Chapter 2

Zayne Marshall was a twelfth grader like me. He had few friends, actually just two friends, the twins, Jayson and Jayden. Surprisingly, he had good grades and was one of the top students not only in Hilltop High School but also throughout the state. He was bad tempered as well, and people avoided crossing his paths, even the teachers. His father, Henry Marshall was one of the most powerful werewolf in the state. He also had a cousin who he was quite close to.

Those were the few information on Zayne Marshall that I could gather. 

I forgot to mention that he was very good looking as well. He had beautiful brown eyes that dazzled even in daylight, shiny black hair, perfectly shaped muscular physique,his height was also a perfect 6'1 and he usually had a resting bitch face that made him even sexier. 

Well,  those were my own observations. 

Since I found out that Zayne Marshall was my mate, I've been unable to meet with him, so we could bond. After we locked eyes yesterday at the school's cafeteria, the moment was very short because before I could blink he looked away and walked out. It was so quick that I thought I imagined it but I know I didn't.

I've barely noticed Zayne Marshall except rumours I've heard about him so there was no way I was daydreaming about him in broad daylight. He surely felt that bond as well, when we locked eyes. So why was he not saying anything? Why was he ignoring me?

Well, I was done waiting for him. Who says the boy has to be the one to make the first bold move?

I looked around the hallway and then I caught sight of his tousled black hair, he was battling with his locker, with an angry frown on his face. 

This was my chance.

We were going to bond now.

I was going to tell him now or never.

I dumped my bag in Madison's or Danielle's hands, I didn't bother checking, and started heading towards Zayne before she could protest.

With my eyes fixed on him, I walked closer to him, he finally solved his locker problem and took out his books.

"Zay---" 

"Zaynieee!"

I couldn't call out his name because his friends came out of nowhere and jumped on his back playfully.

I paused.

"My boy! I heard you got an A+ in Chemistry. I got a D, you motherfucker!" Jayson orJayden, I don't know, those intruders were identical, said and pouted.

Zayne brushed off the twin trying to hop on his back, "That's because you're dumb Jay. And can you stop calling me Zaynieee?!" He growled at them.

"Sure Zaynieee." The twins said in unison, looked at each other and burst into fits of laughter.

Zayne pushed them out of the way and he was gone out of the hallway.

And there went my chance.

When exactly were we going to bond? 

I'm sure he perceived my scent as well, why was he ignoring me?

My face fell and I tried glaring at the twins before walking back to Madison's locker.

"What the hell was that?" Danielle queried immediately I reached them.

I just sighed, took my bag from her and headed towards my Arithmetic class.

It was fourth period and I was already done with school, Mr John, the Biology teacher was such a jerk. 

"I hate Mr John!" I complained to Madison immediately we got out of the class.

"Everybody hates Mr John, Lia." The masculine voice that replied me belonged to my other friend, Jonathan.

Nadine had her arms around his neck and they were both looking at me amusedly.

Madison, Danielle, Jonathan, Nadine and I were a friend group. 

Danielle and Madison were childhood friends, before I met them in ninth grade when I forgot my lunch at home and Danielle shared hers with me, then I met Madison and Jonathan who were also childhood friends, and we all became close. 

"I know but I hate him even more. Why the hell did he point out my curly hair in a Biology class? Does he see me as one of his creepy specimens?" 

Jonathan chuckled lightly and Nadine patted my back, "Sorry baby, it's our final year, the torture is almost over." She tried comforting me.

Suddenly Madison snapped her fingers, "Right! Lia, did you meet him?"

My forehead scrunched up, "Meet who?"

"Your mate."

"Uhmm, what are you girls talking about? You were going to meet your mate? Dahlia?" 

I sheepishly looked at Danielle, whenever she called me Dahlia instead of Lia, I knew I was about to be scolded.

"I knew. Nadine and I." Jonathan added and I glared at him while Nadine nudged his side.

"Yeah, on the next full moon after my eighteenth birthday, which was yesterday." I replied Danielle.

"Why the fuck am I just knowing about that?? I hate you guys!" She growled, she was also a werewolf.

I smiled and placed my hand on her cheeks, "Awww, sorry Dee, it was chaotic so I forgot, I'm sorry."

"So did you meet him?" Madison asked again.

I hesitated before I replied, "No."

Madison wrapped her hands around my shoulders, "Oh my. You'll meet him soon, don't worry, okay?"

I gave my friends a small smile, feeling guilty for lying to them and nodded.

I didn't want to tell anybody who my mate was before we even bonded.

I don't know why I wanted it to happen in that order but I'm a perfectionist.

"I'm still pissed that you guys didn't tell me about such important news though"

Danielle looked cute when she was trying hard to look angry.

"Dee, it's enough. We know you're not pissed." Jonathan said, rolling his eyes and she responded with making silly faces. 

I laughed at my friends as we headed to our next class.

Throughout yesterday, I was unable to have an alone time with Zayne so we could bond, it seemed like he was avoiding me. 

I was starting to get uncomfortable and impatient. Was the moon goddess playing games with me?

Why let me meet my mate and my mate seems like he doesn't even want to bond?

Okay, I think I'm talking nonsense. It's not my fault, I practically slept at three a.m and had to wake up at six a.m so I was feeling dizzy and tired.

"Good morning,Lia!" 

I turned to Jonathan, he looked so energetic. Lucky him.

