Luke's P.O.V.

Bryan, Jason, Seth, Isabel and I sat down in what used to be the back row of the Homeroom classroom. I glanced behind me as I sat. Cael, Kenna and Hayley were in the new back row, talking quietly. Cael inclined his head respectfully at me and I did the same, having them around wasn't weird but it wasn't ordinary but they respected us and mostly we respected them.

I leaned back in my seat as I listened to my friends talk and I occasionally glanced over to Isabel as she talked to her friends. My wolf huffed in resentment; he hated her for taking our mate's place. I pinched the bridge of my nose, I haven't told Isabel that I had found my mate as yet and I was dreading the aftermath when I did. I sighed as the class filled up and the late bell rung. I closed my eyes as the teacher called the attendance. Everyone looked up as the classroom door opened.

"Wonderful of you to join us today Mr. Ford," the teacher said sarcastically.

I held back a growl as Xaden stood there with his bag slung over his shoulder. I could tell he was holding back his wolf too, from the day we met in school we did not see eye-to-eye. Xaden grumbled a good morning and the unmated female wolves swooned. I could even see Isabel giving him her attention.

They cast him flirty glances and subtly shifted, trying to catch his attention, the guys in the room were also looking at him, sizing him up as a threat. Cael, Kenna and Hayley snickered as Xaden paid them no attention, I rolled my eyes, everyone could see his mate's mark on his neck and probably could not take him down in a fight.

"Care to share the reason why you weren't in school for the past 3 days Mr. Ford?" the teacher asked as Xaden sat behind me to my right, leaving the only available seat right behind me, not giving the teacher an answer.

"I apologise on Alpha Ashworth's behalf."

My head snapped up as Anastasia's unmistakable voice rang through the silent classroom. My wolf was over the moon. Finally, after a week of separation, our mate was here. My eyes widened slightly as I took in what Anastasia was wearing. Her jeans hugged her shapely legs and her top showed off her smooth tan skin. Her hair was tied back exposed the unmarked skin of her neck.

Instincts overwhelmed me instantly. My wolf urged me forward, wanting to claim her as mine. I wanted to have her close to me, to have her at my side and most importantly, to mark her, showing everyone that we belonged together. I clenched my fists trying to suppress my wolf.

Anastasia smiled at the teacher, "I apologise for both mine and Xaden's absence. Our pack needed assistance settling in. I spoke to Alpha Ashworth and Alpha Blackwell and they said that if there's any concerns, feel free to contact either of them."

I smirked as I listened to her talk; her voice was pleasant and sweet but still had the commanding edge to it, subtly daring the teacher to question her authority.

"That won't be necessary," the teacher smiled warily. "Class, this is Anastasia Ashworth," everyone starting whispering immediately. "She will be joining us for a while so please welcome her." Someone started to clap followed by a few others as she blushed and made her way to the seat behind me.

I stuck my foot out a blocking her path and forcing her to look at me. My wolf whined in sadness as I saw fresh pain in her eyes but I looked up at her seeing her, for the first time and begging for her forgiveness. I felt the mate bond get stronger the longer I kept her there, maybe if I could keep here just for a little longer...

"Ana."

Xaden's voice cut through the moment. Anastasia looked away before sidestepping my foot and sitting down behind me. I looked around, noticing that everyone was watching. I growled once and everyone returned to their business. Bryan, Jason, Seth and Isabel were watching me. Bryan grinned and his eyes glassed over as he mind linked Jason and Seth and they started grinning and looking over their shoulders.

Congrats, Seth said in my head, years of waiting finally over.

You got lucky, she's hot Jason grinned. I growled at him as he looked over his shoulder again.

But deadly,  Bryan added. He remembered the scene of the dead rouge. She's been here almost two weeks already, why haven't you broken it off with Isabel?

It's complicated.  I sighed, refusing to think of the promise I made; no one but Isabel and I knew about it.

Well make it less complicated, you can't deny yourself or your wolf of what your heart wants, Seth added.

"I really hate when you all mind-link without me," Isabel said softly, "it's like you don't trust me."

"We don't trust you," Jason said bluntly. Isabel narrowed her eyes at him. I reached over and squeezed her hand reassuringly. I heard a soft growl from behind me but didn't dare look back. 

"Thanks for your notes guys," Anastasia said. My ears perked up and my brain naturally focused on her. "Now the only one I need to catch up on is Psychology."

"No problem," Kenna said. "I just don't know anyone who's doing Psychology."

"Same here," Hayley said. "But I'm glad you found our notes helpful, even if they're AP."

"I'll make it work for regular Biology, Chemistry and Physics," Anastasia said. "I wouldn't have to do extra work if Saint Xaden over here decided his to get his butt to school."

"Well since Saint Ana was at home, I figured the pack could use more than one divine intervention," Xaden joked. I rolled my eyes as I heard Anastasia laugh.

"What I don't understand," Cael piped up, "your brothers are geniuses, why aren't you in AP classes?"

"Easy, because of said brothers, I wasn't academically blessed by the Moon Goddess," Ana said matter-of-factly. "Plus Dad and colleges are happy with my average and I'm not going to push myself, academically at least."

