Chapter 16

*****Xena’s POV*****

The school bell rang and the final lessons ended. I stepped out of class, feeling exhausted after the day's lesson. Just when I took a turn to the other hallway, the boy from earlier, the one who's brother was having a party, called out to me and I turned to look at him.

“Hello, Miss Xena.” He smiled cheekily and I smiled back softly.

“What's your name?” I asked, not knowing what to call him.

“Oh, I'm Caiden, Miss.” He replied with a sheepish smile. The boy looked adorable and he looked the same age as Ryder. 

“I came to remind you of the birthday party tomorrow, ma'am. It's the weekend, and it's tomorrow, " he said, and I bit my lower lip. Would I be able to attend? I did promise him, though.

Before I could give a response, someone spoke from behind.

“Caiden, you couldn't even give your Alpha a special invite?” We both turned to the source of the voice and saw Ryder standing there with the girl from before.

She had a lollipop in her mouth as she approached us, leaving Ryder to stand there.

“Hi, Miss Xena.” She greeted me cheerfully and even if I wanted to ignore her, I still went ahead to flash her a smile.

“Hi…” 

“Renee.” She helped.

“Hi, Renee.” I finally called out.

She turned to look at Caiden and glared at him, “Why didn't you invite Ryder to the party?” She asked her hands on her waist. Caiden looked past her and flashed Ryder an apologetic look.

“Sorry, Ry… it won't happen again. I just got carried away by the fact that Miss Xena agreed to attend the birthday party. It means a lot!” 

Layla winced at those words. 

“Does this fool know that we're standing before our mate?!” She half yelled and I rolled my eyes. 

“So what? We're going to break off the bond soon.” I let out, folding my hands to my chest. “Even though Alphas are very possessive I wouldn't be surprised if he attacked this poor kid.” Layla whimpered dramatically and it took all the willpower I had in me not to laugh at that.

“I'm standing here, he can't do anything to Caiden.” 

“What if you leave?” She asked and I sighed. 

“Ryder probably doesn't care,” I argued.

“Look at him, does he look like he doesn't care?” I glanced at him and saw his eyes turning red. My hands on my chest loosened as I realized the gravity of the situation. Ryder was indeed angry and he might hurt Caiden.

Without thinking, I walked up to Caiden and smiled. “Let's go.”

He gave me a confused look but nodded when I winked.

“Miss Xena, I'm still talking to him!” Renee whined and I turned to look at her. “Ahh…. I'm sorry but I have to take him now.” I said apologetically and unapologetically.

Her gaze darkened as she suddenly glared at me.

“The gut of this kid!” Layla growled.

“I'm going to be Luna of this pack, he has to obey me! Including you!” She yelled and pointed a finger at me.

Anger built up in me as her words registered in my mind. I wasn't mad at her for pointing a finger at me and yelling, but I was mad at the words she just said.

She? The Luna?

I looked past her to Ryder who was lazily leaning on the wall and watching as his stupid girlfriend yelled at me. When did he become so disrespectful?

And he was even willing to make her his Luna?

My heart clenched in both pain and anger, he really was planning to move on from me. I really pushed him away this time, and there was no coming back.

“You don't raise your voice at me, girl, you're still going to be the Luna, not yet the Luna. So never expect anyone to bow before you and never point a finger at me, I’m your teacher!” I yelled back at her in a stern voice, before turning to pull Caiden by the arm and walking out of the school.

Anger blinded me and I cursed Ryder in my heart for making me feel this way.

“Ryder did nothing, Xena,” Layla said, but I ignored her this time and hurried my steps to the entrance.

“Thank you so much, Miss Xena.” Caiden’s voice pulled me out of my train of thoughts and I turned to see that I was still holding and pulling him out. I released my hold on him embarrassingly and nodded.

“You're welcome, I'll see you tomorrow,” I said softly.

“Yes, the time is 7pm.” He added and walked off in the other direction. I stomped my way to my car as it had been fixed the other day. Once I settled into the seats, I screamed.

“Keep it down, Xena. You caused all this!” Layla growled in my head and I breathed out, trying to calm my nerves. 

Yes, I was the cause of all these. Just because I didn't want to be mated to a child. 

“Stop it!” 

I ignored her and turned on the car, zooming off from the school premises and making my way home.

I just needed to relax and calm my head.

I arrived home in 20 minutes and walked into my house. Kicking off my shoes at the entrance as I made my way upstairs to my room.

“Yes I feel bad, but I would still not change my decision to reject him,” I muttered to myself and waited for a response from Layla, but nothing came.

Ignoring her, I made my way into the bathroom for a quick refreshing bath, then went back to my room to change up for the night.

I went downstairs to the living room and latched on to the couch to watch some TV.

I just wanted to sit there and wallow in self pity. Cry my eyes out and stay away from the world.

“You know that crying wouldn't change anything.” Layla began after an uncomfortable silence passed by.

I remained silent as the tears kept building up in me. In no time, I was a sobbing mess. I wish I wouldn't cry, I wish nothing would get to me and take my peace away from me, but all these were just mere wishes and I couldn't do anything about it.

That night was all about crying and sulking until I fell asleep and woke up the next day.

It was already past 8 and I sighed before walking upstairs for a quick bath and meal to eat as well.

I still had to make up with Valkyrie, to apologize for my actions and get her to forgive me. The only way to do that was to go over to her house since she refused to pick up my calls. 

After I was done greeting and eating breakfast, I picked up my bag and car keys before heading out of the house and straight to my car.

As usual, the neighborhood was filled with peace and tranquility, just like a Sematary.

I drove off from my street and into Valkyrie's street which was at least a 20-minute drive away from mine.

Her neighborhood was the opposite of mine. Noisy with Clubbers and smokers around. These were the reasons why I hated visiting Valkyrie, her neighborhood was anything but quiet and peaceful. There were clubs around too. A place as dangerous as this wasn't fit for me. 

I bypassed some strangers who purposely kept flagging down my car and drove directly to Valkyrie's driveway.

Once I had successfully arrived, I got down from the car and breathed out a sigh of relief before making my way to the front door.

I dragged in deep breaths before extending a hand to knock on the door.

Few minutes later, I heard the sound of keys unlocking the door; she always had her door locked.

Just as she pulled it open, I flashed her lazy looking self a small smile.

“Hey, Val.”