Jealousy and stuff shouldn't be a part of love. It should be about commitment and trust. If you can't have that from the start, then there's a problem. I knew fully well that I shouldn't be jealous when my relationship with Caleb was one-sided. He didn't even know I was a lycan.
Still, the idea that he'd fall in love with someone else made me sick to my stomach. I was actually kind of glad we didn't share fourth period, because it was the class I had with Zoe Taylor. Now that I know she gave Caleb her number, I don't want to see them together.
I'd never felt jealous of anyone, so it was weird for me. I sat in my regular seat at the back of the class. Despite trying to keep my gaze on the window, I became hyper-aware of Zoe as soon as she entered the room. Like me, she walked to the back of the room and took a seat next to her best friend Sabrina. Normally she wouldn't sit there, so I wondered if it was just happenstance.
I've never felt such distaste for someone in my life. I twisted my face into a grimace and turned away, but I saw Zoe glance over at me out of the corner of my eye.
When Zoe spoke, it sounded like summer rain, soft and inviting, but today it engulfed me like jagged glass. "I think it's Dianthe, right?"
I could see why he would be attracted to her. By human standards, she was gorgeous, with long, dark chocolate brown hair and long legs. Her big, round, hazel eyes were more blue than mine, and they were as big as a doe's. Though she was pretty, I knew she was a vicious asshole.
My eyes glazed over as I looked at the clock on the wall. We had a late teacher so I had no choice but to tolerate Zoe's chattiness. She grinned at me and I sighed.
"That's right," I said, trying not to sound cold.
"I was just telling Sabrina what a nice name that is," Zoe replied.
Sabrina said, "You were?" I could tell she was confused by the way her brows lifted.
Zoe shot her a glare I didn't miss. The dawn of realization sank into Sabrina's mousy face and her eyes widened. "That's right," Sabrina laughed sheepishly, rubbing her arm nervously, "We were just talking about how unique it is."
Zoe was obviously grasping for conversation starters, and I could tell by their mannerisms that they weren't really talking about my name. I sighed inwardly and looked at Zoe, who was smiling expectantly at me.
"Thanks," I muttered.
Zoe's angelic face was laced with mischief as Sabrina's eyes darted between mine and hers. She narrowed her eyes at me, assessing my reaction, and blurted out, "I hear you're friends with that cute kid."
I knew she was talking about Caleb.
As I stared at Zoe's flawless face, my heart twinged in my chest. I knew deep down I could never compete with her. She wasn't just beautiful, she was human. That made me even more jealous. Envious of her beauty, envious of her humanity. Envious of her ability to get with Caleb. I could picture them together, and what a beautiful couple they would be.
As tears threatened to spill down my cheeks, I nodded slowly and blinked them away.
"Caleb?" I asked softly, knowing full well that was who she meant.
"Yes, Bait Dog," she said, twisting her lips into a smirk.
I glanced down at my desk and swallowed hard. I felt a grimace pull at the corner of my mouth as I remembered the small piece of paper with her number in Caleb's pocket. I couldn't stop Caleb from liking Zoe. I didn't want them together, but I wasn't delusional enough to think nobody could have him if I couldn't have him.
I looked up and squinted at Zoe. Even though I didn't like her, she was better suited to him than I was.
"We're friendly acquaintances," I replied honestly, watching as her big, radiant eyes flickered in surprise. "I don't have his phone number or anything like that."
Her look at Sabrina this time was uncertain, so she must've been taken aback by my reply. "Well, um," Zoe stumbled, glancing back at me, "I thought you guys were closer. Um, I heard him talk about you in third period."
I looked for signs of deception on her face. I didn't see any. So I asked, "What was he saying?" As soon as I asked, Zoe's eyes narrowed and a frown replaced her mischievous smirk. At that moment, I knew she knew there was a connection between us, and my heart dropped.
"He was talking about this weird chick who stalks him around and makes him carry his books," she explained nastily. "I asked who... and he said Dianthe... and the only person I know with that name is you."
Instantly pissed off. Sensing my sudden rage and tension, Sabrina shrank back in her seat. As I straightened my back and glared at her, Zoe flinched, too. Caleb really said that? Is that how he views me? My canines were sharpening in my mouth, and I struggled to keep myself from shifting.
I growled, gnashing my teeth. "Did he really say that? Or are you trying to make me an enemy?"
Zoe stared at me, wide-eyed and scared. My animalistic hostility could be seen in her eyes as I glared at her. Did Caleb really say that? I stood up and loomed over the two girls, feeling fur sprout along my spine beneath my T-shirt. The rest of the class turned around and looked at me with the same uneasy expressions they reserved for Brynner. Embarrassed that I let my emotions get the best of me, I sat back down, conscious of their stares.
Zoe licked her lips nervously as she looked at Sabrina.
"I didn't think you were that sensitive," she muttered under her breath.
Keeping my gaze fixed on her face, I brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear. Maybe I was too sensitive. Caleb and I weren't close. He was free to feel how he wanted... but it was Zoe, though. She might have been lying and he never told her that about me.
