When I got back to the pack house, I avoided everybody and headed straight upstairs to do the little homework I had.

I finished the stupid equations for Math, the short story for English, and started the outline for a History project. But no matter what I did, I couldn't shake Xavier's blue eyes from my mind. I didn't even make contact with them! So why were they haunting me so much?

Approximately an hour into my homework, May burst into my room — without knocking, might I add — and announced dinner was ready. Dinner turned out to be my favorite steak meal, which I normally inhale. Tonight, though, I merely picked at my food; my thoughts wandering to Xavier's lingering stare at the store. STOP! I scolded myself sharply.

I think somebody's got a crush! Scarlet whispered through my mind and I felt her devilish smirk.

I sighed. Shut up, I don't even know him!

"Something wrong, honey?"Mom asked.

I shook my head, deciding to keep this to myself for a little while. "I'm just tired, I guess," I lied quietly. "Can I just go to bed?"

My mom nodded slowly, her eyes filled with concern. "Did something happen at school? Do you want me to come up and talk?"

I held up my hand, "No, and no; I assure you, I'm fine. Goodnight."

I had to keep myself from bolting to my room and when I shut the door, I collapsed on top of my bed. Ugh! I screamed silently to the eyes blazing through my mind. Go away!

I didn't know how I ended up falling asleep, but the next thing I knew was my alarm is going off the next morning. I groaned and got out of bed. I lazily threw on jeans and a t-shirt before grabbing August. "You're walking today."

August sighed, "why?"

"Because now people at the school think I'm human. And if you show up with me..."

"Okay." He didn't sound too happy, but at least he didn't argue. We walked towards the school, splitting off as we neared the building, each taking a slightly different path.

I arrived at the front lawn and was immediately pulled into a hug. "Hey, Freckles!" Andrew.

"Why the hell are you hugging me?" I didn't mean to snap, but I was a little uncomfortable with his closeness.

He instantly dropped his arms to his side. "Oh, sorry. I thought we were friends?"

I shrugged. I didn't really know what he was to me. I mean, I wasn't attracted to him or anything, but did I want him as a friend?

"Um, okay." He stuttered awkwardly when I didn't respond. "Let's just get to class." The morning pretty much went like yesterday: Andrew followed me to every class while talking my ears off; it was almost routine-like. Until lunch, anyway.

I was in the lunch line, not quite to the tray spot when I felt some sort of electricity suddenly intensify from behind me.

I turned around and came face-to-chest with a tall, muscular person. Strange, but pleasurable sparks shot through my face, starting at the tip of my nose. Oh no. . . Isn't this what werewolves feel when they find their mates?

I looked up and met the striking blue eyes that had been haunting my mind for the last twenty-four hours. The world turned still. Every noise from chatty teenagers disappeared, the crowded lunch line was gone. It was just me and him.

Startled, I jumped back a foot, nearly running into the student in line ahead of me. They let out an annoyed grunt, but I was too fixed on Xavier to even apologize.

Xavier was my mate! I opened my mouth to say it, but Scarlet stopped me immediately.

You're human to him, you idiot! Keep it shut and act like one!

Right. This was going to be difficult.

"Hey." Xavier said. His voice was low, and I nearly melted on the spot.

"H-hi." I whispered and he smirked.

"It's your turn," he pointed behind me. I turned around, blushing intensely, and grabbed a tray.

I selected the food I wanted and sat down at a table by myself. That didn't last long, as Xavier was next in line and chose the empty spot beside me. A second later, Andrew slid onto the bench across from us, Jacob trailing behind him. I wasn't expecting anything less from Xavier at this point, but why did Andrew have to be everywhere I was?

"Hey, Freckles!" I just rolled my eyes, taking a bite of Mac-and-Cheese.

"Don't call her that," Xavier growled, his voice filled with authority even a human could hear.

"Why not? It suites-" he paused, and the situation seemed to click in his brain.

Before anyone could say anything else, the bench shook and I looked up to see two girls around my age sit next to Jacob, on the other side of the table as me. One's caramel curls bounced as she sat, her big blue eyes shining. The other seemed softer, and she seemed to hide behind her long blonde locks.

"Hey guys!" The girl with caramel hair exclaimed. She looked at me and sniffed the air, confusion written all over her face. "Who's this?" She gave Andrew a look I took as her asking: Why are we hanging out with a human?

"Everleigh, this is Freckles. Freckles, this is Everleigh." Andrew introduced us. He said to me, "Everleigh is my sister and Kylie over there is her friend she takes everywhere."

"Hi." I whispered to the girls and then glared at Andrew, "my name is not Freckles!"

"I know, but I'm still going to call you that."

"What is your name?" Xavier asked me.

"April." I peeked up at him and based on his expression, I knew he was saying my name over and over in his head.

"I like it." He said.

I almost smiled but then I remembered I'm supposed to be human. "Um, thanks?"

A few minutes of awkward silence passed before Andrew suddenly blurted, "my friend wants your phone number, but is too afraid to ask." Xavier growled and everyone laughed. I wasn't sure if I should act weirded out by a growl or not, so I just let it be.

"Okay, sure." Xavier let out a breath of relief as he pulled out his phone. I giggled a little at how stressed he was that I would say no.

It was a strange, but at the same time comfortable, feeling as I entered my information into his phone. I had never had a boyfriend or even gone as far as to get a guy's number I liked. I was always determined to wait for my mate. Now that I found him, it was wonderful, but so much more complicated than I'd ever imagined.

I handed his phone back, as as he grabbed it the tip of his finger touched mine. I jumped from the sparks as Xavier just grinned. A loud ringing erupted through the halls right then, signaling the end of lunch period.

I jumped up and waved to everyone as I rushed out of there and to my next class. I had enjoyed they're company, but I was beyond terrified that if I felt another spark from Xavier, I would blurt something stupid and expose my deeply guarded secret.

🐾🐾🐾

I was walking home by myself after school when a truck pulled up beside me. At first, I was creeped out, but then the window rolled down to reveal Xavier in the front seat. "Hey April, want a ride home?"

I opened my mouth to say yes, but then remembered that if he took me home, it would mean he would see the pack house. I shook my head, "no thanks. I like walking."

He looked concerned but I guess he just brushed it off because he shrugged. "Okay, I guess. Do you want to hang out sometime then?" He seemed nervous.

"Sure," I answered with a smile. "Tonight?"

He thought for a moment, "I would, except I have a meeting to go to tonight for my, uh, family business. My father wants me to start doing things on my own and such."

I knew he really meant he had just become Alpha and wanted to show his father he didn't depend on him anymore. "Okay." I answered with a nonchalant shrug. "See you tomorrow then!" I waved and he drove off.

I couldn't believe I met my mate! I was incredibly excited about this, but I was also incredibly terrified. Oh, why couldn't I just be a wolf like my family? Being a Fox Shifter makes it so. Much. Harder!