Alpha Brad's Human Mate

Layla  I sighed and dropped the last box on the other pile. I stared at all the packed boxes on the floor and then turned to look around the living room. I couldn't believe we were leaving, my dad and I. It was a small apartment but there were so many sweet memories shared in it and I wouldn't want to leave if my dad didn't get a job in another state. A new job that could change our lives. I was ready to bear all the consequences that came with moving; starting afresh, new home, new school, making new friends. The last part was going to be hard but I was willing to do anything for my dad. You might be wondering why I haven't mentioned my mom. Well she left. She left when I was ten and she promised to come back after a few years but I was going to be 17 in a few weeks and she still wasn't back. According to her, she couldn't take it anymore; the suffering, the struggle, the mental stress, she couldn't take not being able to provide for her child let alone provide for herself. My dad didn't have a great job before so we had to manage the little we had. My mom thought she had to find another way out for us and that was why she went back to college, so she could finish her education and get a good job. So no, she didn't leave out of spite or because she didn't love me or my dad. She left for us. Although my dad had to struggle to cater for me, I was happy he was able to get me to the stage I was and even though I was angry at my mom for leaving and not returning as planned, I was old enough to understand. "i know..." My dad's voice brought me out of my thoughts as he caught me staring at the house, "I will miss it too" he smiled at me. I walked up to him and hugged him. Just then, my phone beeped in my pocket. I pulled away quickly, recalling that I had to meet up with Cole. "Dad, I have to meet up with Cole and Krystal" I checked my phone and saw a message from Cole saying he was waiting. "Layla" he drawled "I have to say goodbye dad" I told him, backing away towards the door. "Don't take long" he encouraged "I won't" I waved him off and hurried out. Cole was my boyfriend. Although we had only be dating for three months, we had been friends since middle school. On the other hand, Krystal was my best friend. Well I wouldn't exactly say best friend because we had only known each other for two months, unlike Cole and I. Making friends was not very easy for me but somehow, Krystal and I managed to get along so well. She was the closest thing I had to a sister. As I approached the venue, I dreaded everything that was going to happen. Saying goodbye was harder than I imagined. When I first told Cole I was moving, he was so hurt but he understood. Somehow I knew long distance relationship would be hard but I was willing to try because I love him. My feet came to a sudden halt when my eyes caught something ahead. it was Cole and Krystal standing in front of our favorite restaurant, which was weird because I had only planned to meet with Cole there. I shrugged it off but the moment I saw Cole kiss Krystal on the lips, my whole demeanor changed. My blood immediately ran cold and my lips parted in shock. The shock was then followed by a sharp squeeze of my heart. I watched them as they smiled at eachother before Krystal left him there. Tears welled up in my eyes so fast, blurring out my vision as a million thoughts ran through my head. Feeling ultimately betrayed, I turned around to go back home but then I paused. No. I had to confront him, confirm what I saw. Walking away was not an option because then, I would have unanswered questions in my head forever. So I turned back around, blinked to clear my vision and marched up to him. "Layla" he smiled at me, wanting to hug me but I shifted from his touch. "I saw you" I wasted no time for pleasantries. His smile disappeared slowly and he dragged his hand through his black hair. The fact that he understood what I was talking about so quickly confirmed what I saw. "Layla.." at the sound of my name from his mouth, my eyes welled up again. "I'm sorry that you had to find out this way" those words pierced right through my heart. "But we were never meant to be together" hot tears rolled down my cheeks at that. I shut my eyes to try and control them since I was standing in public but I couldn't even stop myself. "Krystal, she's the one for me. I wish I could explain to you but you wouldn't understand" I was utterly speechless as the person I cherished so much confess his love for my friend. it felt like a dream but It was so freaking real. "Did you even love me?" I managed to ask "Layla.." "Did you love me or was it all a lie?" I cut him off fiercely. His silence spoke volumes. I took one step back bewildered, betrayed but ultimately feeling like a fool. I bit my lip, wiped my tears and nodded. I had enough answers. "Layla I'm sorry" his face showed he was sorry but what do i know, that could also be a lie. So without another word, I turned around and walked away. "Layla" he called but I ignored and kept walking. My heart was so heavy but I had to carry it all the way home. When I got home, my dad noticed my swollen red face and quickly pulled me into his arms. "I know how hard it must have been for you" he said and rubbed my back soothingly. My dad didn't know about Cole and I dating. Sure he knew we were friends but I couldn't bring myself to tell him the truth when things changed. So now he thought I was crying because I was leaving my friends, little did he know. • • • Throughout the journey, I was not myself. I had managed to stop crying but I was deeply hurt and sad. I was also trying to put myself together so my dad wouldn't ask me too many questions. We arrived at our new home quite late, Tired and worn out. We offloaded all the boxes from my dad's car into the house. It was still a small house but it was definitely bigger than our former apartment. I took a minute to admire the place and I thought it was beautiful but I couldn't bring myself to say it with all the emotions that were whirling inside if me. "We can unpack tomorrow honey, go get some rest" my dad suggested. "Actually I wanna take a walk and get some air" I told him. "But honey, its late and we don't know the neighborhood yet" "I know dad but I won't go too far so i can easily find my way back and I won't take long" I assured him and hoped he would let me. He sighed, "okay honey" he agreed "Thanks dad" I flashed a small smile before heading out into the dark street. I started walking along the side walks, passing other houses until there was no more. I stared at the woods for a few seconds and without thinking twice, I walked into it. I passed a few trees before I found a tree stump. I walked towards it and sat on it. I loved the quiet, it was calming. I looked up and noticed the full moon in the sky, brightening every inch of the woods. Well not exactly every inch, but the light was enough for me not to be scared of the dark. I closed my eyes to relax but the moment I did, I only saw flashes of the scene I witnessed earlier. My boyfriend kissing my friend. The pain resurfaced and my eyes welled up with tears. I took my phone and called my mom, thankful she picked on the first ring. "Hey sweetie" she said "Hey mom" my voice betrayed me. "Are you crying? What's wrong sweetie?" She instantly noticed my mood. "We broke up" I broke down in tears. I didn't plan for it but talking about it was so painful. Although she wasn't physically around, I did always tell her everything. I felt relieved being able to talk to her about it. We talked for a while and then she tried to cheer me up before we ended the call. I wiped my tears and stared at the moon again. It was beautiful and it was fascinating how it gives the night beauty. Suddenly I heard the sound of a tree branch break and I quickly tore my eyes away from the moon to search for the source of the sound. When I found it, my whole body froze. There was an animal watching me from the corner of the tree ahead of me. It looked like a dog, a very big dog or was that a.... wolf? My first instinct was to scream but somehow I didn't. I slowly stood up, my heart beating fast and scared out of my mind, I slowly backed away until the tree was no longer in my path then I turned around and ran. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me until I got back to the familiar street. I paused to look behind me, feeling relieved that it didn't chase me. I then walked quickly back home. • • • • •