"I don't know why you're trying to start a fight with me," I said coldly as our teacher finally arrived. "He's all yours. I know you gave him your number."
Zoe's face blushed with anger and embarrassment. In an effort to recover from her embarrassment, she snorted obnoxiously. "It's true," she shrugged, dropping her crafty persona to be more direct, "I like him. So, if you know what's best for you, stay away."
As the teacher told us to quiet down and open our textbooks, I rolled my eyes at her. I got another menacing look from Zoe before she turned around to face the rest of the class. I looked out the window and took a deep breath to calm myself down.
Even though I knew I shouldn't let her get under my skin, it was a struggle when my emotional attachment kept me on the forefront when it came to Caleb. There was a chance he really said that stuff about me... Why should I care? Zoe was right about one thing: if I knew what was right for me, I'd stay away. She's like Brynner in that way.
As I remembered Brynner and me earlier in the woods, I blushed. Was I crazy? What was with my awkward embrace? And why didn't he give me a hug back? Even though our relationship was toxic and volatile, there were times when I got the feeling we were friends. Maybe Zoe was right about Caleb calling me weird. I was very weird and embarrassing in the woods.
Grumbling, I buried my face in my hands.
The rest of the fourth period passed without incident. Zoe and Sabrina were the first ones out when class ended, probably to beat me to Caleb's side. I didn't care, even though there was a part of me that did.
After gathering my things, I left the classroom and stepped out into the hallway. Judas was waiting for me outside his locker, which was across the hall from my last period class.
When I approached him, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and said, "Hey, sis. I just got a text from Griffin telling me there's a pack meeting tonight."
I frowned, looked at Judas' phone and asked, "What?" I didn't get a message from Alpha Griffin. Or did I? As I turned away from Judas' phone, I reached into my pocket to retrieve mine -- only to find it missing. EECH!
Jude saw my look of alarm. "Your phone's missing?"
As I groaned, I patted my pocket a few times to make sure it was empty. My phone is definitely missing. Argh. Trying to remember when I might have lost it, I remembered hugging Brynner in the woods once more. I wonder if I dropped it then?
"Today's the worst," I groaned under my breath.
"Yea, probably," Jude said, as he looked down at his phone, probably rereading the message Griffin group-texted. "I'm pretty sure this meeting tonight is about you and Peter."
My shoulders slumped. Griffin wasn't kidding when he said the pack would form with or without Peter. My new mate was probably going to be announced tonight.
"What time is the meeting?" I asked.
"Midnight," Jude answered, slipping the phone back into his pocket. "At the Main House."
If it was at the Main House, that meant older pack members would be there too. My chest tightened at the thought of it all. The mate Griffin chose for me was definitely part of the older pack and the thought made me sick to my stomach.
Jude looked at me with concern. As I remembered my position in the pack, I wiped the distaste from my face and gave him a reassuring smile.
"Hopefully he will be as kind as Pea," I said wryly.
"Who?" Jude asked.
Suddenly, I realized Judas had no idea what had transpired the night of Peter's accident and the conversation I had with Griffin, Carmela, Brynner, and Carmela that night. Totally unaware that the formation of the new pack was going to continue as usual, but with a new alpha male. My mouth went dry as I looked at his confused face.
"There you are, Dee!" Caleb's voice rose from behind us, as pleasant as it was unwelcome in that moment.
Jude and I exchanged glances before facing him. Caleb was struggling with his book-bag when he crossed the hall over to us. I reached out and grabbed it from him, and he gave me a look of relief and gratitude.
"Thanks Dee," he said breathlessly, wincing as he adjusted his arm sling strap. "That hurt like hell."
"Who are you?" Jude asked idly.
Caleb glanced at Judas like he hadn't seen him before. "Oh, um, I'm Caleb Knight. I just moved here." Caleb extended his intact hand out for Judas to shake. But like all the wolves in the group, Judas scoffed at his gesture.
"I'm Jude, Dianthe's brother," Judas said, glancing over at me.
Caleb asked, "Her brother?" He seemed surprised. Honestly, I didn't blame him. We didn't look alike at all.
Judas nodded and I ruffled his hair like he was a kid. I said, "Yep, I'm his big sister," and then added, "He's the only Shorrock in this school who I'm actually related to by blood."
Judas swatted my hand away, probably wondering why I'm bothering to be so open with some random human. Instead of looking at him, I smiled at Caleb, who looked confused.
"Well, we better get to class," I said, hoping Caleb would get the hint that I didn't want to keep introducing him to my little brother. Caleb nodded as he glanced at his watch.
As I turned to wave goodbye to Judas, I noticed his suspicious expression. Judas didn't know Caleb was the hunter, but I didn't want to risk him finding out right now. Anyone else in the pack would be too much to handle.
"I'll catch you later, Jude," I said, gesturing for Caleb to follow me.
"I'll catch you later," Judas said, shooting a look at Caleb before walking to class.