Chapter 4 Chapter 4: When In Doubt, Wear Red

Anna

I could not sleep that night, the events of the previous night still haunting me. I checked the time, 5:00 am. I sighed and stared at the ceiling. I guess Karma is real. I covered my eyes with my forearm.

'You may actually deserve it,' said Larentia.

'You are still mad at me for what happened three years ago? I thought you hated him.'

Larentia ignored me completely since I was 17 and until I became 19 and started looking for my mate because she wanted me to wait for my him or her, but I did not believe in mates at that time. I was young and stupid.

'I did not like him because he is a human, but what you did to him? That was messed up,' Larentia said.

I blocked her. I do not need a voice in my head reminding me of all my stupid decisions right now. I got up and took a shower. I guess that I will go have breakfast out and get to school early.

I did get breakfast, but I got distracted by my book "Chronicle of a Death Foretold." My eyes were glued to the book. By the time I checked the time, I had 30 minutes to get to class. At least I was not going to be late.

I arrived at school and the hallways were empty. I practiced what Alexandra taught me yesterday and took off running to my class. Thanks to my training my breathing was nice and regular when I got there.

Today's class flowed nicely. My students seemed to like the teaching method I chose. My no-homework policy may have something to do with it.

I met with Luna Marcy today in a cafe, which was also a bookstore. Nice. Marcy was already waiting for me by the time I arrived there.

"Hello, there Anna. Look at you, so formal."

I chuckled."Yeah, thank you. I actually did not have time to go get changed. I get distracted easily."

"I understand. You should try their cafe latte. I know it sounds simple but it is the best I have ever tasted," said Marcy.

"Cafe latte is it." I smiled. We got our orders and sat in a booth.

"Anna, you have no idea how glad I am you are here. There are so many things I have to tell you about your mother," she wiped off a lone tear.

"Do not be sad Marcy. I am happy to be here." I grinned and squeezed her hand. "So, how did my mom end up here?"

"Your mom was actually an orphan like you. After rogues wiped her pack she ended up living in the streets. She was a pickpocketer."

"My mom? Really?" Now that is surprising.

"Please, do not think badly of her. She knew not better at the time. So, a couple of our pack members were on a vacation in her city and she tried to steal from them. Of course, being werewolves they were no easy target, so they spotted her easily and offered her a meal. They had to bribe her to learn her story.

"This couple could not have children, so they wanted to take her with them, which her being as stubborn as she is... I mean was." She sighs. "refused. However, the couple had their heart set on adopting the little girl, so they extended their vacations there.

"They kept trying and trying to convince every day until she agreed. The father was the younger brother of the Beta so our families were really close. She was 8 at the time and I was 6. As we grew up, we became closer and closer."

"Wow. I had no idea. She must have had a rough childhood." I scratched the back of my neck nervously.

"Wasn't it actually similar to yours, dear?"

Mine could have been worse but I do not want to go there. "I was lucky enough to be adopted by two wonderful families, so it is okay." I smiled softly.

"So how was your second day of school? How does my boy behave?"

"Very good. Oh, I noticed he is a very bright boy. He pays attention and participates in class."

Marcy nodded approvingly.

After drinking our coffees, we were to the library section and spent the rest of the afternoon talking about books. We said our goodbyes, and I went to my apartment to read and watch netflix.

The rest of the week consisted of me going to the school to find Caleb making out with some different girl by the main door, or the parking lot or the lockers every single day before class. I just rolled my eyes every day and ignored his teasing remarks at the end of each class.

Finally, the weekend arrived. On Friday, I went home to sleep. On Saturday, I had lunch with Alexandra, but she could not really hang out for too long. It turns out she has a baby! I met the little bundle of joy. She is so cute.

On Sunday, I planned the activities for the following three weeks. By the time I was done it was already late at night, so I went to sleep.

Today is Monday and I hope this week is as tolerable as last week. As I walked toward the main entrance, I spotted my mate-to-be dry humping yet another girl by the parking lot. Doesn't this school have any rule against PDA? I sighed as I passed by them.

"Still having love problems, Anna?" I heard someone behind me say.

"I am flattered you stopped all your saliva exchanging over there to talk to us simple mortals." I know I am being rude, but it is my right. He is supposed to be mine.

"I always have time for a sexy girl like you." He winked and his companion glared at me.

