Chapter 65

Frank POV

I paced back and forth across the room, coming to a stop at each end. My mind wandered to Laura, and I thought about how it's been months since I last saw her, and now the school authorities claim to have no information about her. The thought pierces my heart like a knife. I can't bear the fact that I hurt her so deeply by rejecting her and prioritizing my family over her.
I couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt and regret that had been haunting me for months. I had thought that rejecting Laura and choosing my family over her would ease the tension between us, but now I realize that I had only made things worse.
As I continued to pace back and forth, I heard a soft knock on the door. I stopped and turned towards it, my heart racing with anticipation. “Who's there?” I asked, with an uninviting tone. I kept my gaze at the door, waiting to see the person knocking.
"Clara!" I exclaimed, my voice loud and harsh. I collapsed onto the mattress, feeling weak and drained. As she approached me with a smile, her hand gently stroking her hair, I felt a surge of anger and frustration. "Why are you shouting at me?" she asked, her voice calm and soothing. "I'm your mate, and Luna, I have the right to enter your room whenever I please," she reminded me, her hands resting on my shoulders. "So stop yelling.”
I glared at her, my eyes blazing with anger. "You have no right to barge in here and lecture me, Clara," I spat, my voice venomous. "You're not my mate, not really. You're just a replacement for the one I truly wanted."
Clara's smile faltered, and her eyes narrowed. "That's not fair, Frank," she said, her voice cold. "I've been nothing but loyal to you, and this is how you repay me? By rejecting me and pining after someone who doesn't even want you."
I snarled, my anger boiling over. "You don't know anything about Laura," I snapped. "She's the only one who truly understands me, the only one who truly cares."
"Maybe that's true," she said, her voice steady. "But I'm the one who's here for you now, Frank. And I'm not going anywhere, no matter how much you push me away.”
"That's your concern, not mine," I said, my voice dismissive. I lay on my mattress, staring up at the ceiling, my mind wandering back to the times I shared with Laura. Her beautiful smile and innocent gaze, which have captivated my heart, replayed in my mind like a haunting melody.
As I lay there, memories of Laura flooded my mind, transporting me back to a time when life was simpler and my heart was full. I remembered the way she laughed at my jokes, the way her eyes sparkled in the sunlight, and the way her touch ignited a fire within me.
But as the memories faded, reality set in, and I was left with the harsh truth. Laura was gone, and I was left with a mate who didn't understand me, a mate who couldn't replace the connection I had with Laura.
I felt a pang of guilt for pushing Laura away, but I couldn't help it. Clara isn't Laura, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't fill the void left by my true mate.
I stormed out of the room, slamming the door shut behind me with a sense of urgency. "You can have the room to yourself, Clara," I growled, my voice echoing through the empty halls. "I will, Frank," she replied, her meek response a reminder of her selfish and arrogant nature. I naturally don't like her.
I stomped through the halls, my feet pounding against the floor and my heart racing with anger and frustration. How could Clara be so oblivious to my feelings? Didn't she know that I was still hurting from Laura's disappearance?
I burst through the front doors of the pack house, slamming them open with a loud crash. The cool night air hit me like a slap in the face, but I welcomed it. I needed something to snap me out of this funk.
I started to run, my feet pounding against the earth and my heart pounding in my chest. I jogged through the wide garden of the pack, the flowers blurring together as I went.
As I continued to retrace my steps, I could feel a sense of relief washing over me, its warmth embracing me with a soft glow of hope.
As I stood there, basking in the warmth of my newfound peace, I felt a sense of clarity wash over me. I realized that I had been living in a state of limbo, stuck between my past and my present. But now I felt a sense of purpose, a sense of direction.
I took a deep breath, feeling the cool night air fill my lungs, and began to make my way back to the pack house. I knew that Clara would be waiting for me, and I wasn't ready to face her.
"Frank, are you avoiding me?" Clara's voice pierced the night's silence, bursting into my mind. I stood up, drawn, and gazed at her in disbelief.
"What's wrong with you, Clara?" I asked, trying to keep my cool. "Why are you ruining my night with your drama?" She stepped closer, her face inches from mine. "Frank, you're mine, and mine you will be," she spat, her eyes blazing with determination. I felt a surge of fear as she backed me into a corner, her legs shaking violently beneath her.
I tried to push her away, but she was too strong. She pinned me against the bench, her eyes flashing with fierce intensity as she pressed on mine.