More like myself

We ate our breakfast in silence, I was nervous to talk to him like this. Obviously there is a reason Serena was anxious to get out of there. I finished before him, heading to the sink to start the dishes. I was just about done when he handed me his plate. I washed it diligently not really knowing what to say. Peeking over to the clock on the stove I realized I only had forty-five minutes to get to class.

"U..Uhh, I have class in less than an hour." I said looking to see if I would turn his mood sour. He just nodded and walked out of the kitchen. How was I supposed to get home he drove us here last night.

A few moments later Serena came back in with an outfit. Her face beaming, as she handed them to me.

"She really must have wanted a daughter." Fallon said jokingly.

I matched her energy when I saw a white sweater and pair of leggings that use to resemble my favorite outfit. Although this was way more expansive material than the ones I had owned. She helped me do my hair as I did my make up so we could speed things along. When we were done I looked at myself in the vanity she had sat me down at. I barely recognized the she wolf staring back at me. I could see colors swirling around me, all colors of the rainbow. The Luna noticed and smiled.

"I told you, you were glowing. And now those who can't see will." she gave me a small hug from behind before leaving me.

"We look amazing, our mate will be so pleased!" Fallon chirped, fighting a smile I got up and walked to the front room.

He was waiting for me at the door, I was trying to walk quietly but the small heels she had given me gave me away well before I reached him. When he looked up his face was unrecognizable. His eyes flashing between him and his wolf. Squirming uncomfortably under his gaze I tried my best to clear my throat. He finally gained control and ran his hand through his hair.

"Is everything okay?" I asked confused, he didn't look like he was happy but pissed instead.

"Yeah, lets go." He said and opened the door going to his truck leaving me standing there.

Fallon and I both were confused as to what he could be upset about. Ignoring that we went to get in the truck. We had to get to class, only fifteen minutes were left. With the way he took off from the drive way the thought of being late was left with the dust his tires kicked up. Neither of us spoke, he had no reason to be pissed so I just left it alone and kept looking out the window waiting for us to arrive at the campus.

When we finally did and he parked I hoped out and headed towards my classes. I walked at a decent pace trying to put that aura he was radiating behind me.

"Val?" I mind linked her hoping she was here.

"Oh hey babe, I have your bags we're by the bench." she said and closed the link, I picked up my speed. I got to them in no time despite the heels.

"Oh gorgeous, where are you going. You new in this school?" a boys voice ran out behind me. I ignored him and kept it moving to my friends. "What ever b***h" he finished. That pissed me off I took a moment to look over my shoulder to see who ever it was but by the time I turned he was gone no where to be found. Good riddance me and Fallon agreed.

"Hey guys," I said as I reached my friends. Val looked me up and down and jumped up from Dustin's lap. A small pang of jealously came from my chest, she gets this and I get mood swings from h*ll.

"My oh my, you look amazing darling!" Val squeaked coming over to me "This is so not your style I love it!" she chirped feeling the silky but still slightly fluffy material.

"Thanks it was courtesy of the Luna." I smiled doing a little turn for her. Ash let out a laugh and came over.

"Ten outta ten on the run way." he snapped his finger mocking us as he always had. In that brief moment life felt normal, like before my birthday.

"You guys are funny, we only have a few minutes left till class lets get going, and hey Dustin its nice to see you. Fair warning I have no idea what's wrong with him today." I said leaning around them to see him.

"I'm pretty sure I know why." he sighed standing up reaching out for Val's hand. She skipped over to him and they started on their way. Ash stayed back with me but made sure to keep his distance.

"You seem happy today, its nice. Almost like the normal Dali I remember." he said keeping his voice low.

"I wouldn't call it that, just better. More myself." I smiled bright, we were at my building so I waved good-bye to them and entered.

I made it to my class in enough time to find a seat in the back of the room. Class went by slowly, my mind constantly going back to this morning. Seeing him like that, remembering the swirls of his tattoo, I wondered what it led to on his back. Not realizing I was day dreaming the whole time the class ended. The shuffling of other students around me my only anchor to reality.

I gathered my things and started towards the lot to call a cab. I only had one class today, what a terrible day not to drive myself. Lost in thought, or maybe even imagining more than I should about the broadness of his shoulders I let my feet carry me to my destination.

"You know we can all smell that." a deep voice said behind me, I whipped around to see who it was.

The tall guy had sandy blonde hair and grey eyes that were scanning me, it was disgusting. His intrusion on my day dreaming completely snapping me out of what ever mood he thought I was in. His face fell a little sad, why I had no idea why he would be we didn't even know each other. I would say he was handsome but he was no Finn.

"Smell what?" I asked taking a step back trying to keep my face casual.

"Smell your arousal little she wolf." he said taking a step forward looking at my neck where my mark should be. "Looks like your still single, maybe I can help you take care of that." he said with a mischievous smile. I snorted in response.

"As if you could even hold a candle to my mate a*s" I laughed at him, Fallon enjoying the audacity of this guy. Maybe if he had caught me in less of a stupor I would have just walked away but I stood my ground.

"Oh I'm sorry, its just..." his voice trailed off and I could feel the presence of him approaching behind me. That same one that makes everyone run.

"Its just what? What do you have to say to my mate." his tone leaking his alpha essence.

