Anastasia's P.O.V.

I laughed as I walked with my new friend, Seth, to the cafeteria. We just had Psychology together and instead of mind linking Xaden, I decided to get know Seth better. He was a good friend, easy going, a bit shy but a gentleman. Seth grinned as he opened the door to the cafeteria.

"This is the cafeteria," he announced. I looked around taking in the room. There were groups of friends scattered everywhere, sitting at the plastic tables as sunlight streamed in from the overhead skylight. There were also huge windows that gave us a beautiful view of the surrounding forest.

"Seniors are allowed to leave during lunch if they want something different from the cafeteria food. Just go to the principal's office to get a card and punch it in when you leave and return," Seth said.

My hand traveled down to my pocket where the keys to the Nissan Pathfinder that Emma had lent to us so we wouldn't have to walk to school every day. "Thanks Seth," I smiled at the brown haired boy.

I suddenly felt eyes on me and looked up and instantly met the glassy blue eyes of my mate. My heart thudded painfully as I saw Luke's girlfriend, who I now knew as Isabel, coil her arms around his muscular one, forcing him to look away. I sighed as I shook my head and looked back at Seth who was looking at me pitifully.

"I guess this is where we separate," I said lightheartedly, "I'll give you your book back before school ends."

"Don't stress yourself," Seth said seriously, "we don't have any homework due for Psych. Return it tomorrow." I smiled at his kindness. "See ya around Ana." I waved to him as I walked to the other side of the cafeteria where my friends had grabbed a table.

"New friend?" Cael asked as I sat down.

"Yup, Seth Johansson," I replied.

Xaden distractedly nudged a tray in my direction. I glanced up and saw his eyes glued to his phone; no doubt that he was texting Steffie. I smiled and began eating. They had chosen a great spot however; it gave us a clear view of the "head" table. I swallowed dryly, relieved that Xaden sat opposite me, blocking my view.

Hayley looked up from the book she was reading. "So, how was the homeroom rendezvous?" she asked as she and  Kenna leaned forward excitedly.

"It went quite well," I said through bites of the chicken wrap. "Basic introductions and he just directed me to class." I tried playing it off has no big deal but to my wolf and I, it was a huge step forward.

"There was an annoying smile on her face for the entire of Physics," Xaden commented without looking up from the screen.

"Well sorry for not being an emotionless rock," I threw back at him.

"It's a huge step forward," Kenna agreed, "given the situation. I think you two will be together in no time."

"Um Kenna," Cael said softly, "you may want to take that back."

Catcalls and whistles made us look up but before I could crane to see past Xaden, he squared his shoulders, making it impossible for me to see. I growled a little and stood up, not wanting to miss out on the action.

My heart dropped and I felt like I was punched in the gut when I saw Isabel in Luke's lap, practically making out. Her arm was wound around his neck while one of his was on her waist and the other holding her hand in place as she cupped his cheek. I visibly convulsed and I staggered back as I processed the scene.

My wolf took advantage of my vulnerability and surged into my mind. My pain was suddenly replaced by anger; a want, a need for Isabel's blood, my blood boiling hot. I bit back a growl as I struggled to regain control as my silver jewelry prevented her from totally surfacing.

I growled as Cael grabbed my arm. I resisted the urge to fight him as he led me towards the cafeteria side exit. I snarled as he shut the door behind me. I sank to the ground, clenching the dirt as I fought my wolf in my head, eventually regaining control. I panted resting my head against my knees as I wrestled down my feelings, trying as hard as I could to stem the hurt and pain. The cafeteria door opened again but I couldn't look up as Xaden sat beside me.

Once the burning in my chest went away. I looked at him. His face was unreadable but his eyes held anger and fury as well as pity. I sighed and shrugged. He pulled out a black box from my bag before handing it to me. I wordlessly slipped my jewelry off, replacing them with the heavier silver cuff, ring and earrings. I thought I would've been able to hold my wolf back but Dad insisted on me carrying the heavier stuff, just in case I needed it, and as always, he was right. I sighed softly as I felt the familiar sting of the silver as it touched my skin and my wolf shrank back, whimpering and figuratively licking her wounds.

"Did I make a scene?" I asked Xaden softly as I rest my head against his shoulder.

"No one noticed, well except for," he thankfully didn't say his name. "Everyone was too busy watching the detention in the making."

I snorted but didn't comment. I thought about what happened between Luke and I this morning. I felt happy, my skin longed for his touch, the tingles and shivers that coursed through my body, the comfort I felt being close to him. And from the look in his baby blue eyes, I knew he felt it too. Why deny it? How could he deny it? Did being mates mean anything to him? I sighed in defeat; my one step forward had just become a bump right back to the start.

"You were right," I told Xaden softly, "I could've never prepared myself for how it feels." Xaden grunted in acknowledgement. "Thank you for trying to protect me though."

"It would've worked," Xaden said, "but no, you needed to see what was going on. No wonder you and Kenna are friends."

"Hey," I said in protest glaring playfully at him but we laughed. I shook my head before standing up and dusting off my jeans. "I'll head to class. Meet up at the car?" Xaden nodded before heading inside.

