Chapter 5

Seb's pov

Getting to classes has never been this tiring, waking up early and getting ready was a task that is dreading by itself, somehow I got used to it so it wasn't the toughest part.

Running through the woods in my wolf form was just fine but after crossing the woods, I had to opt to the most liable human form of transport, that is walking. It used up my ninty percent of the battery of the day to make it to the station in time.

But having to stand in the over crowded train for the whole journey definitely takes the cake. So here I am managing to stand with only one leg properly footed with the other one dangling in the air not knowing it's placement.

You should've accepted the lift when offered- Venus voices out his sassy remark.

Well I still have some self esteem to spare, something my wolf part slightly lacks - I counter not having any of it.

And I'm wrong for saying that out of empathy, the thing my human part never had - Venus retorts back with the equal force.

Ouch...That hurt.

Okay! I'll accept my defeat this time - I surrender accepting my fate infront of him like I always do. I'm not going against his unnecessarily witty comebacks especially this early in the morning.

He celebrates his little victory flipping his imaginary hair and we both laugh at that.

I'm glad you are back to your cheery self today - Venus says when we're done laughing.

He's right.

I am not feeling too shitty today and I managed to have thoughts that doesn't entirely revolve around him and our relationship. I know I can't ignore everything that happened forever. But I need more time to arrive at a rational decision, So I'm going to give myself that time.

The journey goes a little faster, thanks to Venus for keeping me company. Even though it's just him stating his opinions I never asked for, but that made the journey a bit bearable, so I'm thankful nonetheless.

As soon as I got off the train, I got reminded of the fact that I have to walk the remaining distance to the university, almost made me want to get back into the train but I am stronger than that.

I want to grab something to eat on the way but I don't think I'd make it to class in time if I stopped for that, so I scratched that plan and hurry to the destination.

Arriving at the University, I head straight to my class, to see Fred already waiting for me at our respective seats. He waves his hand to signal me to come over to him like I'd get lost if he don't, as if we weren't sitting at the same spot for the past one year. Shaking my head at his antics , I make my way to him.

"Glad to see that you are still alive." He greets me with the possibly most bizzare sentence, but I can't blame him for it.

"Morning Fred." I reply ignoring his sarcasm, hoping he won't dig too much into the reason of my disappearance.

He stares at me, examining me from head to toe repeatedly for two to three times, as if that solves the mystery he made up in his mind about why I disappeared.

I left the class early on the day Leo went missing not saying anything to Fred and I haven't responded his calls, so it's natural for him to think something happened to me.

"I'll drop it this time but an update on your status is much appreciated next time." He declares sparing me for now.

I just smile at him in relief because there's no way I could explain him everything that happened when I haven't even processed it myself. And that too how could he possibly explain to a human about all the mate stuff.

The professor enters the class while I'm lost in thought and Fred is busy on his phone tapping continuously.

"Today we will be doing the field work for the mediaeval archaeology project I assigned last week" Ms. Levison announces to the whole class.

Oh....Can this day get any worse?

____________________________

The field work is excruciating and having to do it under the burning sun doesn't make it any better. My eyes are already going blur from the lack food in my stomach

"I think I will die if I stay some more in this sun." Fred says panting after completing the excavation work. He reaches for the bottle to have some water for the fourteenth time in a row and passes it to me, all the members of our group looked in the same condition.

"I think we should do the remaining tomorrow. " I say suggestively and everyone quickly nods. Fred also gets up placing the tools at side and shoves his things in to a bag preparing to leave, while I do the same.

"You look like you're gonna pass out at any moment. " Fred comments on my condition as we're walking down the hall of our block.

My whole body is aching and my legs feel like they're gonna give out if I walk some more.

"Just a bit tired " I tell him hiding my misery but he senses it anyway.

"I don't think you'll make it to the station in this condition. " He says, with growing concern in his voice.

When I don't respond, he stops suddenly and stands before blocking my way making me stop as well.

"You can stay in my room for today, I don't think the guys would mind." He says expectantly.

