#and i yelled ‘destiny! you’re so sweet and cute!’ across in the middle of campus

[stonechild]

i’m not an extrovert i’m just nice

[angelynrostrand]

Chapter 17

Summary:  To the outside world, nothing should connect shy girl Angel Monroe and popular boy Xavier Hazelwood. But that isn't entirely true. They both hold secrets. Behind both of them lie 2 separate wolf packs. Xavier is well on his way to Alpha status and running the pack. Angel is not a wolf but instead the last healer in the world. When the realization comes forward that they are connected by destiny, will they decide to fulfill it? Is their connection predetermined by fate or will they choose their hearts? Lives and packs cross and mingle while romance and conflict brews. The story of 2 opposite souls on a collision path. Will destiny win out? Even the most innocent face, has the darkest secrets.

Word Count: 2,445

“Are you ready?” My brother asks.

“Yes, push the button.” As my brother does, the tv screen illuminates with a picture of my father in France. We were able to get a hold on him. It took a couple of hours, but we finally got through.

“Hello, father.” We both say. My father’s eyes seem to have sunk into his face, his hair is thinning, the dark bags under his eyes have increased. He doesn’t hold the smile he always gives me. It catches me off guard, so Eric speaks first.

“Please update me about yesterday's event,” My father says.

“Well...in those videos I sent you earlier, it shows the crowd attacking Angel. Then one man grabs Angel causing a bruise on her wrist that is now gone. I have communicated with multiple journalists. They have apologized about their actions, but they want to interview Angel,” my brother states.

“Absolutely not. No one is doing any interviews!” My father yells through the audio speakers, causing us to jump slightly.

“I thought you would say so. That’s why I already declined them,” My brother says. My head snaps towards him. Why did he decline them without my input? I would never do that to them. I hate the spotlight, but I would like him to ask me before deciding for me. And interviews? This is the first I am hearing about this and of course he must report it to our father before telling me. I understand as an Alpha he has a duty to always report to his Elders but still, I am his sister. “Since she is still a minor, they cannot interview her, or talk to her without your consent. If they do, then we can sue them.”

“What about Ramon Sliva? The reporter who attacked Angel. Any news?” My father asks as he looks down at his own documents for reference. My head moves back and forth between the two men. They clearly do not need me. I still hold my tongue and wait like an obedient child, like I have been trained and told to do for years.

“I discovered he doesn’t have a direct company he works for, but both us and the school can report him for assault. It did happen on the school campus.”

 I break my silence. “No.” It came out a bit harsher than I meant. “I mean...umm...sorry I didn’t mean to yell. But I think we should just leave it. It will cause more drama for the news to capture. I’m fine. I’m not hurt. The bruise is already healed and I really just want to go back to normal.”

“Angel, he hurt you and we need to teach him a lesson,” my brother fights back.

“Eric, please. Xavier already beat him. I think the poor man has learned his lesson. He’s been through enough.”

“Fine. I will call the Midnight Pack for my thanks. Thank you, guys. This meeting was eventful. You are free to go.”

“Father, when are you coming back?” I spit out fast before he ends the call. “I just want you home. That’s all I want.”

“I don’t know. Maybe before Easter. We found a new clue about the attack from the secret society. If we stop, then we will lose them. Its nothing for you to worry about. Before I leave, I need to talk to Eric. Alone.” And that’s my cue to leave. I bow my head in respect and leave for school.

School is surprisingly calmer than it was yesterday. I guess the email did scare people into stopping their conversations about me. I can finally walk through the hallways as I did before. Invisible and safe. My life seems to slowly go back to normal. Once my father comes home, I can have my family back together. I just have to count my days for him. During my second class, all I can think is my father. I smile that he is coming back soon but the work has taken a toll on his body. I know if I am not around to boss him about his health, he won’t think about. I must remind him to take his vitamins and try to sleep 6 hours a day. I cook so he has to eat 3 meals a day. Lately, he has been so distant from me. Now I get he is just trying to protect me from those people. The evil people who want me dead. Once he comes back we can have daddy/ daughter day like we used to. Go out to eat, watch a play, and enjoy each other's company without his work interfering.

