Chapter 4—

Ella’s POV

I woke up feeling a little different the next morning– the numbness in my head is completely gone– replaced by anger, pure and raw against Damon, against the ones who had hurt me.

I should have known, I mean did I really expect Damon to choose me of all the girls in school. I guess Sera was the better choice, the one that could match his high end reputation.

I got into the shower and took my bath, then got myself dressed up for school. I wasn't all that confident about what the day would be like but I knew I had to chose me. I couldn't continue hiding myself away, not when it could cost me my future.

I dragged myself down the stairs as I made my way to the living room. The sweet smell of roasting bacon filled my nostrils as I came down.

“Ella.” Mum called noticing me. “Are you okay?” She asked cupping my swollen cheeks as she stared at me with such tenderliness.

“I'm fine. I'm just… off to school.” I replied removing the stray strand of hair that fell over my face. A shiver ran through my spine as I said that word.

“Are you sure? Honey you don't have to.” She objected.

“I have to mum, besides he is not worth it.” I repeated her own words against her. I swear I had heard it replaying over and over in my head while I slept last night. Like a chant, it refused to go.

“Are you sure about this?”

“I'm certain.” I nodded.

“I would drive you sweetheart.” She offered.

“You don't have to, I can get there myself. I also have to do this for me and having you there would ruin that image.” I bit my lip. “I mean, not that you're going to ruin my image. I'm just saying I can do this alone.” I told her before backing out of the house.

Mum followed and closed the door behind me, I finally turned around when I reached out porch. Making my way to school, I should be taking the school bus, I usually took the bus but today, I was running late and the bus would have left.

I also didn't want to take a taxi, the last thing I wanted was to be stuck in a single place sniffing in the scent of fuel after everything I had gone through this week.

Twenty minutes later, as I walked past the school gates. The whole place became eerily quite for a second at least, and then the whispers started.

“Oh my god, look at that.”

“Oh she's back.”

“I was hoping she would stay away for a year.”

“Fatty.” That wasn't a whisper, I'm sure whoever said it meant for me to hear it. I didn't linger much because I wasn't going to stay and listen as they spat all sorts of words at me.

I kept my head high, as I walked past the whisperers into the entrance. My vision got blurred when I didn't blink for too long. My eyelids fluttered on their own Accord and my vision returned to normal. I made my way to my locker, punched in my password and opened it. I dumped my bag in and took out the books I needed for today.

In that moment, something slammed against my face, I was able to duck it due to my not-so-fast reflexes.

“Well, hello there, must be feeling new.” I came face to face with Sera, flanked by Tessa who was laughing at her joke, another very popular cheerleader.

“Please leave.” I said flatly. I wasn't built for a fight today especially not with someone like Sera.

“Or what? You're going to sit on me?” She taunted.

“Sounds like a nice idea.” Tessa joined in an they both bursted into laughter. I tried to side-step them but Sera pulled me back by the hair.

“I'm still talking to you, piece of shit.”

“Let go!” I almost let out a growl but managed to suppress it as a low sound. My wolf was swirling within me.

“Oh I would but first, you got to learn to keep your hands off Damon. He is mine and the only place he is ever going to pick a girl like you over me is in your dreams.” She said as brushed past me.

Tessa did the same and she was harder than Sera, knocking my books off with her weight. The sounds of their footsteps faded away as I bent down to pick up my books.

I heard another set of voices, male and footsteps, heavy. I looked up and spotted Principal Brandon walking alongside a new student.

“Ella, you're back.” He called noticing me. “I trust you're feeling better.”

“Yes, Principal Brandon.” I nodded . My gaze shifted to the student beside him, my breath caught staring at him.

“This is Kael Thorne, transfer student and Mr. Thorne, Elara Blackwood, she is one of our best students and a promising senior.” My eyes didn't leave him as the principal introduced us.

“Ella, I'm sure you can take him on a tour of the whole school. Please excuse me.” None of us broke the silence after the principal left until my wolf decide to say the word .

“Mate.”