chapter 4

I get to the lobby just in time for Heather and Amber to pull my arms towards the theater. They already got popcorn, drinks and Mike and Ike’s. They are my favorite candy. They really know how to turn my moods around. I am so glad they are my friends. The movie is already starting so we quickly find some seats in the middle. I plop down in my seat and realize that Luke is in the seat next to me. Well played girls. I just smile at him apologetically and he nods at me before lifting the armrest between us. I lay my head on his shoulder relieved that he isn't upset with me. It's halfway through the movie, and Colin just showed up with Victoria. They are arm in arm and she is giggling while he is nibbling her neck. Ugh I could vomit looking at that. He can obviously sense me because he is now looking up at me. He lets go of her arm slightly and guides her to their seats just a few rows in front of us. I can tell he is not happy about me cuddled up to Luke, but he won't say anything. Victoria still doesn't know apparently. The movie is now almost over and I have been shooting daggers at the both of their heads since they sat down. I have barely been able to pay attention to my favorite movie. Luke just rubbed my back the whole time. He knows how much it is hurting me. Colin dismissed most of Victoria’s PDA attempts but gave in to a few. Every kiss on the cheek and caress sank my heart. Finally, the movie is over. I loudly tell the girls I am tired and that I am now heading to my room. I tell Luke he can walk me back if he’d like to. You would think Colin is the exorcist the way his neck just spun around. So I laugh and take Luke's hand, leading him out of the theater. Colin and I both know he can’t react without causing suspicion from Victoria and the rest of the pack house.

When we get to the lobby Luke lets go of my hand and stops walking.

“You can’t use me like this Ellie, it isn’t fair to me you know. I can tell what you are doing, and I understand you’re hurting but don’t toy with my emotions for the sake of getting back at him. I’m friends with him too and I’m going to be his Beta. We can’t hate each other.”

“I know, I’m sorry for that and for what happened in my room earlier. Our emotions got the best of us and it went too far. Please forgive me, I can’t lose you as my best friend.”

“I already have forgiven you, you know that.” He pulls me into his arms and hugs me tightly. I’m so lucky he’s my best friend.

He walks me to my room and kisses my forehead before telling me goodnight and closing the door. School will be interesting tomorrow.

I wake up early and ready for training. It is Monday, so it's training day for the girls of the pack. Most of them don’t care enough to try too hard and the ones that do are typically a little weak, so I don’t feel like I get too much out of Monday’s. I’ve told this to my dad but he insists I train with the girls as well as the boys for socialization. Oh well, at least I get to hang out with Amber and Heather.

It's now lunch time and I don’t want to eat in the cafeteria. I know that Colin and Victoria will be eating together or making out the entire time and I don’t want to lose my appetite. I walk to the clearing in the woods and sit peacefully eating my sandwich and listening to music. I finish my lunch and I still have over 20 minutes left until study hall and then there is another 45 minutes until my next class.

"let's run Ellie!" Leia has been begging me all weekend, but we haven't had time with all the drama.

"Okay!" I undress and shift making sure no one is around, and then let her take control. I know she needs the freedom as much as I do right now. She shakes out her fur and starts playfully jumping around. Suddenly she sees a bunny and darts off after it. She chases it for a few minutes, not wanting to kill it, but just having fun. I smile at her. It's nice seeing her so happy. It gets away and her ears perk up.

“Someone is here with us Ellie” she hunkers down on all fours to listen and get a better view of our surroundings.

A light brown wolf slowly comes out of the trees and makes his way towards us in the clearing. His eyes are Hazel and I know immediately it's Colin's wolf, Devon. The wind blows and I catch a whiff of his scent, yep it’s him. Leia closes the space between us and turns her head to the side admiring him. We can’t mind link because we haven’t mated yet. I say yet, but let’s be honest. He will probably reject me before that happens.

Devon rubs his head against Leia’s body and sniffs her a few times while licking his snout. I can’t believe she’s letting him do this. She's such a sellout.

I have had enough, so I turn around towards a tree. I can feel Devon behind me so I let out a low growl telling him not to follow me. I shift behind the tree and get dressed. When I walk back around I look at him and fold my arms across my chest. His wolf is just as handsome as he is and those eyes are even more dreamy.  I quickly shake my head at the thoughts. They are totally Leia's.

“Shift.” I tell him sternly.

He does, but without going anywhere. So there he is, completely naked, right in front of me. Oh my goddess the size of him is enormous. How can that ever fit into someone. I gulp audibly and Leia starts panting her approval in my head. He must know what I am looking at because I hear him chuckle. I look back up at his eyes, still folding my arms.

“Your wolf is just as beautiful as you are Ellie, and by the smell of you, and where your eyes just were I can tell you like what you see as well.”

Goddess he’s so smug, which is both irritating and a turn on.

“Thank you, your wolf is quite handsome. Even if he is yours.” I am not convincing at all and it just makes him laugh even more.

“Could you please put some clothes on now? Why are you even out here and where is your girlfriend?” Irritation is practically dripping from my voice.

He laughs at me while he turns around to get a backpack. he reaches in to get his black gym shorts and puts them on. When he turns back around he starts walking towards me. With every step I he takes I take one backwards. Not today Satan, not today.

“Ok, I get it. I will stay here then. Just hear me out. I looked for you at lunch and didn’t see you so I asked Luke where I could find you and he said this is your favorite spot to get away. I watched you dance to your music and heard you singing. When I knew you were ok I was about to go back in when I saw you undress and shift. Your wolf looked so carefree and happy that Devon demanded he run with her and meet her. I couldn’t say no, and I’m glad I didn’t. He has fallen in love with your wolf already Ellie. She really is pretty and so are you, Your body is perfect by the way. You look like a Goddess when you’re naked.” His smile is like a lovestruck puppy, but I'm not buying it.

The truth is, Leia fell in love with Devon as well. It brakes my heart because I know she can’t be with him since Colin doesn’t want to be with me. I can’t say anything or look at him any longer without my heart shattering more than it already has. His words and his actions are just too confusing.

“I can’t keep seeing you with Luke Ellie, I’m not able to control myself or Devon because I know about your history together. I've seen you two in our room, and after last night. Ugh, you know he’s my best friend and he'll be my Beta. I don’t want to lose him, but I’ll end up killing him if he touches you sexually again.”

“Woah! First of all, he’s my best friend as well and he’s not going anywhere. Second, you don’t get ANY say in the matter of who touches me sexually when you personally can’t keep your hands off of Victoria. Don’t you remember telling me that you were going to break up with her. Well, you obviously haven't!” I can’t help the tears that are now falling from my eyes.

His demeanor instantly changes.