When he noticed my state, his smile faded, "Lia, why do you look like death?"

I gave him a tight smile, "Wow, thank you for the compliment."

"Come on. You look tired."

"I am tired." I emphasized.

"Have you found him? Your mate. I'm not even a werewolf and I'm so nervous to meet him." 

"I've not found---"

I was about to give my friend the usual response when his delicious scent hit my nostrils again.

Urgently, I whipped around to look for him and I saw him coming out from the science laboratory.

And finally, he was alone this time.

"Jonathan, I'd be right back!" I quickly said and started speed walking towards my mate.

My heart beat faster as I approached him. It was finally happening. What was today's date again? I have to take note and---

*Fuck, that was cold!*

I had just been bathed with a cup of iced chocolate drink.

I looked down at my pink t-shirt, chocolate liquid was dripping from it.

"Oh my goodness, this was my favourite!"

"I--I'm s-so sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going." 

The culprit apologized, he was wearing big glasses and looked nervous.

My heart softened, not like I was going to do anything if he didn't apologize.

"I-its okay. It's fine." I replied him, trying to give him a warm smile.

He muttered a thank you and scurried off.

I sighed deeply and looked up at the direction where I saw Zayne, and of course he was long gone.

I almost laughed at myself. This was becoming a game at this point. A very silly, annoying game.

I twiddled my pen absentmindedly as I walked to my next class. It was art class. My favourite. I loved it because it was fun and the teacher, Miss Jenna was very nice and sweet but I wasn't that excited. I was demotivated, the opposite of what I was feeling days ago.

I opened the door and stepped into the class with other students. I tried scanning the classroom, looking for a perfect seat,it had to be somewhere isolated where I wouldn't be talked to.

*Why does this classroom smell like caramel and vanilla though?*

*It's making me hungry--*

*Wait. Caramel and vanilla?*

*Zayne was here--*

Of course I was right, only I could smell my mate's distinct scent. Zayne was sitting at the far end of the class.

And there was an empty seat next to him.

Without thinking twice, I rushed towards the back of the class.

Oh my world. 

This was my first time being this close to Zayne. The scent now very strong that I almost closed my eyes and sniffed him.

I wonder if he perceives my scent like this as well.

I inclined my neck to dare look at him but I was met with an icy look.

"What do you want?" His voice was deep and velvety, opposite of what he smells like.

"Huh?"

"I asked what you wanted, are you deaf?" Zayne repeated.

*Ouch. No need to be rude.*

And what the fuck does he mean by "what do I want?" 

He knows we're mates and we're supposed to bond, why was acting dumb and ignorant?

Why was he making me look like the desperate one?

That was what I was going to tell him. I was going to lash out on him. But Zayne's sweet scent was my weakness.

"This seat was available so...." I replied instead.

He didn't say anything to that and just continued looking forward.

"That's my seat." 

The owner of the high pitched voice was Kendall Forrest.

The school's sweetheart. She was beautiful, had nice body, head of the school's choir and captain of the ballet team. And the cherry on top was, she was the niece of the most powerful Alpha, Garrett Forrest.

"What?" My voice came out low.

"I. Said. You. Are. On. My. Seat." Kendall drew out every word like I was an elementary school kid.

"Now is the time to get your ass up sweetie." She said again sarcastically.

Slowly, I stood up and stepped aside for her, but not before she almost pushed me down. I couldn't tell if that was deliberate or a mistake but either way, Zayne gave out no reaction at all. He continued staring at nothing, blankly.

I watched as Kendall greeted him with a peck on his cheek, and rubbed his biceps.

What was going on?

I didn't know how long I stood there watching another girl being intimate with my mate but the art teacher announcing her arrival forced me to look for another seat, in a daze.

That day went by in a blur, I couldn't recover from what I saw in art class. There I was, scampering about, trying to make my mate bond with me but there was a possibility that he might be taken.

Was that why he had been avoiding me?

I was mated with a taken man?

I chuckled bitterly at how messed up everything was.

"Lia?" Madison called out, looking worried.

"I'm fine Maddie."

"You've been saying that like an AI robot but there's something obviously wrong. What is going on? You've been acting weird." Danielle who just arrived beside her asked.

The incident happened two days ago and I've been in a state of shock since then.

"Jon, tell her she's been acting weird." 

I glanced at Jonathan, "Jon, when did you get here? And where's Nadine?"

"Like an eternity ago, Lia. Did you zone out again? And why are you asking me where Nadine is?"

Madison scoffed, "Because we all know y'all are so in love with each other."

A muscular shoulder bumped into mine, making me whimper, before I could scream in agreement with Maddie. 

The distinctive scent of sandalwood mixed with vanilla and caramel blew past my nostrils again.

No matter how many times I perceived this scent, I never got sick of it. It was a perfect combination.

"Watch where you're going." Zayne growled at me.

Maybe it was the anger that he was the one who was not watching his steps and bumped into me and he still had to growl at me.

Maybe it was the frustration of having sleepless nights for four nights straight because of his werewolf ass.

Maybe it was because of the image of Kendall kissing and caressing my mate that wouldn't leave my head.

Which ever reason it was, I didn't think it twice before blurting out the question that has been on mind for the past four days, in the middle of the school's hallway, "Why are you avoiding me?!"

"Zayne Marshall,why are you avoiding me?!" I repeated.