Come on Lexi, just Breathe! I kept reminding myself with every step I took closer.
The bracelet on my wrist rotating with every anxious fiddle of my fingers on the thin metal.
Two more steps and I would be inside the building. My new high school. My third high school.
We have moved county's twice this year. It's bad enough being the new kid, let alone being the new kid half way through the year. I just hoped I could keep to myself and be left alone. Only half a year left and I would be free. 18 and free to disappear, somewhere I wouldn't have to look over my shoulder. Where my secret wouldn't have to be a secret anymore. Somewhere I could be myself without fear. But I still had half a year to get through.
I managed to check in at the office and get my class schedule without being noticed. Not that there were many students in the office, but I could hear them all talking and laughing loudly outside the door.
I waited for the noise to calm down. Thinking the coast was clear I opened the door, only for it to stop moving and my forehead to collide with it.
'Ouch!'
'Oomph'
'I'm sorr…' I started to apologise to whom ever I had run into when my breath caught in my throat. Bright blue eyes seared back into my own. The sculpted face surrounding them equally as beautiful, decorated with the most sultry, full, softest pair of lips I have ever seen with the perfect shade of pink.
I startled, realising I had been staring. Shaking my head as if to clear it.
'I am so sorry, I didn't hear anyone coming.'
I raised my eyes back to his noticing his ever so slightly raised eyebrow.
'Hmmm' was the only response I was given before he sauntered away.
Even as his muscled back retreated from me. I could not stop myself from staring. Once again I shook my head clear and blew out the breathe I had been holding too long.
'Welcome miss Alexis' the English teacher greets me as I enter the classroom.
I bow my head hoping no one is paying attention.
'It's Lexi' I respond
'My apologies, you may take a seat at the back table. Being half way though the school year we have covered a lot already so if you get lost please see me after class and we will see to catching you up'
Keeping my head down, I walked toward the back of the class. I feel eyes on me as I approach the back table. Lifting my eyes slightly I see where the eyes burning into my skin are coming from. I hesitate, only slightly, as I sit down next to the only person I would recognise. You don't easily forget the most beautiful face you have ever seen, especially when you had embarrassed yourself by hitting them with a door.
'Lexi'
To anyone else it would have been barely audible. To me it was intoxicating. The deep smooth voice with a hit of raspiness in some letters, like a dark chocolate, smooth with that bite at the end.
My name almost sounded like a contemplation, testing it on his tongue like it might answer an unknown question.
I tried not to let the hitch in my breath show. The way my name sounded rolling off his tongue made my knees weak. I'm glad I was sitting down.
I tried to ignore the heat on my leg radiating from his own in the seat next to me.
I turned away to get my books from my bag, taking a deep breath to settle my racing heart. As I suck in the air I desperately need, I cant help but take in the scent of him. His own unique mix of coffee, apples and the forest.
I love that earthy, damp dirt and grass smell. The smell of my favourite part of the day, my 5am run in the forest behind my house. That had been my favourite part of moving here. Well the only good part actually.
Everyone had their own smell, beyond the perfume or hair products they use. Under all of that, they all were different. Some nicer than others.
But his scent seemed to cling to my nose, like it didn't want to leave. And I wasn't complaining.
The class had been easy. I had already learnt what they were working on so I spoke to the teacher and was given the next unit of work.
The whole class I swear I could feel his eyes searing my skin. I managed to keep my eyes on my work and not give in to the temptation of looking at him. I still didn't know his name and decided it was better that way. I didn't need to know anyone, I just needed to finish school and I would be leaving. That was my present to myself. Starting over one last time.
My 18th birthday was 2 weeks before school finished. I have plenty of money thanks to the Jobs I have worked at my last 2 temporary locations and the money my grandma left me when she passed a year ago.
It had been hard leaving her. And when she passed 2 months later I was heartbroken and regretted leaving her alone. But there was no choice. People had discovered my secret and wanted me gone. Or worse.
I managed to make it to my locker with out anyone noticing me. So far so good. Until a hand landed on the locker next to mine and hot breath hit the back of my neck and left ear. I cringed at the smell of cigarettes, aniseed and what I can only describe as rubber gloves.
'Your pretty, must be new' drawled the almost too deep voice behind me.
His body pressed against my back. Making me feel slimy and queasy. This guy was bad news.
'Please leave me alone' I tried to sound quiet and timid hoping he would leave me alone.
It didn't work.
He leaned harder into my back pushing my chest against the lockers. The closer he got the more alert I was. I clenched my fist and gritted my teeth to stop myself from doing something I would regret.
Instead I layed my hand flat against the locker and pushed back against him, not with all of my force but quickly. He hand expected the sudden push against him which sent him tripping backwards over his own crossed feet.
I turned around with a glare to find him smirking at me. Great now he thought this was a game. He lowered his head, still smirking at me through his eyelids as he took a step toward me. I steadied my stance ready to push him away again when a large strong hand gripped my waist and started leading me away. Without looking I knew who it was as his scent hit my nose. I wanted to melt into his touch but was too confused about what was happening.
I stopped abruptly after we turned the corner in the hall
'What are you doing'?
'Stay away from him' the handsome face drawled without meeting my eyes.
'No shit. I can take care of myself.' I frowned at the stranger in front of me.
His eyes flashed with surprised so quick most people wouldn't notice. But I wasn't most people.
His eyes slid to my lips, which now felt like they were on fire.
'What's your name'? I asked, trying to sound calm and sweet
He kept staring at my lips with no response to my question.
'I'm sorry I went off, you took me by surprise that's all'
I wanted to hear his voice again, almost felt like I needed it.
