Chapter 5 - Bullying

Amelie POV

School had become a nightmare. While we were taught at a human school, it did not stop Pack members from being complete assholes to me. Tripping me, pushing me around, calling me Omega when the human teens could not hear. It hurt to be treated like an outcast but there was nothing I could do about it.

On Pack lands nobody acknowledged me. They did not abuse me there, because they knew that if they did Colby and Kate would punish them. I never told anyone about the abuse at school. The bruises were easily hidden away with make-up and the right clothes. I used to be a girly girl wearing dresses and heels. I had changed to wearing dark clothes with heeled boots. I did not want to give up my heels.

Colby and Kate were worried. I think they knew things happened at school. They questioned me regularly, but I simply assured them that everything was fine. I could not take the embarrassment of being treated less than after so many years of being accepted by everyone. I was grateful I had never treated anyone like this, but it did not stop it from hurting.

I could feel myself withdraw. Withdraw from participating in Pack events. Kate had continued to train me as a human. I could not use my strength against the Pack members at school. I would have been punished by the human principal. My strength exceeded those around me. I know she would tell me I could protect myself, but I did not feel right doing so.

I was sitting minding my own business outside by a tree in front of the school contemplating graduation in another week when I smelled a wolf approaching. The next thing I knew something ice cold hit my face. I could not believe it. Dripping down my face was cola. A cold drink with ice that cut my face. I stood up quickly trying to keep the liquid from rolling down my face onto my clothes. It was too late, I was drenched.

I looked at the bitch who did it. Jessica. It had only been a couple weeks since I had shifted into my weakened wolf. Two weeks where my entire life had changed for the worse. I still found myself wishing things had turned out differently. I felt a connection to Jaxon that just pissed me off on a regular basis. It made me nauseous that he was with my best friend. Seeing them all over each other regularly hurt me deeply. More than I wanted to admit.

Feeling the dripping drink running down my back brings me out of my walk down memory lane. Jessica is smirking as Jaxon and the others look on laughing out loud. I take a step towards Jessica, and she takes a step backwards. Regardless of how brave she pretends to be she knows I could still kick her ass. She knows I will not which is why she has become the brave ringleader of the haters.

I walk around all of them, annoyed as someone else throws crushed crackers at me. The crackers stick to my wet face, and they laugh harder. That was Jaxon. Jaxon had become a close second to the tormentor in the group. “Go on Omega, go home and start cleaning something!” he said to me. Not loud enough for humans to hear but loud enough for us wolves to hear.

I look at him. Really look at him and wonder how I could care for and hate someone so much simultaneously. I turned and walked away. The group is laughing at my demise as I walk towards the bathroom. I need to wash my face and try to dry my hair and clothes before I go home. If Colby and Kate see this mess, they will know what is happening at school. It was embarrassing to be honest, that I was forced to endure this torture.

I started picking crackers out of my hair before moving forward to dampen paper towel and started dabbing at my wet cheeks. I feel tears well up in my eyes as I face the reality that this is now my life. I could not change it until I could leave this Pack. I could not wait. Colby and Kate did not know of my plans yet. Now I just had to survive the remaining days of high school, which happened in a week.

And then I would have my birthday celebration. Where my wolf had come early, I told Kate and Colby I did not want a birthday party. They nodded and smiled, but I suspected they were planning something. I hoped it would be low key with just the immediate family. I was thankful I was graduating high school this year. There were days the other wolves at school knew they had gone too far and had figured they would be called out for the shit they were pulling. But I never told.

I had become something of a recluse in the short weeks since my failed shift. Kate still made me train but I did not know why. I was never going to be allowed to do border patrol, even though I was stronger than most wolves my age. Jaxon included. As I was about to get into my car heading home, I felt a shadow cross over my car window.

I quickly turned prepared to defend myself when I saw Jaxon with his hands up in the air as if he were defenseless. I scowled at him before turning around and unlocking my car about to open the door. Jaxon suddenly reaches around and puts his hand on the doorframe preventing me from opening my door. I breathed in my anger trying to control myself. I feel him take a step closer to me the heat from his body radiating off of him. “Can we talk?” he whispered in my ear. I stiffen my body, “What the hell for?” I asked turning and shoving him out of my space.

“I made a mistake,” he says. “A mistake?!? Which day?” I demanded of him confused with this sudden turnaround. Looking to the ground embarrassed, “I made a mistake walking away from you,” he muttered. “Pardon?” I asked bewildered by his comment. “I am sorry, okay? I should not have walked away from you. I still want you Amelie. I have missed you,” he says.

“You did not seem to miss me too awful much at lunch when you laughed at me being tripped and my bags going everywhere,” I replied as I turn to get into my car. Jaxon wraps his arms around my waist and for a moment I can almost forget the time that has gone by. I sigh inside. I had always wanted him to come to me for forgiveness. But why now? I wondered.

Unwrapping his hands from my waist, I asked, “What do you want?”. “I want a second chance,” he replied. I slowly turn to look at him once again. I can only hear pure honesty in his voice. “How?” I asked. “How what?” he replied confused. “How can I forgive you and give you another chance?” I asked. “By accepting that I was an idiot?” he replied sheepishly.

A slow smile comes across my lips, “Accepting you are an idiot is pretty easy,” I replied nudging his shoulder with mine. It quickly felt like old times, and I had missed those times. I missed being me. The me today was so far removed from who I was a short time ago. Could I give him another chance? Did he deserve it? Did I deserve it?

“What did you have in mind?” I asked as I see relief roll over his face. “I was thinking you could go out with me tonight?” he says tentatively. I feel a sense of disbelief as I simply stare at him. I knew in my heart of hearts I wanted this. Should I dare take this chance? “Yes,” I replied quietly before I could process anything else.

Jaxon had a slow smile before he moved forward giving me a hug, “Thank you,” he said. “I will pick you up at seven tonight,” he added. “What should I wear?” I asked. “What you have on is perfect” he replied. I shake my head as he walked off towards his car waving goodbye to me. I would have to change. I wanted to dress up a little. Maybe put some make up on in preparation for my date.

For the first time in weeks, I was hopeful.  Hopeful things were shifting.