"I'll keep that in mind, if there's a next time." I reply making him roll his eyes and we both start walking again with him a little behind me as he keeps blabbering about different fatal scenarios that might happen if I don't listen to his advice now.

I would've accepted if it was any other time but right now I want nothing more to get home and collapse on bed, my own bed.

Exiting the building I halt dead in my steps, making Fred trip as he was right behind me.

"fuck! why'd you stop like that-" He starts cursing but none reaches my ear due to the one my focus is on.

Right infront of the building we just exited stood Leo.

His car parked to the side while he leaned on it with his hands shoved in his pockets. He is looking down at the ground, too lost in thought to notice everyone around him. His height making him stand out as he is towering over most of the people.He's wearing a simple black shirt with grey pants and jacket to go with it, his hair done as usual making him look.... perfect.

That's how he always looked.

My heart thumps at the sight of him, all the tiredness leaving my body as I move towards him in hurried steps with a new found joy seeing him here unexpectedly.

He's here...for us - Venus says with joy mirroring mine.

Reality slaps me in the face as I'm reaching near him, everything that has happened dawns on me for once making me slow down in my steps. All the excitement leaving my body which instantly got replaced with a certain despondence.

Why does it have to be this way....

As if feeling my eyes on him, he looks up finding me a few only few steps away, his eyes lighting up the same way mine did a few a seconds ago, he takes the few remaining steps between us standing inches apart but not coming closer than that.

The lack of physical touch in the past few days starting to take a toll on us, not that we're super intimate in the past but we used to spend most of our time together and cutting it off entirely at once is a hazardous choice that's starting affect our bond.

Any proximity that could satiate our bond is showing it's effects but revelling in his scent is the only thing my body can do as my mind kept begging me to have that touch I've been starving for.

"Why are you here?" I ask him betraying both my mind and body.

I can't give in that easily

"I wanted to pick you up" He answers in no time as if he have been preparing himself to answer that question.

Am I too predictable?

"You don't have to, I am perfectly capable of getting home by myself. " I say as seriously as possible, for the past three months, he never once came to pick me up or offered me a ride, so why now?

If he thinks, this is gonna make everything okay between us, he's wrong.

" I know " He replies smiling making me furious. I turn around and start walking away.

He follows me grabbing my hand but the sparks that always came with his touch aren't there, making me turn instantly with slight panic.

I turn back to find Fred, standing there holding my hand.

"Seb, where are you going? " He asks me with concern written all over his face.

Shit , I totally forgot about him

"And who's that guy? " He asks pointing to Leo.

When I don't answer, he comes closer to me to whisper " Is he here to cause trouble, like one of those guys ? "

"No, no not at all" I assure him quickly when I understand which guys he is referring to.

"Thank God, I was so worried when I saw you talking to him seriously, I was waiting there to jump in if you need my help." He says pointing to a spot that he was apparently standing at.

I can understand his concern.

I didn't really have the fortunate circumstances in the past, so I had to associate with dangerous people for my family, gladly those dark days were over but those people still followed, Fred has seen me deal with those a couple of times in the past, so his concern is totally reasonable.

"So who's that guy then? " He asks directing his attention again on Leo.

"Oh--- He's a family friend"I answer carefully to not raise his suspicions further making Venus whine at calling our mate a friend.

If I don't go back to Leo now, it might not help the situation.

I turn back walking towards Leo making his eyes go bigger in surprise.

Fred also follows me thinking I wanted him to, both of us now standing infront of my mate.

I smile at him a little awkwardly and he returns it which makes my heart skip a beat. I turn my head towards Fred.

"Fred! This is Leonard."

And turning towards Leo "This is Fred." I introduce them to eachother both nodding their heads and shaking their hands politely. Fred continues to study him curiously while Leo just wore his blank expression.

It'd be really suspicious if you don't leave with him now- Venus warns me.

I resolve my internal war coming to a decision.

I am going with him

"I'll see you tomorrow" I say looking at Fred apologetically, he gives me a questioning look but I just pat his shoulder pretending to not see it.

With that, I make my way to the car. Before I could reach for the handle, Leo's hand blocks mine. He opens the door for me holds it for me to get in... Strange. But apparently the guy infront of me doesn't think so, he does it like he's been doing it since forever, like it's the most natural thing for him.

