Chapter 3: Akeehla's P.O.V.
2052 Words
~ Two Months Later ~
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"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Mom asked for the millionth time.
I rolled my eyes as I groaned.
"I can't hide away in my room forever Mom." I said.
"Yeah, but no one will blame you if you want to hide a way a little longer." She offered.
I know she's just worried about me. Word got out about what I did. The video of me releasing my darkness spread around the supernatural world. Funny how that happened, but all other recordings, files, and everything else burned up in a suspicious fire.
Fucking figures.
Now, the entire supernatural community is calling me the Derranged. I had to roll my eyes at that. Atiana is the Soulless, and I am the Derranged. You'd think that if they thought we were bad enough to earn these nicknames, they'd be scared enough to not use them.
Fucking supernaturals.
Still, I can't hide away forever. I know that Mom and Dad are growing more and more worried. I never sleep, or eat. I pretend to. So far, it's worked for everyone except.. you guessed it, Aunt Lenny, Mom, and Dad. I can't hide anything from them.
Today Mom's friends are here to visit though. The Vampire King and Queen. Or, as I like to call them, Uncle Jasper and Aunt Gemma. Of course we aren't actually related, but Mom has known Aunt Gemma since they went to school here.
I figured that it would be a perfect test before school starts. Mom doesn't think I should start with the other kids. She wants me to take more time first. I know it's because I won't tell her about what I went through, but.. I don't want to tell her.
Not Mom, or anyone else.
"Mom, I'm going. I haven't seen Uncle Jasper, and Aunt Gemma since way before I was kidnapped-"
I felt the ache in my mothers heart over my words. I didn't mean to cause her pain, but.. The more normal I make is sound, the better it will help her in the end.
I cleared my throat.
"I miss them. I know they miss me. Plus, I haven't seen Ridley, or the others in a while either." I said.
Mom sighed in defeat.
"Fine, but if it gets to be too much for you, you just say the word." She said.
I turned a small smile to her.
"Got it."
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"Oh my Goddess! I didn't think I'd get to see you." Aunt Gemma shouted.
Gemma pulled me into a tight hug. She's practically squeezing the life out of me. Is it weird that I kind of like that feeling?
Uncle Jasper wrapped his arms around the two of us. I can only peek one eye at him. He has a wide smile spread across his face.
"We missed you far too much my dear. Not a day went by that we weren't looking for you." Jasper whispered to me.
I can feel Gemma's slight annoyance at his words. Which makes me feel worse. I know that people are going to have things to say. I'll hear their thoughts regardless.
Nexi huffed in my head before retreating to the back of my mind. She isn't very talkative these days. Nexi just wants to shift, and completely take over. She never wants me to have control again. It's her way of trying to protect me, of trying to give me a break from the world.
I refuse to take it.
"Thank you Uncle Jasper." I said back.
I know they mean well. I'm glad for they sympathy. I don't want it, but I understand that it's unavoidable.
I pulled away from my aunt and uncle.
"Have you guys met my adopted sister yet?" I asked.
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We ended up having a very nice dinner. It was held outside. Dad and Uncle Jasper cooked on the grill for us. Although, they bickered the whole time. Ridley pretty much stuck to Relly's side. Who pretty much stuck to me.
I had to roll my eyes at them. Two grown ass women. You'd think they would have better things to do.
Relly is sticking to you because she is going to leave soon. Nexi said.
Well yeah, I'm sure she has missions. I replied.
She won't be coming back after her next one. Nexi told me.
Why? I asked.
Nexi shrugged. She smells different. I think she might meet her mate again soon.
Huh, well I hope she does. I replied.
Ridely too. I hope her mate isn't upset that she f***s anything that walks. Nexi grumbled with an eyeroll.
I snorted. Out loud. Earning looks from everyone.
I cleared my throat, and apologized.
"Where is Bridger? Did he not come?" Mom asked Aunt Gemma.
Aunt Gemma groaned as she rolled her eyes.
"Oh he came. He's at that age though. Kid took off the moment we got here." She said.
I ignored their conversation to watch Vessa. She has been adjusting well. Vessa kind of reminds me of Ariel from the Little Mermaid. Everything is a wonder to her. It's so adorable, and innocent.
Although, she is starting to develop an obsession with Atreus. Which I just think is funny. It's clear that Vessa has an extreme interest in him. She doesn't understand it, but that isn't stopping her from acting on it.
I don't know why Tre hasn't come clean to her. I know that his thoughts started to spiral at first, but it's been months now. How long does he plan to use my trauma as an excuse?
Mom, can I go for a run? I asked through the mind link.
I felt Mom's worry before she responded.
Take Ares with you. She replied.
Ugh! Gross. No. I complained.
Mom sighed through the link.
I promise that I won't go far. I said.
Mom tensed her jaw.
Do not go so far that I can't sense you. Got it? She said sternly.
Yes ma'am.
