Earthquake. That's what Elara felt happen within her body as Nolan kissed her. She gave in for a few seconds enjoying his taste and closeness before shoving him away from her. She wasn't as strong as he was, but she managed to get him off of her; missing his touch already.

"I'm not sure you're in any position to tell me what to do or even kiss me for that matter."

"Elara..." Nolan whispered taking a step back. He knew he shouldn't be overstepping and he also knew her reaction was normal after what he put her through. "I'm sorry... Don't take it wrong, I'm not apologizing for kissing you because I loved every second of it and I know you did too. I'm just sorry I hurt you so much. I know I have no right telling you not to go with him, but please just don't... please Elara."

Elara hated seeing him sad and begging like that but she also couldn't let him hurt her again, she wouldn't. Her dad hurt her, Sean hurt her, even her mom hurt her, and she wasn't going to allow anyone else to hurt her again. She felt the need to protect herself. She closed her eyes for a few seconds before releasing a breath she didn't know she was holding. Taking a few steps inside the classroom, Elara stood by the window avoiding his gaze.

"You can't do that to me, Nolan, you can't be like that! It's not a game and I'm not your toy. You rejected me for not being 'enough' and you should assume your decision." She turned around and held his intense blue eyes "I feel like our bond hasn't been severed, so maybe... we can reject each other again. I can't just keep having feelings for you... I can't keep being attracted to you. The pull is too much and I don't want that anymore."

"We already broke the bond, if it's still there it means the moon goddess doesn't want us to break it."

"I don't care, I think you should reject me again and I'll accept the rejection knowingly this time and it will work!"

"I'm not doing that to you again Elara... I'm not putting you through the pain of the rejection again."

"Well that's not up to you now, is it? I will find a way and break my connection to you on my own." Elara turned around to face him and her heart sank when she saw the look in his eyes. She reached over and gently brushed his cheek with her finger before offering him a smile. "Take care of yourself, Nolan." With a light peck on his cheek, Elara left him alone in the classroom.

There was no point in going to her next class empty-handed as she was already so late. Instead, she went to the infirmary and lied about having passed out. Usually, the nurse wouldn't believe such lies but since Elara's attack, she's been really concerned about her and kept checking up on her every once in a while. After a quick check-up, Elara made her way back to class with a slip in her hand and crazy thoughts going back and forth in her head. She just couldn't forget the look in Nolan's eyes as he begged her not to go with Peter, neither could she forget the sincerity in his voice and words as he apologized for hurting her.

Nolan wasn't making things easy. She wanted to move on and forget about him but he kept showing her how good of a guy he was. The fact that he didn't want to reject her again so she didn't feel the pain a second time melted her heart.

Reaching the classroom, she knocked lightly and went in giving the slip to the teacher. She ignored Nora's stare and took a seat in the back and Mr. Fitzpatrick resumed his lesson. She always hated history class, she could never memorize all the dates and stuff and it made her vulnerable. History might be the only class she was failing, and the only class she stressed about during exams and tests.

Elara was pulled out of her thoughts when she saw a note come flying on her desk. She immediately grabbed it and hid it under the table discretely unfolding it.

Are you okay?

-N

She looked up at Nora and nodded before putting the note aside. She liked Nora a lot, and she hated they were drifting away from each other. She hadn't known Nora long, but just like her brother, she held a special place in Elara's heart. She was one of the few people she didn't want to lose. This made her realize she had to do something about it, she shouldn't let Nora pull herself out of their friendship for no apparent reason.

"Nora," Elara called out for her before she dashed out of class when the bell rang. "Nora!"

"Yes?"

"You and I need to have a little chat."

"I'm hungry El, maybe later?"

"You can eat after we talk, come on." Elara insisted as she dragged her outside to her favorite tree and sat down on the green grass. She always liked to sit there and feel the grass under her. She thought it was weird but Laura explained to her that as an elemental witch, she could draw power from the soil, and being close to it could calm her nerves.

"Sit" she patted the empty space beside her and thankfully Nora sat down without making a fuss.

"Okay, I'm here, talk so I can have my lunch."

"What is all this about?"

"What are you talking about exactly?"

"I'm talking about us, about our friendship. I miss you, I miss hanging out with you..."

"I miss you too Elara, but it's for the best."

"For the best? Seriously? Is this because of Nolan?"

"Nolan has nothing to do with this, I even got in an argument with him for rejecting you."

"You knew?" Elara asked not knowing why she was even surprised. The twins were pretty close so it was no wonder he told her everything.

