"Ok, so now lemme get this straight. You're unable to live with Derek or see him as your step brother because you once had a fling with him before?"
Bonnie inquired while staring directly into my eyes, and I sighed as I realized she had a very poor guess.
I sat on the chair and placed my hands on her shoulder, increasing the curiosity in her. In an attempt to find the answers to her query, she grasped my chin and looked across my face.
"Bonnie, you won't believe what happened,"
It's difficult for you and Derek to move on from those prior experiences, and you're considering dating. Is that all there is to it?"
"No Bonnie! Derek turned out to be my mate! I can't believe it. It's making me go crazy, Bonnie."
I expressed and disclosed everything to Bonnie and I could see her eyes enlarging with each word.
"Are you really telling the truth, Isabel? Derek is really your mate?!" Bonnie asked once again and I nodded, pouting my lips like I was about to cry.
"Then that's great news! You've always had a crush on him and he turned out to be your mate, why the heck are you still worried? Is he aware that you're his mate? Tell me. How did you find out? How did it all happen? I'm curious!"
Bonnie asked all at once and my head spun as I struggled to process all of her questions.
I ended up sighing in disbelief; I didn't expect that she'd be so happy to learn that Derek was my mate.
"Bonnie. I don't want him as my mate. He's my step brother for crying out loud! I can't have my step brother as my mate."
"Oh! That's true! I forgot you guys are now related. You guys are soon going to be step siblings. It's crazy how the Moon goddess has to pair you up together. Isn't that strange?"
Bonnie asked and I'm glad she's back to her senses. I massaged my temple, robbing it softly as I tried to reduce the tension in my mind.
She turned to face me and asked, "How did you find out he was your mate? Does that mean you now have a wolf?"
"Yes, Bonnie. I have a wolf now. I found out Derek and I were mated that night on my birthday. After shifting into my wolf form, I smelled him and then, I realized that he was my mate. Why do you think the Moon goddess made us mates? She knew he was going to be my stepbrother, so why on earth did she make us mates?"
I asked as I buried my fingers into my hair, letting out a deep sigh. Bonnie sighed as well before holding my hands and I knew she was about to comfort me with her words.
"I know it's a tough time for you, Isabel. You have to accept him as your mate. I believe your bond with him was for a reason,"
"What do you mean? That's totally crazy, Bonnie. We can't accept each other. What will people say about us? What will our parents think about us? My mom has always wanted to get married to someone after being single for several years. Will I let her end her relationship with Mr Walter all because Derek turns out to be my mate? Do you have any idea how hard it's going to be for us? I had to act like a stranger to Derek in school because I don't want people knowing that we're related let alone knowing that we're mates. The Moon goddess made everything difficult for me, Bonnie. She's to blame for all of this!"
Bonnie finally grabbed my shoulders and gave me a violent jerk, forcing me to give her my complete attention after watching me rage all along.
"Now tell me. What's your plan? Reject him? Tell me. Are you going to feel better after doing that?!"
She asked and I gulped down the lump in my throat, lost for words to say or an answer to give.
"Is that what's gonna make you feel better? If it is, then do it. Reject him and stop whining around like a baby!"
She yelled, crossing her arms and blowing the strand of hair that dangled in front of her eyes.
When she saw that I was silent the whole time she held my chin and mumbled, "Instead of avoiding Derek. Why don't you guys speak and sort everything out? You really need to have a word with him. But I really need you to answer my question. Will you feel good after rejecting him?"
"To be honest. I - I don't know how I'll feel. Everything makes me confused,"
"But do you truly love Derek?"
I nodded slowly at her question, avoiding a gaze with her.
"Well," Bonnie said, adjusting herself on her chair.
"If I was the one in your case, I'd speak to him. I'll let him know how I feel and obviously I'm gonna accept him as mine. I won't hesitate because If I reject him, I might end up regretting it. That dude is gorgeous, compassionate and handsome. He has everything in a guy. I'd only be a fool if I rejected him. I know he loves you and I can see it in his eyes. Please don't make the wrong choice, Isabel."
"Thanks for the advice, Bonnie. I'll try to speak to him."
"I see you're gonna be in detention today right?"
Bonnie asked and I smacked my forehead when I remembered Mr Richard's statement about putting me in detention.
