Page 2 of Fight
"You won't answer my calls."He was right.I still didn't know what to say to him.Things just couldn't be the same between us.We had grown up together, and been best friends since kindergarten, but I couldn't and wouldn't spend time with someone who thought they could control me.I don't care if it's by manipulation, or by violence as Brandon had tried when he slapped me.
I looked up into the round, dimpled face that was as familiar to me as my own."I don't know what you want me to say, Brandon.You seem to think that I belong to you, and that when I disagree with you, you have the right to hit me.You're wrong and I won't put up with being treated like that, not by my friends, not by anyone."
"I said I was sorry."
"You did.And if I thought you were sorry about everything, then maybe I could accept it.But I don't.I hate that you think non-shifters and humans are inferior.I hate that you think I belong to you, and I don't think that you're saying you're sorry for hitting me has changed that one bit."
"But if you could just see..."It was the same thing he'd been claiming since shortly after my first shift.
I cut him off."No, Brandon.We were friends for years.I don't understand how you could be the person I knew growing up, and believe what you do.You've hidden too much from me."
"But, you're my mate."
"I'm sorry you feel that way, Brandon, but it's not there for me.I don't feel drawn to you at all."
"You just don't understand."
"Yes, I do.I've been told about mating."
"But how do you know you don't feel this for me?"
"Brandon, I'm not discussing this with you.I have nothing more to say to you.Please, just go."
"Wait.You're dressed for a date."He tried to change the subject.
"Please leave, Brandon."I repeated.
"Who are you seeing?"I tried to close the door, blocking him and his questions outside, but he stuck his foot in the door.
"I'm not doing this, Brandon."I didn't release the door.I wasn't giving him an inch.I didn't let up the pressure on the door, afraid that if I did he would try to force his way inside.
"Tell me who you're seeing."
"Brandon, go home."
"It's him, isn't it.That unnatural Kindred, the non-shifter."
"I don't know anyone by that description.If you mean Devon, you should know he shifts now."I could see his face through the gap in the door and the surprise that he couldn't keep from showing at the news.
"Since when?And how?"
"I'm not going into that.But he shifts now, so you and your little group of elitists can leave him alone."
"We'll see about that."He pulled his foot out of the door, and it closed with a slam from my weight against it.I locked the door before looking out a nearby window.I wanted to make sure he was headed down the stairs.Leaning against the closed door, I sighed in relief that he hadn't turned violent again.
Chapter 2
About fifteen minutes later, I heard another knock.I'd learned my lesson and this time I checked the peep hole before opening the door.I smiled as I opened the door, letting Devon inside.
"Who is it I smell here?"He asked, his shoulder length hair damp from a recent shower as it fell around his face.
"Brandon came by.He was here not twenty minutes ago."
The smile fell from his face, and concern filled his clear, gray eyes."Are you okay?"
"A little shaken, but fine.I was expecting you, and didn't check to see who was at the door before I opened it.If I had known it was him, I wouldn't have opened the door."
"How bad was it?"
