Escaping from the wolf

I stayed silent, feeling Thomas's breath on my neck, making my skin shiver. His touch was warm and comforting, moving up and down my arm. Did he just say I'm his? That was a phrase Apolo once used on me. That's what mates say to each other. Why is Thomas saying it to me? Could it be... No, it can't be. I'm Apolo's mate... Although that's not very certain anymore.

He pulled away and looked at me.

"Thomas, you need to go," I whispered.

"Why?"

Because you make me feel things I don't want to feel.

"Because my dad will be here any minute." I lied, though it might actually be true.

At that moment, I heard the front door open and slam shut, making me jump. I think I spoke too soon; that's definitely my dad... And I think he's been drinking again. Thomas can't be found here. "Thomas, please, leave."

I stepped away from him and carefully opened the door.

"Anne, is that your dad? Because it smells like a lot of alcohol," Thomas asked, moving closer to me.

Dad was still downstairs, doing who knows what. If he sees him here...

"Yes, it is, and you need to leave before he sees you here, because if not..." I stopped abruptly. He remained silent, waiting for my answer. "Just go, okay?"

He thought about it for a moment before reluctantly nodding.

"The amusement park plan is still on, right?" he asked before leaving.

Ha, as if I'd forgotten what I told him just hours earlier.

"Thomas, you know what you need to do for me to trust you again," I said sincerely. "Just go, okay?"

He grabbed the door handle and sighed. He seemed to be debating with himself whether to speak or not, but in the end, he chose to leave the bathroom. I didn't even see how he got in. I left too, not seeing Thomas anywhere. I frowned at his speed and walked to my room. Dad was still downstairs; honestly, I wasn't in the mood to deal with his unpleasant comments.

***

The next morning, Kenzie, Carolina, and I were at our usual table. I hadn't seen Thomas since the morning; he wasn't at his usual table where Kara was chatting animatedly with the cheerleaders. Apparently, he's forgotten all about last night; I wish I had his gift for forgetting.

Carolina was eating a slice of pizza while Kenzie texted on her phone. My pizza was untouched, which is unusual for me since I'm known for eating. I guess everything that's been happening lately has left me without an appetite. Apolo didn't come to class today. I still remember yesterday, his howl when he saw me. I can't believe it's all over between us, and it's not that I want to beg him to come back; I just wish I had some answers.

Although, even if he said, "I don't love you anymore, Anne," or "I lied about my mate; it's someone else and I found her," he didn't say anything. It just ended, and that's it. And now with Thomas, although I initially avoided him to not confront the feelings I was having, I always ended up with him. It was strange, but Thomas made me forget everything, despite how arrogant and depraved he could be. And yesterday he said I was his. That's never going to happen. I'd rather die before having anything with Thomas; he's definitely the opposite of the guy of my dreams. Apolo fit those characteristics, not him.

"Anne, are you there?" Carolina snapped her fingers in front of my face.

I blinked several times and looked at her.

"Huh?"

She rolled her eyes.

"I'm talking to you."

"Sorry, what were you saying?" I apologized.

"That Apolo didn't come today because he got drunk last night; Kayler stayed with him. Poor guy, I feel sorry for him. Why don't you go visit him, Anne? I'm sure he'd appreciate seeing you," she murmured. Drunk again? It's becoming a habit.

"I don't know if he wants to see me, with the way he no longer cares," I said vaguely.

"He does care," Kenzie interjected. "I don't know what happened last night, but when I got back from PopCap with Connor, he was very worried about you."

I swallowed hard. We're lying to poor Kenzie.

"I understand, but it doesn't seem that way," I rested my chin on my fist.

"By the way, have you seen that guy Thomas?" she asked us.

I tensed immediately.

Carolina shook her head.

"Ah... n-no, why do you ask?" I questioned, trying to sound indifferent. I felt Carolina's gaze.

