Chapter Eighteen: ~~What the hell ~~

Amanda's P.O.V 

I wake up sore the next morning, my body heavy and my thoughts even heavier.

What was I thinking?

Last night plays over and over in my head like a scene I can’t pause. The closeness, the intensity… the way he looked at me like I actually mattered. For a moment, I believed it. I let myself believe it.

And now?

Now I feel like a fool.

Because deep down, I know Sage. I know what he’s like. And still… I let myself fall into whatever that was.

I press my face into my pillow, groaning softly.

“Why did I let this happen?”

Because you love him.

The thought hits harder than anything else.

I sit up quickly, running a hand through my hair. No. I can’t think like that. I can’t let myself spiral.

But the fear creeps in anyway.

He’s going to tell them.

His friends.

My cousin Xavier.

My stomach twists painfully.

Xavier…

The last time we really spoke comes rushing back to me—Christmas, a year ago.

“I’m sorry,” Xavier had said quietly, staring at the floor. “I hate treating you like this at school. But Sage… he made it clear. No one can know we’re related.”

I remember trying to smile, even though it hurt.

“It’s okay,” I told him. “It’s not your fault.”

But it never felt okay.

“I always thought you and Sage would end up together,” he said. “You were inseparable.”

Yeah. We were.

Before everything changed.

Before he turned into someone I don’t even recognize anymore.

---

I blink back to the present, my chest tight.

What happened to us?

I push the thought away and force myself out of bed. I need to get moving before I drown in this.

A bath helps a little. The warm water relaxes my muscles, but it does nothing for the storm in my head.

By the time I step out, I’ve made one decision:

I’m not letting him control how I feel today.

I walk into my closet and stop.

The dress.

The one Mom and Aunt Tessa bought me.

I remember the day clearly—how nervous I felt trying it on… and how Sage reacted when he saw me in it.

He hated it.

Told me I didn’t look good.

But now, as I slip it on and look in the mirror… I realize something.

He was wrong.

I do look good.

For the first time in a long time, I actually smile at my reflection.

Maybe today won’t be so bad.

---

Downstairs, Mom beams when she sees me.

“You look beautiful, honey.”

I blush slightly, grabbing my phone.

A quick message to Duke and Guy:

Meet me out front.

Their replies come instantly, and it makes me smile.

At least I’m not alone anymore.

  "Thanks, Mom. I haven't decided on the makeover yet." I say, blushing at her compliment. I pull my phone out to text Duke and Guy.

  "Ok, do you want us to bring you a latte?" Guy replies.

  "Yes, chocolate, please." I text back.

  "Ok, baby girl, see you soon, gorgeous." Duke texts me back.

When I pull into school, I spot them immediately—waiting for me like they always do now.

For once… I feel safe.

Normal.

Even happy.

That feeling lasts exactly three seconds.

Because I see him.

Sage.

Standing across the lot, staring at me like he’s ready to burn the world down.

My heart stutters.

But I don’t stop walking.

Not this time.

---

“Hey, cuz… You look amazing.”

I freeze.

Xavier.

I wasn’t expecting that.

His words catch me off guard—but they also warm something inside me.

“Thanks,” I manage softly.

He smiles, then glances past me.

“Sage’s watching,” he mutters before walking away quickly.

Of course he is.

I don’t turn around.

I won’t give him that satisfaction.

---

With Duke and Guy beside me, laughing and teasing, I almost forget about everything.

Almost.

  "No, you are gorgeous. I'm just beautiful. LoL." I reply to Duke. I quickly ate my breakfast and bid my mom goodbye. When I finally get to school, I see Duke and Guy waiting for me with an empty parking spot beside them. Yes! This is going to be a good day.

 Xavier comes over and gives me a thumbs-up and a smirk.

  "Hey, cuz, you look lovely. Look at you, and you're a knockout.  I gotta go, Sage is over there, and he doesn't look happy." Xavier says, rushing off to meet Sage. 

