Gunner.
I woke up feeling refreshed and excited for the day. I couldn't wait to get to school and see Zelena. Actually, I didn't want to wait until school. If I go to the path in the forest where we left her yesterday, she'd be bound to come past there this morning. I went for a quick shower, barely able to contain my excitement. I got out and brushed my teeth and combed my hair. I got dressed and headed downstairs. As I opened the kitchen door, I saw Cole and Smith both with their mouths stuffed full.
"Ahh, there he is" Mum said with a smile.
She was standing at the counter with her hand on her hip, facing the boys.
"Morning Mum" I said as I walked over to her and kissed her on the cheek.
"Aren't you in a happy mood?" she cooed excitedly,
"Well, I haven't been able to get anything out of these two about this mystery girl, that has you all spun out" she said expectedly.
"See, I told you Mrs. M" Smith mumbled with a mouth half full of food,
"He's proper whipped".
I smiled at them all and grabbed a muffin.
"Come on boys. Later Mum".
The boys mumbled farewell to my mum and followed me out the door.
"Why do we need to be early today?" Cole asked, even though I guessed he already knows the answer.
"We're going to the forest to meet Zee on the way to school"
"Of course we are" Cole groaned.
We took off into the forest, but it wasn't far until we reached the path from yesterday. I stopped by a tree just off the path and then we waited. It wasn't five minutes until I caught her scent through the trees. She was walking slowly with her head facing up to the sky. Goddess she is beautiful.
*Wait here you two*
I took a deep breath to calm my nerves and then I walked up behind her,
"Good morning" I said softly. She jumped and spun around with wide eyes and a surprised expression, which made me giggle at her reaction.
~
I frowned when I saw the band-aid on her forehead. There was an older looking wound poking out of the bottom of the band-aid. This was much bigger than the scratch on her cheek. She would have had to hit her head on something really hard for a gash like that to happen. Then it dawned on me. She didn't hit her head, someone else hit her on the head. Someone was hurting her. I let out a shocked gasp and let go of her chin. I went straight from zero to a hundred. My blood burst into flames and I could feel the beginning of my change coming on.
"Zee, what happened to your face?" I asked her gruffly, trying and failing to control my anger.
She pulled away from me and turned her head pulling her hair back out to cover the band-aid. My rage filled every inch of my body and I could feel my ribs starting to spread and twist. I clenched my fists in an attempt to ease my anger, pressing the tip of my claws into my palm. I needed to know, who was hurting my Mate?
"Zelena, who did that to you?"
A growl erupted from my chest and I instantly swallowed it down again. I want to hurt them like they hurt her. I want to make them suffer for putting these marks on my little wolf's face. She took a step away from me, she's frightened of me. I went to jump forward to grab her, to shake some sense into her, to make her tell me who was hurting her. I need to protect her. I will do anything to protect her. Cole wrapped his arms around my chest, pulling me back, and held me in place.
"Whoa, easy mate" he said calmly.
Like a bucket of ice water had been thrown over my head, I snapped back to reality. Zee was standing in front of me, fear written all over her face. My anger subsided instantly. Oh, thank the Goddess Cole was there. I don't know what I was doing, I just got so angry. I can't believe I nearly lost it at her, I could have ruined everything. Somehow, I need to show her that it's okay, that she can trust me to take care of her.
I wrapped my fingers around her tiny hand and smiled. I nodded my head in the direction of the school and raised my eyebrows. No words were needed and she understood what I meant anyway. She smiled with a blush gracing her pale cheeks. She nodded her head, and we began walking together.
I didn't even notice when we got to the school, I was too focused on Zelena, on her hand in mine and the tiny sparks and warmth that the contact expelled. Cole and Smith opened the doors and we followed them in. I couldn't stop staring at her. Her relaxed mood quickly changed, and I could feel her growing anxious. There were a lot of people in the hallway, and they were all staring at us. It's pretty clear to me now that Zelena doesn't like attention. She pulled up her hood, dropped my hand, and took off before I could do anything.
"Zee wait!" I called for her, but she didn't stop. I frowned at the people in the hallway, why can't they leave her alone. Smith hit me on the shoulder and smiled,
"It's all good dude, my first class is with her. I'll keep her company" he said with a large smile. I nodded and he left. I walked slowly to my first class, listening to the whispers in the hall as I went.
"Is he blind?"
"What's he doing with her?"
Each comment and accusation made me angrier and angrier. It shouldn't matter what these idiots think anyway, I'm only here for a couple of months. Then after that, Zee and I never have to see them again. I got to my classroom and slumped down at my desk. I managed to wait an hour into class when caved and finally flashed Smith,
*How's it going, is she okay?*
*Dude she's fine, I even made her laugh*
*Thanks Smith. Walk with her to lunch okay*
*Whatever you say boss*
When lunch came, I went straight to the cafeteria to wait for Smith and Zelena. Cole got there before us, so he stood with me and waited. When Smith came running down the hall alone, I looked for her, but I couldn't see her behind him.
"Where's Zelena?" I asked raising my eyebrows at him,
"She wanted to drop her bag off at her locker first, said to meet her here"
"I told you to walk with her" I growled leaning closer to Smith.
"Gunner, she'll be fine" Cole said putting his hand on my shoulder.
I wasn't happy, but I let it go. We stood and waited for another minute, but she still didn't show. I felt uneasy in my stomach, like something was wrong. I remember what my mum said about sharing feelings on a deeper scale. Is that what's happening here? I closed my eyes and listened. I could hear something happening in a few hallways over. Something wasn't right.
"I'm gonna go find her" I said to the boys over my shoulder as I began speed walking towards the lockers.
I didn't need to look back, I knew they were right behind me. As we got to the hall there was a crowd of kids all piled in, trying to see around the corner. I pushed my way through them easily enough, and as I got around the corner my entire body blistered with rage. Demi had Zelena by the throat up against the locker. I threw kids to the side as I forced my way through the crowd. I got to the front of people and grabbed Demi by the back of the head. With inhuman like strength, I threw her across the floor. She landed at the feet of the ape from the cafeteria yesterday. I stood glaring at her as she picked herself up off the floor. I could feel my bones starting to twist and break and the heat run through my body. I was going to tear this bitch apart with my teeth. I advanced towards her baring my teeth when Cole and Smith pounced on me, holding down my arms. I shoved them off and took a few more steps closer to her before they pounced on me again. I struggled and fought to get free, managing to only get one arm loose. Throwing my arm out towards the repugnant bitch, I clipped her shoulder with my protruding claws. Nowhere near deep enough, but enough to get a squeal of pain from her.
"LET ME GO!" I screamed, fighting to break free.
I want her dead. I want to taste her blood in my mouth as her life leaves her body.
*Calm down Gunner, you're starting to change*
Cole begged me silently, but I ignored him.
"I'll fucking kill you if you ever touch her again" I howled at her.
The little bitch was now hiding behind her big jock friend.
"Come on mate, enough" Cole said out loud.
I was still trying to shake Cole and Smith off me when I smelt the blood. I turned around and saw Zelena struggling to stand.
*Let me go now*
I pushed through them and ran to Zelena's side. I grabbed her waist to help her up and she flinched, which made my blood boil even more. Couldn't she see I was the one protecting her, I was helping her. Why does she shudder from my touch, if we're truly destined then she should crave it, not fear it.
"She's a fucking psycho Gunner!" Demi screeched at me.
I turned to look at her and growled, if she says just one more thing, I will tear her to pieces. The crowd fell silent, and I quickly glanced around the hall at some of them. They were all scared of me, all of them looking at me with terror on their faces.