Chapter 4 Green Eyes

• Chapter 4
• He is sitting under a tree in deep thoughts. His eyes showing contentment, showing emotions only he can interpret.
• I cross the massive field walking towards him. Nearing, he felt my presence and titled his gaze on me. He smiled a bit in recognition.
• "Gemma." he greeted me when I was just a foot away.
• "Hey, Brandon." My cheeks burned a bit just by calling his name.
• He taps the spot beside him motioning me to sit. I try to look past him, taking the spot to conceal my cheeks from him. I feel my cheeks burning further with my heart fluttering.
• "Strolling on your own, I see" he looks in front of him with traces of his thoughts as I sit beside him.
• I look at him studying his features, taking the once in a blue moon chance now that he is not looking straight at me.
• He definitely grew even more compared the last time I was near him. I look so small, even with him sitting from his big and tall physique.
• Standing, he is not less than 6 feet 2 inches, he is towering over me even sitting with my 5 feet 3 inches height.
• His light brown hair is darker than I remember it the last time I was this close to him.
• Probably feeling my gaze he tilted his head and raised his brows questioningly.
• Being caught red handedly, with definitely his heavy gaze -- I instantly look the other way to look at the beautiful field.
• "What is Gemma?" he asks.
• Still not looking at him, I answered "I just realized how long it has been since the last time we sat together." Failing to settle my heart, I wonder if he hears it.
• "You see...."
• Hearing the blasting sound of my alarm clock I harshly look for it on my side table and turn it off.
• I sit realizing I was dreaming about Brandon. Waking up so instantly, sleep instantly leaving my system.
• I stretch my arms and regret it the moment I remember how sore my body is from the two days of training.
• Feeling aged and definitely tired from training, I dragged myself to the bathroom to shower and do my morning routines.
• And to warm me up a bit and to conceal my bruises from training I grabbed the first cream colored hoodie I found in my closet and partnered it with a black jeans and my all time favorite classic white converse.
• Still feeling lazy and tired, I go downstairs. Entering the dining room I feel a bit energized by the delicious smell of bacon and egg.
• I was about to greet my Mom and sit when all of a sudden a thrown apple is on its way to my face. I dodge the moment I realized it.
• I find Zach - all grins when I regain from my shockness.
• "Getting faster and faster each day." He winks and sits across from me.
• Charlie only shakes his head grinning and serves me a well deserved hot cocoa.
• "Hey, don't startle your sister like that." My smiling mother sits on her chair half scolding Zach.
• "Just showing you what I told you, Mom." Zach took a spoonful of his bacon.
• "Good morning to you, too, my oldest brother" rolling my eyes, but a smile still traveled on my face.
• "How's your speed going, honey? My mom puts egg and bacon on my plate.
• "Still getting a hang of it. But getting there." I took a spoonful myself, definitely uplifting my lazy mood so instantly.
• "Getting a hang of it." Charlie says in a sarcastic way.
• Everyone is elated to find out my new speed, as they are expecting some changes as I turned sixteen a couple of weeks ago.
• The training yesterday was also tiring, way tiring more like it because my body is still recovering from Saturday. It went just fine in totality.
• Especially I did not spar with a certain group that hates me the most.
• We still ran, then we were partnered with the warriors to develop our defenses.
• Breakfast is spent talking about how the training is. My brothers eagerly tell our mother how surprised everyone is with my speed and how they think it is a good advantage with more training on my defense and offense.
• I settle listening to them. Seeing the light in my brothers' eyes anytime they talk about my little progress makes my heart full.
• "We are all so proud of you, honey." My mom squeezed my hand lightly.
• She contentedly smiled with how my brothers spoke in sync. She looks at me and shakes her head pointing at my brothers with her eyes.
• After breakfast, mom kissed us goodbye. "Enjoy the rest of the day kids. I might be home late with the Alpha and your Dad being away, Luna and I have a lot of things to do" she reminds.
• We separate ways, and I ride with Zach.
• The car ride with Zach is just peaceful with seldom topics and singing along with the music he is playing in the car.