"We know, you're pushing yourself physically too much," Xaden said in disapproval.

"Yeah Ana," Kenna said, "singing and dance classes and training every week is going to put a strain on your body. You need to be in peak condition for your showcases."

There was a pause and I could feel Anastasia's nervousness and I gave a whine of encouragement softly as I adjusted myself in my seat. I felt her fear dissipate but it was soon replaced with confusion and gratitude; even I didn't know what I was doing.

"I'm considering taking a year off before I go to college," she said softly.

"What?!"

Everyone but Xaden shouted and everyone turned around to look at them. "Quiet down back there," the teacher said sternly.

"Sorry," Anastasia replied as everyone else returned to their business.

"Why Ana?" Hayley asked in disbelief. "You pushed yourself for your application videos."

"Yeah," Cael pitched in, concerned. "Don't let those legit blood, sweat and tears go to waste."

"They're not going to waste," Ana said calmly. "I'm just delaying it. I'm not too sure if this is the best time to go to college, you know? Considering everything that is going on with the pack, my dad and brothers need me more than ever."

"Saint Ana," Xaden joked again. I heard him grunt lightly as Anastasia swatted his chest.

"Shut up," she whined, "plus it's just a thought, nothing definite. I'll see how things go."

They lapsed into silence. I leaned back, getting close to my mate as I possibly could without raising suspicion. My wolf growled at me in anger, things didn't have to be this way. I heard a laptop starting and soon the soft clicking of a keyboard filled my ears. I closed my eyes and focused on Anastasia's heartbeat and breathing and soon I drifted off into a light sleep.

~

A ringing brought me out of my sleep. I opened one eye to see everyone packing up and hurrying to their next class. Jason, Seth and Bryan stood up and I notice Xaden, Kenna, Cael and Hayley walking towards the door. I raised my eyebrow as Xaden cast a knowing look in my direction before leaving. I looked at Bryan who smirked at me; I rolled my eyes before gesturing to them to go ahead.

I heard a chuckle that made my heart smile and the sound of a laptop being shut down. I sudden felt nervous, would she acknowledge the mate bond right away? Did she even know my name? How am I supposed to introduce myself? "Hey I'm Luke, your mate who's in a relationship with another girl"

"Luke?" I growled and looked up angrily at the sound of the voice. I saw Isabel step back in fear and I forced my anger at being interrupted down. "Are you going to class?" she asked sweetly.

I closed my eyes and calmed myself down, "Yeah, go ahead I'll catch up."

Her brows scrunched together, "But we always walk to class together."

"I have things to do Isabel," I stated plainly, couldn't she read the situation?

"But we always walk together," she tried again.

"Isabel," I snarled, "go." She gulped and glared behind me before leaving. I sighed before running a hand through my hair and standing up.

"Temper temper," Anastasia said jokingly. I turned around to see her behind me with her bag on her back, her laptop in her hands and smiling at me. Her eyes however, weren't the sad ones I saw before but happy. 

"I'm not that kind of person," I said hurriedly. I felt my stomach tighten and I swallowed drily. "I usually have more patience but she was annoying me while I was trying to think so yeah." I smiled nervously. "Way to make a first impression Luke," I muttered as I rubbed the back of my neck.

Anastasia laughed and I melted on the spot and stared at her in awe. "Hey, at least you didn't come barrelling in on a murderous rampage and blood stained teeth." I remember the first time she met our pack and couldn't help but laugh with her.

"I'm Anastasia," she said looking up into my eyes as she extended her right hand, the one without the silver jewelry on it.

"I'm Luke," I murmured before taking her hand and kissing it softly.

Tingles shot through my arm as my skin touched hers. I relished in the soft feel of her skin on my lips. I looked up at her briefly and saw a light blush across her cheeks as our gazes met. I heard the teacher clear her throat, reminding us that we weren't the only ones in the room and that we were going to be late. I sighed softly before releasing her hand and slinging my bag over my shoulder.

Anastasia smiled at me and we both started chuckling as we walked out. "Can you tell me where Room 12 is?" she looked around the almost empty corridor.

I grinned and took her by the shoulders. I felt her shiver and her pulse race as did mine as I pointed her in the opposite direction. I couldn't help but run my thumbs over her soft skin, feeling the toned muscles underneath.

"Walk straight down this corridor," I murmured to her, "turn right and it's the first door on your left." I smirked as I heard her breathing hitch a little and I had to resist the urge to kiss her neck.

"Thanks," she replied softly before turning around to face me. I dropped my hands and immediately shoving them into my pockets. "I'll see you around Luke," she said with a forced smile, obviously disappointed with the loss of contact.

"See you around, Anastasia," I said softly. With one last smile she turned around and walked to her class.

My wolf whined in protest as we watched our mate go and I forced myself to walk to my next class. I ignored the glare from Isabel, the smug looks from the boys and the knowing looks from Kenna, Cael and Hayley as I sat down in AP Chemistry but I could not stop thinking about Anastasia.

This was going to be an exciting year.