  I look over and see Sage clenching his fists, and if looks could kill, I'd be dead. I ignore him walking past to meet my friends. When I get to them, they hand me my drink and even a chocolate chip muffin. My favorite. We are having a blast until I hear a voice behind me.

Until she shows up.

  "Why and what are you wearing? Are you dating Guy now?" Vanessa asks, looking jealous. 

  "No, why?" I reply, feeling nervous.

  "You'd better stay away from my mate!" Vanessa shouts at me.

  "Vanessa! It would be best if you calmed down. Let's go and talk privately." Guy speaks before I can answer her. She stands there glaring at me until Guy takes her hand. I smile and carry on talking to Duke.

  "Go and ask him to the dance. Everyone already knows you're gay, and maybe if you get close enough to him, he will catch your scent and realize you're his mate." I say to Duke, trying to convince him to talk to his mate, Derek.

  "I don't know….are you sure you'll be ok alone for a little while?" Duke asks, wearily.

  "Yes, bro, I'll be fine. Now stop stalling and talk to your mate. Just remember that when you guys tie the knot, I'll be by your side." I say, smirking at him.

  "Ok, baby girl, see you later and be good. Hehe." Duke says, laughing mischievously.

  "What do you mean?" I say curiously.

  "Don't look now, but there's a hottie at 11 o'clock," Duke whispers to me. I turn quickly and look behind me.

  "I told you not to look. I think he's calling you over to him." Duke says, grabbing my hands. I decide to be brave and walk over to him to find out what he wants. I hope he isn't going to be mean.

  "Hello, Amanda. You don't remember me, do you?" He says.

  "No, I'm sorry. I don't. I've been spending all my time with Duke and Guy, making plans for when we go to Yale." I say, trying to remember his name.

  "My name's Gabe Fey. Nice to finally meet you. I'm going to Yale as well. Maybe we could get to know each other and be friends at college as well as here. I was wondering, would you…." Gabe says, getting cut off.

  "GRRRR," I look behind to see grey, blueish eyes glaring at me. Sage. He is huffing and puffing. This is not good.

  "Go on, Gabe," I say, trying to resume our conversation whilst ignoring Sage.

  "Would you honor me by accompanying me to the dance tonight?" Gabe says, looking nervous and hopeful at the same time.

  "I would love to," I say to Gabe as I look at Sage. That's when the shit really hits the fan as Sage gets right in Gabe's face.

  "You'd better stop now. You know the rules." Sage shouts at Gabe.

  "I like Amanda, and she is beautiful. I would like to know her better. What would your parents think if they ever found out about how you and the others treat Amanda?" Gabe says to Sage, slightly bowing his head as he is still the future Alpha.

  "Nice to finally meet and talk to you, Amanda. I'll see you later to arrange a time for me to pick you up tonight." Gabe says, turning to me.

  "Yes, that would be great. See you later," I reply to Gabe. I look at them both, then walk away, heading to my first class. I don't look back, but I can feel Sage glaring at me.

  "Your dress is too short." I hear Sage say, his voice dripping with anger. 

  "No man, she is wearing it perfectly, dude. Look at her legs. Wow. If she brings a pie tonight, I'm bidding on it." Some other boys say, not agreeing with Sage, as they whistle at me. Sage glares at them, and they all shut up. Not daring to say another word. I wait around the corner so they can't see. I start to blush just from listening in. 

  

  Gabe's P.O.V

  "Why are you like this? It seems like you are into her, just like the rest of us. Are you too afraid to take a chance? Well, guess what, I'm not." I ask Sage.

  I can't help but grin, and I'm pretty sure that Sage's mate is Amanda, the human girl. I hope he treats her better than he has. She's so strong for getting through all that he's put her through. She's never given in. I hope we can be friends, but maybe if he screws up, I'll be there to pick up the pieces. I haven't found my mate yet.

  "See you later, sir," I say to Sage,  bowing as I walk away.

  "Oh yeah, we'll see." Sage snarls.