Atticus rushed out of the car; Ceyden didn’t even try to stop him. Reaching his room, he flung the door open and collapsed on his bed. The tears finally began to fall - from the pain of his injury, the guilt towards his mother’s death, his argument with Riya and the painful memories it’d brought up.

However, there was one good thing which had come out of the day - Blake.

Blake was his mate.

He couldn’t help but smile at the thought, his eyes creasing in joy as he thought about the warmth Blake’s touch had provided him with. He never let go of me. Atticus sat up straight, suddenly registering that Blake had been there for the full conversation with his brother and best friend.

Just then, his phone buzzed. Reluctantly checking it, he saw a message from Riya.

Riya🌺: I’m so sorry Atti

Riya🌺: I was just scared, but I never should have said that to you

Riya🌺: that won’t ever happen again, this time I’ll always be there to protect you

Smiling sadly, Atticus wished he and Riya had met properly on better terms, than when they did two years. He had been humiliated and traumatised, and then she’d seen him. He still felt so lucky to be her friend, and truly loved her.

He could never stay angry at her. However, he wasn’t angry with her - he was disappointed and scared. Her words had forced him into a position he never wanted to be in. Atticus knew he needed therapy, but that meant telling someone about what had happened, and he wasn’t sure if he was able to do that yet.

Even after two years.

Atti🌙: I know you meant well

Atti🌙: thanks for apologising

Atti🌙: before you freak out, I still love you

Riya🌺: I’m so sorry hun

Riya🌺: I love you too xxx

Riya🌺: talking of love

Riya🌺: Blake touched you earlier

Riya🌺: is it him???

Atti🌙: it’s him 🥰

Riya🌺: OMG REALLY?????? DID YOU GET THE HAPPY TINGLES????

Atti🌙: maybe 😉😉

Riya🌺: omg I’m so happy for you 💜💜💜💜💜

Atti🌙: thanks 🥰🥰

Riya🌺: ummm also I may have given him your number 😌

Atti🌙: ...did I tell you I love you?

Riya🌺: you can tell me again ;)

Atti🌙: I love youuuu xxxxx

Grinning, Atticus let Riya get back to her lesson, hoping Blake would text him. Sure enough, after only a couple minutes, he got a notification.

Blake😘: hey, just wanted to check how you’re doing

Atti🌙: it doesn’t really hurt so I’m ok :) thanks for checking

Blake😘: woah, your pain tolerance must be really high

Atti🌙: wouldn’t you like to know ;p

Atti🌙: oh my god I’m so sorry please ignore that

Blake😘: haha are you trying to make me blush in the middle of history?

Atti🌙: idk maybe I am

Blake😘: oh and happy birthday by the way :)

Atti🌙: thanks :) did Riya tell you?

Blake😘: yeah

Blake😘: I hope you don’t mind, I know some ppl are iffy about birthdays

Atti🌙: haha yeah I’m one of those ppl but I appreciate the well-wishing nevertheless :)

Blake😘: oh fair

Blake😘: I have to go now but talk to you later?

Atti🌙: sure :) have a good lesson

Blake😘: thanks :)

Atticus grinned, lying on his back. His wrist was still sore, but the pain was getting better quickly, as it wasn’t a break so his healing took less time.

Texting James, he caught up on the work he’d missed that day - luckily it was only two lessons, and one was maths so the teacher wouldn’t care if he handed in the homework late anyway.

—————

Blake tried to ignore Riya, but it was getting increasingly difficult as she pestered him about his text conversation with Atticus. “Did you flirt? Have a sneaky little spicy conversation?” Blake rolled his eyes, knowing Atticus would probably tell her later anyway.

“You could just ask him, you know.” Riya pouted, fiddling with her pen. After 5 minutes straight of puppy-dog eyes (he immediately thought of an animal which definitely wasn’t a dog but was canine), he gave in.

“Fine. Yes. I think he tried to flirt with me, or something? But he scared himself off at the last second.” Riya burst out laughing, slapping her thigh gently. “Yeah, that sounds about right. I’m telling you now; his romance life has been minimal. I think he flirted with a guy once and that’s it.”

Blake smiled. He couldn’t help but think Atticus was adorable. “I’m surprised; anyone would be lucky to have him.” Riya side-eyed him, her expression happy but serious. “Yeah, that’s the most correct thing you’ve ever said. Whoever,” she said, looking him straight in the eye, “ends up with him, had better treat him like a prince.”

Blake grinned. “If he gives me the honour, you know I would.” Riya smiled kindly. “I know you would - that’s why I approve of you as a potential suitor.” Blake chuckled; if he had Riya’s approval, he had a chance, right?

Once he got home, he jogged a lap around his house, hoping to see the wolf again. He really needed to talk about Atticus’s eyes with someone, and work out how the wolf and Atticus had the same eyes. The same exact eyes.