I break the connection. Oh My God! That can't be true, I can't be his mate. I am not a werewolf or vampire even though I can shift into a wolf, I do not have an inner wolf to claim. According to Jason, when mates lay their eyes on each other, their inner wolves or inner vampires will claim each other as their mates. Since I don't have an inner wolf, there is no one for Lupus to claim. This must just be a misunderstanding. He has it all wrong.
I see Nix eyes turn back to normal and he shifts into his human form.
"Sorry about Lupus, I don't know what has his riled up right now."
"It's fine," I say, "are you just going to stand there or are you coming in"
"Our clothes are going to be soaking wet though."
He clearly hasn't noticed our clothes on the ground.
"Well, if you go in just your underwear like we are, the clothes won't be soaking wet," I say.
A growl rumbles in Nix's chest, "you are both just in your underwear?" he spits out.
"Dude, chill. We are just swimming, come on," Jason invites.
Nix huffs and takes off his shirt and shorts. Wow, he has a perfectly sculpted eight pack and very toned arms. I have to say, he is one fine specimen. He jumps in splashing all of us.
'Oh, it's on. Can I please shift into a dolphin Chara, Please?'
'I guess he will figure it out eventually, why not.'
'Yay!'
I nudge Jason's shoulder and whisper, "Zane is turning into a dolphin be prepared to swim away when he splashes Nix."
He nods in response. I see Zane getting ready and I grab Jason's arm. Zane shifts in the water and jumps up to begin splashing Nix in the face, repeatedly. Jason and I swim as fast as we can across the lake. We stop when we reach some rocks and we climb up onto them.
"Where do you think Zane and Nix are?" Jason asks.
"No clue, let's just enjoy the peace and quiet while it lasts. That brother of yours never stops growling."
"Yeah, I am not sure why."
He is lying to me; I think Nix told him that he thinks I am his mate.
"Yeah, sure."
He gives me a questioning book. I brush it off though.
"We should probably head back since I have to walk, and it is getting late."
"You could just teleport back while Nix and I run."
"I guess, but what if someone tries to attack you and you have to go back to your dorms. I will walk you back to the boy's dorm and then go to the girl's dorm. I want the fresh air anyway."
"Okay, we should get going then."
With that we slip back into the water and swim over to where we left Nix and Zane. Nix is gone and I only see Zane laying on the grass.
'What happened Zane? Are you okay?'
'I am fine, I don't know where Nix went though. I think he is looking for you guys.'
'Well, we are here. We are going to walk back to the dorms and if he isn't here, he can find his way back, I guess.'
'Okay, I guess we can leave without Nix.'
'You okay Zane? You seem a little off.'
'Yeah, I am fine. We will talk later okay?'
'Yeah ok...'
Someone picks me up from behind me and out of instinct, I give them a second-degree burn.
"Ow!"
"Nix? What the hell? Did you not learn from last time to not sneak up on me?"
"Guess not."
I sigh and climb out of the water. I hear a purr coming from behind me and I turn around expecting it to be Zane, but to my surprise it is Nix.
"Are you purring?" I ask him.
"No," he denies.
"Yeah, okay."
I throw on my shirt and shorts and I turn around to see Nix and Jason dressed and Zane back to his retriever.
"Alright, lets head out. I want to be back at the dorm in time for bed."
I hear Jason let out a chuckle, "you and your bed."
"Yup, we have a very serious relationship. I always have a goodnight sleep because of my bed."
Jason laughs and Zane does as well. Nix's face is all scrunched and he is looking into space, most likely talking to his wolf.
"Come on," I say walking away with Zane and Jason by my side.
Nix doesn't seem to notice we have left yet, that is until I hear him call out, "wait up!"
He catches up in no time, walking next to Zane.
"You guys seem to have bonded," I laugh seeing Nix pat Zane on the head.
"Yeah, you could say that," Nix replies.
'I will explain at another time,' Zane responds to my puzzled look.
'You better.'
Zane gives me a slight nod. We walk the rest of the way to the boy's dorm in silence just enjoying the quiet nature. I walk them up to the front door.
