Chapter 7

The clicking of heels echoed through the room as Alex entered the school bathroom. She quickly scanned the bottom of the stalls and felt relieved to find it empty. She threw open the door to one of the stalls and flung her bag on the hook. She kneeled before the toilet, gathered her hair back, and shoved two fingers to the back of her throat. Her entire body heaved as the contents of her stomach spilled into the toilet.

She hated throwing up. It was such as awful feeling, but she needed to get rid of the calories. Dean and Harper refused to leave her side for even a second during lunch, both fearing that she would make her food disappear somehow without actually eating it. So she was forced to eat it and sit there for the rest of lunch so they wouldn't get suspicious.

She planted her trembling legs on the floor and stood. Her eyes lingered at the substance in the toilet for a moment, relieved that it was no longer in her stomach. She inhaled shakily before flushing the toilet. Her trembling legs stepped out to the sinks, where she washed her hands and rinsed her mouth. She lifted her head to meet her reflection in the mirror. She swallowed thickly as she blinked back tears; she was disgusted by herself.

She peeled her eyes away from the mirror as the door swung open. Two giggling girls walked in, snapping Alex out of her thoughts. She avoided their eyes and left the bathroom. A startled gasp slipped from her lips as a large hand wrapped around her wrist and stopped her in her tracks. The hand pulled her towards its owner. Her body went cold as her eyes met Mason's.

"Hello Alex." He flashed a smile at her.

Her stomach lurched. She gritted her teeth. "Let go of me."

"Where are your bodyguards?" He asked as he tightened his grip on her wrist.

She knew he was referring to Dean and Harper, who were practically by her side at all times of the school day ever since Mason's return last week. Of course, he had managed to catch her the one time she was alone and decided to run to the bathroom.

Alex glanced down at his hand. Her wrist began to throb from his hold. She tried to pull away but somehow he managed to clench it tighter. "You're hurting me."

The late bell rang. The hallway was eerily quiet; no wandering students. He shoved her against the lockers causing the locks to rattle. Alex whimpered at the impact. His hand remained on her wrist and the other arm leaned across her neck. His face was inches from hers. "Don't be such a baby."

Alex swore she heard her own heart beat beating. She pushed at his chest with her free hand, but he didn't budge. She reached up to claw at his face, but he twisted her other wrist painfully. Her knees buckled and she inhaled sharply. "Get away from me."

He dipped his head down so his lips were brushing against her ear. "You know you always walk around here acting fearless and so powerful, but you're really a weak coward."

Her heart pumped faster- something she didn't think was possible. Tears brimmed in her vision, but she blinked them back. She couldn't give him the satisfaction of crying. She squirmed against the lockers as his lips met her neck. She tried to knee him, but he was quick to push his body against hers, trapping her in her spot. "Stop. Get off me or I'll scream."

His lips disconnected from her skin. His eyes burned into hers. "Go ahead. Nobody will believe what you say. You're an annoying, lying bitch. You go around looking for trouble. All I have to do is tell Mr. Laritate that you were trying to get revenge on me for getting your precious boy toy in trouble. And do I have to remind you that I'm a werewolf? I can get away with anything and I can always find you because I will always remember your scent."

Alex swallowed the bile rising in her throat. Her stomach flipped on repeat. She was pretty sure her heart was about to rip open her chest at the rate it was beating.

Heels approached in the distant. Mason froze for a moment as the clicking grew louder. He narrowed his eyes at Alex before releasing his grip on her. He pointed his index finger at her. "This isn't over."

She watched him storm down the hall through her tears. Her heart ached from the speed it was pumping at. She lifted her wrist and flexed it slowly, wincing as she did so. Her wrist was angry red from where his hand had been and she could faintly see a bruise beginning to form.

The footsteps were feet away now. Alex lifted her head to find her English teacher rounding the corner. The middle-aged blonde raised an eyebrow. "Miss Russo, shouldn't you be in class?"

"Just grabbing a book from my locker." Alex lied, mentally cursing herself at how weak her voice sounded.

"Stay out of trouble please." The woman rolled her eyes with an annoyed sigh before she continued down the hall.

She needed to get out of here. She needed to get away from here, from him. She found herself pushing through the doors and leaving the school. She didn't know where she was going, but she knew it was far away from Mason. She found herself at a nearby park.

His words replayed in her head. I will always remember your scent. She couldn't hide from him. He would always be able to find her. She felt like there was a stampede in her chest. Her breath got caught in her throat. She collapsed onto a nearby bench, clutching her chest. Her vision blurred. Her lungs screamed for oxygen.

"Miss, are you okay?"

Alex whipped her head towards the concerned blonde standing beside a baby stroller. She inhaled deeply as she nodded her head. "I'm…I'm fine."

"Are you sure? Do you need to call someone?" The mother could see the terror in the young brunette's eyes.

Alex shook her head. She forced a smile that failed to meet her eyes. "No, I'm okay. Thanks."

The blonde smiled warmly at Alex. She started to push the stroller before her. "Have a good day."

"Thanks, you too." Alex whispered as she watched the woman walk away. Her eyes scanned the park. Multiple people were walking or jogging with their dogs. Mothers sat on the benches, cradling babies or talking to other mothers. Children climbed the playground as they laughed and squealed innocently. She envied the care freeness in which those children played; she envied their innocence and naivety. She didn't understand how life became so hard.

She closed her eyes for a moment as she felt tears sting her eyelids. She pinched the bridge of her nose as she mentally scolded herself. What was wrong with her? She could barely keep herself together anymore. She felt like she constantly cried. She took a deep breath again, trying to remember what it felt like to be safe and carefree like the kids on the playground.

Thanks for reading! Sorry for the delay- the end of the semester was kicking my butt and I've been dealing with some health problems. Hope everyone had a great holiday!

Review!