Blood Legacy Chapter 45: 45. The lone wolf

I anxiously looked around for any means of escape, my head spinning as I noticed the totally relaxed and smiling faces of my girls as the pack of wolves approached us, their stances devoid of any signs of fear or even uneasiness.

*So they're fucking friends now?*

I casually watched them greet each other, those smiles still plastered on their faces as they started chatting, that Christian guy openly displaying gestures of affection towards Kayla whilst my sister talked with the trio of wolfy vipers, Jess being the only one that looked at least a little bit uneasy around them, visibly avoiding to look them directly in the eye as she politely smiled, keeping her answers short.

It felt like I was watching them from somewhere afar, none of them seeming to notice my presence as they continued to chat around, their voices sounding a little muffled in my ears as I could feel my blood pressure increase, my breathing becoming erratic as well.

*Fuck.*

I continued to look for a way out, desperate to get out of there as slowly but surely, I was starting to feel so fucking suffocated, my increasing heartbeat ringing in my ears as my gaze accidentally collided with his, aggravating my current situation.

*Shit.*

My eyelids fluttered, forcing myself to tear my gaze away when his suddenly shifted, staring somewhere past me.

I didn't need to turn around and follow his line of sight as I already knew exactly what he was looking at.

*The news board.*

I could feel beads of cold sweat starting to form on my temples, my heart pounding faster than ever as I abruptly turned around and shoved myself past my girls, high-tailing it straight towards the bathroom before anyone could even try to ask what was wrong with me.

I ran and pushed past the entrance, going for the sinks as I felt in dire need of some cold, refreshing water.

I turned on the tap and splashed some on my face, struggling to regain my breathing as I leaned myself forward with my hands on the edge, finding my own gaze in the mirror.

I looked like shit.

My hair was crazy, I had some darker lines under my eyes and my skin looked rather yellow instead of my usual golden tan, my lips looking equally pale.

Shit.

I traced my fingers through my hair in an attempt to smooth it out a little bit, giving myself a few slaps and pinches afterwards as I tried to make myself look at least a little bit more alive.

I couldn't go back out there looking like this. *My girls would start asking questions*. And I absolutely knew that there would be no other way for me to answer to them without having to lie. *Again and again and again.*

"Fuck," I blew out a tired sigh, giving myself one last glance in the mirror before I turned around and finally exited that bathroom, casually noticing the deserted hallway before I turned to the direction where my first class was, my lips escaping a startled gasp as I almost collided with one of the other two wolfy vipers from Nathan's pack.

I think her name was Zara, maybe?

I didn't know for sure but I didn't bother asking either, about to apologize and go my merry way when she suddenly stepped closer, gently touching my arm as she asked,

"Are you okay?"

My lips parted open, unsure whether to give her a snarky comeback or answer politely as that genuine concern glinting in her brown eyes had me so damn confused, wondering what made her act so kindly when I suddenly noticed Jess stepping from behind her, her timid gaze carefully darting around before she quietly said,

"I don't think that she is, let's help her get to the classroom,"

I didn't even get to reply as they immediately flanked my sides and linked their arms with mine, pretending to have a casual girl-to-girl conversation with me every time someone passed us by as we walked to the classroom and went inside, both of them purposely acting so joyous and friendly as we walked to the only available seats left at the far back of the classroom, Jess being careful enough to place me on the seat right next to the wall before she sat next to me, both acting like human -well, human and wolf- shields as Zara sat herself right in front of me in the previous row.

I was still feeling so confused, wondering why they were doing all this when my phone suddenly vibrated in the pocket of my denim jacket, abruptly drawing my attention.

I stealthily fished it out of my pocket as our teacher had already started the lesson and read the message popping up on the screen as soon as I unlocked it.

"*Do you still feel sick? We can create a diversion and go back outside if you need some air,*"

It was from Jess. *Aww.* My heart warmed as I looked at the side of her calm and composed face, lightly smiling as I looked back at the phone in my hand and quickly replied,

*"No. I'm okay now, thanks,"*

She risked a quick glance in her lap and read the message, giving out a barely perceptive nod as she pretended to continue focusing on the lecture, that light smile still plastered on my face as I tried to focus on the lesson too and completely ignore the feel of those constant glances from two certain someones.

**

"What did he do to you?"

I paused as I was about to shove my stuff back in my locker, tilting my head back to peer behind the metal door.

My brows furrowed, giving Zara a weird look as I hadn't exactly understood her question.

"You had sex with him, didn't you?"

My eyes widened, lips parting open and my cheeks flushing as I totally wasn't expecting for her to say that, completely stunned as I stared between her and Jess.

What- How-

"We can smell it on you. His imprint," Zara said with a serious look on her face, rendering me speechless as I stared at her, my gaze slowly dragging to an equally serious-looking Jess.

What the hell was going on?

"Did he hurt you?"

"N-no, no one h-"

"We know that he made you go into heat," She quickly said before I could even try to finish that sentence, frowning again as I stopped to wonder about one thing instead.

Wait. How did Jess know about any of this?

I met her sheepish gaze, watching her quickly lower it to the ground, visible guilt marring her features as she hesitated to even say anything.

My face fell with shock as realization dawned upon me, suddenly feeling so freaked-out as all I could do was just stare at her, entirely bewildered.

"You-"

"She comes from a family of lone wolves," Zara swiftly cut in, drawing my attention towards her instead.

*A family of what?*

"Please don't be mad at her. She never told you because she didn't want you to be scared of her," She gently pleaded with kindness and warmth, gingerly touching my arm whilst looking me in the eyes.

Wait, Jess? MY Jess? My sweet and kind and usually a little bit quiet friend was actually...a wolf? *One of them?!?*

*What in the actual fuck?!?*

I mentally started to freak out even harder as my gaze shifted back to her, meeting her meek and guilty stare.

"I wanted to tell you. I always felt like you were the only one who could understand me and I wanted to tell you so badly, especially after they moved into town," She started with a trembling voice, her blue eyes filling with unshed tears.

I knew who she was referring to. *Nathan's gang.*

"But I didn't know h-" She didn't get to say anything more as I moved closer and threw my arms around her, giving her a warm and comforting hug.

She was my friend, wolf or not. I could never be scared of her. Surprised? Maybe, yes but scared? *Never.* She was one of my truest friends. And her recent actions only proved that point. I wasn't going to turn my back or run away, just because she felt afraid to tell me until now.

"I understand. I know that it can't be easy to have such a big secret and not being able to share it with anyone," I calmly said as I held her, feeling her hugging me a little tighter in response.

I could say that I knew what it felt like. *That helplessness, that lonely feeling.*

*I've felt it so many times before*, was what I wanted to say but smiled instead as she pulled back and looked at me with a smile of her own, wiping those tears away.

"What's a lone wolf though?"