Page 24 of Shattered Soulmates

"Miles became yours the night he cheated on me, Marissa." I scoff. "I don't want a male who can be taken so easily. And, I don't take second place to anyone. You’re welcome to him." I eye her up and down with disgust. “Don’t mistake me for a desperate female panting after a mated male!” I toss the barb, and she catches it.

“Oh!”

I sense Miles walking up behind us. Marissa quickly seizes my hand, orchestrating a movement to make it look as though I pushed her. She falls to the ground with a scream. "Miles, help me. She pushed me! I was just trying to be nice and invite her to the wedding." Crocodile tears begin streaming down her cheeks.

Miles rushes to Marissa's side, reaching down to help her up. "Paisley! I can't believe you would actually attack another person," he berates me. "Don't you dare touch her again."

Tears prick my eyes. I’ve lived with Miles for the past year. He knows me. He knows I’d never harm anyone. My heart aches; my wolf howls inside, devastated that her once-true mate would treat her so callously.

Ignoring him, I know I have to get out of here before I completely break down.

"I didn't—I..." I choke out.

I straighten and face Marissa.

"You've made your point. But unlike you, I don't keep playing with people’s lives, nor do I compete for affection. Game, set, and match. You win… by default.” I smile.

Marissa stutters in mock innocence. "Wha—?"

Miles stares at me, his face clouded with pure confusion, as he holds Marissa next to him protectively. I notice a fleeting glimpse of suspicion in his eyes as he glances at Marissa. He shakes his head as if to clear his mind. Steeling myself, I turn and walk away, holding my head high.

"I'm done," I vow, so that no one can make any mistake about my meaning.

Chapter 9 –Mean Girls

Paisley

It appears that Marissa has made it her life’s goal to be the bane of my existence. Almost every time I step outside my cabin, one of her mean girlfriends goes out of their way to taunt or torture me. Females who had previously been friends of mine are now siding with Marissa. I say siding with Marissa, but I’m not even competing with her. She thinks she has won the gold, but in my opinion, it’s fool’s gold, and I want no part of it.Sure, my heart still aches, and my pride hangs in tatters, but I don’t desire any male in my life right now. Maybe never. And especially not Miles. I have lost all faith and respect that I had in him. And, I don’t trust anyone.

I gather up my school bag with the homework I graded last night, along with my cell phone and a filled water bottle. Closing the door behind me, I lock it. I turnto take the short walk to the school and run into a couple of females blocking my path. These two are members of Marissa’s mean girls club.

“Morning, girls.” I try for the civil approach. “Out for a walk?”

“Marissa wanted us to stop by and check on you.” Valerie sneers at me. “We need to make sure you aren’t encroaching on her territory by sniffing around Miles.”

“I have no interest in Miles, whatsoever.” I truthfully bark as I attempt to go around them.

Hannah steps into my path, her hand whips out, slapping my face. “Liar!”

I stagger back and fall to the ground, throwing my hands out to catch myself. Pressing my palm to my burning cheek to cool the sting, I cast an accusing look at these former friends. “What is with you guys? I have done nothing to either of you or Marissa.” I struggle to stand.

“That’s not what Marissa says!” Hannah snarls in my face. “She told us how you’re throwing yourself at Miles and other mated males in the pack, and you’re sneaking out at night to meet them.We’re not going to let you be a homewrecker, skank!”

“If that’s what she's saying, she’s lying.” I retort angrily. “If you will recall, Marissa took my fated matefrom me, not the other way around! If I were having affairs with mated males, their mates would be having symptoms of Cheating Mate Syndrome. Is Marissa vomiting almost non-stop? Does she have lesions or scars on her stomach?” I yank my shirt up and show them the scars on my torso. Hannah jumps back and gasps. “Does she?” I scream. “No! These are the scars from Miles cheating on me with Marissa! So, leave me alone!” I snatch up my dropped items and shoulder check Hannah as I charge by her.

Marissa is a piece of work. She appears to be one of those females who thrives on drama. I have seen it before in others, always lying and causing contention so she can sit back and enjoy the show. If you ask me, she needs medication. I know we shifters aren’t supposed to be susceptible to human diseases, but mental health is a real problem, and Marissa is living proof of that.

I almost laugh when I think that Miles gave up his fated mate bond with me to be with her. I loved him and was a loyal mate who never betrayed him, unlike Marissa. If all the rumors are true about her past, she cheated on him repeatedly when they were together. They’ve only been legally mated for a month. I wonder how long it’ll be before she resumes her cheating ways.

As I enter the schoolhouse, I keep my head down to avoid making eye contact with anyone. I drop my things at my desk, then walk to the teacher’s lounge to use the private bathroom. In the mirror, my eyes are red from crying, and an angry handprint stands out on my cheek. Washing the dirt and blood from my palms, I splash cold water on my face and pat it dry.

Next, I dampen a few paper towels to create a compress for soothing my eyes and burning cheek. Back in the break room, I add some ice and press it gently against my skin.

The principal, Ms. Jenkins, walks in. “Paisley, what is wrong? The other teachers told me you were crying and covered in dirt.”

I remove the compress, looking down, and sure enough, my clothes are filthy.

“Your face, Paisley. Did someone hit you?”

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