Page 18 of Poison

“Hurry along,” she says, dismissing me, and I shoot up to my feet, the tips of my ears burning at the whispers from the other students as I push through the crowd. “One thing, Miss Draken,” she says, stopping me in my tracks, and I look over my shoulder. “If I were you, I would get your aunt to hurry up with the move to the human world or I fear you won’t last much longer.”

I turn away without answering, rushing through the area back to my house as quickly as I can. My heart is hammering in my chest and the waterworks are trying to break free. I make it behind the assembly hall when the flood gates burst and I drop to my knees. The emotions are too much, it’s like my whole being is caving in on itself, like a swarm of feeling is pushing against my body trying to break free. But I don’t know how I can do it, pain splits through me as the pressure continues to build. It’s like my body is trying to split itself in two.

“I never thought I would see the day,” a smarmy voice chuckles, and I lift my head. The tears pooling in my eyes making it difficult to see. “A Draken on their knees.”

“Leave me alone.”

“God, you really are weak,” the voice snarls. “Get up.”

I take hold of his now outstretched hand, gasping when little electric sparks fly all over my skin. My heart races and my vision clears instantly, my eyes nearly bugging out of my head. The guy from the class with Mr Haims is towering over me, anger shining through his eyes.

I push to my feet quickly, but it doesn’t matter because I still have to bend my neck just to be able to see his face. The weird feeling over my skin sparks faster, like it’s happy at the connection of our eyes.What the hell is happening? This is so weird.

“I, Asher Hale of The Hale clan and son of the supreme alpha Ransom Hale, hereby reject you, Poison Draken of the Draken Clan, as my fated mate.”

I stare at him with wide eyes as he glares at me, sweat beginning to pool on his brows.

“Erm. Okay?” I mumble, my brain still trying to catch up with what the hell is going on.

“Okay? That’s all you’ve got to say about it?” he asks, his face becoming red.

“Yep.” I pop the P, confusion making my brow furrow at his face as it contorts into what I can only presume is shock. “Look, I get it, okay? I’m a dud. So, whatever reason makes you think I’m your mate is nuts. I wouldn’t want to think I’m tied to me either.”

His mouth drops open as I pull my hand out of his, stepping around him to continue on my way to my family’s house. With each step, my legs become heavier.

He’s an arsehole, why would he play a sick game like that on someone? I mean, faking a rejection just because he doesn’t like me. It’s disgusting and totally uncalled for. A lone tear escapes my eye. I don’t know what I’m madder about, the fact that he just pulled that sick prank, or the fact I know I’m never going to have something like that.

Deep down, some part of me hopes that I do hate a fated out there, but I’m not destined to have a mate. I’m void of magic, so it’s practically impossible. That’s the only way I can explain my answer asokay, instead of chewing his arse out for being a dick.

Stomping up the front steps of the house, I push the door open. My brain hurts. It’s not a headache but it’s just a general hurt from too much shit…

I walk into the kitchen, my body on autopilot as I go through the motions of making a drink. A spoonful of coffee with a drop of milk is added to my cup. The kettle boils and I pour the boiling hot water into the cup, my hands circling the ceramic as I clutch it in my grasp. I walk round the kitchen island, my mind still feeling like it’s being pulled through a ringer. A stool slides out and I sit without a thought.

“Thanks, Casper,” I say to my non-existent roommate. Yeah, I know it’s weird I’m talking to a ghost but they’re the only being that hasn’t been a complete arse to me since I’ve been here. Well, apart from the silly pranks they play on me.

I put the cup down and grab my bag, pulling the tablet and headphones out to listen to Spotify. Luckily, the playlist I set to play represents my current mood as music booms in my ears. My head bobs and I get lost in the music, the emotions of earlier becoming more of a simmer than a boiling pot. My chest feels lighter, my lips moving to the music as I sit here and finish my drink. It doesn’t take long for me to relax; getting lost in the music helps.

Isn’t it weird? How we all have a thing we do to help us deal with our emotions; I know my cousin runs when things are to on top of her. For me, it’s sticking my headphones in and getting lost in the notes. Everything feels a little lighter now and I pull the headphones from my ears before turning off the app. The anger I feel from Asher’s prank has subsided, a lot. I shouldn’t be surprised at the antics the students get up to here, they’re like the human kids I see on TV, only amplified.

The stool’s legs screech along the flooring as I stand, grabbing the cup and putting it in the sink. My eyes getting drawn to the woods behind the house, dusk is making everything look darker now. Something moves in the treeline, but it’s too fast for me to notice what it was. I don’t take my eyes off the forest, squinting to try and spot anything, but my vision is crap so it’s a wasted task.

“Maybe having the memory-wipe and moving to the human world won’t be a bad thing,” I mutter to myself; I don’t know how to explain to anyone the way I truly feel.

A cup smashes to the floor, and I jump as the ceramic slides in different directions from the impact. “Seriously? You’re going to smash a cup for shits and giggles? Arsehole!”

A roar fills the kitchen, it’s so loud the cabinet doors start rattling with the ferocity off it. Then a stool careens across the floor, crashing into the back door.What the fuck was that?I watch as plates and bowls fly out of the cupboards, smashing against the floor on impact. My teeth grinding as I watch a spirit having a tantrum.

“I’m not dealing with this! I’ve already had a shit day.”

I turn on my heels, striding out of the kitchen and stomping up the stairs. I can still hear stuff flying around the kitchen.

“That better be cleaned up when I get up in the morning, because I sure as shit am not cleaning up the aftermath of your bitch fit!” I shout as my hand grips the doorknob to my room. I wait to see if Casper acknowledges me but there’s nothing, well, apart from whatever kitchen instruments they’re launching now.

I blow out a harsh breath and open up my door, stepping inside. I strip off as I make my way into the ensuite, leaving a trail of clothing behind me, and turn the shower on as hot as I can stand it. My reflection catches my eye in the mirror.

My eyes have dark rings surrounding them and my hair lays limp down my body. The normally bright colouring of it is dull, and my skin is ghostly pale. I can feel the emotional shitstorm that is my life over my shoulders like a weighted blanket, and I try to stand taller but I can’t bring myself to do it.

I climb into the steaming hot water. My hiss fills the air as it beats against my skin, forcing me to twist the handle and add some cold to it. The temperature is a relief now, if I had kept it that hot any longer I would have ended up with burns for sure. I scrub my body with my green puff and expensive shower gel my aunt always demands I use. Next, I grab the coconut shampoo, another thing she was adamant I use. I have to admit, it makes my hair feel gorgeous even though the price tag does make my eyes water, but hey, if she’s willing to pay for it, who am I to complain?

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