“Good.” I crossed my arms and ignored the bit of discomfort.
She smirked. “I just thought I’d say that I’m sorry for the way I acted. I know you probably don’t give a shit, but I’ve spent my whole life trying to get my dad to notice me. I’ve always been a big disappointment. I wasn’t a boy. I wasn’t alpha enough to do him any good. As lame as it sounds, my one shot in life was tied to becoming Dastien’s mate. When you came here, things got a little out of hand. I would love to blame what I did on my wolf, but I can’t. I was pissed. My life was falling apart and it was your fault. I did what I thought—and what my father agreed—was best.” She looked away and blew out a heavy breath. “I’ve talked a lot to Mr. D and Dastien the past few days. I’m probably going to get kicked out of here, and lose my sister if I can’t convince her to go with me, but that’s what I get because of the choices I made. I’m not asking for your forgiveness either.” She scoffed. “I wouldn’t forgive me.”
I didn’t know what to say. Or if I should say anything. Her talking to Dastien—even though I knew it had happened—made me want to hit her, so I stayed silent.
“Anyhow. I just wanted to apologize for being a bitch. Dastien’s my best, oldest friend and I want him to be happy. So make him happy.” She turned on her heel before I could say anything else.
Well, shit. If anyone had told me that I’d feel sorta bad for Imogene Hoel, I would’ve told them they’d lost their mind. But I kinda felt bad for her. It took major cajones for her to come here and apologize. I respected that.
***
That night, under the light of the moon, the senior class sat around a bonfire in the middle of the woods northwest of the school. Much to my annoyance, Dastien had carried me the whole way. Even if I couldn’t walk for long on my own yet, it was a little humiliating. As soon as he put me down, he’d wrapped a blanket around me and tucked me close to his side.
Mr. Dawson, Sebastian, and Donovan stood in front of the fire with Imogene. She had a backpack on, and a large duffel at her feet.
I had to respect her as she stood there ramrod straight, gaze focused above us, ready to face her fate.
Once everyone was seated, Mr. Dawson stepped forward. “You all know what happened with Imogene and her father. But here today, we’re going to ignore her relations. This is a decision her peer pack must make as she plotted against and harmed some of our own. I could make the decision, but all of you would have to live with it. And so you must decide.”
He put his hand on Imogene’s shoulder. “Imogene Hoel stands before you ready to be cast from the pack. Should you decide that as her fate, she will walk away from here with what she has and should she ever appear again—come as an enemy. Or you can decide that she stay on.”
Mr. Dawson glanced around the circle. “The vote will be placed, and the majority will rule. May fair hearts and minds rule your decisions.”
He paused. A few murmurs filled the night, but were soon quieted. “If anyone has anything to say to sway the decision, now is your time to speak.”
I looked around the fire. No one glanced her way. “Are you going to say anything?” I asked Dastien. He sat on the log next to me. His fingers twined with my ungloved ones.
“No, ma cherie. I’m not in your class and I’m not in your peer pack. I’m only here to help you to and from the meeting.”
Right.
As the seconds turned into minutes, my heart started to race. I couldn’t sit here and let them do this to her. Not after she apologized to me. As much as I wanted her gone, she’d made a mistake. Lord knew no one in my old schools ever listened to me or gave me any second chances. I couldn’t condemn her to the same fate.
“Help me up,” I whispered.
“What are you going to say?”
“Fine. Don’t help me up.”
Dastien growled as I stood. He kept his hand wrapped around the back of my calf, making sure I stayed upright.
“Hey, everyone. Tessa here.” I paused as everyone looked my way. “I know I’m new and I really have no idea how this is supposed to go or what I’m supposed to say or…I’ll stop rambling. The thing is, I guess I’m the one here that should want her to go the most. I mean—she tried to take my guy. She nearly had me kidnapped by vampires. Twice. Because of her dad, my guy actually was kidnapped by them. She attacked me. Twice. One of which was a total sucker punch, which was way lame.”