With that I got to my feet. Relly stood up with me. I had to practically push her, and run away so she didn't follow me.
I shifted quickly, shredding all of my clothes. I quickly mind linked Tre to leave me some fresh clothes in the treeline by our home. Then I let go.
Nexi took over. Taking us as far as we are allowed to go. The sun is starting to set. After running for a while we came to a stop. Nexi peered out at the vast green forest.
It's been a while since you've been able to run. I'm sorry that we are on a leash. I said to her.
Nexi huffed back at me.
Never be sorry for anything that we go through. We are a team. She replied.
Nexi has her own turmoil about what happened. In her eyes, I should have shifted. I should have let her take all of the pain while I hid away in the depths of our mind. I couldn't do that. I would never abandon my wolf. Especially not to suffer on her own.
Unfortunately, everything comes with a price. Because I refused to let Nexi take all of our pain, she had to suffer with me. She feels like she failed me in some way. Nexi thinks she should have protected me from everything. Nothing I say convinces her.
I love you Nexi. I told her.
I love you too Kee.
Nexi and I trotted around the forest well after the sun went down. We followed tracks, and hunted other animals. The forest floor beneath our paws already has Nexi feeling better.
Kee honey, come home, it's getting late. Mom mindlinked me.
Coming. I replied.
Nexi and I ran to where Tre should have left us clothes. We shifted back to our human form. I dressed in the gray sweatpants, and black T-shirt that Tre left me. Then I started to walk back to my home.
I was half way home when I smelled it. My head snapped up as Nexi surfaced. I flung my head everywhere trying to find the smell. Then suddenly, he was standing right in front of me.
He looks different than I remember. His deep red hair is shaved at the sides, and styled on the top. Those normal blue eyes are a bright red right now. He's grown more than a foot in height, and I can tell that he's gained muscle.
I can't take my eyes off of him. Nexi is howling like crazy in my head. She just keeps repeating the same words over and over.
MATE! MATE! MATE! MATE!
A small smile fell to my lips.
"Bridger." I breathed out.
One of my childhood friends. He's only two years older than me. That means he's 16, he should be able to recognize me as his mate.
I met my mate.
I took a step towards Bridger. He c****d his head to the side. I took another step. Then I took another, but stopped mid step.
Oh no. This is my mate. Unbelievable.
The disgust in his voice was what had me pausing. He said.. oh no.. That doesn't sound good.
I looked up into Bridger's now blue eyes. He's looking at me without expression. Unfortunately for me, I can hear his thoughts.
Oh Gods, Mom is going to kill me for what I'm about to do. No way am I going to have this lunatic as a mate though.
My mate.. doesn't want me..
Especially after what she went through. I heard Mom and Dad talk about what happened when they found her. People are calling her the Derranged. I heard Lydia on the phone telling Mom about Akeehla's night terrors. No way am I going to have a damaged mate. I have no time for that.
My heart broke the more I listened. My walls went up immediately. Nexi whined in my head. I showed no emotion. Just like my supposed mate.
Maybe I can convince her not to tell anybody.
Please, like I would want to tell anyone that I'm rejected because of what those Hunters did to me. As if they didn't put me through enough being in that damn lab. They still haunt me. Even now after their deaths.
Those bastards.
Well, here goes nothing.
Bridger took a deep breath, and opened his mouth. Before he could say anything though, I held up my hand stopping him. I stared into his eyes unwavering.
"It's alright. You can reject me." I said.
Bridger's eyebrows shot up.
"Uh.. cool. And it'll stay between the two of us then?" He asked.
I nodded.
"You promise?" He asked. "You aren't going to run, and taddle to me the moment we finish here are ya? You were quite the taddle tail growing up."
Nexi scoffed in my head.
What a d**k. She stated.
I kept my face impassive.
"And admit that you turned out to be my mate? No thanks." I stated.
Bridger frowned at me. I can feel anger roll off of him. Where does he get the right to be angry with me?
Wait. Nexi said. We could tell him the truth about what happened. Maybe he would want us then. She offered.
No. I stated firmly. If he was our true mate, then I wouldn't have to defend myself.
Nexi whimpered in my head. She begged, and pleaded to change my mind. In all honesty.. I don't deserve it.
Not my mate. Not my life. Not my wolf. I certainly don't deserve for people to know the truth. It won't change what I did.
"I, Bridger Micha Hail, reject you, Akeehla Hope Morningstar, as my mate." Bridger stated.
I felt the bond snap. Nexi whimpered in my head. I desperately tried to keep my composure.
Bridger looked at me expectantly.
"I, Akeehla Hope Morningstar, accept your rejection, Bridger Micha Hail." I stated firmly.
We both felt the bond break. Bridger fell to his knees at the impact. He gripped his chest, where his heart is. I looked down at him as he stared up at me with tears in his eyes.
Then I marched right past him, not giving my ex mate a second glance.
- Writer