I rolled my eyes. "Mr. King that is inappropriate," I repeated, with a flat tone, the phrase that I always use when he comes out with his cringe-worthy pickup lines. "Do not be late for class." I walked away.

He skipped class, probably to be with that girl from earlier. I handed out worksheets to the students.

I was about to go over some new concepts when I noticed that there were not whiteboard markers in the classroom and I had forgotten mine as well. My students were working on their worksheets so I excused myself and walked to the supply closet.

I heard some panting coming from inside, but I did not care. I did not walk all the way here to go back empty-handed because of some horny couple. I wished I had gone back though, I opened the door to find Caleb going at it with the girl from earlier.

They turned to face me and the girl pulled away and began to cover herself, while Caleb did not show any intention of moving. I did not let shock reflect on my face and just rolled my eyes. I walked to the box with whiteboard markers and took a pair and left the supply closet without saying a word. I blocked the annoying sobbing from Larentia, walked to class and proceeded with the class like nothing happened.

When class ended and all students had left, the couple from the supply closet entered the classroom closing the door behind them. I arched one eyebrow and handed today's worksheet to each of them.

I talked in a flat tone. "Today I just explained the basic of trigonometric functions. You can memorize table 3.2 and 3.3 of the book and you will be fine. We already discussed the solutions of today's worksheet but both of you can solve it as homework and hand it to me tomorrow." The pair looked at me astonished.

"Aren't you going to give us detention or send us to the principal's office or something?" asked the girl.

I crossed my arms. "Do you want me to do either of that?"

"N-no... but. We were you know... and you... saw. You are not going to tell us anything?" the girl said.

"Use protection because STDs suck and teen pregnancies are not cool?" I shrugged.

"That's it?" She sounded almost... offended? Caleb seemed to grow angrier and angrier at the girl's reactions. His jaw and fists were clenched.

"Look, you stupid..." he said to the girl. I put my hand on his arm and he stopped and visibly relaxed.

"Look Ms. Rice. I know that you two should be in trouble right now or something, but let's be honest here. Will detention make you celibate?" I chuckled. "Consider the homework I gave you your punishment. You have five minutes to get to your next class, and my students are waiting outside. You better hurry up, and no dark closed places for both of you for the rest of the day!" Caleb chortled and both of them left.

The rest of the week was similar to last week. On Friday I went to the pack house to socialize with other pack members or so said Marcy when she called me to tell me that I should spend my afternoon there. I took my book "Tell Me Three Things" with me and settled on a comfortable sofa near a window.

I had probably spent three or four hours reading my book when I clearly heard voices coming from the living room.

"We should go out get some girls," said Caleb.

"You know we could just call them, right?" asked Samuel.

"We could do that, but I do not like seconds unless I have to. It is much more fun to make them think they could be the one 'to change' me. All that 'love at first sight bs' you know," said Caleb.

"You know, one day you will find your mate and she will be the 'one to change' you," said Matt. Caleb snickered at the comment.

"Dude, are you for real? Do you think I will change just because I meet some girl who smells nice and shit? I only know that my future Luna must be perfect, mate or no."

"You mean you would reject your mate if you don't think she is perfect? Harsh dude," said Samuel.

"He is heartless. I feel sorry for his future mate. You know what would be funny? If his mate was one of the pack whores!" said Matt.

"No. What would be funny is if his mate was someone older like Ms. Amores, a girl who would not put up with his bs," said Samuel.

My heart beat faster at the mention of my name. What does he think of me?

Caleb snorted and laughed. "Anna? My mate? Really? I would probably reject her on the spot."

"Why? She is hot though," said Samuel.

"She is hot, but she is... too old for me. It would be boring. It is funny teasing her and everything, but being loyal to her... for the rest of my life? Nah, I can do way better," Caleb said.

I think that I could hear my heart shatter. I pulled out my cell phone and texted the only person around my age I know here.

Alexandra, you are taking me out to drink tonight. Pick me up at my apartment.

What happened?

I just need it, please.

Ok. I will be there in three hours.

I snuck out the pack house and went to my apartment to get ready. I just need to forget what he said. I felt myself having a panic attack as I drove there. I calmed down enough to speed my way there, tears blurring my vision. I parked outside and broke down crying inside of my car. I just sobbed there for about 40 minutes. Then, I went to my apartment and picked up some sexy outfit. I saw my red dress and chuckled. I thought I would never wear this again.