• "Enjoy the rest of the day, kiddo. See you around." Zack kisses me goodbye on the forehead.
• I waved him goodbye when I got out of the car and we went our separate ways. With my Dad and the Alpha gone for pack meetings for the western packs, more responsibilities are pass onto them to oversee other pack activities.
• Passing the crowd, a few of my packmates greeted me. Something they do on a daily basis out of habit.
• But to my surprise, they look genuine now. Like for the first time, I am seeing light in their eyes.
• Like they really mean greeting me and not just for formalities.
• "Ohhh. That's new." my wolf frowning in my head.
• "I know. It weirds me out ." I agree with her.
• "Remind me to kick some asses the next time I am out." She sassy side of her over taking with the unexpected gesture showing how unbelieving we are right now.
• "Well, you are way stronger than I am." I smile and shake my head to her.
• I continue to go straight to my locker.
• Turning on my heels to the lockers, Steph, Ella and Diane are on their ways after leaving their lockers.
• Keeping my face as stern as possible I look at them. For the first time in forever, Ella does not look smug. For a second I felt like I've seen some uncertainty and even a bit of worry and fear in them. That did not last long and was instantly changed to her bored look.
• The two on the other hand look at me as if they saw garbage. Pure disgust is all over their faces.
• Waiting for a slit remark, I brace myself. For some reason unknown, Steph only looked at me from head to toe so dangerously, the facade I was keeping became more obvious.
• She walks with her signature wave and bumps me in the shoulders with a growl. The two other minions follow her.
• "That's better. Keep their dirty ugly mouths shut." my wolf hissed in my head with annoyance from the three.
• I breathed out the not knowing breath I was holding and walked to my locker to get the books I needed for today.
• I look on my watch seeing that it's still early.I decide to walk straight to class and just wait for
• Alex and Chelsea for the first period.
• I am not surprised to see that I am the first one to enter the room as most of the early birds are still either in the hallways or their locker area.
• I sit on our spot and open my book for light reading. Not being able to finish even just the first paragraph, I sigh.
• I feel really tired showing how inactive I've been since the break for training.
• "What do you think Brandon was going to say?" I closed the book and looked through the window thinking about my dream.
• "No idea, but I was a bit excited to know too." my wolf scratched her left ear. She sits comfortably with her butt and paws. "When can I run?" she asks.
• Come to think of it, the last time I let her out was a couple of days before Zach arrived. No wonder she's getting grumpy needing to stretch.
• "Sorry about that girl. Slipped my mind. Let's go for a run later." thinking of taking the forest route behind the school later going home.
• I am just going to mind- link my brothers. I am not riding with any of them for a run.
• Soon after I feel my friends coming with other students starting to fill the class.
• "Why so early, speedy?" Alex sits beside me eyeing me for her new nickname to me.
• Chelsea sits on my other side smiling with a bored face, definitely channeling a Monday sickness we all apparently have.
• "Just want a few minutes of slack. My body is so sore." I slouch a bit feeling my laziness.
• Chelsea pouts in agreement and resting her head on my shoulder.
• Alext rested her head on her palm that is rested on her chair looking at me.
• "So we get the speed is because you recently turned sixteen. But I feel like there is something more. Do you feel different?" she looks at me in full wonder.
• "Other than my reflexes being hightened, nothing more." I shrugged.
• "Dunno girl. You look different when you pinned that hell of a b*tch Ella a couple of days ago." she says dreamy.
• Chelsea suddenly feels energetic by the topic and chimes in, "Yes.. you we-- you were scary. You looked dangerous."
• I frown, absorbing what they shared. I felt that time... so focused on defending myself.
• But for a split second I wanted to bury her face in the mat. Was it that?
• I felt nothing different, though. That's weird, what they are saying.
• I shrugged and heard the room. A student assistant arrived walking straight to the board. He writes that the teacher called in sick and left us homework.
• Feeling a slight happiness from the teacher's absence I start to feel way better.
