Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Ella woke up earlier than she expected. She lazily got up and went to the bathroom. She looked at the mirror that was on the inside and sighed. Dark circles were visible under her eyes. It was the result of having trouble sleeping at night. Ella stepped into the shower and let the water pour on her body. She closed her eyes and images of Blaze's face flashed through her mind.

"I'm going crazy," she muttered under her breath. Ella turned the dial off and stepped out, grabbing her towel in the process. It's been weeks since Ella and her mother lived in the town. Now the two had finally adjusted to their new lives.

Ella took a pair of clothes and put them on. She blower dry her hair and put light makeup on her face to cover the dark spots. Ella went down and saw her mother preparing her food.

"Mom," she called. Elisa glanced at her and smiled at her daughter.

"Come sit and eat your breakfast, Hunny," she said. The vet clinic's work wasn't that crowded, and Elisa was having fun tending to the wolves that the owner kept bringing in.

"How was school?" Elisa asked.

"It's fine," Ella answered relatively simply and shrugged her shoulders. Elisa watched her daughter as she energetically ate her food. Elisa always made sure to make her daughter breakfast because she couldn't do it when they were in their previous home. Elisa was busy making money for them. When Ella was hurt, Elisa decided she would bring her daughter with her, leaving the people who had caused her pain.

"Thank you for the food, Mom. I'm going," Ella said. Elisa nodded her head, and her gaze followed her daughter's back.

"Take care, Hunny," she yelled. Ella decided to walk on her way to school. She glanced at her wristwatch and found that she has enough time. Ella enjoyed viewing the people walking, talking with each other, and even watching the kids playing. Ella did not notice that she was already in front of the school. She went inside and found the students gathered on the bulletin board.

"Good morning, Ella!" Gwyneth greeted her happily. "What's happening?" she asked. Ella shrugged her shoulders and continued going to her room for the first subject of the day, but Gwyneth stopped her.

"Let's see first," Gwyneth said and dragged her to the bulletin. Gwyneth passes through the swarm of students together with Ella and reads what's posted on the board. She squealed and looked back, smiling widely.

"Ella, you should sign up and join!" Gwyneth excitedly said. The school will be holding an event, and there are various activities. The beauty pageant was one of them, and Gwyneth wanted Ella to join. With Ella's physique and intelligence, she will surely win the crown. Ella glared at her and proceeded to walk.

"I'm sure you will!" Gwyneth said while following Ella closely.

"I don't want to, Gwen. Spare me," Ella said and rolled her eyes inwardly. She had a lot in her mind right now, and the pageant was not part of it. Blaze occupied her thoughts a lot these days.

"Ella, look out!" Gwyneth yelled, but it was too late. The ball had already landed on Ella's head; she lost her balance and consciousness. Gwyneth was terrified. She quickly went to help, but Blaze was fast. He carried Ella, bridal style.

"Fuck!" Blaze cursed loudly that anyone could hear. The students stopped moving and started murmuring, watching their Alpha as he carries the unconscious Ella in his arms.

"Who threw the fucking ball!?" Blaze angrily shouted. Suddenly, the students became quiet. No one dared to answer his question; he looked at Ella's face. A bruise began to appear on her forehead.

"I will deal with you all later, understand!?" Blaze shouted. They all bowed their heads in submission. Blaze went to the clinic, and worry etched on his face. Seeing his mate unconscious on the ground angered him.

"Alpha," the doctor in charge said and bowed her head. Blaze nodded his head at her and put Ela gently on the bed. "What happened to her?" the doctor asked.

"She was hit on the head by a ball," Blaze responded while trying to calm his wolf inside. The doctor went to get the cloth, but Blaze stopped her.

"I'll do it. You can leave us," Blaze said and took the cloth away from the doctor's hand. "Also, put a closed sign on the door," he added. The doctor nodded her head and left the two. Blaze caressed her face and put the cloth with ice on the small bump on her forehead.

"You must be really tired, mate," Blaze whispered in Ella's ear after seeing the dark spots under her eyes. The confession Blaze heard from her last night broke his heart.

"You don't deserve that," Blaze said and clenched his hand into a fist. He leaned forward and kissed Ella's rosy cheeks. "I'll make sure to change your bad memories with good ones," he added and lay beside Ella.

After an hour, Ella stirred and moaned. She slowly opened her eyes and looked around. "What happened?" she asked, seeing Blaze sitting on the chair beside her.

"You lost consciousness because you were hit by a ball earlier," Blaze answered her question. Ella's face turned red in embarrassment.

"Gosh! That's humiliating!" Ella said and buried her face in her palm. Blaze glared at her.

"You were unconscious for an hour, and you thought that!?" Blaze yelled. "Unbelievable!" he uttered. Ella raised her eyebrows.

"Are you raising your voice at me?" Ella said, putting her hands on her waist. "I'm not," Blaze said and looked away.

"Yes, you were," Ella said. Blaze heaved a sigh.

"I'm sorry, okay? I was irritated," Blaze said. He stood up and transferred next to her. He gently cupped Ella's face and touched her bruise.

"I should punish the student who hit you with that ball," he mumbled angrily. Blaze glanced at Ella's luscious red lips and saw her take a gulp.

"Who are you to punish them?" Ella asked. The thought of Blaze being a leader of a gang terrifies her. "Besides, it was an accident," she added. Blaze avoided her gaze. It was not the right time to tell her everything.

"What were you thinking earlier? You looked like something's bugging you," Blaze asked and held her hand. He saw her earlier and wanted to go with her, but the ball incident happened. The thought of Ella thinking her piece of a shit ex-boyfriend infuriates Blaze. It made him jealous.

"Nothing," Ella said. She couldn't say to his face straight away that she was thinking of him.

"Are you okay? Are you still in pain?" Blaze asked while playing with her fingers. Ella doesn't dare to pull her hand away from him because she felt comfortable.

"I'm fine," Ella answered. "Are you not going back to your class?" she added. Looking at the wall clock hanging, the classes were still ongoing. Ella was worried she was holding Blaze back with her.

"I'll stay here," Blaze said and lay on Ella's lap.

"You are just lazy, Blaze. Don't use me as your excuse," Ella said and smiled.

"Right, and I want to stay here with you," Blaze honestly said. Ella chuckled and brushed his hair with her fingers. Blaze stared at her face down to her lips.

"Can I kiss you?" Blaze asked. Ella was taken aback by his sudden question and did not notice Blaze sat up and leaned closer. When his lips brushed hers, Ella felt millions of sparks igniting. She could feel butterflies on her bellies at how Blaze kissed her.

"N-no. I can't," Ella whispered and pushed Blaze away. She lay down on the bed and turned her back on Blaze. She can still feel his lips on hers.

"Sleep well." Blaze heaved a sigh. He wanted to smack himself from kissing Ella. Ella was still recovering from her past, but he's been a jerk to her. Blaze kissed the top of her head and got down from the bed. He will wait for her until she fully accepts him.