Page 10 of Broken Souls

After getting in my car, I let out a heavy breath. My skin still feels tingly from where he grabbed it. His touch was breathtaking. I can never let him touch me again because that really messed up my emotions and body's nerves. I start the car but I feel more unsteady now than when I was drunk. Shit, a touch from Joel and it affects me this intensely. When Dennis grabbed my leg, it was just simple. Joel's touch is something I don't ever want to feel again, given the impact it had on me. I need to forget his touch so I'll be able to have a normal relationship with another man. But I feel that will never leave my memory.

Chapter Eight

Arriving at school, I stop by my locker where Amelia drills me on my date. I tell her it went fine, that it was just a friendly date. She seems satisfied with that so she changes the subject to the homework she struggled to finish that I definitely didn't do.

“I'm going to the bathroom before homeroom,” Amelia announces, then walks off.

I turn to my locker and put my books away. I see Dennis walking by so I smile at him. He looks away and keeps walking. I frown. What was that? I see Joel in the distance staring at me with an 'I told you so' expression. He raises his eyebrows at me and walks away with his head held high as if he's got the upper hand. I wonder what he said to Dennis. Or did to him. I can't imagine Joel risking Jenna finding out about him threatening another guy to back off another girl. I don't think I'll find out how he did it. But the look he just gave me shows he thinks he has jurisdiction over me. He cannot be trying to control guys coming near me. Why does it bother him? The end of the year could not come any quicker.

“I heard you went on a date with Dennis.” Ember smirks. When did they get here? I turn back to my locker.

“You figure your only chance is a human given no wolf will ever want you.” Mitchell smirks sadistically.

“Your father mated with a rogue. You're mating with a human. I couldn't think someone could go any lower,” Hannah says venomously. They all look at me in complete revulsion. I close my locker and walk away. I'm sick of this.

***

When I get home I see bitch and loser, bitch standing in the kitchen while loser is sitting at the dining table. She glares daggers at me as I walk in.

“Elora, get in here,” she speaks in her 'no room for argument' voice. I step into the room and wait for her rant. “How dare you mistreat my son? Unlike you, he is a purebred. You have no right to even speak to him.”

I look at Kieryn and his eyes are shining with triumph. Step-Bitch goes on but I tune it out. That is until my father walks into the room.

“What's going on?” He frowns.

“Elora is picking on our son.” Step-Bitch turns to him.

“Come on, kids will be kids.” Dad's body language indicates he thinks it's no big deal.

“No, I'm done with her attitude.”

“What'd she do?” Dad asks.

“Why don't you discipline her for once?” Step-Bitch says exasperatedly. “Or better yet, she's eighteen. Why is she still here?”

“Because she's my daughter and hasn't found her mate yet.”

“No one will want her,” Kieryn mutters.

“I know you have always had a tense relationship...” Dad trails off before he gets interrupted.

“She means nothing to me.”

Finally. She told my father what she thinks of me.

“Listen, I'm the boss in this house. I'm sick of the immaturity. Everyone better shape up or I'll put my foot down,” Dad states.

“No, I shouldn't have to. Not only did I forgive you for fucking a rogue, but I let that mutt live in my house. She is grown now. I'm the one putting my foot down. It's her or us. Have your pick.” She crosses her arms over her chest and stares intently at him. Kieryn stands behind his mother and crosses his arms too.

This is where everything blows up. This is the inevitable moment I think we all knew was going to happen.

Dad looks at me, then to them. He looks speechless. Is he finally figuring out how they've treated me all these years?

“Elora.” He turns to me with sympathy. “You know I can't be without my mate.”

He's choosing them. They both smirk. I don't want them to know I'm breaking inside so I keep it together for the next minute.

“Fuck you. You failed me, Dad.” I put emphasis on the word dad. That's the last time I'll ever call him that. Because he's not my dad anymore. Joel rejected me as his mate. My father just rejected me as his daughter. I have nothing left.