The Mouse and The Wolf - Chapter 27: Chapter 27

-Tilly-
It was safe to say that Jade was not happy with us. Arch and I only wanted to see what was going on between him and Oliver. We definitely weren't spying on them to get proof that Jade actually liked Oliver and use that information against him or anything.
But what we ended up seeing was priceless.
I turned to sneak a peek at Jaden, who was sitting next to me in my car. He was staring at me. He was sitting sideways on his seat, leaning against the door with his arms crossed over his chest, and he just stared at me under his scrunched eyebrows.
"So? How's it going?" I asked, and hesitated for a moment, before I added, "Wolfie."
Arch burst out laughing immediately, and I couldn't stop myself from chuckling either.
"You two are just massive idiots," Jaden muttered.
"Come on – you were playing fetch with the mate you do not want," I said.
"Why the hell were you following me?" Jaden asked while Arch kept laughing on the backseat.
"We just wanted to make sure everything is all right," I smirked. "Muffins."
Arch laughed even harder, and Jade gave him an ugly glare.
"You were following us the entire time?" he hissed at me.
"Of course," I nodded. "And I must say, you are a very good boy."
Jaden growled at me and slouched on his seat. He really was not happy with us. I had the feeling he wasn't going to talk to us anytime soon.
"I mean it," I said, focusing on the road. Arch's laughter died away as well, but he was still chuckling quietly. "I think it was really nice of you to spend some time with him. He seemed happier."
"Whatever..." Jade muttered.
I rolled my eyes and let out a silent sigh. Typical...
But that was Jaden. He had qualities that would make him a great alpha one day, but right now they all were mixed with his refusal to grow up, making him unbearable at times. I didn't mind because I knew I was just as unbearable, or maybe even worse, but I felt sorry for the human boy. I was also interested to see why our next alpha would choose him as his mate. Our goddess may have chosen Oliver, but she would never choose one Jaden himself wouldn't want.
Another thing that interested me was Arch's opinion about Oliver. He didn't seem to have one, except that he said Oliver seemed harmless. I didn't believe Oliver was a Diviner, but I didn't believe he was crazy either. He was definitely human, that was for sure, but that didn't mean he was just like the rest of them.
I was dying to know what was going on.
"And here we are again," I sighed, when our school came into view.
I hated our new policy to do this... studying thing. Our first class was history. History. Human history that had nothing to do with us werewolves. It was so boring! Why were we punished so harshly just because we caused a little bit of ruckus now and then? Every single teacher knew to run straight to Beta Ryder if we missed class even for a minute, or if we didn't do what we were told to.
I had been snooping around and found out that not everyone in this school was completely oblivious to the existence of us werewolves. It shouldn't have been a shocker, since Alpha Rayleigh had made a lot of connections when he decided to claim our territory, but someone should have told us that the principal of this school was one of them! That was how Beta Ryder got his job as the vice principal.
I sighed and hit my head on my desk in frustration. I was even wearing pants. Pants! Stupid Beta... Stupid teachers... Stupid school... All three of us were born werewolves! Why on earth would we need to study about the human history?!
I endured through the class, mumbling curses under my breath. At least the next one was chemistry. Now that was interesting. For more than one reason.
While we had a break between classes, we went to check up on Oliver. Well, Arch and I were, Jaden insisted he just felt like walking in that particular direction. His stubbornness was almost comical, but the fact that Oliver was completely alone, scared and confused every single second of the day took the fun out of it.
I felt so sorry for the little human. He seemed to be doing a bit better now, but he was still miserable. Even my bitchy heart wept when I saw him sitting all alone in the corner, watching other kids having fun. I just wanted to kick Jaden, so he would go to Oliver, but when I turned to look at him, I suddenly had the feeling it wouldn't take too long until he went to his mate on his own. He, too, couldn't bear the sight of this sad little creature, no matter how hard he tried to convince himself he didn't want a mate.
Once the break was over, we left Oliver to get to our own class. Jaden took his time to follow us, and I noted how slowly he walked. It was almost like something was pulling him back. How peculiar! I smiled when I spotted him looking over his shoulder with a sad expression on his face.
"You'll get to play fetch with him later," I said, trying to cheer him up. And make fun of him. "I promise we won't interrupt anything this time."
"You'd better not – he got scared of you two idiots," Jaden nearly growled at me.
"I'm sorry," I said sincerely. "I didn't think he'd spot us."
"Well he did, and I'll make gloves out of you if he's too scared to come into the forest again," he continued.
I hid my smile from him.
Yeah... It really wasn't going to take long anymore.
Nothing interesting happened during most of the day. I tried to focus in class, but everything was way too boring for me. Every single class was hell. Until...
I stepped into the science lab after Jaden and Arch, holding my books against my chest. I pushed a lock of my hair behind my ear and swiftly straightened my shirt as I walked towards my seat. We were almost late, so everyone else were already taking their seats. I was sitting next to Jade in this class, at the back of the room, so I followed him.
