72

2 Weeks Later

Jedidiah

It has been two weeks since Rhen and I's argument. Alaric had been ignoring me these two weeks and Kailani wasn't talking to me either. It has been lonely. I deserved it though, what I did or what I let Rachel do is unacceptable. I was a terrible mate and deserved this broken heart. It was painful knowing that she was right across the hallway and I couldn't go to her. She avoided me at school and at home. I smelled her scent everywhere that I went, and it was tearing me apart. I needed a way to win her back and show her how sorry I am. I walked to the kitchen and saw Kailani sitting there with River, he just glared at me and walked out. "He's still upset with me?" I asked her. "I mean we all are. But I am a little less." She said giving me a small smile. "I know. I am a terrible mate. I should have done better." I said grabbing a cup of coffee. "We all make mistakes. But it is up to you to make it right." She said. "I mean I have been working on something, but I don't know if it will work." I went and sat down next to her. "Okay, I will tell you this. Rhen misses you just as much as you miss her. All she wants from you is effort, so give it to her." She was right. I should have realized that earlier. I need to show her that I am serious about us and getting back to where we were. "I know what I am going to do. Thank you, K." I stood up and gave her a hug and walked out of the kitchen. All I know is she will be mine by the end of this week.

Rhen

My alarm started blaring and I groaned in annoyance. I wasn't asleep, I haven't been sleeping much since the whole thing with Jedidiah. I just got used to being in the bed alone and I hated it. I missed cuddling next to him and smelling his scent all over me. I truly did miss him and I wanted to end this whole 'give me space' thing. I didn't want it, but I couldn't give in. I needed him to put in the effort and show me that he was sorry and he was fighting for this relationship. After I got out of the shower I decided to look nice today. I grabbed a black lace cami and a pair of light-wash mom jeans, and a pair of black vans. I decided to let my hair down and left it in its natural waves. I put on a tiny bit of mascara and lip gloss. I grabbed my bag and my keys and headed downstairs. I had to start riding with Jonathan, I didn't want to ride with any of the other couples. He was already in the car and I just hopped in the passengers' seat. "Hey, Rhen." He said starting the car. "Hey." We drove in silence for a bit but it was comfortable. "Jonathan, what happened to your mate?" I asked him, I never knew what happened. "She passed away, a car accident." He said gripping the wheel. "Was there a funeral?" It was very rare that werewolves die in car accidents, we were pretty safe drivers.

"Yes, closed casket. Her body was ripped apart." I could feel that this was upsetting him and I didn't want to push. "Can I tell you something?" I said and he nodded at me. "I think there is a person out there for you and you just don't know it yet." He parked the car in the school parking lot and turned to look at me. "You think the moon goddess has someone else for me?" He asked and hope started to fill his eyes. "Not just think, know." I gave him a soft smile. "But if I were you, I would keep an open mind. You never know who it can be." He gave me a confused look and I immediately got out of the car and walked into the school. He will find out sooner than later that his mate is on his way.

*****

It was the end of the day and I was in Jedidiah's class and he hadn't walked in yet. It was hard being here, seeing all these girls flirting with him. It seemed like he didn't care that they were and that it was in front of me. It just hurt. I was sitting in my usual seat with my head leaning against the wall. All the girls were wearing revealing clothes and trying to get his attention. He finally walked in and his scent invaded my nose again and I locked eyes with him. His eyes were piercing and they were staring right into mine. He was wearing a classic white button-up and black slacks. He was started to grow out his beard and it looked great. He looked very handsome and manly. The one thing I wanted was to run my fingers through his beard. "Good afternoon class. There are a few things I need to discuss with you today." He said and everyone got quiet. "Ladies, listen. You need to start dressing school appropriate. It is starting to upset my mate and I want to make sure she is happy. So, ladies, there are jackets in the cabinet, so please grab one and cover yourselves." A lot of the girls groaned and got up anyway. He and I made eye contact and he gave me a small smile. "Also, no more flirting with me. I am your teacher and you should respect me. Understood?" He said and everyone agreed.