We have 10 more minutes left in Art class, and everyone is ready to leave. All their bags packed and each station is clean for once. Mrs. Miller, my art teacher,  walks up to me and catches me in the middle of a new wolf sketch. “Is that a new one?” She asks.

“Maybe. I’m not sure. It might be a little doodle to pass time,” I answer and smile up at her.

“I have always liked your artwork.” My eyebrows raise. “Don’t act so surprised. You always are on time with your work and bring in quality work. Unlike some people,” she whispers. I try not to smile too much.

“Thank you, Mrs. Miller. I try to do my best but thank you. I do love art and it’s not work when you love what you are doing.” I finish off with a smile.

“I agree, so I was thinking you should enter in this competition.” I look down to see a flyer she pushes across the table. “The theme is The Wild. The winner gets scholarship money for the college of their choice. I know it’s short notice but I think you can win. Also, you can’t say no. I already signed you up.”

“Mrs. Miller! Why?” My eyes stay wide and open for her next response.

“Cause I believe in you and this month hasn’t been the most kind to you. I think it would be a good distraction and it can be fun. You can do it. You just need a little push. Just read the requirements and the information. If you don’t want to, I’ll pull you out. Email me when you make a decision.”

The bell rings and students get up and race to their next class. I wait until the door is clear of students. I walk out with the flyer in hand. I keep my head down, reading it. Maybe Mrs. Miller was right. I don’t know. I study the paper and keep on bumping into people. “Sorry...sorry...sorry.”

“What do you have there?” The flyer is taken away from me. I look up to find Xavier.

“Nothing.” I try to reach for it. But he is literally a tree and uses his long arms to hold the paper above me. “Xavier! Give it back.”

“No, I want to see what it is. It has been holding your attention so well that you didn’t realize you bumped into me and then walked away.” He laughs, but still acts serious.

“Did I hurt your feelings?”I ask and he nods rapidly. I laugh when he reads the paper out loud.

“An art competition? I didn’t even know that’s was a thing.”

“Ya. My teacher mentioned it to me.” I finally jump up to get the paper. “She thought I should participate in it. I don’t know if I am going to.”

“I think you should. You’re talented and I’ll bet money you will win.” He says, looking down at the paper in my hands.

“Please don’t. Don’t do that.” We laugh as I put the paper in my bag. I will think about it later. “Where were you today? I didn’t see you all day.”

“Awe did someone miss me?” He asks. I want to say yes, but that will only encourage his ego. Of course, I missed him, but I don’t want him to know that. He realizes I am not going to answer so he answers my question. “I was a little busy this morning. I had to figure out my new transportation for the week.”

“Oh ya, no car this week?” I hold my smile and keep a straight face. “What happened?”

“I didn’t think my parents were serious but they were. But this is my new ride.” We both walk outside and he is parked right next to my bike.

“You got a bike. I got to say my bike is way cooler.” We both unlock our bikes and walk out with it.  I look at the very old and used a bike. Maybe a mountain bike? It has blue and silver paint across.

“Yup.” He pops. “I thought we could ride together. You always seem to enjoy riding it. I’m starting to think I’m missing out.”

He slightly blushes away so I can’t see. I think it is a cute idea for us to ride together. “You are missing out. Come one I’ll show you the ropes.” As we ride together there's a certain calming wind the brushes through my hair. The clouds are protecting us from the sun and I can never get enough of spring weather. During the ride, I realize Xavier has almost forgotten what is like to ride a bike. I laugh at him but still encourage him, he is doing a great job. We live in the deep part of the woods and lucky for us, we ride the same route to get home. We have to make our separate way on Madison Ave. We both stop before I have takes left turn and he continues going straight.