And... then...
"Hi, Tilly."
Okay I hadn't told anyone why I was pro-mates all of a sudden.
"Hi, Bob," I said without looking at the guy who said hi to me.
"Are we still playing that game?" the guy asked, and I could tell he was smiling without looking at him. His name wasn't really Bob. I just acted like I couldn't remember his name.
"Oh right. It was Ken," I said, and finally turned to face the guy. He was Hispanic, tall and muscular and his dark hair was straight out of shampoo commercials and his smile was warm and mischievous and the way he looked at me with his dark, brown eyes made my knees weak. I had never met anyone as bold as he was. He was the only human in this town who was brave enough to flirt with me.
"It's Ben," he said with a smile.
"Whatever," I smiled as well, and continued my way to my seat. Ben was watching me the entire time and turned away when I sat down. I let out a heavy sigh and forced myself rip my eyes off him.
"Poor guy can't take a hint," Jaden muttered. "You don't even remember his name and he still thinks he has a chance..."
I rolled my eyes up at the ceiling and held back my sigh. I was surrounded by idiots. At least my little secret was safe. I didn't want to think about what Jade would say if he found out I was drooling over a human.
Since the highlight of my day passed already, I didn't feel as interested in chemistry anymore. I kept peering at Ben the entire time, wondering if the moon goddess hadn't pointed out my mate yet because I had found him on my own. That was possible as well. But then again, if this guy wasn't suitable for me, and I'd found my real mate... That was why I kept treating him in such a cold manner. To keep him away...
I peeked at Ben again. I knew painfully well why Jaden sometimes said he hated being a werewolf. We were taught to stay away from humans, so they wouldn't get hurt. Alpha Rayleigh and so many other turned werewolves had to leave their families and friends behind, and they all said it was the cruelest thing they had ever experienced. I believed them. I couldn't bear the thought of having to leave our territory for good.
I wouldn't have to think about these things if I was a human.
But then again, I would never trade my life with any human. Or anyone for that matter. I straightened my posture and grabbed my book, opening the right page. I was strong, I was beautiful, and I had a couple of amazing dimwits as my best friends, as my brothers. What else could I wish for?
After the class, Arch and Jade went to look for Oliver once again, while I ran towards the nearest toilet. I was drinking way too much soda for my own good. Once I was done with my business, I went to look for them. I followed their scents and made my way towards the back of the school, and eventually, I spotted Oliver walking in my way.
He seemed to be in a hurry, and soon I realized why.
"Where are you going? Why don't you come play with us?" someone laughed, and I could tell by the sound of their voice they were up to no good.
I saw that asshole, Nick, following Oliver with a couple of his friends. Oliver kept his head down as he hurried his steps. I was so done watching that asshat torment the little guy, who probably hadn't done anything to deserve any of this shit.
"Hey! I'm talking to you, rat!" Nick yelled.
Oliver wasn't far from me. He had nothing to worry about. Not anymore. I saw Jaden close by, hiding behind a corner – as usual – but I could feel he was getting ready to kick Nick's ass as well. Arch was standing right behind him. All Oliver needed to do was to walk past the hallway they were in, and Nick would be dead meat.
I took a few steps closer, since I wanted to have fun as well – I hadn't had the opportunity to kick anyone's ass lately, and Nick was a perfect target to take my frustration out on.
But it was stolen from me. It was stolen from all of us.
Oliver suddenly turned around. "Piss off, Nick!"
I stopped. Jade stopped. The entire hallway seemed to stop and stare at Oliver, who was standing in the middle of it all, staring at Nick.
"Whoa," I chuckled lightly, feeling impressed that Oliver had the guts to stand up for himself.
Nick, on the other hand, was not. He burst out laughing, and took a few, threatening steps towards him.
"Where's your manners, rat?" he laughed, balling his hand into a fist. Oliver took a step back, clearly regretting his decision to confront him. I took a few steps closer to him.
"L-Leave me alone!" Oliver said, and surprised me again by staying right where he was.
"Nah – I think we'll have some fun with you," Nick said with an evil laughter, walking closer to him. He got too close.
"No! You'll leave me alone!" Oliver said with a stronger voice.
Jaden stopped right behind him. I hardly even noticed him leaving his hiding place, but there he was, standing behind his mate with his arms crossed over his chest. I couldn't see his face, but I knew he had a furious gleam in his eyes when he stared down at Nick.
I stopped close by and watched the color vanishing from Nick's face. I loved the panic in his eyes. Then, he bolted. I laughed when he stumbled on his own feet as he tried to get as far away from Jade as possible.
When he was out of the view, I turned to look at Oliver and Jade. Jade was already walking towards me, when Oliver finally turned around. His eyes landed on Jade right away. He knew it was Jade who scared Nick away.
"Come on," Jade muttered when he passed me by. Arch joined us in the hallway and walked after him. I lingered for a moment, watching Oliver.
His eyes never stopped following Jaden.