The Wolf Within

Chapter 4

Alandra

    I bolted up the next morning, panting and sweaty, the dream still fresh in my mind. I groaned and rubbed my face, wishing for the hundredth time I could stop having it. Checking the time, I saw it was almost six in the morning. 

    At least I slept in a little bit.

    I took a deep breath and the scent of strawberries and lemons was still faint. It was just a hint of it. I looked around the room half expecting him to be there. Why else would I smell the scent? 

    After assuring myself he wasn't there, I kicked myself mentally. Of course, he wasn't there. How idiotic and desperate of me. Especially in reference to a stranger! Who does that?

    Rolling out of bed, I went to my closet and decided I will dress up a bit today. So I pulled out a grey long sleeve and a black school-style skirt that went a little above my knee. Rummaging a bit more, I pulled out my black knee-high socks, with the white lines at the tops, completing my look with a pair of converses. 

    I smiled at my selection and headed to the bathroom taking a quick shower and getting dress. While I was putting my shoes on, my phone rang. 

    Puzzled at who could be calling me this early, I looked at the caller ID. My heart almost jumped out of my chest.

    It was Victoria. She's never up this early. "Hello?" 

    "Alandra?.. Hey.. I know it's early but do you want to go to breakfast?"  she said a little hesitantly. I heard another voice mumble something on her end, but she stood quiet.

"Yeah of course! I'll be there in five!" I said enthusiastically, and grabbed my keys and bag, running downstairs. 

    She said ok and hung up the phone. My mom c****d an eyebrow at me as she saw me around the corner and run out the door. I know it was rude to not say anything to her, but it was rare I got the chance to spend time with Victoria without Markus.

    Well, at least I hoped it was just us.

    I quickly drove to her place and as usual, when she walked out, my heart fluttered. 

    She was wearing a simple short-sleeved beige dress that went down to her calf, and black boots. She smiled at me and wiggled her feelings in greeting as she opened the door. 

    Once she was in, we talked about where to go and decided we would go to IHop for breakfast. 

    Victoria was unusually quiet on our way there. She stood quiet the whole way there. 

    I was starting to get nervous. She was never like this. Victoria was always bubbly and chatty. Right now she seemed completely lost in thought, barely regarding her surroundings.

    Her silence continued even after we ordered our food. I sat fidgeting my hands in my lap worried. I was starting to think that maybe she had discovered my secret crush on her. What if this was to tell me we can't be friends anymore? Was she disgusted by my feelings? I never openly told anyone I was bisexual. 

    I was about to say something when the waitress came back with our order and set our plates down. Victoria thanked her and gave the woman a warm smile. 

    I was just about to shove a mouthful of omelet into my mouth when Victoria finally spoke, "So... Anything new happens?" She asked. 

    Putting my fork down, I looked at her questioningly. "Um... No, I guess?"

    She was biting her bottom lip nervously. Just then she let out a heavy breath and looked me deep in my eyes causing my stomach to flip. 

"I heard some guy had his arms around you at the bakery. Are you seeing someone?!" She asked accusingly. 

    I was taken aback by her question. Seeing someone? Was she... Jealous? I banished that thought from my head. There was no possible way. Right?

    "What? No! I don't know who told you that, but it was not like that V!" I knew using the nickname I gave her would calm her down some. 

    She folded her arms across her chest. "Then what was it like?"

    I sighed. "I don't know the guy. He was some guy who just came into the bakery and hugged me. He may have had thought I was someone else. He called me 'mate'. Has to be foreign or something." 

    At the word mate, Victoria stiffened. Her eyes got hard and she unfolded her arms to place her hands in her lap. "Are you sure he said 'mate'?" She asked, seeming very serious right now.

    I hesitated before answering. The air seemed thick suddenly. "Yeah..."

    Victoria just stared at me for a long while, making me uncomfortable. I shifted my weight in the booth, not really sure how to feel being under her gaze when she's like this. 

    She excused herself for a moment and walked outside. Through the windows I could see her whipping her phone out, talking to someone furiously. 

    I didn't like Victorias' reaction. Was she just upset that some strange man was essentially sexually harassing me? But I told her it could've been a mistake. He really could have had mistaken me for someone else. So it wasn't that big of a deal. 

    Maybe I was underestimating the seriousness of the situation. But it didn't feel that serious. Well, there was also the fact that he was the sexiest man I had ever seen in my life. So maybe I was just biased about the whole situation. The most important thing was that, when he was holding me, I didn't feel scared. 

    I felt... Safe. 

    I picked at my food as I waited for Victoria to come back. A few moments later she strolled in with a smile on her face. She finally seemed back to normal. I was starting to worry. 

    "Sorry bout that." She said sliding back into her side of the booth, "I just forgot I had to make a phone call." 