"Well, goodnight," I say to the boys.
I give Jason a hug and tell him I will see him tomorrow. A growl escapes Nix's mouth.
I am getting tired and I decide to grab Zane's collar and teleport us to my room in the girl's dorm.
I woke up before my alarm today and decide to get ready and leave early.
'How about we go for a run before class? You can change into your wolf again.'
'Sounds like fun.'
I get dressed into a pair of jeans and a light sweater. Zane and I head out the door and we go into the forest. We run full speed through the forest laughing and having fun. I hear Zane let out a high-pitched cry and the next thing I know he is laying on the ground; unconscious. I look around, but I don't see anyone. I haven't successfully used my other powers in wolf form yet. I am suddenly hit hard on the head and everything goes black.
I wake up next to Zane on a cold, hard floor in a cell. I am still in my wolf and so is Zane. I decide to stay like this until I figure out what is going on. Someone walks into the cell and starts yelling. It's Nix.
"Change back!" He says using his alpha command.
I shake my head.
"You need to tell me who you are, and what you did with Kate."
I give him a confused look; what does he mean?
"I can smell her all over you and your friend here. She isn't at school, so tell me where she is and what you did with her!"
I shake my head again; I cannot tell him I have more than three powers. I should link Liam.
'Um...Liam?'
'Yes Chara?'
'Zane and I are in a cell. I believe Nix knocked us out and brought us here. Is there anything you can do, or should I fight my way out?'
'Why did he knock you guys out?'
'We were running in a wolf form and may have come close to your territory. Sorry.'
'It's fine, he would be the only one to do that anyway. I will be there in a minute.'
'Thanks.'
Now we wait. Nix looks like he is getting angry, I look over at Zane.
'Are we fighting or what?' Zane asks.
'Liam is on his way.'
'Awe, I was hoping on a good fight.'
'Maybe another time Zane.'
I feel a sharp pain hit me in my side, Nix gave me a sharp, strong kick. I whimper.
"Change back!" he uses his alpha voice.
I shake my head and Zane does the same. He kicks me again.
"Where is she?" he shouts.
I just lay there on the ground as he continues to kick me a few times. I finally hear the door open and Liam walks in as Nix kicks me.
"Nix, stop it!" Liam's voice booms throughout the cell.
"Why? They did something to Kate, and they trespassed on our territory."
"What makes you think they did something the Kate?"
"I can smell her on them, and Jason says she isn't at school. They both refuse to shift back, and my alpha command doesn't work. Wait, how did you know I was here?"
"Someone linked me to tell me. These two can leave now, trust me when I say they have done nothing to Kate. You need to stop hurting them as we are allies with them. If you haven't noticed, the black wolf is huge, bigger than you and I. They are very powerful, and we need them on our good side."
Nix shoots me a look to properly take in my size, "Stand up."
I do as he says and I stand as tall as him, I can see shock in his eyes.
"Why didn't they fight back while in the cell?"
"Because as I said they are our allies and did not want to hurt you since hurting you, would get back to me."
Nix thinks about what Liam just told him.
'Zane, stand up we are leaving.'
Zane does as I say, and we make our way to the exit where Nix and Liam are standing. Both Zane and I bow our heads to Liam on the way out and keep walking all the way to the school. The whole way I can feel someone following us.
'Hey Chara, you know Nix is following us, right?'
'Yeah, I know. What should we do, I can't shift back with him here?'
'Maybe you will have to link him to tell him to leave.'
'Okay, hopefully he won't notice my voice.'
I think about what to say to him to get him to leave. I think I have an idea. We stop running and I turn around, making sure my voice resembles a male, and let out a low, threatening growl.
'Would you stop following us?'
He looks surprised.
'Why are you heading towards the school?'
I roll my eyes, 'we go there, idiot.'
He growls, 'you can't speak to me like that.'
'Just did, sorry bud. You should listen to Liam; you don't want to be on our bad side.'
'You will refer to him as Alpha or King!'
'He is okay with us calling him by his first name. Now, scurry off to school. Hopefully we won't see each other again.'
