Chapter Nine: Damn Him

Amanda P.O.V

"Damn," I say out loud, looking around corners, freaking out. Was that because of him?

  I am afraid to run into him. He's acting oddly towards me, smirking and winking at me. I just flipped him the bird. Everyone who was around sighed loudly. What the fuck is up with him? Man, I can say one thing, he was right. At least four guys asked me to the dance this Friday, and to my amusement, he was close by when they asked me. He could hear everything because the werewolf's hearing is exceptional. Even Duke asked me out for his friend Guy. I sadly had to decline Duke's offer, though, telling him that I couldn't go there with his friend or anyone because Sage said so.

 Sage was heading over to us, and I could tell he was ready to yell at me. All the while glaring at me. I was scared, thinking he was going to go off on my friend Duke.

  "Uh oh, hell no! That is not right. What the hell is his problem? I think he has a thing for you and is afraid to show it, but guess what? Screw him!" Duke states, annoyed.

  "I've got a great idea!" Duke says, suddenly smiling. "Even though I don't have the date I want….I would be tickled pink if you would go with me as friends. What do you say, Mands? Please, and maybe my friend can get a dance or two as well. What do you say?" 

  I looked at Sage, worried. I really wanted to say yes so badly because he is the only friend I have. Fuck it! Sage is not going to control my life anymore.

  "Yes, I would love to, and tell your buddy I am making an apple pie, with a heart in the crust. To give you guys a heads up so you can bid on it." I say, laughing happily.

  "Great! We can all hang out together. Never mind what anyone says. They can't tell us what to do. Plus, on a side note, we could even make Mr.Stone over there jello, HAHA. What do you say?" Duke says, scheming and laughing.

  "Ok, see you Friday," I said.

  "You do know that tomorrow is Friday, and the dance starts at 7 pm on the dot?" Duke said, reminding me.

  I'm just staring at him, thinking, " Oh fuck. Friday completely snuck up on me. I completely forgot. 

  "Sage is looking at you," Duke said, trying to get my attention.

  "Huh?" I replied, snapping out of my trance.

  Sage walks right past us and up to his girlfriend, Vanessa. He picks her up by her ass, slamming her against the wall of the cafeteria. We are eating lunch, well, trying to keep it down after witnessing that. 

  "Ewwww, she is the worst," Duke whispered in my ear. I look over, and just as I did, I can see Sage staring at me. Creepily.

  "He is staring at you while licking her neck. What an ass. He's trying to make you jealous. Don't worry, honey, ignore him. I bet by the end of the day, he will be close by, following you around, waiting to make his move. Trust me, I can see it in his eyes. He wants you, baby girl." Duke whispered in my ear again, so no one else could hear it.

  I am about to respond to Duke when I hear the bell for the 5th-period choir. I love it, not just because we are both in it. I empty my tray and wait for Duke. We are walking down the hallway towards the restrooms. I have to go to my locker, which is a bit past them, telling Duke I would be right back. I am about to open my locker when I feel someone breathing on the back of my neck. Then I hear it. "Hi, Humi…."

I froze.

That voice.

Low. Close. Too close.

A chill ran down my spine as his breath brushed the back of my neck.

“Hi, Humi…”

My fingers tightened around my locker handle, but I didn’t turn around right away. I didn’t want to give him that satisfaction.

Not again.

“Go away, Sage,” I said, keeping my voice as steady as I could.

A soft, humorless chuckle sounded behind me.

“That’s not very nice.”

I exhaled slowly, then turned.

 Hi, Humi. Sage said again while standing behind me, breathing down my neck.

  "What do you want, Sage?" I ask hesitantly.

  "Didn't I tell you no friends and definitely no dates?! Sage said, questioning me.

  "Fuck off, turd, I am sick of your stupid mind games, so go and fuck your mate," I said, seeing red.

  "What, you think Vanessa is my mate? Yeah, right!" Sage said, shocked. I turn away, so he doesn't see the hopeful look in my eyes.

  "It's true, she isn't. Then why do you bother me?" I ask, still trying to find out the truth. He gets this look on his face, which I can't quite figure out.

  "No, she isn't my mate. What did I tell you about, guys? You are not allowed to have a date or friends, I mean it, Mandy!" Sage said, threateningly.

  "So, what if I don't listen to you? I will be leaving this fucking town behind in about 8 months from now. You know what? I'm not going to waste my breath on you; you're not worth it. I'm not going to worry about your stupid shit. So back off, butt out, and let me live my life." I yell at him, not backing down.

  He starts growling and getting closer to me, and I'm breathing heavy, trying to get him to see reason.

  "Please, Sage. We used to play together when we were younger. You were my hero, and you protected me when I thought there were monsters under my bed. You would always check before I got in. We used to be friends before middle school, and we used to be attached at the hip. Your dad and my dad are best friends. Why can't you be nice and kind? Huh? What is your deal? Why can't you give me a break? Where did my best friend go?" I asked, making Sage stop and stare at me in shock.

  "I miss those days. We would play video games, make pies, caramel apples, and trick or treating together. You even spent the night with me holding my hand. That's before all hell broke loose. When you became distant, not wanting to be my friend anymore. Why? What did I do for you to treat me like that?" I ask, with tears welling up in my eyes. "What did I ever do to you, Alpha?"

