get the clipboards.” I heard him say as he slowly became invisible.

I took a deep breath. Declan’s words rang in my head once again.“The mate bond. You are my mate.” 

I shook my head immediately. It couldn’t be true. Not at all. I managed to put the thoughts behind me. For now, I just needed to get the clipboard at the nearest store which was about a fifteen minute walk. 

I grabbed some money from the safe, and headed to the store. I had only walked a few distances when a  hand suddenly tapped on my shoulder.

“Hey friend!” Leni giggled, grinning from ear to ear.

“Leni! I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” I replied, a smile crawling up my lips.

“I know right! I heard about how you face-slapped madam busybody with your words at the eatery. I am proud of you.” Her eyes radiated with so much happiness that I didn’t even know when the forced smile I had on turned into a laughter. She had given the chubby woman ‘madam busybody’ as a nickname ever since the woman reported her to her father on an incident, who gave her the ugliest beating of her life.

“She was just getting on my nerves that day.” I said amidst laughs. After the strange golden fur I had on my skin that day, I heard a loud growl which came from a rogue who was apprehended almost immediately, only for me to be accused of having something to do with it because he was found close to my house. The day couldn’t have been worse, and the chubby woman still chose to frustrate me. 

“That’s exactly what I am saying. Fighting! Not giving these people what they want.” She muttered. She dipped her hand into her pocket and took out a small white bottle.

“Yours.” She said, extending the bottle to me.

I received the bottle from her, scanned the whole of the bottle before furrowing my brows. “What’s it?”

“The ointment for those blisters on your hands that I promised. It took me great effort to steal that little content from my aunt.” She giggled, while I laughed. Leni could be so funny at times.

“So, where are you heading to?” She inquired, running her hand over her ear to chase away the fly that was buzzing across her ear.

“Oh! To the store. I need to get some boards.” I answered her, and her face brightened even more.

“I am also taking that route. Guess we will have to walk together then.” She muttered happily.

I stole a glance at her. Her face was brightly illuminated with happiness. Her and Quinn were the only ones who made me feel completely safe, and right now, I feel I would do anything to keep them safe even if it means cutting ties completely with Declan.

We chatted heartily throughout the journey, and it helped me forget my worries. At least, for the moment.

“Good bye, Leni.” I waved at her as I entered the store. 

I grabbed some boards, paid for them and just as I was about to exit, a man cladded in black walked into the store. He exuded a very strange aura that made my head spin, and my feet wobbled for a second. The man didn’t just walk past me, I could feel his eyes stare at me through his veil, and I heard his deep baritone voice fill my ears.

“The bloodline is awakening!”

Cold waves rushed down my spine, and I clenched tightly onto the clipboards. They were pretty expensive, and I couldn’t afford to drop them for the third time.

I rushed out of the store. My breath became very hot and irregular. I took a quick look at the store, and I realized I had to leave immediately. The game around me was larger than I thought.

Afraid that I might be followed by the strange man, I took a detour, taking a longer and frequently used path instead. The famous, and only standard school in the town was on that lane. King’s Academy. It was my almer mata, and Quinn’s current school.

Just as I passed the gate of the school, a loud chaos erupted causing my heart to jump into my mouth.

“Quinn!” I gasped as the reality of the situation dawned on me.