Chapter 11: Chapter 11

Tuesday

Emerald’s POV:

No, no, no!

This can’t be happening, I didn’t even know if they were my mates for sure. Of course, I knew they wouldn’t be exaggerating such a thing, especially with the fact they had she-wolves lining up to be with them, but I wanted to have some inkling of the mate-bond before it was announced to the pack. I wasn’t even sure if I wanted an announcement then.

The quads were waiting for me to say something. I knew outright denying them would not go in my favour, I had to pacify them so that I could get what I wanted with minimal damage. Sighing for probably the hundredth time since yesterday, I looked up, staring at none of the quads and said,

“Alphas, with all due respect, I do not doubt that I am your mate, but please look at it from my perspective. I do not feel the mate-bond yet, and I would really appreciate it if all introductions and ceremonies are held back till then,” I said with as much conviction as I could muster up; the headache I was harbouring wasn’t helping either. The quads seemed to be debating it over the mind-link. I just hope they will listen to me.

“Little Luna, as much as we want to heed to your every demand, this is one we cannot let go of,” said Alpha Ezekiel.

To say I was seething inside would be an understatement. I wasn’t going to give up though. I had something in mind, I just hoped it would work.

I was desperate over here!

“E..Ezekiel, please!” I said. I could see that he visibly stiffened. Hopefully, that did the trick.

“Looks like my baby has you where she wants, big bro,” said Alpha Samael, smirking at his brother.

“How about this, my love, we’ll think about the Luna ceremony after your birthday, and as far as claiming you as our mate, that cannot be negotiated. You are yet to be mated or marked and will be around other male wolves, our wolves won’t have it,” said Alpha Azrael.

Why do they have to be so stubborn!

I guess this is the best I’m going to get. I just sighed and nodded. I closed my eyes for the rest of the ride and tried to relax. I already knew something might go south at the academy, might as well get some rest now to have some energy later.

As soon as we parked, I could see the students gawking at the car, seeing their future Alphas there. Alpha Zaqeil got out and held his hand out to help me. As much as I wanted to avoid contact, I didn’t want to embarrass him in front of his pack members. As soon as our hands touched, a microsecond of electricity that flowed through me gave me a slight jitter. Alpha Zaqeil on the other hand, was smiling.

Just as the quads flanked me, with two Alphas on both sides, Luca’s Ferrari pulled up in front of us. As soon as Hannah got out, she tried coming toward me, but Luca held her back and put his arm around her waist. I guess she isn’t in any better situation than I am.

We all walked down the courtyard, the Alphas motioning us toward the principal’s office. Students couldn’t stop staring at us. Probably wondering why Alpha Ezekiel was holding me by my waist, while Alpha Samael had his arm over my shoulder. I could feel the daggers thrown my way by the she-wolves, while the guys stole glances, a low warning growl was heard from the quads if they were caught looking my way a little longer than needed.

I rolled my eyes at that.

Alpha males and all their bravado.

“Em, Han!” we heard Ela yell.

Then we saw Leah, Elijah, Jeremiah, Ian, and Axel in tow behind Ela coming toward us. As soon as they got close, their faces went from what looked like a worried expression, morphing into confusion, seeing me wrapped between the quads, and Hannah basically killing her mate with daggers she was throwing with her eyes.

Leah and Eli’s silvery marks came into view as I was about to say something. My breath hitched, and I stiffened. The quads sensed the change and looked at me with their brows hunched in confusion. As soon as Hannah noticed her brothers were about to question me, she sprang in to save me.

“Guys, let’s go, we’ll be late for class,” Hannah said, even though we had about an hour till the first period.

“But Han class is…,” said Ela, but stopped midway when receiving a glare from Hannah.

“Let’s go, Em!” said Hannah.

I nodded and tried to walk away with them but was pulled back by the quads. I really needed to catch a break, I was on the verge of breaking down.

“Angel, we’ll be here to pick you up when you’re done with your classes,” said Alpha Zaqeil, while coming around and kissing my forehead.

