Chapter 9 09

CRYSTINA POV

The terrible beeping of my alarm clock sent me jerking up from the bed. It took me a few seconds to realize that I was in my room. I've had a terrible nightmare about Luka growling at me. Wait! I think it wasn't a nightmare. I ran my hands through my hair in frustration as the memories of the previous night came back to me. I hadn't planned on going to his room, I thought I could escape meeting him last night but then, I was afraid of the consequences of my action if I did that so I went.

When he started kissing me, I wanted to disappear from that place and never return to this house but I don't understand why he affected me so much and made me yearn for more of his kisses. Just as I was processing what was going on, he pushed me back and yelled at me to leave his room. I was beyond embarrassed, I wished the floor would open and swallow me. Ashamed and so close to crying, I lifted my feet one after the other walking out of his room, biting down on my lips to stop the tears from, gushing down from my face at least till I get to my room.

I cried myself to sleep last night.

I quickly pushed the thoughts to the back of my head and got ready for school. As I walked down the stairs, ready to leave for school, Ms. Mary stopped me and asked if I wanted to have breakfast before leaving.

"No, I'll have lunch at school, thank you," I replied and turned, ready to walk out of the day when she called me and told me to wait.

I waited by the door for more than five minutes before she appeared again and this time she was holding a lunch box.

"You can have that in school. The Alpha instructed us to give that to you. You should accept it, Crystina," She raised an eyebrow as she noticed how reluctant I was. I also raised an eyebrow at her because it didn't make sense to me.

Since when did Luka care so much about me? Didn't he want me to starve to death in the past? What games is he trying to play now? Didn't he chase me out of his room yesterday like a slut?

Tears stung my eyes as numerous questions flooded through my brain. I'm nobody's pet for games.

"Crystina, take it," Mary ordered, her command was firm this time and I took another glance at the lunch box before collecting it from her.

"Where is he?"

"Alpha Luka?"

I nodded. I wanted to give the lunch box back to him and make him realize that I wasn't someone he could play with.

"He's not around, he has gone on a business trip, he wouldn't be back for a few days, I think. You should get going so you wouldn't be late. Come on," She pushed me gently towards the door and I didn't have a choice but to leave.

As I drove my old bike to class, I couldn't stop looking at the lunch box with a deep frown on my face but every time I thought of Luka being absent from home and my life for the next few days, I can't help the smile that appears on my face. Even though Kris whines about it, I don't care. I just want him gone, I deserve some mental peace.

"You should stop frowning at the lunch box so hard, Crystina, you might make a hole on it," MY head whipped up at the mention of my name and I saw the principal smiling at me. I was surprised to see her standing there holding a box of supplies towards me.

I quickly placed the lunch box in my bag and collected the box from her. It had some brushes, a paint tray, tape, and essentially all the painting materials. "Where do you want me to put these, ma'am?" I asked. I thought she wanted to send me on an errand but she smiled while shaking her head.

"Those are for you," My eyes widen in surprise.

"For me? I hope you didn't mistake me for somebody else ma'am,"

"No, Crystina. Those are for your art class and if you need anything else, let me know, alright?"

She smiled again, making me take a note of her red, shiny lipstick before she turned and walked away from me.

"What's going on?" Paige asked.

"I should be asking that as well, I have no idea,"

She brought out her lunch.

"I guess someone paid for them,"

I doubted that. Who could have paid for my art supplies without letting me know? Maybe it was an angel or a mysterious human. I don't think anyone in this pack will be nice enough to pay for the daughter of a murderer. The only person that my mind went to was Luka but I don't think so.

"Have you seen Nico?" I asked her. "Were you able to return the scarf yesterday?"

Paige was silent for a while. "About that... Nico isn't coming back. He said his parents want him to study abroad so I guess we wouldn't be seeing him for a while,"

It was my turn to be silent and in addition, I was shocked. "Why? What happened?"

"Alpha Luka happened,"

My heart raced at the mention of his name and I don't know if it was because of guilt or something else. Did he have to go that far? My shoulders slumped and words failed me.

"Cheer up, girl! It's your birthday on Sunday, where should we go?" She linked our arms together and kept talking about places we should visit on Sunday for my birthday. It was obvious that she was excited while I wasn't.

I was too occupied with the thoughts of Luka that I didn't even say no when she asked me to a restaurant on Sunday.

Friday and Saturday went by in a flash and it was Sunday. Paige and I met at the restaurant she had mentioned on Friday. If I had been concentrating, I would've said no but I didn't.

"What do you want to eat?" She asked. I was sitting opposite her at the table by the window side. It's been two days since Lucas has gone and I can't be happier even though a part of me felt kind of different and worst is, I don't understand that feeling yet.

"The least expensive meal here,"

She laughed. "That'll be water, don't be ridiculous,"

I smiled bitterly. I would rather be ridiculous than have a meal that I can't afford to pay for. "I'll have water," She glared at me and shook her head.

"That aside, I've got two gifts for you, one from me and one from Nico," With a wide smile on my face, I collected the two gifts, one was a sweater while the other was a teddy bear from Nico.

"Thank you,"

By the time I lifted my head from the gift, Paige had already called Nico, she was holding the phone to my face.

"Talk to him,"

I almost teared up as I took the phone from her. I feel so guilty and ashamed of what I'd caused the poor boy.

"Hey, my Belle,"

I laughed bitterly. "I'm so sorry about what happened, Nico," I quickly apologized.

"It doesn't matter, Belle. You didn't do anything wrong,"

"Thank you," There was an awkward silence at the other end of the line. I didn't say anything more even though I know it was my fault.

"Are you there?" I asked.

"I'm here. I've always wanted to tell you something and I think I should do that now that have the chance to talk to you on phone,"

"Okay..." I replied nervously.

"I..." He went silent for a while. "I like you, a lot. I don't know if it's safe to say I think I'm in love with you," he laughed awkwardly. "I'm not asking you to give me a response now, I'm just hoping you can wait for me,"

"What?" That slipped out of my mouth before I could stop myself.

"I'm in love with you, my Belle,"