"Yo..You two?" he bowed his head to both of us. "I didn't know young alpha please forgive me." he said trying to walk away but stops short when Finn grabs his shoulder causing him to let out a yelp.

"Disrespect her again lose your life." the murderous vibe that scared me so came of off him in wafts. He threw the guy causing him to lose his balance and fall with a loud pop. He scrambled up and took off holding his one motionless arm.

"Thank you.." I said in a small voice, "You didn't have to throw him like that." I finished turning to face him.

He looked like he was close to losing his cool. I reached out and touched his arm, the sizzle of my unannounced hand seemed to calm him down just a little.

"I did, all of these guys here today." his anger started to rise again waving his hand in a general motion. "Being the alpha or even next alpha has burdens, one of them is image sharing through the link if the thought is loud enough." his eyes grew dark, his wolf threatening to track each and everyone down. "You know what its like to see you through another's eyes. Have him look at your mark." A growl was building in his chest.

"Then you heard my reply?" I cooed trying to calm him down, taking other hand and placing it on his cheek. He leaned into it cupping it with his own nodding once. He stepped back quickly clearing his throat.

"He deserved worse." he shook his head running his fingers through his hair. "I came to take you home." he said finally meeting my gaze.

"Okay, lets go." with a half smile we were on our way. People staring at us as we walked together. My stomach turned knowing exactly what they were thinking. The underclassman fell for the young alpha, the same thing I had thought I had for so many others before. I could feel my face getting red, I tried to hid it by looking at my shoes.

"What's with you?" he said looking down at my blush.

"Well I don't need to be the alpha of the pack to know what their thinking." I made sure to say it so quietly only he could hear. He stopped dead in his tracks grabbing my hand to stop me.

In one smooth motion he twirled me into his arms like we were dancing and put me into a dip. My body was cascaded by the heat coming from his arms wrapped around me. With a devilish smirk he bent down and kissed me passionately. Fallon screaming in the back of my head, my heart felt like it was going to burst. A tiny little nip on my lip left me speechless before he lifted me back up and twirled me back out. My face was beat red looking around at everyone staring at us. He kept his hand in mine and led me to his truck.

"You jerk!" I slapped his arm lightly, he looked at me with a smile that went ear to ear.

"What? It was going to get around any ways might as well make them talk about something other than how devastatingly beautiful you look today." he stopped, realizing what he said. "Or what ever they were thinking." he cleared his throat and set off towards my house.

"Did you see that sh*t?!" Fallon howled, "he's smooth. I like it!" she growled like one of those people imitating cats.

"Dude your a wolf not a cat." I said rolling my eyes at he but still sharing in her sentiment. "It was only a peck, relax."

"What ever, that was romantic. Who knew he was?" she said condescendingly to me, only because she always felt this way.

"Do you want to go get something to eat before I drop you off?" he asked trying to sound cool.

"I could eat." hiding my smile I looked out the window.

He drove past my house to a little small pizza place, it was the best one in the pack lands. My parents and I use to come here all the time when we first moved into the house and they were just getting their business started. My chest felt a pang remembering their faces. I let out a sigh, not knowing how to get the right words out when I finally go home.

I wondered if they would be mad at me, if it would have been better if we had kept it just between us. The small pizzeria had an old weathered sign that proudly said Gino's and Sons in red lettering. We got out and headed in, the booths lined each side of the walls with smaller tables in the center. The counter barely covered the small kitchen behind it. Only two people were working behind the counter, moving around the kitchen to the soft music playing or the speakers.

"Oh Dali, how good to see you!" the older gentleman turned around, his short and plump figure rushing to the counter.

"Hey Gino, how's your wife?" I said walking ahead and smiling at him.

"Oh you know, same old same. On me about my cholesterol." he shook his head, finally noticing Finn behind me. "Oh young alpha." he bowed his head in respect but more so to hide the confusion on his face. "Well what can I get you two?" he finished eager to help.

"How about pepperoni?" Finn asked me walking up to look at the board. "Or maybe the deluxe?" finishing he looked down at me.

"We'll have the usual Gino please." I flashed them both a bright smile and went to claim my family's usual booth.

"I guess you come here often?" he said sitting across the booth from me.

"Its the best around, and their garlic knots" I made a chefs kiss "well their perfection." I giggled knowing the staff in the kitchen could hear me.

As usual they were fast and the food came out, Gino's son Sam came over to drop off our food.

"Hey man, where you been hiding?" Finn said as he set it down, Sam looking at him smugly.

"Well you know pops needs help around here, and well you know how it can be being around Dustin and Val." he said clearly annoyed with how lovey they were all the time.

"Oh come on, your supposed to be my omega. You gotta be stronger than that." he responded trying to sound uplifting.

"Yes, alpha." Sam did a mock salute flipping his light blonde hair up even further. Although you could see the sadness in his dark eyes before he turned and walked away.

"Well lets eat!" he said tearing his eyes off of his friend.

"Is he going to be alright?" I asked worried that he may feel left behind.

"He will, but he just needs time to adjust to it all. He will find his mate." Finn said almost as if he knew it was coming soon.

We ate our lunch talking about how good it was until a foul familiar smell erupted from the front door.