“Baby, be good for us,” said Alpha Samael, and gave me a peck on the forehead as well.

“Little Luna, if anyone tries to approach you, tell them you are mated to the Alphas and are their future Luna,” said Alpha Ezekiel, while giving my waist a tiny squeeze before letting go.

As soon as he said that, I could see all my friend’s mouths drop to the floor hearing this new bit of information. I wanted to literally strangle the quads at this point, but I knew they were laying claim because of the guys. I could sense them getting uncomfortable when Ian, Jeremiah and Axel approached us.

Before I could move, Alpha Azrael came in front of me, reaching for my hair tie, and with one pull slipping it out of my hair, cascading my long silvery hair down my back.

“As much as I love seeing your beautiful snow-white neck, my love, it lacks our marks. We don’t need other wolves getting any ideas that you’re available. Leave your hair down, my love, so we don’t have to put any horny teenagers in the dungeon for getting the wrong idea,” said Alpha Azrael, and kissed my cheek. I was probably as red as a tomato at this point from all the unwanted attention.

“Yes, Alphas,” I whispered, but the quads caught it, and each gave me a small smile finally letting me go.

As soon as we all walked out of earshot from the quads and Luca, havoc insinuated.

“Emerald Hutton! Care to tell us why the quads acted like lovesick puppies around you?” asked Ela, while crossing her arms around herself. Everyone nodded in agreement with her. As soon as I was about to say something, for a split second my gaze fell on Eli and Leah again, he had his arm around her waist. They were looking at one another with so much love. Not wanting to make them uncomfortable, I looked toward Ela and the rest,

“Apparently, I’m their mate,” I mumbled.

“WHAT!” they all said in unison, with the same shocked expressions they had before.

“Wait, wait! Hold up! You’re not even eighteen yet, Em!” said Axel.

“It doesn’t matter! She’s ten days away from coming of age; a mate’s wolf can pick up the scent if they are of age, and since the Alphas have been of age for almost five years it makes sense if they laid claim,” said Jeremiah.

The way they were all staring at me was not helping my nerves. As much as I loved all my friends, I needed some time. I needed to figure things out. Yesterday’s events were still fresh in my mind, and Leah and Eli’s blossoming relationship wasn’t helping. As much as I was happy for them, I couldn’t help but pity myself. Deciding to ignore everyone’s curious questions regarding the quads, I went up to Leah and hugged her.

“Congratulations, Leah! I’m truly am happy for you guys!” I said and turned to Eli, giving him a smile. Leah stiffened but relaxed instantly when she felt my arms around her and hugged me back.

“Thank you, Em. Congratulations to you as well. I am sure the quads will treat you like the queen you are,” Leah replied. I just gave her a small smile and nodded.

As soon as I let Leah go, I was engulfed in a hug by Eli. But, unfortunately, this time it was my turn to stiffen, even though I held no malice, I didn’t think I was ready to be hugged by him again. Along with the fact that I had four possessive Alphas roaming around at the academy, if they smelt a male wolf’s scent on me, or saw me being hugged, it probably wouldn’t end well.

“Congratulations! Keep my best friend happy, you hear me.” I said to Eli.

“Of course, Em! Thank you for everything! I know you said that it won’t affect our friendship, and I really hope you mean that. We will always be here for you when you need us,” said Eli.

“I know, Eli! Thank you,” I replied, letting go of him as quickly as possible before the quads decided to pop up around the corner.

“Ahh-mph! We’re still waiting for an explanation, Em!” said Ela. I sighed; my favourite course of action since yesterday.

“There isn’t much to say, guys. After Han and I went to the packhouse last night with Luca, the Alpha’s claimed I was their mate, and said I would start feeling the effects of the bond closer to my birthday,” I said, while shrugging my shoulders and walking off. No one followed me, they probably understood that I needed some time.