“So, I’ll see you later. Hopefully, by tomorrow you mastered the art of a bicycle,” I say.

“Wait.” He stops me from riding away. “I was wondering if you can help me with some homework? Please.”

“I don’t know. I have some work to do with Dr. Shirley,” I say, but he fires back with puppy eyes.

“I will behave. Unlike last night.” He waits for my answer. I want to say yes, but I don’t know if my brother will be okay with it. He did misbehave yesterday but I did participate in it too. “Please I need help and I won’t be a distraction.”

“Fine. Ya, you can come over.” I lost again to Xavier’s sweet smile and his charm. “Follow me,” I say as he rides behind me.

Every now and then I have to check behind me to make sure I didn’t lose him. Or to make sure he didn’t fall over. When we arrive I let him park this bike next to the cottage just like how I do every day. “I think you are getting better at riding.”

“I think you are too kind to tell me the truth. I am horrible. I haven’t ridden one since I was 12.”

“I mean you said it, not me.” I laugh and Xavier joins me. We walk in a back way to Dr. Shirley's office. While entering in, Trevor is nowhere to be found. “Where did he go? Stay here. I’ll be back. I point to him to sit down by Shirley’s desk. I walk through the small hospital but no luck until the further down I walk through I see then open door. It opens to the laboratory to make homemade medicine. “There you are. What are you doing?” I see Trevor studying a pot of dead plants. In his hand, a clipboard to write down notes.

“Hey, thank goodness you are here. Can you do me a favor...why is he here?” He points behind me. When I turn, I see Xavier being nosy again.

“Xavier, I told you to wait.” I walk up to him to turn him around. His muscular stature won’t turn around as much as I force him to.

“I got bored and this is way cooler than sitting,” Xavier says.

“Again why is he here?” Trevor’s question causes Xavier to give him a death glare.

“He needs to help with some homework, so I was wondering if he can stay for a while,” I beg Trevor. “He will be on his best behavior. Right?” I look back to Xavier.

Xavier gave up his glare and relax his shoulders. The only way for him to stay if he shows some respect. “Right. I will play nice for Angel.” I smiled down at my feet to hide the warming of my cheeks at his comment.

“You can stay. Actually, I could use your help too.” Trevor’s sentence catches both Xavier and me off guard.

“Oh, yea. You needed a favor?” I say.

“So Angel remember that tree you burned? A couple of weeks ago?” He asks me. My head hangs low from embarrassment as Xavier gasps and laughs. “Anyways it was spotted by a couple of hikers and they started to ask questions. Alpha Monroe wants it back to normal before people get really suspicious.”

“You mean the one just north from here. I saw it too when I went for a run. I thought it was from…” Xavier comments in but finally gets it. “Wait are you saying Angel cause that. My little mate set a tree on fire. She so tiny that’s… so funny.” He laughs in between.

At this moment I want to hide underneath my bed and die from embarrassment. Why would Trevor say that in front of Xavier? It’s not a secret anymore but Xavier is still new to this. New to my psychic lifestyle. Where I don’t mean to blow up things. It is going to scare him off. My face starts growing red and hot. With my head still low my long hair becomes a security blanket from both of them.

“Yes, I remember.” I give in. “I didn't mean to. I was stressed when it happened.” I try to explain to Xavier. “I didn’t do it on purpose. Whenever my emotions kind of get a little off-balance, it can affect the weather.”

“Like when we were on the bleachers and you made it rain.”

“Ya, like that.” I try to hide away.

“Anyways…” Trevor tries to break the awkwardness. “You gotta fix it.”

“Trevor, I don’t know where to start. I looked in my mother’s books there's nothing about reviving a tree after you kill it with lightning. While I was on bed rest, I researched. Nothing.”

“I have been thinking. Even though there’s not an exact spell for it, you need to blend your healing and earth powers into one ...somehow.”

This should be interesting.