He huffs, but decides it would be best to leave, considering my size he probably doesn't want to get in a fight with me. I wait for a bit until both Zane and I agree that no one is close. I change back into a human and Zane changes into a gecko. I pick him up and put him in my hood. We set off to school, just in time for the last ten minutes of lunch. As I start walking, I feel my side burning and I lift my sweater to see both sides of my ribs are badly bruised. I don't have the privacy to heal them right now. I guess I will have to wait until school is over. Who would have guessed that bruised, possibly cracked ribs would make walking hurt so much? I walk into the cafeteria and find Jason. I wonder why Nix didn't go to find Jason.
"Hey Jason, sorry I am late. I overslept because my alarm didn't go off."
I wince as I sit down next to him.
"Are you okay Kate? Did someone hurt you?"
"Nope, perfectly fine, just slept wrong last night. How was your morning?"
"Boring as usual."
"Figures."
"You ready to go to class?"
"I am not feeling too well today, I think I am going to sit this one out."
"Okay, come on. I will walk you over to the changerooms."
"Thanks."
We walk over to the changerooms and I head out to the field in my regular clothes. I walk over to where Jack is standing and thankfully, he is alone.
"Kate! Why aren't you changed?"
"Um...I kind of got injured and I need to sit out today."
"How bad is it?" he asks, concerned.
I lift up my sweater to reveal black and purple bruises covering my ribcage.
"Oh my god! What happened?"
"It was a misunderstanding. Please don't mention it to anyone. Just tell them I am sick if they ask."
"Sure thing. Are you sure you don't need to talk about it?"
"Yes, I am sure."
"Okay."
I walk over to the bleachers and sit down as I watch other students arrive. Jason comes up to me asking me if I am okay. I assure him that I am fine and just need some rest. He goes back over to the group. I see Jason talking with a sad Nix when suddenly his face lights up and looks over in my direction. He walks over to me.
"Where have you been? I was worried sick! I thought two wolves hurt you."
'Nope, only one, and that was you, idiot,' Zane tells me causing me to laugh.
"I slept in and I am sick. I came in just for the last bit of the day. I am going to observe today and hopefully tomorrow I will be fine. Wait, why would you think two wolves hurt me?"
'Being clueless, I like it!'
'Shut up Zane.'
"Oh...well...I found two wolves trespassing on Riverwood territory and you didn't show up to school. So, I thought they may have hurt you."
"Nope, I was at the dorm the whole time."
"Well, I am glad you are okay."
He walks back over to the group and once they get started practicing Jack comes over to me.
"So, you want to talk about it?"
"No, at least not here where there are ears," I gesture to Nix.
"I see. You haven't told him anything?"
"No, not sure if I trust him yet."
"What about Jason, I see how you look at him. Anything going on between you two?"
I hear a growl, "no, we are just friends. Anyways, he has a mate out there somewhere."
"That is true. While you are here why don't you try to do something about your sickness," he winks to me.
"I will, thanks."
I put my hands under my sweater and place them onto my ribs. I feel my magic tingle throughout my body and then focus on my ribs. I feel burning and pain on my ribs. Whenever I have healed myself, this has never happened. I wince, something is off. I have to stop trying due to the pain and I lift up my sweater slightly to see it has not improved at all.
'Zane, any clue as to why I can't heal this?'
'Maybe it is due to the person who hurt you.'
'What do you mean?'
'I know you know you are his mate.'
'What? How could you know that?'
'I saw you reading his mind at the waterfall and I heard his thoughts in your mind. I can also communicate with him meaning it is true.'
'But it is impossible. I am not a wolf.'
'Well, sometimes wolves and vampires will have a mate with another race. It is rare; however, it happens.'
'I still don't believe it. I don't feel anything.'
'It will take time. From what I know though, if your mate injures you, you will heal at a normal rate. This applies for wolves and vampires as well.'
'So, since he is the once who caused this, it will heal normally?'
'Yes, I think we should go to the nurse. You need to get it wrapped to keep it in place since you see to have bruised and cracked ribs.'
'Great, just great.'
I look up to see Jack back on the field. I get up carefully to walk over to him. As I reach his he turns around.