The class was over and I was packing up my things and was about to walk out. "Rhen, could you stay a minute?" Jedidiah asked me. I gave him a small nod. Once everyone walked out and Jedidiah went and closed the door. He turned to look at me and just stood there staring at me. "Can I take you out on a date tonight?" He asked me. His eyes were pleading me to say yes. "Okay. What time?" I think he was surprised by me saying yes so easily. "Um...6:30." He said fiddling with his fingers. "Should I wear something fancy?" I asked him. "Uhh, it's up to you. Sure if you want to. Like a nice dress or something. Whatever you think fits." He seemed nervous and it was kind of cute. I started walking out but stopped before I left. "Keep the beard." I saw his face light up and a smile covered his face. It made my heart jump and I walked out of the room. Finally.

*****

Bellamy and Kailani were currently in my room helping me get ready. I wanted to look good, like him tear my clothes off that type of good. I was currently wearing a sparkling maroon spaghetti strap midi dress. "How about this?" I asked the girls. "Oh yes definitely," Kailani said. "You look hot," Bellamy added in. "I feel bad for not inviting Taylor." I really did, but we just haven't connected yet. "Don't feel bad, I know you guys haven't connected yet. And just because she is my friend doesn't mean she has to be all of ours." Bellamy said fixing my hair into different hairstyles. "I think she should do it wavy, like beach waves," Kailani suggested and I liked that idea. "Yes. And then Bell, you could do my makeup for me?" They both nodded and got to work. After about half an hour later they finished and I was loving the final product. The dress squeezed all the right places and my hair flowed effortlessly. My makeup was simple but it made me look beautiful.

"He is not going to be able to keep his hands off of you." It was weird Kailani was saying these things about her brother but I appreciated it. I grabbed my purse and put on a pair of black pumps. I walked out of the room downstairs and I knew he was waiting in the living room for me already. He was wearing a navy blue suit and had a matching maroon tie, which was not planned. His eyes locked mine and it was intense and caused shivers to run up my spine. "You look absolutely beautiful." He handed me a bouquet of pink tulips, my favorite. "Thank you," I said. He gave me a huge smile and grabbed my hand. "Okay, right this way." We walked out of the door and I thought we were going to the car but instead, he led me into the forest. "Where we are going?" I asked him. "I have a surprise for you." I continued to follow him and I don't know how long we were walking but we finally made it to this beautiful open area.

There was a huge gazebo in the middle of it, there were many lights hanging up. There was a dinner table set up and there were candles everywhere. It was beautiful. He pulled out the chair for me and I sat down and he sat across from me. I looked around and the stars were big and beautiful and the moon was full. "So for dinner, I made us, seared salmon, seasoned rice and mixed vegetables with some freshly baked bread." He lifted up the lid and the food was steaming and smelled delicious. "Did you cook this?" I raised an eyebrow at him, last time I checked he couldn't cook. "No, Bellamy did." I laughed lightly at him and started to eat. "I missed you, Rhen. And I'm sorry and you were right." I looked up at him as he continued to talk. "I wasn't being a good mate, and I didn't treat you the way you deserved. And that is why I am quitting. Being there has caused too much of a strain on our relationship and I don't want this distance between us anymore." I was surprised at what he was saying, quitting his job. That's not what I wanted, I just wanted him to try as hard as me. "No, don't quit," I said. "That's not what I wanted. I just hate having to hide our relationship from the school. I can switch classes or something, but I just am tired of hiding my life from people." It was frustrating, I didn't want to keep sneaking around and I wanted to be normal.

"I understand, I should have been more understanding. And I will do better I promise you. And on Monday I will call the school and tell them that we aren't going to hide out relationship anymore. I promise you." I could see the sincerity in his eyes and I believed him, truly. "I know. I believe you." I " He grabbed his hand and rubbed it. This small gesture created sparks that ran up and down my arms. There was soft music playing in the background and it was my first time actually hearing it. "Do you want to dance?" He asked me. "Yeah, I would love to." I stood up and he grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to him. I loved how we fit perfectly into each others bodies. We were made for each other. "I love you, Rhen." I looked up at him and locked eyes, I brought my hands to his face. "I love you too."

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