I used the front entrance of the school to get back inside, not wanting to go back in the cafeteria. With Kenna's help through Cael's mind link, I found the Biology lab. I knocked before hearing the teacher's surprised "Come in." I opened the door and walked up to the middle aged man.

"Ms. Ashworth?" he asked and I nodded. "You're quite early for class." He gestured to the clock and I realised that it was a half an hour before Biology.

"Sorry," I said. "I can leave if you want. I didn't mean to intrude on your lunch." I made to go for the door.

"No no, stay. I already had lunch anyways," he smiled at me and I couldn't help but smile back.

"Do I have anything to tell you? Oh yes, lab days are once every fortnight on the Wednesday. You're required to walk with your lab coat, goggles, preferably long pants and close toed shoes, I've got a list of appropriate things over there." He pointed to a poster on the wall. "Write your email here so I can send you the notes you've missed."

I took the notepad and pen and began scribbling my email before handing it back. "Great, now lemme see," he consulted the seating plan taped to his desk. "The window seat on Bench 4 is free. I'm Mr. Hayes, welcome to Biology."

"Thank you," I said before taking my seat at Bench 4.

I fixed my bag and laptop before taking out my sketch book, Biology notebook, pencils and iPod. I put on my headphones and opened my sketch book as I continued working on the drawing I started a week ago. I glanced up at Mr. Hayes once in a while, making sure that he was okay with this. He nodded before setting up the projector and speakers for the lesson. I continued drawing, letting the music take over my brain. I didn't notice the students filing in until two bags appeared in my peripheral vision on the desk. I immediately snapped my sketch book shut before looking up.

I groaned inwardly as I saw Bryan and Jason grinning at me. Seth had told me a lot about them then my senses perked up as someone sat on the stool next to me. I didn't need to look to my right to know who it was; the spark between us and the tug of the mate bond was enough. I bit my lip as I calmly put away my iPod and sketchbook. I was going to ignore him, just as I was ignoring the stabbing in my chest.

"Well, what do we have here," Jason looked at me smirking. Yup, there was that cocky know-it-all, bad boy attitude Seth told me about.

I raised my eyebrow and smirked to match his, "Well hello to you too." Jason chuckled and I saw Bryan smile.

"I'm Jason," he extended his hand which I shook but I pulled back, easily slipping out of his grip before he could kiss my hand. He nodded at me, obviously impressed.

"And I'm Bryan," he smiled at me.

"I'm Anastasia but you probably know that by now," I said with a smile. They grinned before Mr Hayes started class.

I don't know how I managed to focus in class between the pull of the mate bond, the undeniable tension between Luke and I as well as the heat of his gaze on me. I didn't look his way, didn't make moves towards him or even talk to him. Blocking him out helped ease the pain, I chose to forget what happened earlier and it seemed to go away.

Soon the bell rang for the end of class. I let out a sigh of relief as I packed my stuff up. Jason and Bryan were at the front of the class talking to some girls leaving Luke and I behind. I cleared my throat as I waited for Luke to leave. I absentmindedly readjusted the cuff on my hand.

"Doesn't it hurt?" I heard Luke ask softly and a part of me swooned as I heard concern in his voice.

I contemplated my next words carefully, "It used to but it's nothing compared to what I feel these days."

For the first time since lunch I looked at him, letting the pain and hurt flow through me. I saw Luke break inside but he cleared his throat before heading to the back of the class to talk to someone. I watched his retreating back before digging into my bag again and pulling out my sketch book and neatly pulling out the drawing I completed. I tucked it under his bag as I left the class.

~

Ana, Xaden's voice sounded in my head as Adele's Skyfall ended. I was in unused art studio. The principal had told me they once offered art class but a lack of participation made them take it off the curriculum so I was allowed to use it during my double period for art and dance. I didn't bring my dance shoes with me when we left home but it didn't stop me from taking it slow today.

Gym's over? I asked as I chugged some water and shut down my laptop and slipping on my shoes.

Yup, do me a favour? Meet Cael and I at the guys' locker room. I could see Xaden's thoughts whizzing by but couldn't figure out what he was thinking.

Why? I asked as I switched the lights off and closed the door.

Just do it,  both Cael and Xaden answered before leaving my mind. 

I shook my head before following their scents to guys' locker room. Obviously I couldn't go in so I waited, propping myself with my leg against the wall, replying to some texts as the corridors got emptier.

"Ana," Xaden spoke and I looked up to see he and Cael standing there with a seething Luke right behind them. I pushed off the wall and walked over. Xaden easily slipped my bag off my shoulders while Cael wrapped one arm around them. I raised an eyebrow but said nothing as I wordlessly placed the keys into Xaden's hand.

I looked at Luke the anger radiating was nearly tangible. I have no idea what Xaden and Cael did but it hurt me to see him like this. Cael grinned, "Come on, let's go." I had no choice but to go with. I turned around, only to see a distraught Luke standing there and despite the amount of silver I had on, I heard the mournful howl of my wolf.