• "This is good. I am actually wanting to have extra time to practise tactics." Alex beams in happiness after she writes down the assignment. "See you girls later" she bids and leaves the room like a flash.
• Looking at my other side on now sleepy looking Chelsea, "Wanna go to the field?" I asked.
• "Go ahead, Gem. Don't let me keep you. I will just take a nap here and see you later in class.
• I nod at her feeling her tiredness myself and wave her goodbye.
• Going to the field is easier without the prying eyes and crowding of students as they are still in classes.
• I cross the field and lay on the spot on the bleachers where the sun is not the brightest.
• Laying my back I use my bag to support my head and wear sunglasses to cover my eyes.
• Minutes into my thoughts that keep coming back to a certain alpha with bluish-greenish eyes with dark brown hair, I sense an authoritative aura and another alpha scent I know the school has evaded my senses.
• "Why am I not surprised to see you here, sweet Gem?" my half body getting blocked from the sun rise.
• I sit up properly and greet him, "Alph... Tyler" I stop mid word calling him when I hear him growl and raise one of his brows.
• "Good, thought we've cleared that already" he sits beside me.
• His scent becoming more prominent sitting next to me, I am surprise to not smell other female's scent on top of his.
• "Just a habit that will take time to remove in my system." I say looking at the field, not able to match his intense gaze.
• "Why are you here in the middle of class?" his mouth getting up sideways in smirk after he throws his question.
• I try hard to look for something in the field, feeling him not averting his eyes. It is evident in his aura that he somehow enjoys my uncomfortability.
• "The teacher is absent, giving this period as our free one." I tuck my loose hair on my ear to cover my cheeks that is slightly burning with him staring at me.
• "You do not know how beautiful you are." I cough at his forwardness.
• "ahhh.. hmmm."I couldn't even formulate a proper answer. What a mess I can get.
• But what am I supposed to answer? His light chuckles made me look at him.
• He looks genuine and really free spirited, something I do not usually see.
• Come to think of it, it is my first time to see him like this. So different from the vacant expression and authoritative aura that all of us are so aware and used of.
• "Relax, Gem. I am not going to murder you or anything." he murmurs in all seriousness. He lifts his arms and intertwines his hands behind his head.
• With his hand behind his head, he lays on the bleachers resting his head on my bag that is placed half on my lap, the rest of it falls on the bleachers making him somehow rest on my lap.
• My heart beats starts to flutter. It is my first time to be this close - proximity with a guy other than my brothers and friends.
• "They do not see and appreciate the way you deserve. He dreamily states.
• I look at him frowning my brows in confusion.
• "Your stupid packmates." He answers to my unsaid question.
• "What..? How..?" I ask not able to give specific questions that are currently evading my thoughts.
• "The Alpha has a point. I like how he sees it and care enough to say it." my wolf appears in my mind with her tail waving.
• "I am not blind nor deaf, Gemma Kristen Green. I see how they look and talk behind your back." he states with his eyes closed.
• My eyes bulging to go out of their sockets calling me by full name.
• Who would have thought he even knows it?
• "Don't let them get to you. They just make sure to leave you alone and untouched or I will end them with my bare hands." he growls dangerously.
• "I am liking him more by the second." my wolf appears again in my head getting closer and closer to peak in my eyes.
• My knees shaking a bit with how dead serious he sounds. Alphas are known to be brutal with their protective tendencies.
• Still I am shocked to hear him say it to me and for me.
• "Alpha Tyler... you don't... " I was cut off with his eyes opening, his blue eyes turning darker.
• "I want to. And it's Tyler for you. Do you need help remembering it?" his voice sounded deeper than it usually is.
• "No Tyler, sorry. It just slipped." I answer, gaining control over my wolf.
• "Good." He sits up again and looks at me. "I've got your back, Gem, whether you like it or not."
• I cannot even put my act together properly. This is the first time I have talked to him this long. Why is he here? Where are his Beta and Gamma?
• "Thank you, .. I guess." I look the other way, not being able to handle the stare game he started.
