ISOBEL
I thought I was tired enough to fall asleep the moment my head hit the pillow, but I didn't and no matter how much I tossed and turned, I couldn't stop thinking about Mason.
Why did he tell me to go back alone? What was the duty that he couldn't handle with me?
I told myself that it didn't matter and that it was probably because of the blonde lady. And yet, I couldn't push off the feeling that there was something else. Everything felt off, but why should I care?
I squeezed my eyes shut, and forced myself to ignore him as he had already made it clear that I meant nothing to him. He had every right to do whatever he wanted, just like I did. I should be happy to be back, and away from him and his coldness.
Sleep refused to come, and after what felt like hours of restlessly turning in bed, I gave up and stared at the ceiling. I was tired, but my mind was restless, and no matter how many times I told myself to stop thinking about him, I knew I wouldn't be able to.
The next morning, I was still tired when I walked out of my room, but Quinn was already waiting for me.
She didn't even give me time to fully wake up or even greet me before she started asking me questions.
"So… did Mason say when he's coming back?" she asked, while trying to sound casual, but the look in her eyes showed how curious she was.
I frowned, but I still answer. "No."
She continued. "Did he say why he didn't come back?"
I furrowed my brows. "Why do you care so much?"
Quinn blinked, and she looked caught off guard. Then she laughed and dissmissively waved her hand. "I don't care, I'm just curious." I had to admit, her laugh sounded forced.
I crossed my arms over my chest. "Quinn, if there's something you want to talk about, just tell me."
She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "You're overthinking. I'm just happy you're away from him for now."
I didn't know why but something told me that she was lying and before I could push further, she linked her arm tin mine and quickly changed the subject. "Come on, let's go eat. You must be hungry after traveling."
I wanted to argue, and ask her for answers, but I let it go because even though Quinn wasn't telling me the truth, I had a feeling that I would find out soon enough.
Quinn eventually left me alone, but I couldn't stop thinking about how strange she had been acting. I was sure that she was hiding something but I didn't have the strength to keep asking her as I needed to clear my mind and for some reason, I could only think of one place to go, the gazebo.
I hadn't been there since the day that I discovered something that I still couldn't explain. The fishes had reacted to me and I could control the water.
I hadn't told anyone and it wasn't because I was scared, but because I really didn't understand it. Maybe I had imagined it or maybe it was just a coincidence.
But what if it wasn't? I had to know.
With that thought, I stood up and made my way toward the gazebo, and I quietly passed trough the hallways. I wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone, and I didn't want to be stopped but life had other plans.
Just as I took a turn, I nearly walked straight into Ophelia.
She stood in the middle of the hallway, glaring at me and her face was filled with irritation as she stared at me. I wasn't in the mood for her today.
I lowered my eyes and tried to walk past her, to pretend like she didn't exist but she couldn't just let me be.
"Where is my son?" she asked sharply.
I almost laughed. Your son? How could she even ask me about her son? I stopped walking but I didn't turn to face her. I wasn't in the mood to talk to her, but for some reason, I felt like answering her anyway.
"Aren't you his mother?" I said calmly. "Shouldn't you know where your son is?"
"How dare you speak to me in such a manner? Is something wrong with your head?" She yelled at me.
I finally turned to look at her and from the look on her face, I could tell that she was shocked, like she couldn't believe that I had the audacity to talk back to her ans I didn't give her a reply because I had nothing else to say to her.
But Ophelia wasn't done with me. She frowned and took a step closer, then she said in a low voice that showed just how much she hated me.
"You're an ungrateful little bitch," she spat. "You should be thanking Mason for saving your pathetic life, even when it was as clear as day that you murdered those students."
I stiffened and I clenched my fists. "I didn't murder anyone," I defended myself as I was frustrated with her and everyone. "But you're too blind to see the truth. You always have been. The only reasonable one in this pack is Mason."
She glared at me in silence and then she laughed, and the sound sent shivers down my spine.
"I don't know what you did to make Mason take your side," she said. "But I will get to the bottom of it. I will find out what you did to my son"
My breath got caught in my throat and in that moment, I panicked. She couldn't find out, she couldn't know that Mason and I had shared a night together. That we were mates. No.
I didn't say another word, I just turned around and walked away, ignoring the way my heart raced in my chest. I had to stay away from Mason for my own good.