Page 39 of Broken Souls

“Pathetic,” Joel says to them appearing out of nowhere. “Get up, Elora.” I stand up but don't walk away. I'm curious. Is Joel actually sticking up for me?

“Why don't you mind your own business?” Hannah spits.

“When are you losers going to realise you peaked in high school? You're only going to fall lower down the social chain once you leave,” Joel says smoothly, making their faces drop.

“What we do with the crossbred has nothing to do with you.” Ember crosses her arms over her chest.

“You annoy me and everyone else so I'm doing something about it,” Joel says. Mitchell looks at me, then back to Joel.

“You're only sticking up for her because Jenna dumped you. You know no one will want you so you're trying to win over the crossbred since no one worthy will want you.” Mitchell smirks.

“Do you want another fist to the face?” Joel growls, and I see them shrink back a bit.

They always pick on people they know won't fight back. It's great to see the way they back off when someone is keen to knock them out. I wonder what happened when Joel and Mitchell fought a couple weeks ago. I know they both got suspended for a couple days.

“If you touch Mitchell again, I'll…” Ember begins threateningly.

“Shut up, whore,” Joel spits, then walks off, but mind links me. 'Follow me.'

I look at their weird stance, Mitchell in the middle, his hoes to the side of him with their arms crossed. That's one weird love triangle/threesome.

I don't know why but I follow Joel, curious as to what he has to say. Shit, Carson said to stay away from him. Damn, this really is hard. I turn the corner of the wall that's on the more secluded area of the school. I see him waiting there, looking pissed.

“What do you want?” I ask, leaning against the wall.

“I told you. I don't understand why you're playing hard to get.” Joel frowns.

“What?” I scoff. “I'm not playing hard to get. I don't want this.” I gesture between us.

“Bullshit. Do you not understand what a mate is?” His icy glaze stare is focused on my eyes.

“A mate is supposed to accept you for who you are, and I know there's no way in hell you'll do that for me,” I state strongly.

“We were chosen by the moon goddess,” Joel reasons.

His change of heart is amusing in a sad way. He was obsessed with Jenna. Now he's scared to be alone so he's putting his snobbishness aside to try to get me. Jenna knocked him off his pedestal and now he doesn't know what to do.

“Well, she clearly was having an off day. We aren't matched for each other,” I tell him.

“No one tells me no.” Joel scowls.

So that's the type of person Joel is. It has to be his way. He's egotistical and only cares about himself.

“I just did,” I say harshly, and he growls.

“If you don't say yes to me, you're going to be alone. No one will give you a chance but me. Are you really going to give that up?” I know he's referring to me being the crossbred. He thinks he's doing me such a favour, giving me a chance even though he's my mate.

“You can go to hell. You're so insecure about being alone, given you've been with Jenna for so long. But since she left you, you're a lost little puppy. Now you think you can come to me because I'm your mate and the crossbred, and expect me to fall at your feet? Hell no. You're going to be alone whereas I have a man waiting for me every day.” My voice has never sounded so sure before. Has Axe's strength already rubbed off on me because I welcome it?

“WHAT?” he growls. “You're mating someone? Who?”

“That's none of your concern. You could have had me the day of my birthday. But since you put me through the rejection, 'we' will never be a thing.”

“Fuck you!” Joel growls and storms off. I watch as he passes by a school sign and literally knocks the pole down.

I head to my first class even though I'm late. As I'm sitting in class, I feel lighter. I should probably feel sad and sorrowful, but I don't. Now I know for sure, Axe is the one for me. Mates might be our chosen one, but they're not our only one. Like Axe said, people have lived for years where they actually chose their mate instead of waiting for their intended mate and apparently each pack chooses to live different ways. Call me ancient but I'm sticking to the old tradition.

Chapter Thirty