"It's just that a girl who sits next to me asked me to get his number for her. Honestly, he's not bad at all; he has that bad-boy charm that attracts any woman," she said. Rage. That's what I felt.

"Ah," was all I managed to say.

God, why am I acting like this?

Do I have a twitch in my eye?

"As far as I know, Thomas doesn't have a girlfriend... for now," Carolina nudged me. I glared at her.

"Anyway, I'm not interested," I shrugged.

Kenzie seemed to pick up on something.

"Wait... do you like Thomas?" she asked.

I huffed.

"Of course not; I'd rather die before being with Thomas. We're polar opposites. Very opposite. I'm just trying to convince myself of that," I said, honestly trying to convince myself. "Well, I'll talk to him when I see him."

Carolina laughed softly.

The speakers in the cafeteria crackled to life, drawing our attention to what the principal had to say.

"Attention students, due to the heavy snowfall around the school, preventing us from leaving, you will remain here until further notice. You cannot leave or go home, even when dismissal time comes. I've called a group to clear the snow, but they will take a little longer to arrive, so you have been warned."

The speakers went silent, and some students protested the news. It was indeed snowing heavily outside; the snow almost reached the window, and the freezing drizzle wasn't helping much.

"What? This can't be happening," Kenzie complained.

"Did you have something important to do?" Carolina asked.

"Uh... I was supposed to meet Connor," she said.

Where could Thomas be?

"The forest must be covered in snow," Carolina murmured to herself. "The lake already was."

I pushed the pizza to the center of the table and leaned back in my chair with my arms crossed.

"Well, I don't have anything to do, so I don't care. Maybe I'll ask the lady who makes the food for a coffee and head to the library to read a book," I admitted, liking the idea. I hadn't read in days, and I really enjoy it. "That sounds amazing, Anne; count me in," Carolina patted my arm.

Kenzie looked at us, unsure of what to say.

"Well...," she began, slinging her backpack over her shoulder, "I need to find Lara, the girl who wants Thomas's number, to catch up. See you later."

We waved goodbye, and she left. I guess she's not into reading. Pfft, poor mundane.

Carolina and I got up and headed out.

"Hey, do you mind if I catch up with you later? I need to call Kayler to see how he's doing," she raised her hand with her phone.

"Sure."

I smiled and headed down the hall. There were a few students around since everyone was in the cafeteria. When I was halfway there, my phone buzzed with a new message. From: The guy who calls himself my dad.

Anne, come home right now. It's urgent.

I grimaced at the way he spelled "home." What does he want now? I didn't reply and continued on my way. I'm not risking my life just to follow his orders. Ha, I'm no longer that naive girl, Dad. Now you'll see the real Anne Stevens. Another message arrived.

It's urgent; it's about your mother!

That left me in doubt, and my pulse quickened. He never mentions my mother, only when he insults her or something serious has happened. I don't think he called just to insult her; something serious must have happened. Without thinking twice, I ran toward the parking lot but stopped dead in my tracks when I remembered the snow blocking the door. So, I quickly headed to the library, where there was a high window I could jump from.

I opened the door and made my way to the center. There it was. Thankfully, the snow hadn't reached it yet. I opened it with all my strength and used a chair to help me push myself out. I got both feet outside, and even though it looked a bit high, the snow would cushion my fall.

I jumped.

I grimaced at the cold biting into my body. I stood up and ran toward the parking lot, snow seeping into my boots. The parking lot was also covered in snow; I might be lucky enough to drive out.

"Anne?" I heard Thomas's voice. I turned to see him standing a few steps away with his phone. What's he doing outside?

"Not now, Thomas." I got into my car and closed the door immediately. I started the engine quickly, causing the tires to skid a bit. I didn't check both sides; I just launched myself onto the road, but Thomas's shout warned me it was a mistake: "Anne, watch out!"

That was the last thing I heard. I glanced to my left and closed my eyes as a truck came speeding toward me.

A horn.

A crash.

A bang.

A collision.

At that moment, everything went black.