Chapter 3

MAYA'S POV

Days turned into weeks, and each day I had a reason to withdraw out of school. If it wasn't Micah, it was Juliet, but there was no way I was going to let them break me.

It had been a few days since Daniel had helped me up after Micah pushed me to the ground. I was still grateful for his kindness, but I couldn't understand why he was avoiding me. We were best of friends, but I wasn't so sure about that anymore.

I had tried to strike up conversations with him, but he always seemed to find a way to escape.

As I buried my head in my food, I saw Daniel sitting alone at a table. I mustered up the courage to approach him.

"Hey, Daniel!" I greeted him with a smile.

He simply looked at me, then turned his eyes back to his food. I sat down anyway.

“Uhm, I wanted to thank you for the other day, but you didn't wait.”

He looked at me for a while, then he coughed, got up and moved to another table without saying a word. I sat there wondering why he did that.

And I felt a pang of hurt in my chest as I watched him leave. I hardly touched my food and the next time I looked at the table he moved to, he was gone.

The rest of the day went well without any altercation with Juliet or Micah until I went to the restroom and I heard some people talking. I immediately knew it was Juliet and her friends.

“Damn!” My heart was racing. I knew I needed to avoid Juliet and her friends at all costs. I quickly grabbed my bag and quietly left the restroom.

I made my way to my locker, hoping to grab my assignment before heading to class. But just as I reached my locker, I saw Micah standing there, blocking my way.

Oh no! Why was today like this, huh? I felt a surge of panic as I saw him. The last thing I needed was to get caught up in any drama with him, especially with the fact that Juliet could walk in anytime.

“Uhm… Micah….” I started

He had this smirk on his face. I knew I had to run, I would get the assignment later. Before I could even turn to run though, I heard Daniel's voice come from behind me.

"What's going on here?" Daniel asked, a protective edge to his voice as he stepped between me and Micah.

Micah smirked, his eyes flashing with mischief. "Just talking to the girl, no harm in that. And who are you?” he said, trying to play it cool. Then he looked Daniel up and down, “You're the new kid in school?"

“And what would you do with that information?” Daniel scoffed, an angry tone in his voice and fists clenched.

“Oh you wait and see, cub, I will use it to my best interest. Run along now, you don't want to mess with me.”

“I'll gladly mess with you if you mess with her.”

Micah burst into a prolonged laughter that sent shivers down my spine. “Now you are the guardian angel, I suppose? Excellent. More meat to battle with, run along lad.

Daniel refused and stood his ground. "Stay away from her," he said firmly and then he added, "she's my mate, got it?"

"Mate?" I and Micah chorused simultaneously.

My eyes widened in shock and the entire hallway started to spin and get cloudy, I couldn't believe what I just heard. Daniel had not given the chance to talk to him yet he just said we were mates.

But there was something about his voice, a sense of protectiveness and strength that made me feel safe.

The animal instinct in me did a somersault this time around and I looked at both of them. My mates, the bully and my best friend; It was a lot to take in. I pinched myself to be sure I wasn't dreaming, the sting I felt assured me that I was conscious and well aware of my surroundings.

Micah laughed, a cruel smile on his lips. “Mate? And when did that happen?" he stepped towards Daniel who did not even move as much as a muscle. He came so close to him and whispered into his ears, just loud enough so I could hear too.

"She was mine first. Got that? She's mine.”

Micah continued to smirk as he walked away. As he disappeared into a corner, Daniel turned to face me. Unsure of what to say, I searched his eyes. I didn't understand what was going on.

"Thank you," I managed to whisper, my voice barely audible.

Daniel smiled, his eyes warm and kind. "No problem," he said. "I can't stand bullies like him. I'll walk you home. Later.” And he left me.

True to his words, Daniel found me after closing hours and we walked home in silence. He held my hand as we entered the house and walked me to my room, a wave of nostalgia washed through me. These were the things we did as kids.

“Your room is nice.”

Oh, thank goodness I decided to clean up last night. I was not able to sleep so I decided to clean up the mess I made myself over the week.

“Uhm, can I get you something?” I fumbled with the right words to say. Damn, when did I become this clumsy with everything?

Just then, I heard a knock on the door. It was my aunt.

“I heard some noises, is someone there with you?” She asked.

“No… No, I'm alone.”

She raised an eyebrow, looking at me as if I had defied her. When she had looked enough, she continued; “Your father called.” My heart skipped as she said that. “He wants to know about your mate. Have you found one?”

I was shocked. Why was my dad asking for that all of a sudden? “Uhm, aunt, I…I don't have a mate yet.”

She fixed me a gaze. “In that whole school, you haven't found one?”

“Y… Yes.”

“Well, I'm sure you'll find him with time. Ensure you talk to your father later.”

I shut the door and went back to meet Daniel who was up already.

"Um, I should get going," he scratched the top of his head.

But there was no way I could let him go, not without providing answers to the hundreds of questions I had to ask.

"Daniel, why did you call me your mate?"

He looked at me for a while and hesitated before speaking. "Maya, I-I didn't just happen to be passing by that day. I followed my mate's scent, and I thought I had finally found her. I was so excited to tell her, but then I saw you."

My heart skipped a beat as his words sank in. "You thought I was your mate?" I asked, feeling a rush of emotions swirling inside me.

Daniel nodded, his eyes filled with sincerity. “No Maya, I didn’t think that, I know you are. I've had a thing for you since we were kids, but I never had the courage to tell you. I've been avoiding you because I didn't want to risk getting my heart broken again."

I felt a wave of confusion and surprise wash over me. "I-I had no idea," I stammered, unable to find the right words to convey the mix of emotions bubbling inside me.

Daniel stepped closer, his gaze intense and vulnerable. "Maya, I know this is a lot to take in. But it is what it is. What did Micah mean by saying you are his?”

I looked away. “He is also my mate. The first day I saw him, we both knew it , but he rejected me.”

“That leaves you with one option, Me.”

“I… I might still have affection for Micah. What do you mean?”

Daniel smiled, the innocent yet sexy smile of his. “Let me mark you, Maya.”