"The day we turned eighteen, we were supposed to find our mate. I found mine but he didn't and he was devastated by it even if he didn't voice out his feelings. I can figure him out with just one look." She smiled sweetly and looked up at Elara "I can also feel something is wrong when he's not feeling well. I'm not sure how I can put it into words, but it's like we're connected." She took in a deep breath and released it while Elara waited patiently hearing her out.

"Anyway, that morning you disappeared? I could feel how restless he was five minutes after getting to school. At first, I thought he was still irritated by the fact he didn't find his mate, but then I could feel pain, his pain, and I knew something was terribly wrong. I felt the pain of rejection, and I realized he found his mate and either rejected her or was rejected by her."

Nora leaned over and wiped away Elara's tears feeling bad for making her relive all that. They sat there in silence for a few minutes before Nora spoke again.

"He never told me it was you, but when Laura came looking for you, I saw how much he was worried and the way he bolted out of class gave it away." She smiled "I was kind of satisfied you were his mate but then it hit me. He rejected you so you were in pain..." She reached out for Elara's hand "I'm sorry you went through that."

"It's okay, I'm feeling much better now." She plastered a smile on her face just for Nora's sake, knowing she really cared about her. "But that doesn't explain why you pulled away? He rejected me, not the other way round."

"I know, and I told you I really was against his decision until he told me who you really are..."

Elara couldn't help but let out a nervous chuckle "Who I really am? I don't even know who I really am, how could he?"

"Apparently you're a Tiassili witch and that's a bit of a problem for our pack."

"He told me as much, and I'm not part of their coven, I don't even know any other Tiassili witch! So why should I be cast out just by being brought out into the world by one?"

Elara rose to her feet and shook her head trying to keep her tears at bay "Him rejecting me I can understand, he doesn't want his Luna to be weak or a witch from a dreadful coven. But you Nora are my friend! I can't let you slip away like that... I mean I knew you were a werewolf and my attitude never changed towards you."

Nora was still staring at the ground and before she had a chance to say anything the bell rang. "Well, thanks for taking all my time. Now let's hope I don't eat my teacher" she joked picking up her bag. She wiped away her tears and closed the distance separating her from Elara. She hugged her tightly and whispered "I never fully pulled away, I love you to the point I'm still rooting for you and my brother. Don't give up on him just yet." She pecked her cheek and went inside.

The time seemed to have slowed down and Elara wasn't fully paying attention to the lectures. She really couldn't, not after having this heart-to-heart conversation with Nora. It was all she could think about while trying hard not to steal glances at a blue-eyed werewolf who was surely trying to figure out a way to sabotage her date for prom.

'Don't give up on him just yet', those words kept ringing in her mind confusing her even more. Why wouldn't she give up when both of them made it clear they had a problem with who she was? It wasn't her fault her mother came from a powerful lineage of witches. It wasn't her fault their pack and the coven weren't on good terms. I'm not even part of the coven!

"I just can't believe you still have no dress! I mean, prom is tomorrow! Your birthday is just after that!"

Sophie and Elara giggled sharing a knowing look as they walked out to the parking lot.

"Leave it to Laura to make an emergency out of a dress-hunting situation" Sophie giggled.

"Getting a dress is important! I'm sure you got yours the minute you asked Joey and he said yes! We can't let her wear jeans to her senior prom!"

"I'm not planning anything for my birthday, it will only be us in my treehouse and a cake! So no need for a dress. As for prom, yes I definitely need one."

"Well let's go then! What are we waiting for?"

Sophie rolled her eyes at Laura and climbed into the car followed by Elara who was grinning from ear to ear. She was grateful for her friends, always having her back, and always found a way to cheer her up. She could have never asked for better friends. They spent a few hours in the mall; shopping, laughing, and of course talking about their dates.

The next day went by in a blur as Laura and Sophie helped her avoid Nolan at all costs. She didn't want him to guilt her for going to prom with Peter. She already felt bad enough and if it wasn't for her pride she would have canceled on Peter every time she saw the glares Nolan was sending her way. She even caught him glaring at Peter a few times, which she found kind of sweet but also scary.

Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Elara was satisfied with her choice. She had tried at least twenty dresses until she found 'the one'. She felt as if it was designed especially for her. She smoothed down the silky material studying the details of her deep green halter dress. It was hugging her figure perfectly and the plunging neckline was a bit extravagant but she didn't care. She looked like a grown woman instead of a teenage girl and it gave her a sense of confidence and power.

She was also glad for Laura who came over after school and helped her with her makeup that really accentuated her green eyes and her hair that was tamed and flowing in waves on her left shoulder showing her bare back.

"Perfect!" she whispered before grabbing her phone to check if Peter had sent her anything, and he had. She excitedly unlocked her phone and opened his message only to be immensely disappointed by its content.