Chapter Three

Jesse’s POV

I held back a growl.

Do I still hold a grudge? What kind of question was that?

Heart wrenching aches tore through me at the sight of his face.

This place was once my home, a place of joy. Now all I could remember was the pain and hurt he'd given me. The insults, shame and heartbreak I'd suffered thanks to him. After I was thrown out, I left for good to get away from that pain and never planned on coming back if not for this

And he dared to ask that question?

“I left for a reason. Did you really expect me to forgive you? After everything you've done?”

Claude looked speechless, his mouth agape as the smile on his face fell. I could have sworn he looked hurt but I couldn't care less. He didn't deserve it, not after what he'd put me through.

Staying here brought all the memories back. It all began on that day, my birthday six years ago. The day that changed everything.

SIX YEARS AGO

BANG!

The loud crash made me flinch. I couldn't hold back my tears as another sob left me.

Today was my 18th birthday. It was supposed to be a simple celebration. One shared only with him.

It was tradition from the day we became friends ever since my parents died. Claude had come to me on my birthday and made a pace.

“If nobody else in the world celebrates with you, I'll be here!”

How did it come to this?

I couldn't stand the sight around me. The cake prepared for me was smashed on the wall, its pieces littered around the floor. All the drinks we'd prepared for this moment were in piece's on the floor, smashed to smithereens, one after the other.

BANG!

“DON'T FREAKING CRY! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO CRY!” Claude screamed, pointing at me.

“You did this. You forced this sick freaking bond between us.”

“No!” I screamed, tears spilling out.

Claude was my best friend, but I couldn't deny that I had…feelings for him. I always hid it perfectly for the sake of our friendship but now everything was crumbling down.

I didn't know how this happened. I was set on my feelings being unrequited but now there was a mate bond between us.

It was already past midnight on my 18th birthday when I could find my mate. The moment we made eye contact, the bind solidified and there was no denying it.

I was mated to him.

That was the beginning of his outburst.

I shook my head frantically, desperately “I don't know how this happened. I didn't do anything. Y-you're my best friend you have to believe me!”

I tried to reach him but didn't see his fist until it was too late.

“Why would I ever trust someone like you!” Claude spat out, “Someone with your taste doesn't deserve anything.”

I choked out a sob, holding my cheek. Pain ebbed from it but it couldn't compare to the pain from his words and their implications.

Someone with my tastes…

My worst fears were coming true.

He wasn't done. I couldn't move, helpless as he threw more things my way, calling me insults and names. Throughout I could only see anger, disgust and hatred in his gaze.

The boy I grew up with, my best friend, looked at me like I was an abomination. Like I didn’t deserve his pity or love.

“Guards!” Claude’s voice brought me back to reality. I didn't know how long it had been since I blanked out, yet as I looked up to find the guards my heart sank even lower.

“Take him out of the pack,” Claude spat out, “I don't want to see him in these grounds.”

Of all the things I had expected, this was the last. Claude was exiling me?

Anger burst through the hurt as the guards took hold of me. I struggled against their grip when Claude moved forward

“Don't you ever spill a word of this to anyone else as long as you live or else, leaving this pack will be the least of your worries. I'll make sure to find you and make you regret it, no matter where you are.” Claude sneered at me,

I trembled with both anger and fear, staring at the man who was my best friend. My only family yet looked at me with nothing but hatred.

I had no family but him and he was throwing me away. What did I need to make him understand? How could I fix this?

Every question felt flat as I was dragged away from the only home I knew.

FLASHBACK END

I glared scornfully at the blonde haired man. I could remember the days after just as well.

It was already nearing winter when I was dumped outside the pack gates. I remembered staying there for days, begging and wishing for Claude to finally see me again, begging the guards outside for an Audience. When they finally came I was filled with hope, only to be greeted with a final threat; stay here and be killed or leave. It was at that moment that the last piece of my heart shattered.

Roving over Claude's face I felt the hurt and anger from the past reemerge. What gave him the right to look that sad? How dare he?

“You've forgotten what you did to our friendship?” I spat out “How did you sent me out of my only home?”

“Jesse,” I flinched as Claude said my name and his face fell as he noticed,

“I know I reacted badly. I made a mistake and I r-”

I cut him off with a bitter laugh, watching him shrink back with satisfaction.

“I don't have time to hear your excuses. Nothing you say matters anymore. I'm a rogue and you have nothing to do with me.” I said coldly,

“I came here by accident. After tonight, I'll leave with my group and never return.”

The silence grew as I saw the emotions fly across his face before there was nothing.

“Very well.” Claude said after nearly a minute of silence. His face appeared stony and stoic but I could see the pain in his eyes.

“Dinner has been prepared,” he said.

With that Claude stormed off, slamming the door.

….

Stepping out into the dining hall I froze. The food looked enticing compared to what I'd grown used to eating. Throughout I could identify my favorites from five years ago strewn throughout.

But what caught my eyes wasn't the food but the sight of someone very familiar.

“I never thought I'd see you again, Jesse,’ she said my name in a snide tone, lips cur

ling up in a sneer.

It was none other than Alicia, Claude’s lover. Another one of the people I hated the most.