Jessamine's P.O.V.
(Jess-a-meen)

*WARNING: MATURE CONTENT AND LANGUAGE*

*POSSIBLE TRIGGERS*

We were on his bed, laughing, his smile widening as I blushed from the way he was looking at me. I really wanted to kiss him, and I could tell he wanted to kiss me because he was leaning in. His hand softly cupped my cheek and his lips connected with mine. All I could think about was how soft his lips were, how close we were, and how his hand was slowly moving under my shirt. A wave of panic coursed through me as I tried to softly pull away, but he gripped my waist and held me close. I started pulling harder. He knew I wanted to wait. But his hold never loosened and his hands became insistent. My stomach burned, eyes wet with tears. He was moving too quickly, far past what I was comfortable with. My hands searched for anything that I could use to push him off of me, not being strong enough myself. This was not the person that had asked me out on a date with a literal date and a cheesy pick-up line. This was not the boy that made me laugh or took me to school dances. He was not who I had been dating for the past year. He was greedy with my mouth and rough with my body. My hand found something sharp and big enough to do damage when I hit him over the head. He grunted and let go of my waist, a sneer forming on his lips. My breathing heavy and ragged, I sprinted to the door, but was captured and dragged back into the room.
"You fat bitch! You are going to regret that."
He slapped me. My cheek stung and tears fell fast. I screamed as he started unbuttoning my jeans, ripping them off, but there was no one to hear me. I pulled away, weaker than the last time and earning another slap. I sobbed as he just watched me struggle, unbuttoning his own jeans.

What happened to make him change like this?

"Stop. Please.." I whispered. He grinned. I screamed out as he entered me that night.

Again.

And again.

----

I bolt upright, covered in sweat, silent tears tracing their way down my neck. I gulp in air, clutching my pillow close as the memory replays in my mind, making the tightness around my heart and stomach twist further. I run from the bed, bile rising. I heave up my small dinner from the previous night and sit, body slack against the toilet. My breathing levels out and there are no more tears leaking through my closed eyelids.

'Breathe Jessa. It's okay, you're okay now.' My wolf reassures me, calming my nerves.

She is the only one that knows what happened except for Tristan, the bastard who did it. Without my wolf, I would have killed myself. My family and friends don't know, and I want it to stay that way. The looks they would give me... I couldn't take it. And if I find my mate? He'd be disgusted.

I turn the shower on, making sure it's steaming before I get in. Water runs down my spine, gliding over my shoulders in a comforting warmth as the sweat is washed away. I follow my daily routine. Wake up in a cold, drenched sweat, throw up, shower, and head downstairs for my morning coffee.

Mom is the only one awake when I enter the kitchen. She smiles, still in her robe, holding a large mug of coffee in her dainty hands.

"How did you sleep honey?" Her voice is quiet.

"I slept fine, thanks." I smile back.

After pouring myself a cup, we both sit down at the counter, sipping our coffee and enjoying a peaceful silence. She finishes her cup and rinses it out in the sink, glancing back at me.

"Honey, your father is going to make an alliance with the Shadow Eclipse pack. They'll be coming for the terms to be set on Wednesday."

I choke on my drink, coughing for a few minutes before I can breathe again.

"What?" I sit for a moment, srunching my eyebrows. I'm shocked and very confused. "The Shadow Eclipse pack is the most ruthless and reckless pack, attacking unprovoked and violently. The fact that Dad wants to make an alliance at all is dangerous."

She bites her lip, fixing the cloth on the oven handle.

"Honey, we're trying to make peace with the other packs. We want to spread the peace so that humans know not to be afraid."

I furrow my brow. This could be really bad.

"You decided to start with the worst of them? You do remember what happened to the Crystal Dawn pack, right? " I keep my tone soft, but worry leaks through.

The Crystal Dawn pack doesn't exist anymore. They were wiped out in one day, by the Shadow Eclipse pack. All because of a petty disagreement. The pack Alpha is as ruthless as he is alluring. At least, that's what we're told.

Dad walks down the stairs, hands combing through his hair, sensing my worry. Mom looks at me, pleading for me to be understanding. I mumble an okay, grabbing my bag and keys from the couch.

"Please be here right after school Wednesday!" Mom shouts from the kitchen.

My brothers come running down the stairs, the morning racket starting as I open the front door. I shout goodbye before walking out, getting into my car, and dreading the upcoming Wednesday.

***

I'm walking down the school halls with my best friend, Lily. Our arms are hooked together, and she's jumping up and down excitedly, rambling about how much she's looking forward to this year.

We're both seniors and our credits are basically done, so we're just here to finish math and our extra curriculars. We both grab a lock from the office, searching to get lockers next to each other. We find a pair down by the math rooms on the first floor and click them into place before separating, heading for first period. She skips down the hall shouting in a sing-song voice, "Love you!"

I laugh at her out-goingness. Her mate is so lucky, he doesn't know how freaking much.

'I wonder if that's what she'll think when we find mate.' my wolf questions, tilting her head to the side.

I frown at the thought and walk into first period, math, pausing in the doorway, surveying the classroom.

Over the summer they redid the rooms, trying to make them more appealing and roomier. A few people are here this early- which is only thirty minutes before class- but they seem to be caught up in their own realities.

'I swear all teenagers are addicted to their phones.' she chides, tsking.

'Not all are.'

'Really? Who doesn't have a phone with Instagram or snapchat downloaded?'

'Fine, you may be right.' I amend.

Taking a seat in one of the middle desks, I decide it's the perfect spot. I'll be blocked enough by other people so I won't get called on, but I'll still be able to see the board.

Truth is, I love math. It's the only thing that truly makes perfect sense! I pull my phone out of my backpack, not knowing what to do. Unlocking the screen, I see I have three new texts.

Mom: Wednesday, 3:00 sharp. Be home.

Mom: Dad and I are going out for a date night.

Mom: Your brothers are going to friends for the night. Take care of your sister please, leaving money on the counter for dinner. Love you!

I sigh and respond.

Me: I'll be there, I'll take care of Bonnie, love you too.

I put my phone on vibrate and zip it back up in my backpack. There are still fifteen minutes before class and students have started trickling in. I know most everyone in the room, them being in the pack.

Dad is Alpha and my older brother, Blake, will be the next. We've been trying go get him to be serious about it, but all Blake wants to do is hang out with his friends and party. No one is excited for when he turns twenty one. We all have two years of peace before he messes it up and we are trying to get him to take responsibility. I'll be lucky, already old enough to become a rogue. My plan is to leave the moment I graduate, escaping everything.

One year... just one more year.

I blow out a breath, peeking at the clock again. Ten minutes until first bell. Taking out a notebook and a pen, I place them neatly on my desk. For some reason, I start getting nervous. Heart racing, my wolf whimpers. I'm very confused about what's going on with her, but then I smell it.

'Him.' she doesn't hold back on fear.

I whip my head around to see Tristan lowering himself in the seat behind mine. He grins. The same grin that all the girls fall for, the one that had me falling for him. No matter how charming he is, I won't ever forgive him, and I can't ever forget.

A low snarl escapes my lips and a few students give me curious glances. Humans, and some lycans.

"Hello again, darling." He says, a shadow passing over his eyes.

Dread pools back into my stomach and the bell rings. Mr. Candy- yes, weirdest name for a guy teacher- starts handing out disclosures. I frantically look around the room for another empty seat, but they are all taken. I turn back to the front, heart beating too fast.

Shit.