"Are you okay?"
"Um...the thing won't work. I need to go to the nurse. Right now." I wince again grabbing my sides.
"Okay, you can go. Do you want someone to accompany you?"
"I will, come on Kate." Nix says, he is now standing beside me.
"No, I am going alone. I don't need to be escorted."
"I insist."
"And I said no," I look to Jack to get him to stay.
"You will stay here Nix, if she says she is okay to go by herself, then she will go by herself."
Nix growls. With that I leave while he is distracted talking to the teacher. I make it to the nurse without anyone following me. I wobble in.
"Hello?" I ask in a raspy voice.
I see the nurse at the desk, but I can't bring myself to talk over because of the pain.
"Ye...oh my gosh, what happened to you?"
"I don't want to talk about it. Can you just help me please?"
"Of course, let's sit you down," she helps me over to the bed.
"I am going to put a tenser bandage wrap around your torso after I do an x-ray, okay?"
"Okay, can you please lock the door and close the curtains? I don't want anyone knowing about this."
"I will do that," she walks over to the door to lock it and she closes the curtains.
"Thank you."
"It's okay, lets take that x-ray now."
After a few minutes the x-ray is done, and the nurse is looking at the photos.
From behind th desk, the nurse says, "I don't know how you are even walking at all. You have eight bruised ribs and out of those eight four are cracked and one is fractured."
"What is the healing time on this kind of thing?"
"Well, it will be six to eight weeks. I can find a healer in the school to heal it."
"No, that won't work. I have to wait for it to heal my itself."
"Why."
"I am sorry, but I can't say."
"Okay, I will bandage you up now and then I have to call the principal."
"Why?"
"Well, if there is a serious injury, I have to call him to call your parents."
"Well there is no need for that, considering I have never met my parents. There is no one for him to contact."
She is silent for a minute, "I am sorry for bringing it up."
"It's fine."
"You must have lots of rest to heal up, okay?"
"I understand."
There is no way I am lying in bed all day. I will just be as careful as I can while at school. School is over soon anyway, and I have to be here for the exams. After she finishes wrapping my torso, she gives me some Advil, I thank her, and leave to go back to the field. There is still fifteen minutes left of class and I have nothing better to do. I walk up to Jack and tell him that I am alright. He asks how long it will take to heal and I tell him six to eight weeks. He looks sad because I will not be able to participate in the final exam this year. He reassures me that missing the exam will not affect my mark in class since it is due to unforeseen circumstances. After our conversation, I make my way back to the bleachers to observe.
'How am I going to make an excuse for not participating for the rest of the week, Zane?'
'I have no clue, sorry Chara. All the excuses you can come up with wouldn't make sense as to why you are still attending school. If you tell people you cracked and broke your ribs, then Nix may find out.'
The class soon ends, Jason and Nix approach me.
"Are you okay?" Nix asks, a little too worried.
"I am fine, I just needed the nurse to check out my cold. She says it may be there for a while."
"When can you come back to class?"
"She told me that I won't be able to participate for the rest of the school year."
"No! I wanted to try to beat you again," Jason says with an overexaggerated frown.
"You will get another chance when I am better, don't worry," I chuckle.
"Are you sure you are okay? You looked like you were in a lot of pain," Nix says, concerned.
"I am fine. Don't worry about it. Jason, can you take me to your pack house, I need to talk with Liam."
"Of course."
"Liam?"
"Yes, your dad gave me permission to call him by his first name."
"That is odd, he doesn't let many people call him by his first name."
"Yeah, well, we have gotten to know each other a lot in the past few months."
"Mmhmm."
We begin to walk to the pack house; Nix is in his thoughts. Maybe I should have said Alpha Liam; too late now. Once we get there I walk in and Liam is in the entrance hall. I forgot to link him, so Jason must have.
"I will see you guys in a bit."
We go into Liam's office and he shuts the door behind me.
"Jason said you wanted to talk to me."
"I do, I am guessing Nix told you that he thinks he is my mate."
He looks shocked, "so you finally figured it out?"