I could hear the bell go, signalling the start of the first class. I was a scholarship student, which meant I had to have an almost perfect attendance record, with all but six absences throughout the school year. I knew skipping class wouldn’t really do me any good, but I didn’t want to face my friends, and the whispers that were probably going around by now relating to the quads and I. So I walked towards the back of the academy into the woods. I kept walking until I reached a small clearing, I put my bag down and laid back. Closing my eyes and just took in everything about how my life had changed so much. I missed mom and dad, I wanted to go back home and snuggle into my bed and forget everything. I knew I was being unreasonable, she-wolves would die to be in my position, but my heartbreak didn’t have it. I didn’t want to get hurt again, I didn’t want to experience losing someone I cared for again. What if the quads left me for some other she-wolf? No one was a stranger to their playboy ways, practically the whole pack knew. How could I be so sure they wouldn’t cheat on me or leave me? I don’t think I would be able to retake that kind of blow. With all those thoughts in mind, I dozed off.

I jolted up as someone nudged my shoulder, looking behind me, I saw Hannah gazing down with a sad smile. I don’t know what happened, but at that moment the tears that I was holding back came pouring down like a hailstorm. For what seemed like hours, I cried to my heart’s content, while holding Hannah for dear life as she rubbed my back in small circles with her hand.

“Shh, Em! You’re okay,” Hannah cooed.

“No, Hannah, I’m not. I’m sorry, but I’m not!” I replied, before Hannah could say anything I continued,

“How’d I get her, Han? Till yesterday it seemed my life was finally starting to shape up. How’d I go from breaking up with who I thought was my soulmate, to being claimed by the future Alphas?”

“I don’t even know anything anymore, Han! I’m so scared. I know your brothers aren’t making up the mate thing. They don’t need to, but I’m scared, Han! No offence, but you know your brother’s ways, I don’t think I can take any other blow to my heart. How do I know they won’t shun me aside if another suitable she-wolf comes along, or they won’t cheat on me?” I said, while looking at Hannah through my tear-streaked eyes. I could see the pity in Hannah’s eyes.

Before she said anything, she helped me up, sat me on a tree stump not too far away, and patted my tears away with a handkerchief that I had just noticed she was holding. She leaned down and settled on her knees between my legs, held my face in her hands, and said,

“Em, I’m not going to sit here and pretend to portray my brothers as these amazing guys, I know as much as you and everyone else in the pack about their behaviour, and there is no excuse for it. But I can assure you that since they’ve turned eighteen, all they ever wanted was their Luna, their soulmate that the Goddess created just for them. They always told me that whenever they found her, she would be their world, and they would never let her shed a single tear…,” I wanted to say something, but she held up her finger, telling me to let her complete,

“…I know you’re hurt about Eli and Leah. Hell, anyone would be, and it’s okay to be sad, but don’t let that ruin things for you that are in the future. Leah and Eli found their happiness, and you’ll see you’ll find yours in my brothers. I may not know much, but one thing I can attest to is that they’ll never cheat on you or choose anyone over you; the bond doesn’t let you. Luca was exactly like my brothers before we found out we were mated, and I’ll be honest, despite having a crush on him forever, I had my reservations. But with time all my doubts went away. I’m not asking you to jump into their arms, but keep an open mind, and don’t let your past dictate your future. Get to know them, you’ll come to see under all that Alpha-male aura crap, they are amazing and will keep you happy,” said Hannah, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.

I looked at Hannah with my tongue caught in my mouth. This is why Hannah is my best friend, she’s my light when I’m in the dark and alone. She always knew what to say to help me.

I knew she was right, and I wanted to do everything she said, but I was scared, and the worst part was I didn’t really have any other option but to give the quads a chance. Just the thought of not having an opportunity was heart-wrenching, I had no choice. All I could do was pray to the Moon Goddess for strength and preserve the little heart I had left.

“Thank you, Han! You always know what to say. As much as I know I should be happy being mated to the future Alphas of the pack, it’s hard with all that has been happening since yesterday. I’ll give them a chance putting all my biases aside, I just really hope it goes well,” I said, giving Hannah a hug and standing up.

“You’ll see what I mean, Em, soon. Just take it easy,” said Hannah as we made our way back to the academy courtyard.