  "Just because I don't want your filth on me anymore, I don't want to be your friend anymore," Sage said, taking a deep breath.

  "I see. Well, you got your wish. I became alone and heartbroken. You took everything away from me. My cousin, my friend Melissa. Everything. You can go fuck yourself! I am done! You can't tell me what to do anymore!" I say, trying not to cry, while all the time filled with rage. He grunts and growls at me. 

  "I am gonna have dates and friends. The first thing I am going to do on Friday is a dance with whoever the fuck I want. So twiddle your thumbs because I am going to have fun. I'm not scared of you or anyone else anymore! Goodbye," I say, turning back around to get the things I need out of my locker. Not caring if he is still behind me, huffing and growling. Just as I'm about to shut my locker door, I decide to give him another piece of my mind, and it feels great getting this out of my system.

  "And on another note. Don't bother trying to apologize. I hope that when you remember all that you have put me through, you realize it was all on you and not me. I never stopped being friends you did. This is all your fault." I said, finally releasing my anger. 

  Sage looks at me and smirks, all the time getting closer. He is about an inch away from my face when suddenly, He licks my bottom lip. I'm in shock as he crashed his lips into mine, attacking them like a man dying of thirst. He picks me up, slamming me into the locker, as grabs my legs, wrapping them around his hips. I'm trying to get out of his arms, but I can't; he's too strong. There's no way a human can win against an Alpha. 

  Just like that, he pulls away slightly and stops kissing me. I was gasping for breath but longing for more. I grabbed his hair, pulling him close to me, crashing my lips into his. He's caressing my butt and moaning while I am grinding on his hard cock. Suddenly, he stops again, smiles, and puts me down. I stare at him, confused by what just happened, but also confused as to why it stopped.

  "See, I can get you to do anything. I knew you had a thing for me back when we were kids, and as I can see, you still do. Remember, even though I don't want you, you will always want me." Sage said, laughing. He looks into my eyes, smirking at me as he leans down towards my lips.

  "Remember what I said! No dates! And when you're at the dance, no dancing with anyone. Do I make myself clear? Bitch" Sage said, his words dripping with hate.

  "What? You think you can kiss me and grab me and follow me, and I'll be under your thumb. So you can tell me what to do. Go to hell. Just because of you! You know what, you can….hell no, Sage." I yelled. I'm so mad my words aren't coming out right. " You're cruel, playing mind games with me. Stop playing with my feelings and stop playing with my body. Get your slutty girl toy to mess with. You call me a bitch, but guess what, you just made out with this bitch. And you and your hardness loved every minute of it." I say as I grab his crotch. I flip him the bird as I walk back to my friend, who is probably wondering where I am.

He steps back and smirks right at me.

Leaning casually against the lockers like he hadn’t just appeared out of nowhere—like he didn’t make my heart race every time he got too close.

His eyes swept over me, slower this time. More controlled.

But no less intense.

“What do you want?” I asked.

“You,” he said simply.

My stomach dropped—but I refused to let it show.

“Too bad,” I shot back. “Try again.”

Something flickered in his gaze. Amusement? Irritation?

Maybe both.

“You’re getting bold,” he said, pushing off the lockers and stepping closer.

I held my ground this time.

Barely.

“Or maybe I’m just tired of your crap,” I replied.

For a second, we just stood there, staring at each other.

The hallway noise faded into the background.

“You’re avoiding me,” he said.

“Yes,” I answered immediately. “On purpose.”

His jaw tightened.

“I noticed.”

“Good. Then take the hint.”

Silence stretched between us, thick and heavy.

Then—

“Who was that guy?”

Of course.

I crossed my arms. “None of your business.”

“The one you were talking to,” he continued, ignoring me. “Smiling at.”

I almost laughed. “Are you serious right now?”

His eyes darkened. “Answer the question.”

“No,” I said firmly. “You don’t get to interrogate me.”

Something in him snapped—but not the way I expected.

He didn’t grab me again

Didn’t corner me again

He just… stared, and he licked his lips.

Like he was trying to figure something out.

“Stay away from him,” he said finally, voice low.

I shook my head. “You don’t get to decide who I talk to.”

“We’ll see about that.”

Anger flared hot in my chest. “Why do you even care? You’ve made it very clear you can’t stand me.”

That hit.

I saw it again—that flash of something raw, something real—before it disappeared.

“You don’t know anything,” he muttered.

“Then explain it!” I snapped. “Because from where I’m standing, you go out of your way to make my life miserable, and then you act like—like this!”

He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated.

“I can’t,” he said.

“Convenient.”

Our eyes locked again.

And for the first time… I didn’t just see anger in his.

I saw conflict.

Confusion.

Maybe even something close to desperation.

“I mean it, Amanda,” he said quietly. “Stay away from him.”

I swallowed, my heart pounding—but I didn’t back down.

“Watch me.”

For a second, I thought he’d argue.

Instead, his lips curved slightly.

Not a smile.

Something more dangerous.

“This isn’t over,” he said.

Then he leaned in—close enough to make my breath hitch—but didn’t touch me.

“Try to keep avoiding me,” he whispered.

A shiver ran through me.

“I like the challenge.”

And just like that, he stepped back and walked away.

Leaving me standing there—

Confused.

Frustrated.

And hating the fact that part of me knew…

This was only the beginning.