He closes the door as soon as I got in and gets in from the other side and starts driving away from the building. The ride goes on in silence with neither of us uttering a word.

My mind grows tired with all of the questions, the questions I need answers for, all the questions I wanted to ask him. I close my eyes in attempts of shutting them up, leaning on the window. The cold surface helping my nerves to calm down a little.

I open my eyes when the car came to a sudden halt.

I find us now parked infront of a pizzeria, I turn to Leo already undoing his seat belt to get out of the car, he stops what he's doing when he finds the puzzled expression on my face.

"I'll get you something to eat." He says looking at me.

"I'm not hungry." I reply looking away, the hope in his eyes faltering a little.

"We still have an hour ride left before we got home, you should eat something" He explains with a stern tone making me furious, I turn to glare at him. He sighs watching my expression, the authoritative tone falling off his voice.

"Please!" He says in a raspy tone lowering his head.

I turn my head to the other side, I hate seeing him like this.

Not replying anything to him, I start loosening the seat belt, he lifts his head up at the sound.

"You stay in the car, I'll go get it." He says quickly already unbuckling his seat belt and getting out of the car. He makes his way to my side.

"What do you want to eat?" He asks me, excitement now evident in the way he spoke.

"Anything is fine." I answer not looking at him. He goes in with quick steps giving me few minutes to breathe in the car without having his scent trapping me.

I stare out of the window, allowing my eyes take in things in the surroundings, it starts raining a little as the breeze around goes cooler making me close the window.

After approximately ten minutes Leo comes out of the place with a bag in his hand, he makes his way to the car in big steps to escape the rain. Once he got in, he hands me the bag.

"You should eat when it's still hot." He says but it passes my ears as I was busy staring at him ruffling his now wet hair to let it dry. He turns at me and catches me staring at him. I turn quickly taking the contents out of the bag and start munching on them.

My stomach thanks me after filling it almost half a day later. I take big bites finishing most of the slices, I only stop when I need to drink some water, I reach for the bottle in the bag but he beats me to it, reaches for it before and hands me the bottle after removing the cap.

I look at the action with confusion as I am not at all expecting it, he signals me to take it extending his hand some more. I gulp down few sips and notice him smiling at me. He starts the ride again when I am done eating. We both go quiet again but it's comfortable this time.

"Sebastian" He calls my name softly and turn my head towards him but he keeps his eyes on the road.

"What?" I question in return but it comes out as more snappish than I intended it to be.

"Your scent--" He starts but stops mid way not completing the sentence and I just kept looking his way waiting for him to complete it.

"I can't sense it" He says hesitantly making me frown even more, understanding what he meant happens after a while making me feel guilty.

I masked my scent after crossing the woods.

Clicking my tongue in guilt, I unmask it instantly making him sigh in relief, I can understand how difficult it must've been for him to not even sense it.

The remaining ride goes faster as he try his best to drive in the rain as it grows bigger, by the time we reach home it develops into a storm, the sky darker with clouds. We enter home to my mum handing us dry towels to wipe our bodies. Leo sits on the couch with the towel while I make way to my room.

I go downstairs after I change into fresh clothes, Leo looks up holding a cup in his hand and his eyes keep following my every step as I walk. My mom calls me from the kitchen before I can go to him.

" I don't think it's safe for him to drive in this weather, ask him to stay here for the night." She says in a hush tone and my eyes goes bigger in shock at what she suggested.

No way

" I don't think that's necessary mom. He'll be fine" I answer and she narrows her eyes at me. Silently conveying it's decided.

Having to spend the night with him is the last thing I want right now.

You are just afraid, admit it- Venus says rubbing the salt on the wound.

Is it possible to disown your own wolf, if yes I so want to do it now - I ask the goddess.

If it's possible, I would've done it long ago - That asshole counters, ignoring him I make my way to the living room where Leo is in.

I clear my throat to get his attention and he gives it immediately.

" Stay here for the night " I tell him and his whole body stills in disbelief.