"Well I found out by accident, I overheard him talking to his wolf when he was growling threateningly at Jason, Zane, and myself."
"Oh, sorry you found out that way. How do you feel about it?"
"I think it is a misunderstanding; however, right now it really sucks."
"Why is that?"
I lift up my shirt, "I have eight bruised ribs, four cracked, and one fractured and because of him thinking I am his mate, I can't heal it. I am going to be out of practice for six to eight weeks."
He just looks at me stunned. After a few moments he speaks up.
"I am so sorry about that. Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do. I will do my best to make sure it doesn't happen again."
"Thank you."
"I also wanted to ask if you had a place to stay over the summer break?"
"Am I not allowed to stay at the dorm?"
"No, all students must go home for the breaks."
"Welp, that will be hard for me considering I live in New Mexico and my uncle will be very mad at me for leaving all of a sudden. My cousin must be so happy I am gone."
"Sorry to hear that. You are welcome to stay here at the pack house in a guest room."
"If it won't be too much of a hassle, that would be great. Thanks."
"I should be going; I am sore and tired. Thank you for speaking with me."
"I hope I will see you soon. Goodbye."
"Bye," I say as I walk out of the room.
As I open the door, I see the boys just down the hall looking at me with concern. I really hope they didn't eavesdrop. I walk over to them.
"What?" I ask because of their facial expressions.
"Oh...um...nothing," Nix replies.
"I know it was something, did you guys eavesdrop?"
"That isn't possible," Jason states.
"Why is that?"
"The room is soundproof from werewolf hearing."
"Then why are you guys looking at me like that?" I say, annoyed.
"Well, we did see your bandages through the window of the office."
"Really? Why are you guys doing that? It was a private conversation that you had no right to watch!" I say in an angry tone.
"I am sorry, but what happened?" Nix asks.
"It was nothing, I just fell down the stairs and got a cracked rib. I will be fine."
"That doesn't sound fine. Why are the bandages covering your whole torso?"
"Just stop! Leave it, okay? It is none of your business."
"One more question, why don't you get a healer to help you?"
"Because I don't want help. I will deal with it until it heals. I am going back to the dorms. Bye," I storm out of the pack house, all the way back to the dorm.
This stupid injury makes it painful to use my powers. I am doomed if Aluca plans an attack. The next few days pass by normally; I attend school and go to classes as normal. During power practice, I work on homework and study for my exams. Today is the last day of school before summer break. It is exam day. Getting dressed is still painful and my ribs have not gotten any better pain wise, probably because I refuse to be on bedrest when I still have school. I put on a pair of jogging pants and a tank top. I head off to school, Zane asked to be left at the dorm so he can sleep in. I eat a fluffy blueberry muffin for breakfast on my route to the school. I head straight to my locker to grab my pencil case for the exams and head to history. I don't bother going to the cafeteria to meet up with Jason because my ribs hurt the more I walk, and I just want to go sit down.
"Good morning Ms. Trinity!"
"Good morning dear, are you ready for the exam?"
"I think so, I am going to go sit now."
I walk over to my desk and slowly sit down in the chair; I wince when I sit as pain shoots through my chest.
"Are you okay?" Ms. Trinity asks.
"I am fine, I hurt myself on Monday and it still hurts."
"What happened?"
"Oh nothing, I just slipped and fell down the stairs at the dorm, but I will be fine."
"Okay, just take it easy."
"Will do."
Not long later, the classroom is filled with students and the exam begins. After the exam is over, everyone packs up and heads to their next class. Math is going to be a breeze. I head to lunch after the math exam, I was right, it was easy. I slowly make my way to the cafeteria and sit down at the table, too sore to get food. I put my head down on the table and close my eyes trying to control the pain I am feeling.
"How are you feeling Kate?" I hear Nix ask in a soothing tone.
Without lifting my head, I reply groggily, "I am fine, don't worry about it."
"I can tell you are lying."
"How could you possibly know that?"
"I can hear your heartbeat love."
"Don't call me that."
"What?"
"Love. Just don't call me that."
"Why not?"
"That doesn't concern you."