• My heart beats faster and faster with what he just said.
• I know he is an Alpha, not my alpha.. Why does he care?
• "Why aren't you in class, Gemma?" I jump a bit in my seat hearing Brandon thru mind link.
• I searched and saw him standing on the other side of the field standing 2 meters away.
• "My teacher is sick. Free period" I answer feeling unsettled with how annoyed his voice sounds.
• He moves his gaze to me then to Tyler. Not sure because of the distance but I feel him getting
• more annoyed by the second.
• Maybe I am just overreacting.
• He growled not sure if he intended to send thru mind link and he storms out.
• "Tsk.." Tyler shakes his head with a smirk on his face looking at the disappearing view of Brandon.
• ***
• The time went fast and the next thing I know is it's already time to go home.
• My friends are either staying at school or still have extra activities.
• Chelsea and Jax are going to a nearby cafe. They were convincing me to tag along, but refused not wanting to ruin their afternoon date.
• Alex has a meeting with her tactical buddies and Vince is staying at school to play.
• We all just agreed to meet later in the pack house for the patrol schedule that is being released today after a short training.
• We are not allowed to skip now that the training has started unless really needed. One thing that is good news about it is that it is not long compared to when there is no school.
• I walk behind the school leading to a forest with a small duffel bag for my clothes.
• I always keep a pair of clean clothes in a duffel bag in my locker in case I have to wolf out and need a change.
• I went behind a tree at the entrance of the forest. I promised my wolf for a run so I decided to take this route for home.
• I already mind linked my brothers since they are both nowhere to be found in the school. Well, they have different sets of friends who also happen to be the school's most famous members being part of it.
• After making sure that no one is around I stripped my clothes in the duffel bag. I hung the strap on my neck ang went down on my knees and hands.
• I take a deep breath and picture my wolf form in my head. Soon after that and popping sounds are heard and I start to change.
• After just a minute, I opened my eyes and was greeted with my paws, seeing the russet brown fur all over my body.
• My wolf takes time getting the much needed stretch she can all get.
• She circles checking her wailing tail. She growled lowly and leaped and started sprinting when she landed on the ground.
• Everything that surrounds us looks blurry with how fast she goes.
• "Gemma look, I am also way faster now" she beams admirning the speed she is getting used to.
• "Yes, I see that. I barely see the plants and trees with your speed." I beam, agreeing with her.
• "We've got time. Let's go by the river." She suggests still happiness lingering in her animalistic voice now that she's in control.
• "The river it is." my spirit, getting more uplifted with how excited she sounds.
• She starts to run faster and faster when I agree, enjoying her needed run.
• She slows down nearing the river and halts to stop a foot away from the river.
• This has always been one of my favorite places in our territory. The scenery is magnificent.
• The total epitome of peacefulness you'd want to see from time to time.
• My wolf sits on the ground roaming her eyes around to also let me see the place.
• The water is so clear that it is tempting to go swimming, but my wolf has only been out for less than thirty minutes and I do not want to snatch this from her right away.
• I only settle my feelings and see through her. She lets the bag rest on the ground and stands on four again to move closer.
• Looking through the clear water seeing my wolf form, I scream in her head in surprise.
• Staring back at me, my perfect brusset wolf looked bigger than she was weeks ago and her eyes...
• Her eyes turned green mirroring mine. It used to be golden yellow, but now it's as if I am looking at my eyes.
• "Woah! when did this happen?" I cannot believe what I am seeing.
• "No idea. I kind of expected that I'd look bigger, but my eyes... they are your eyes." She sits and stares at her reflection.
• "I've never heard of something like this before " I dreamily say, stating a matter of fact.
• "I've always told you we're unique. I've got it within. You just have low self-esteem" She lowers
• her head to drink from the river.
• Is this real? I am not lying when I said I've never heard of this. But my wolf is right. Maybe I just belittle myself the same as the other pack members.
• And that maybe, it's just part of my wolf turning to her adulting stage.
• We suddenly heard movements near the river. My wolf turns and roams her eyes to any possible intruder.