'See you around Alex'
'It's Lexi' I frowned after him as he walked away.
I huffed out a breath walking back to me locker. Relieved to find the pushy guy had moved on.
The rest of the day went by in a blur. I was already ahead in my classes due to the online studying I had been doing the past few months during the drama and moving the last thing I had wanted was to get behind in school and have to study longer.
I scuffed my feet on the mat as I entered my new home. It was a nice house, probably the nicest I had lived in. But that didn't matter, I wouldn't be here long. All of the house around here looked fancy, I wondered if everyone here was rich. We weren't rich by any means but we weren't struggling thanks to my parents jobs. I would nee to find a job soon to give myself as much savings as possible before leaving.
This house rooms in this house were larger than most houses I had seen. Like there was room for larger crowds or.. people..
Dinner dragged on with my mum asking question after question about my day.
'How are your classes, are the people nice, did you make any friends'
Every question got the same answer they always did.
'Classes are fine, people seem fine, I don't want friends'
Her last question grazed a nerve.
'Any sign of your mate'?
'Mum! This is a human town I'm not going to fin my mate, plus in not 18 yet I wouldn't know if I did. And you know I don't want a mate' I declared with more attitude than I intended.
'Some of us find our mate as early as a year before our 18th birthday. If our strong enough and they are close you will be able to sense the bond. It just may not be so intense until it's acknowledged.'
I rolled my eyes and didn't respond.
In pushed around the food on my plate for another 10 minutes before Id had enough of my mums stares. My dad never got involve when my mother and I bickered. Said no one could get in the way of two head strong women with a point to prove and he would rather not lose a limb trying.
I stood from the table picking up my plate.
'I'm going for a run' it was 8pm and had been dark for 2 hours
'Do you want me to come with you? We'd haven't been here long and don't know how safe it is' my dad offered.
'No its okay, thank you. I wont go far'
'Okay. Keep the link open and yell if anything happens'
'Of course'
I rinsed my plate, sitting it on the sink before heading upstairs to my room.
My room was huge with its own walk in closet that led to an ensuite. I enjoyed having my own bathroom but really didn't need all of this space. I made a habit of not having a lot of belongings aside from a handful of my favourite books so moving was always easy. Since we often had to do it in a hurry.
I grabbed my most comfortable tshirt, which was 4 sizes too big, and slipped it over my head removing my bra underneath. I let out my hair looking in the mirror. I needed a hair cut, it was now reaching past my bottom and if I didn't put it up I would sit on it which always hurt. I should buy a hair dye tomorrow. My natural colour was bright silver which always caught too much attention so I dye it blonde. My regrowth was getting too long and needed a touch up.
My body had really filled out since my last birthday, my curves were very defined and I had developed a large chest and full hips. Buying clothes to fit my figure was difficult these days.
I slipped off my jeans and headed for the back door.
There was a pleasant warm breeze that smelled of wild flowers and Forrest. After a deep breath I pulled the tshirt over my head and layed it over the bush by the door. The back of our house was only steps away from the trees which only left me exposed for a few seconds.
One more breath of he fresh air and my bones started there popping rhythm, fur started coating my skin and my teeth elongated from my gums. A blink later and I felt like myself, my true self.
I loved my wolf form. I felt so free. There was no secrets, nothing to hide or be afraid of.
My wolf Aurora howled at the moon. She was always excited to be let out and feel the wind in our fur, the ground beneath our paws.
She took off at an amazing speed, eager to explore this new land. Jumping over roots, dashing around trees through the dense Forrest.
We had been running for what felt like an hour when she found a stream and stopped to take a drink. Aurora lapped at the fresh water that made its way to us from the mountain above when her hackles suddenly rose and she stilled.
Our eyes had razor focus as she sniffed the air searching for what make her feel uneasy. Across the wide stream, trying to stay hidden behind a bunch of small trees was a pair of glowing eyes, watching us. The breeze blowing from behind us kept their scent hidden.
With a snarl that warned pain if they came any closer, Aurora took a few calculated steps backwards before taking off at record speed in the opposite direction to the glowing eyes.
When she was certain we had not been followed we headed for home.
Tossing on my tshirt I had left outside I stomped into the living room where my father was working and my mother reading while sipping s cup of coffee.
'Are there other wolves here'? I demanded
Both parents looking up at me with wide eyes
'Are there other werewolves here you haven't told me about? Is that why you were asking about mates at dinner'?
I was flustered and confused. That couldn't have been another werewolf. Could it? This was human lands. There was no packs here.
My parents glanced at each other. Like they were having a private conversation with their eyes. I knew they weren't using their mind link because their eyes were clear.
My dad tipped his head to the side in a shrug and mum huffed a breath.
My eyebrows raised in realisation. There was something they weren't telling me.
'What is it'?
'Hunny' my mother spoke first
'We are about 50 miles from the Blood Moon Territory'
My mouth dropped open
'You mean to tell me, you moved us within walking distance of the biggest pack in the country? What if they have people watching us, what if they find out what I am?'
My mind was swirling with a million questions. Panic rising in my throat.
'Sweetheart take a breath. Everything will be fine. They know we are here and know we are no threat. As long as we stay on our own property when we run everything will be fine. That's why we bought a place with so much land. And the long driveway keeps us hidden from prying human eyes also so we will be safe here. There is nothing to worry about.'
As my father spoke my panic calmed. He always had that effect on me. Though it didn't stop my anxiety from raising more questions.
'Now off to bed for you. You have school tomorrow.'
'Okay dad. Goodnight.'
'Goodnight' my parents said in unison. As they always did.
Sleep did not come easy.