His exiled assassin mate

Best friends

*Raya*

I was so happy being back with my pack and even more importantly, I had my best friend back. I had missed Zay so badly and I had screamed myself hoarse at my mother when she told me I couldn't write to him. I had actually been more upset about that, than by the fact that I couldn't see my father.

It had been a big surprise seeing him that day. Not as in seeing him, I knew it was bound to happen at some point… but him waiting for me. He looked almost like I remembered him. Tall, lanky, cute and with the most amazing smile. I was so happy to see him that I almost kissed him right there in the middle of the street. But I stopped myself at the last moment.

I want him as my friend. I mean I knew I had to get to know him again. I could just have a crush on the memory I had of him. He could be different now. He was bound to change somewhat with time, especially as he is destined to grow into an Alpha.

Over time I realised he was still the same Zay I remembered and I couldn't help falling more in love with him each day. But he only seemed to want to be friends, so I hid my real feelings. I would rather have him as a friend than not at all.

I wave at Zay as I walk through the gate to the school and he smiles one of those wonderful smiles, waving back at me.

The two girls coming over to walk next to me roll their eyes, and one of them Kitara asks. "Why do you hang out with that loser ?"

"He isn't a loser. He is the sweetest guy you ever meet and he is my very best friend". I answer, smiling back at Zay. I will stand by him and our friendship no matter what. “And he is a future Alpha”.

She sighs like I am a lost case. "Well I have heard from a very trustworthy source that Dan wants to go out with you. You should smile at him instead. He is so dreamy".

"I don't know. I am not sure I want to go out with him". Dan is like a total jock, and one of the potential future betas. I guess he is kind of handsome. But he is not the boy I am interested in. On the other hand Zay doesn't seem to get my hints or he ignores them so he probably just wants to be friends.

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"Give it to me Zay". I say, almost begging. We are in my room and he has snatched my diary, threatening to read it. I can't have him open it. I would die if he read what I have written about him. It has been about half a year since I returned and we are still just best friends.

"Nope, It's mine now". He slides it under his back. He is laying on my bed and I throw myself on top of him, trying to get my hands on it. I mean it isn’t locked and it has way too many hearts with his name inside drawn on the pages.

He grabs my wrists and I realise that he is actually stronger than he seems. I make a pleading pout. "Please Zay. A diary is a girl's secret friend. You can't read it''.

"Why not ? Too many pages about how handsome Dan is and how you want him to be your true mate ?" He says with a cheeky grin.

I glare at him. Dan has asked me out several times, so far I have said no, even though my friends can't understand why. "Oh behave Zay Pugh, that wasn't nice at all. And I don't want Dan as my mate, I haven't even started thinking about mates”.

“Liar, liar”. He laughs. “All girls wonder about that”.

“I wonder more about kicking your ass". I growl.

"I like to see you try". He says grinning. “And boys wonder about it too, by the way”.

He lets go of my hands and I slide them under him trying to find my diary.

Then I realise I am too close, my arms around him and suddenly I have a hard time breathing. Also every time I breathe I am hit by his scent. I never noticed that before. He smells really good, fresh … like the forest after rain… and a bit spicy …like cinnamon and nutmeg… and well manly, not like a boy but like a man. It makes my head spin and I quickly jump up, scared I will lose control. "Just give it here Zay".

He is blinking rapidly, looking a bit confused. Then he sits up and hands me the diary. "I was just teasing you. I would never read it. Also reading about Dan might make me puke".

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"So you are gonna go out with Dan ? I thought you said he wasn't your type". It is about two months after the diary incident. I am laying on Zay's bed in his room and he is glaring at me from his chair.

"Well it is just a date". I say. I had given in as he kept asking me and my friends kept telling me I should say yes. I look at Zay, thinking 'and well you don't ask me out'.

He is biting his lip, narrowing his eyes. "You shouldn't go out with him. What if he tries something ? Guys are just after one thing, you know that right ?"

"Oh and you know everything about that. Being a guy I mean". I shoot back. I mean I kind of want to experience the whole dating thing and when I can't get the one I really want, what's the harm in dating someone else ?

He makes a face. "It's something else. We are friends. And I mean I don't think like that. But most guys do, especially the ones like Dan".

"Dan is actually sweet. You don't have to be a jerk just because you are a jock". I say. Suddenly I feel annoyed by Zay.

He rolls his eyes at me and he sounds annoyed now too. "Oh believe me, I have heard him and his friends talk. He is no different than the others. It is only a matter of time and he will be in your panties".

"I think I better go home now". I say getting up. I feel like crying right now, I am feeling hurt and confused. I had kind of hoped he would tell me not to go out with Dan because I should go out with him instead.

"See you. But don't tell me I didn't warn you". He says. And I hurry out of the room and home to myself to cry into my pillow, once again wishing he would see me as more than a friend.