Chapter 5

_Dahlia’s POV_

“I am so sorry for your shirt…” I finally gathered the courage to apologize.

“Why… why did it have to be you?” he continued muttering, ignoring my apology. “Of all the girls in Blackridge…”

I blinked. “Blackridge?”

That seemed to catch his attention because a set of big honey-brown orbs flickered to me. His eyes matched the colour of his hair just perfectly. But then he quickly averted his gaze and lowered himself to pick up his books.

“Dammit!” He cursed as he picked up the ruined sheets. “They're all ruined.”

Yet he didn't yell and his voice… The softness and smoothness of it made my stomach flip several times.

I helped him pick up the books. “I'll get them cleaned out for you, I promise. But… you mentioned Blackridge… do you…”

“School there?” He interrupted quietly without looking at me. “Yeah, I do.”

Dread formed a pit in my stomach. So he was the friend attending Blackridge. My brother's best friend. My supposed mate.

“So you…”

“Yes, I know all about your reputation,” he cut in gently. “And I am not interested in bonding with someone like you.”

The words, however soft his tone, hit me hard just as hard as any rejection would. Maybe it would have been less painful if he just screamed it at me in a disdainful tone. Not this soft apologetic tone.

“Why?” I tried to make my tone light, hiding all the hurt I felt inside. “Is it because I already have a boyfriend?”

He gave me a look that said it all and then retrieved his books from me. He straightened up and began heading back upstairs. For some reason, I found myself following me.

He stopped halfway without turning back. I knew he was avoiding my eyes as usual. “Can you not?”

I stopped walking.

“Am I really that bad? You know it's bad enough you avoid me every time you come here, like I have some kind of disease and now this…” my voice betrayed my emotions. “Are you going to reject me, Knox?”

Seconds passed and there was nothing but silence between us. Mena was already trembling with anxiety. We've already found two mates and they clearly didn't appreciate being mated to us. But they didn't exactly reject us either.

“Just do me a favor and stay away from me, okay?” he said simply and walked away.

I gulped, blinking away the hurt. I turned around and walked to my room, suddenly losing my appetite.

The weekend passed in a blur with me barely stepping out of my room. Atlas checked on me a couple of times, asking if I was okay and all.

On Monday morning, Taylor's call came in.

Shit, I was so miserable that I forgot all about him. I swiped the answer button and braced myself for the scolding.

“I waited for you all weekend but you didn't send the money or the clothes. Is that you telling me you're no longer interested in this relationship?” He asked.

“Taylor, I was so busy. I didn't even…”

“Too busy for me, huh?” He interrupted. “You know what? I don't even care what your excuse is. I want you to send the money right now and come over with clothes I asked you to get for me. You have until 9 am. Anything later than that, you can kiss this nonsense between us goodbye!”

“No, Taylor wait…” I tried saying but he hung up.

I didn't waste any time in opening my bank app to make the transfer but for some reason I couldn't. I waved it off and headed to the mall to shop but my cards were all declined.

What the fuck?

I immediately called Atlas to help me pay for the clothes.

“Hello, princess.”

“Big bro, my cards are all declining and I'm currently at the mall. Could you help me clear it?” I pouted.

“Shouldn't you be in school?” He asked and I groaned inwardly.

“Yeah, I am on my way there but I stopped by the mall. I'm already running late,” I told him.

“Go to school, Dahlia. I'm busy,” he said, catching me off guard. Atlas has never said no to me.

“But I need to get…”

“You don't need anything, Dahlia. I saw the blog about you. You’re everywhere online. You've brought shame to the family and I’m busily trying to cover it up. So please, don’t disturb me. Go to school.” he said and I froze.

“You….you saw the blog?” my lips trembled. My brother saw the video. The video from that humiliating night. Oh no…. “I can explain, Atlas…”

“Save it. Your card won't be working for a while. Goodbye, princess,” he said and hung up. My eyes widened.

I tried calling him again but he didn't answer any of them. Fear crawled up my spine. I was in big trouble.

I tried calling my father instead but no one was picking up, not even my mother. It almost felt like it was planned. My family would never let me call twice. So what was really going on?

Most importantly, how do I explain to Taylor that I am now broke?

I headed to school anyway because I couldn't afford to be late. On getting there, I hurried to our regular spot to meet him.

He stood there with Annabelle, talking and laughing.

“Taylor,” I called and the first place he looked at was my hand.

“You didn't send the money,” he stated.

“I know, but I can explain…”

“Are you playing with me right now?” He asked and I gulped.

“No, that's not it. My cards, they're all frozen and I can't…” the words died in my throat as he advanced towards me. He looked very scary, like he would tear me to limps. I staggered backwards.

“Do you have any idea the plans I had for that money?” he barked and I flinched. “Do you know the debts I'm swarmed in? Even your stupid watch couldn't cover it after I sold it and now, you're telling me your cards are frozen?”

He suddenly grabbed me by the shoulders to prevent me from moving.

“You… you sold the watch I gifted you?” I asked in disbelief.

“That is not the freaking point!” He screamed at me. “You need to provide that money. Sell your jewellery, your car, every damn thing but I want that money on my desk by noon, got it?”

The air surrounding us suddenly shifted as a powerful milky scent colonized the space. There was this dark menacing aura that made my wolf whimper in fear. To make it worse, it seemed to be coming from behind me.

Taylor looked like he was going to piss on himself and Annabelle was as white as a sheet. She looked like she could pass out any minute from now.

“Pardon my intrusion but I'm just curious,” an unfamiliar rich baritone popped out of nowhere, chilling yet silky. It held this air of authority that made me shudder. “If she doesn't pay by noon, what could a worthless son of beta like you possibly do?”