Chapter 3: The Reunion

Eric was the last person Rain wanted to see as she set goals to make improvements in her life. She realized that she didn’t want him in her life at all. There was a time where she only wanted to be around him; but that time was now over. Staring up at her ex-boyfriend, she fought the urge to rip out his throat. Her wolf was telling her to kill him for his betrayal. He stood confidently in front of her, which pissed her off. She knew there was nothing he could say to make her want to get back in a relationship with him.

Rain found herself trying to calm her wolf before she initiated herself to shift. Lately, she had been finding it difficult to control her wolf. She didn’t know if it was because she had so many mixed emotions or if it was happening due to stress. Eric was definitely getting under her skin. He always had that effect on her. How could you want someone so badly and want to harm them as well? Rain wanted revenge for him breaking her heart. She hated him for what he did to her. In the back of her mind, she couldn’t argue that she was still sexually attracted to him. After all, they had been lovers for a year and a half.

As he stood in front of her like a lost puppy, she noticed the sadness in his eyes. She knew he was sorry for what he had done, but she made a promise to herself that she would never fall for his lies again. She didn’t want to forgive him because deep in her heart, she knew that Monica wasn’t the only person he had cheated on her with. She knew he couldn’t be trusted with her heart.

“Can we talk?” He asked cautiously. Rain sighed and slowly stood up, their eyes fixated on each other. She didn’t understand why he thought she’d forgive him and pretend he never cheated on her.

“What do you possibly have to say to me Eric?” Rain asked coldly. She wasn’t angry anymore, but she still didn’t want to be around him. Her wolf was calm and patient, eager to hear his answer.

“Listen, I know I’m the last person you want to see. But I can’t stop thinking about you.” He told her and Rain laughed. Did he really think she would believe that she would get back with him?

“Sorry. Try harder,” Rain told him and he suddenly looked angry.

“You belong with me. Whether you fucking like it or not,” he told her. It angered her that he felt as if she belonged to him. Who the hell did he think he was?

“Last time I checked I didn’t belong to anyone. And I will never fucking belong to you again. Get away from me Eric,” Rain warned, starting to have feelings of rage again.

“Or you’ll what?” Eric asked, grabbing her arm. Rain watched as he gripped her arm, causing her to slowly look up into his eyes. All he wanted to do was possess her, and she hated him for that. Rain’s breathing quickened and her eyes turned a reddish color. Her wolf was now in control. Eric held her arm so tightly that there was a loud snapping sound, insinuating that he fractured it. However, Rain’s rage prevented her from crying out in pain. She was losing control and a simple fracture was the least of her worries. This behavior was unlike her and she didn’t know why it was happening. Why was she struggling to control her wolf? Her breathing quickened and she felt herself trying to change. She quickly began to relax when someone grabbed Eric’s arm, forcing him to release her. It was Tony, Alpha Leo’s son. He twisted Eric’s arm, Eric crying out in pain. The look in his eyes was pure rage, the same feeling Rain felt towards Eric in that moment.

“I’m pretty sure she said to get away from her,” Tony told him in a controlled voice, Rain noticing his eyes flashing red. Why was he mad and why was he helping her? Tony released Eric and pushed him backwards hard enough that Eric stumbled and nearly fell to the ground. Even though he was caught off guard, Eric caught himself before falling to the ground. He slowly began backing away from Tony, who hadn’t taken his eyes off of him. Tony just stared at him, his aura changing. Eric felt the power of an Alpha radiating off of Tony, power that made several wolves nearby bow to him. Eric fought against him, but began to lower his head in submission. Eric wasn’t an Elite wolf, so he didn’t have a choice but to obey Tony’s wolf command.

“Yea Alpha. My apologies,” Eric spoke, glanced at Rain, and then walked away both embarrassed and pissed off. Tony didn’t take his eyes off of Eric until he put distance in between them. Tony then slowly turned toward Rain, their eyes meeting. They stood so close and Rain felt a sense of safety by his closeness. His scent was intoxicating and inviting. Why was she feeling so drawn to a guy she barely knew? He stepped closer to her and looked as if he wanted to kiss her, Rain feeling his breath on her. When he realized what he was doing, he stepped backwards to put a little space between himself and Rain.

“Um, thanks,” Rain said softly. She had this urge to touch him but stopped herself.

“For what?” He asked expressionless and she froze in surprise at his comment. He looked irritated and stared at her a moment before he walked away. That was rude. Why the hell did he bother helping her if he was going to act like an asshole?

Kylie rushed over to Rain, Rain turning her attention to the pretty blonde.

“Are you ok? Your arm!” Kylie said in shock at the injury. This girl was much more caring than she let people see, which made Rain smile.

“It’s almost healed already. It doesn’t hurt,” Rain said in surprise. She had never healed this fast before. Something was definitely going on with her.

“I’m Kylie.” The girl introduced herself.

“Rain,” she spoke and they both smiled. Rain suddenly realized that Kylie was a genuinely kind person. A person she could see herself becoming friends with one day. In that moment, Rain knew she wasn’t going to be alone at Shadow Academy.