The Alpha’s Mate Who Cried Wolf novel Chapter 36

Chapter36
It’s lunchtime. I race to the cafeteria to ask Nina to sit with us for lunch, losing Claire along the way. Barging into the cafeteria, all eyes are on me from my loud, eager entrance. My eyes dart to the corner to see Moss sitting at Nina’s table having a good laugh. I barge back out of the cafeteria passing, Claire, Josie, Zak, Flint, and Paul.
‘Where are you going, Boo-boo?’
‘Anywhere but here,’ I growl.
‘What’s his problem?’ Flint asks.
They enter the cafeteria, and Josie can see why Magnus is upset. The new and hot, attractive guy is hanging out with Nina and clearly flirting with her. She frowns at the thought of it all, feeling sorry for Magnus.
Not wanting to be in the Cafeteria I decide to hang out in the library for the first time in my life. I sit myself down at a table with the school nerds. They all gasp and stare at me while I bang my head on the table.
‘Stupid, stupid, stupid, I’m so stupid,’ I say
‘Um Y-you’re putting a dint in the t-table,’ I hear from a clearly nervous squeaky voice,
I look at her as she pushes her oversized glasses up closer to her eyes
‘Pipe down Pipsqueak. Can’t you see I’m in the middle of a crisis?’
‘Oh…-sorry, maybe talk about your p-problems and maybe we can h-help you with some advice?’
Giving her a strange look, I frown.
‘Advice from a bunch of nerds. Are you crazy?’
‘If I was c-crazy I would have to have some kind of psychological d-disorder such as Munchausen or not be in touch with reality or…’
‘Okay, okay, I get it. Since I do not know what to do now other than bash my head against a table, I will tell you what my problem is, but none of you are to breathe a word of this to anyone.’
‘O-okay,’
‘So, I had a best friend as a child. I couldn’t even ask the Moon Goddess for a better friend. One day seven years ago I cut her off because I thought she was making my Pack not take me seriously and worry about me for when I become Alpha.
So yesterday I have realised that I’m an idiot and that it was myself making me look like a court jester. I decided last night that I would beg Nina for forgiveness and repair our friendship today at school. But the school brought in a new student this morning, who you all saw, Moss. He has been glued to Nina’s hip and flirting with her all-damn day. So that’s my problem,
0-okay, I see doesn’t she live at the Packhouse with you. You could always apologize at home,’
‘Yeah, but this morning I felt like she was purposely not wanting to talk to me. She spoke to her parents far more than usual and didn’t even glance my way.’
‘Okay, is there a subject you have with her?’
“Yes, science and Mr. Thompson made us lab partners,’
‘p-perfect, that’s when you can apologise,’ she smiles.
‘Thanks, I have science with her tomorrow,’ I say, standing up to leave. ‘What was your name, anyway?’ I ask her.
‘Pippa,
“Thanks, Pip-Squeak, see you around,’ I wave goodbye.
The lunch bell goes and I complete my last two classes, happy to be going home.
‘Oh, Boo-boo, I’m so excited to be coming over to your house,’ Claire says, taking my arm in hers.
What are you talking about, Claire?”
Boo-boo, don’t tell me you forgot already? I’m coming over to help pick you out something to wear for the party on the weekend, remember?
My stomach churned, I had completely forgotten that she was my date for the party and she was coming over. I’m lost in thought, trying to think of a way out of it, but can’t think of a decent excuse
Come on then,’ she says, pulling me along to catch up with Flint and Josie.
“Hey Claire, aren’t you going home?’ Josie asks,
‘No, Magnus invited me over, I’m going to help him pick out something to wear to my party. I am his date, after all,’ she says.
Josie goes to glare at me but quickly smiles when Claire looks at her again.
‘You are coming to the party too, are you not?’ she asks,
‘I guess I’ll be there,’
‘Great!’ she says, giving Josie a squeeze.
Nina walks behind us home. Every time I turn to see if she is still behind us, she is staring down at the ground. I can’t see her face, her emotion, she completely ignores me and I don’t like it.
We arrive at the Packhouse and are greeted by my parents. They look down at Claire’s hand holding mine and frown.
‘And who is this… lady?’ mum asks,
‘Oh, this is Claire, a… friend from school,’
Oh, don’t be so shy around your parents, Magnus. I’m his date for the party this weekend,’ she beams.
‘How… lovely,’ my mother says, forcing a smile. ‘Well, you must come in then,’ she says and gestures for us to enter. Claire and I go straight upstairs to my room.
‘Wow, this room is so large, and you even have your own bathroom. Please don’t tell me that is a walk-in wardrobe over there?’ she asks. She is so excited I’m waiting for her head to pop and blow streamers out everywhere like a party popper.
‘Yeah, it’s no big deal.’
‘No big deal? This is an enormous deal, Magnus!’ she says, entering the wardrobe. Instead of following her, I make myself comfortable and lay on my bed in hopes she will get bored and go home.
Instead, she comes out with a pair of black jeans, a belt with a silver wolf’s head as the buckle, and five coloured shirts.
You must try this one on first Boo-boo,’ she smiles and hands me a silver-grey shirt,’
“Can’t you just pick one? Then I don’t have to try it on?’
This will be more fun, Magnus.’
Rolling my eyes, I sit up on the bed and remove my shirt.
Magnus, my–my you’re so much more masculine than I even imagined,’
“You’ve imagined me shirtless? | ask, feeling awkward.
Claire crawls up the bed towards me and sits on my lap, pinning me down.
Oh, Boo-boo I’ve imagined you with far less on she says,’ and smashes her lips to mine just as Josie enters with Nina.
Magnus!” Josie yells
In the utter shock and disgust of Claire kissing me, I push her away at the same time I hear Josie angrily yell my name.
Nina and i make eye contact and I can see the hurt in her eyes. She runs off down the corridor without saying a word.
‘What the hell Magnus? Josie says,
Oh, sorry about that, Josie,’ Claire says with a giggle. ‘1 get how gross it can look when your brother is making out with his girlfriend. Next time we will try to be more discreet,’
“Discreet are you serious?’ Josie yells then lets out a frustrated ‘G«,’ and slams my door shut, leaving Claire and me alone,