    I smiled at her and waved it off. She went back to her usual self and was chatting away like always. We both finished our meal and I paid against the protest of Victoria. It was p*****t enough for me that we spent time together. Just the two of us. 

    Even if a small part of it was tainted. 

    On the way to school, Victoria continued her usual jumping from one topic to another. I settled into the routine of it all. 

***

    The rest of the day was a bit of a blur. I was so distracted to focus on anything any of the teachers were saying. People were staring at me every time I walked the hallway. I would hear their hushed whispers but couldn't really pick up what they were saying. 

    What really set my teeth on edge was the way Markus kept looking at me smugly. Of course, he still looked at me with disgust, but when he was around a group of people, he would get that stupid smug look on this face. 

    Whatever was going on had to be his doing. And I was going to get to the bottom of it. 

    Luckily I didn't have work today so I was on my way to the grocery store to pick up some ingredients for dinner tonight. I felt bad about the fight I had with my mother yesterday and wanted to make it up to her. So I decided to dip into my savings just a little bit and make her favorite meal. 

    Steak ribeye surf and turf, with creamy cheesy mashed potatoes. 

    I was pushing a cart down the aisle, gritting my teeth as the stares from school seemed to have followed me. What on earth was going on here? Did I have something on my face and no one told me about it all day?

    I was in the middle of comparing steaks when the sweet smell of strawberries and lemons surrounded me. I whipped my head to the side gripping the two packages in my hands. 

    It was him. 

    He seemed to have a grocery basket in hand and was looking at chicken not even ten feet from me. He was wearing dark denim jeans and a forest green t-shirt. I gulped down the salvia that was starting to pool in my mouth.

    He must've felt me staring because he turned his head in my direction and flashed a brilliant smile. I blushed fiercely and offered a small wave. 

    He sauntered over, towering over me. My stomach felt like it was on fire, and I felt my body burn up in response. My heart was trying to beat out of my chest. I was certain he could hear it. 

    "Hello." He said in that deep voice. I felt a shiver go down my spine with anticipation. 

    "H..Hey... From the bakery right?" I said trying to seem nonchalant and failing. Did he notice my voice quiver?

    A smirk spread across his lips and he nodded. "Yes. I'm sorry about that. I thought you were someone else." 

    I knew it! I knew it was all a misunderstanding. Victoria was worried for no reason. Though, the fact that he meant to hug someone else, made something inside me bubble with anger. Was it a lover? 

    "It's fine. Mistakes happen right?" I say turning back to the steaks in my hand. 

    I was trying to hide my face. I was getting angrier by the minute, and having images of his arms around another. For some reason, this set me on edge and I could feel my body start to tremble slightly. I threw the steaks I had in my hands into my cart and started to push it away from him. 

    He caught my arm before I could get too far, those tingling sparks erupting where he touched, causing me to shiver. 

    "Wait, I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. Please, allow me to take you to dinner." 

    I blushed at his invite. And the fact that he was still holding my arm. "I don't even know your name," I said wanting to sound hard to get. There was no way I was going to seem easy to a stranger. No matter how handsome. 

    He gave me a giant grin. "Jonathan. Jonathan Warrant. And you?"

     A smile slowly spread on my lips. "Alandra. Alandra Shatera."

    The glimmer in his eyes at my name tugged at my heart. My body was wanting to cling to him. To have those arms wrapped around me once more. And the way his eyes were following my every move, made the heat in my stomach travel lower. 

    "Listen, as an apology, why don't I take you to dinner tomorrow night? I know it's a Saturday and you may have plans, but it would be an honor." He offered in a low seductive voice. 

    The attraction between us was electrifying. It could melt snow. 

    I pretended to ponder on his offer a little bit while chewing the inside of my cheek. Because who am I kidding to reject an offer like that from a guy like him. But I couldn't just outright accept. What would he think of me? 

    "I suppose I could clear some time off my schedule."

    His smile made my heart burst. Why was everything about him making my body react so? It was like he was a drug. 

    "Wonderful. I'll pick you up at eight then. Here," He handed me a card with his name and number on it, "Give me a call or shoot me a text any time ok?"

    I nodded clutching the card close to me. 

    He smiled and gave a slight nod before turning and walking away. I stood there, watching him leave like a love-struck puppy. Once he was out of sight, my heart ached. I wanted to follow him and never leave his side. 

    Suddenly, I felt guilty.

    Here I am, having all these... emotions, for a total stranger, when I thought I was in love with Victoria. For some reason, it felt like betraying her. Like I was committing adultery. Even though she's just my friend, and even though she is dating Markus, it still felt wrong in a sense. 

    But oh so right. I had a date with Jonathan! With a hot piece of ass like him!

    I felt giddy suddenly and tucked his card into my bag, making a mental note to program it into my phone later. 

    I didn't know what tomorrow may bring, or what it will be like, but one thing was for certain. I was going on my first official date. And nothing could bring me down from the high I was currently feeling.