I hear him sigh and he sits down next to me and puts a hand on my back.
"Ow! Don't touch me!"
He quickly removes his hand, "I am so sorry."
"Yeah, whatever."
"What has you all riled up?"
"Sleep deprivation and pain."
"Aha! So, you admit you are in pain!"
"Whoop-de-do, you figured it out after I just went off on you for touching me after saying ow. You are quite the detective."
"Geez, okay. Why are you sleep deprived?"
"Take a wild guess."
"Is the pain keeping you up?"
"Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner."
"Remind me never to be on your bad side. If this is how you act when you are sleep deprived, I can't imagine what you are like when you are angry."
"Can you please just shut up and let me sit in silence. Where is Jason?"
"Why do you want to know?"
"Because he is my best friend and much more fun to talk to than you right now."
I swear I can hear him whimper.
"Hey guys!" Jason says.
"Thank god."
"What's up with her?"
"Pain and sleep deprivation," Nix responds.
"And your brother's annoying questions," I add, mumbling.
"Come on let's get some food," Jason suggests.
"I am good, I don't feel like moving."
"I can grab you something," Nix offers.
"I'm not hungry," I spit out.
"Okay, we will be back," Jason says.
"Wouldn't hate it if you didn't come back."
"Sheesh," Jason says as he walks away.
I can't help, but he snappy right now. I am so exhausted, and I am in excruciating pain. I just have to get through one more class where I will lay down in front of the bleachers and sleep. Good idea, Chara. Great now I am praising myself. I wish Zane was here. The boys unfortunately come back and sit down on either side of me. Luckily, they don't ask me any more stupid questions. Soon enough it is time for power practice. I reluctantly walk to the back field and do as I promised. I lay down in front of the bleachers in the soft, freshly cut grass and close my eyes.
"How are you feeling today Kate?" It's Jack.
"Terrible. Tired. I am not in the best mood, so I apologize in advance."
He chuckles, "thanks for the heads up. I will come check on you later."
"Okay, no promises I will be awake," I mumble.
"Okay, that is fine."
He walks away. I keep my eyes closed and just listen to the sounds around me. After a few minutes of trying to fall asleep I hear someone stomping over to me.
"What the hell is wrong with you? Being your lazy self?"
"If I wasn't as tired and sore as I am right now, I would throw you across the field Britany."
"Like you could."
"Really, because I remember you never winning a fight against me."
She huffs in frustration, "I could beat you if I wanted to."
"I really dou..."
I am cut off by being thrown across the field with a huge gust of wind. I land on the ground hard and I hear a snap. A loud scream escapes my mouth and tears form in my eyes. I can't breathe. I start wheezing, I feel as if someone is choking me, but no one is there.
"Oh my god Kate! Are you okay?" I hear a male voice, but my head is pounding so hard I can tell who it is.
"I...can't...breathe," I wheeze.
"Take her to the nurse!" someone shouts and I feel arms lifting me up. It hurts like hell.
I go in and out of consciousness on the way to the nurse. I feel myself being put down on something hard.
"What happened to her?"
"Britany threw her across the field," a man says
"What is she doing at school? She should be resting with eight bruised ribs; four of them cracked and one fractured." I feel my shirt being lifted up, "oh no, two of her ribs are puncturing her left lung." We need a healer here, NOW!"
"How is she this hurt?" another man asks.
"She wouldn't say."
"Nix, calm down. You don't need a force shift."
"I can't calm down, someone hurt her!"
"Yes, we know. We all saw Britany throw her."
"No, before that. It couldn't have been caused by a fall down the stairs," a man spits out.
Someone bursts through the door, "what happened Jason?"
"She got badly injured."
"More than she already was?"
"Yes, Britany threw her across the field."
"Oh no. This isn't good."
"Why, what's wrong!"
"Nix, you need to leave and go for a run. I will update you on her condition, okay?"
"But..."
"No, go. Jason go with him."
"Okay, come on."
I hear the door shut, "her mate caused the original injuries, you can only heal the newly caused ones."
"This just got a lot more complicated and dangerous," the women says.
I black out as I hear the door burst open.