• We hear the plants, but it is not harsh to be considered a rogue wolf moving.
• She decides to scoot over to observe more. Then there it is, the low noise is coming from behind a tree at the left side of the river.
• She stands and makes a calculated walk to not alarm the other party.
• Nearing it, we started to hear low moans. Peaking, I see a tall figure, concealing the female against a tree.
• Then it hits me.. the scents. It's Brandon's.. and Steph's.
• His position is pressing her on the tree. His one hand caressing her thigh, showing her white soft skin under her dress.
• My eyes instantly water and I feel stabbing pain in my chess. I know he is with someone else.
• But I've never seen them this intimate before, too. How come nothing in books prepared me for this kind of possibilities? This kind of pain?
• With a heavy heart and tears about to fall, we are about to walk away.
• Then he stops kissing her and frowns her brows feeling my presence and probably scenting me.
• He looks the moment I avert my eyes the other side hiding my hurt and tears from him.
• "Gemma?!" he questions seeing my wolf.
• I felt him move toward me, but I sprinted before he got closer.
• My wolf ran as fast as she could. When we are at least meters away I breathed out and sobs in her head.
• She is in pain, too. Tearing up she runs, not minding the tap in the mind link.
• The breeze of wind blows the tears we shed.
• We find the route back to the forest leading us to our backyard.
• Being in a werewolf family, our doors are big enough to allow our wolf form entrance to our houses.
• With a pained heart, I skidded my way inside leaving dirt from my paws.
• I go straight to my room, and turn back to human naked form.
• I went straight to the bathroom and opened the shower.
• I sob harder, allowing the water to wash the dirt I got from running.
• I just let the water flow as long as my tears are falling.
• I absentmindedly touched my necklace looking for comfort when I realized I removed it earlier and put it in my bag.
• Because of everything going on earlier I forgot to take my bag with me when I sprinted out of the forest.
• I will just go back later to take it. I exited the shower with my skin turning red from the hot shower.
• I still feel the top in my head for access to the link, but I am still not open.
• It could be one of my friends, and I am still not in the right state to talk to anyone.
• I grab my sports wear in the closet and wear it. I walked straight to the mirror and studied how red and puffy my eyes are from all the crying.
• I should have expected it the moment Brandon started dating. But my stubborn heart and mind are always in denial of it.
• Stupidly waiting for the time he starts seeing me in a different light.
• I sigh and start to take out my makeup to conceal my red nose and puffy eyes. At least they are not so red anymore and starting to go back to normal.
• I put an extra layer of concealer on my eyes thinking some of it will wear off during the training.
• I just pray that for some reason Brandon won't be there, not sure if I'm ready enough to face him.
• But I know that is a million times no.
• Am I ready to face him? There is no chance he did not recognize my smell and wolf from a distance.
• I massage my nape thinking of a way out. But I also cannot trust myself right now.
• I might start crying like crazy the moment I see him, or worst with Stephanie.
• I can try reasoning out, but I cannot be sure. But I guess..
• Okay, enough of this. I just have to go try.
• I swallowed my nerves and opened my link and talked to my brothers.
• "Brothers, I- I am not feeling well. Is there a chance I can skip training today? I will double the time once I feel better" weakening my voice is not an effort with how hoarse my voice is from crying.
• "Are you sick? "- Zach
• "Where are you?" - Charlie
• My brothers' voices burst in my head right away, worry evident in their voices.
• "I am home. I am just worn out from the training. Poor lifestyle" I lied trying to sound joking.
• "Go ahead and rest. I will just notify Brandon about your absence. Zach states softly with the weight of his worry.
• "Thanks, bros!" I answer softly.
• I am about to close the link when someone else is able to come in.
• "Why the hell are you closing your link to me, Gemma?" his thunderous voice came.
• I shake a bit from fear, but I fight my urge to submit and close the link without an answer.
• I sob again. I ran to my bed and rested my head using the extra pillow to silent my sobs.
• His voice sends me millions of tiny stabs in my heart.