"Yes. My brain was so messed up that I forgot to bring my textbook. Gosh! I've been thinking a lot these days,"
"Yeah. I can see that too. Please free your mind, okay. Don't think too much and avoid worrying. I want you to speak to Derek. Once you do, please give me some feedback,"
"Okay," I nodded and she encircled me and gave a tight hug.
"Sorry you will have to be detained. I'm supposed to stay around with you but I have to leave school early today. My mom needs my help at her restaurant." Bonnie disclosed and I held her cheek and smiled sweetly.
"No problem.. I understand,"
****
After school hours, I watched as everyone carried their bags, scurrying to get home. Bonnie gave me a hearty hug before dragging her school bag.
"I'm sorry I have to leave now, Isabel,". she said softly and I nodded as I arranged my items.
"I see you're in detention." Mason said as he walked up to me. Bonnie rolled her eyes and dragged my hands, not giving me a chance to exchange words with him.
While we were exiting the class, I caught a glimpse of Derek being mobbed by many girls. When his eyes met mine, I moved my glance away from him immediately. I felt a hand grab me from behind and to my astonishment, it was Mason.
"What do you want from her?" Bonnie asked like a mother protecting her child from a sexual predator.
"I'm not talking to you, Bonnie. You're only her friend so stop acting like her mother." Mason remarked fiercely while Bonnie loosened her grip on me before crossing her arms.
"What do you want, Mason?" I finally inquired and he scratched his head, flashing me a loving smile.
Bonnie shook her head and smacked her head; she was unhappy that I was still having a word with Mason even after all he had done to me.
"I'm also in detention. Let's stay at the music class,"
He suggested and I turned to face Bonnie whose eyes were on Mason.
"Why? Since when were you also in detention? Are you just bringing up an excuse so you could get closer to her?"
Bonnie requested again and Mason ignored her, taking hesitant steps towards me. My heart rate intensified and I didn't know how I should feel at the moment.
"Everyone in detention; to the music class now!"
Mr Richard yelled as he roamed the corridor with his eyes on us. He adjusted his tie once again before entering his office.
I was confused; Mason was never asked to be in detention so why now? Did he also provoke Mr Richard or did he purposefully want to be in detention just so he could be with me?
"You're doing this because Patricia Isn't around right?" Bonnie asked Mason, giving him a sharp piercing gaze.
Mason smirked and turned to face Bonnie. He mumbled, "Stay out of it!"
Mason turned to face me and said, "Let's go, shall we?"
Something was off about Mason. He rejected me and now he's trying to get close to me. Does he want to claim me back as his mate? What is he up to?
"Mason, I believe it's time for you to move on. I have no desire to accompany you."
I said, and my words surprised him.
Feeling a little down, he nodded. He put his hands in the pockets of his pants and turned to walk away.
Bonnie and I watched him till he was out of sight.
Bonnie dragged me and said, "You have to stay away from that pervert and a jerk. You know he's only a playboy and he's up to no good. Don't tell me you have thoughts on getting back to him,"
"No. No I don't."
"Good. I'll be leaving now. See you tomorrow," Bonnie exclaimed, leaving and waving at the same time.
I sighed deeply, grabbed my purse, and made my way to the music class.
I was shocked to see that Mason and I were the only students in the class, and I instantly felt queasy.
"Welcome, Isabel," Mason remarked with a cunning smile. He got up and walked right close to me, but I ignored him and went to sit at the far end.
"What is it, Mason? You've been acting weird lately. What do you want from me?"
"Nothing. I really feel bad about what I did to you. I urm.. I just wanna get close to you and make you feel better. I want to make up for all I did those times,"
He mumbled before placing his hands on my palm. My nostrils were suddenly overwhelmed with his perfume. With lusty stares, he moved in closer to me, tracing every inch of my body. I knew I was always naive and a puppet to him, giving in to his will but I can't this time around. His eyes lingered on my lips as he stroked my hair.
"You have to leave, Mason. I'm not comfortable being with you,"
I yelled at him and swerved away, but he came forward and attempted to make contact with me. All of a sudden, I smelled this musky wooden lavender scent and it. filled up my nostrils. That was the scent of my mate and it was so strong.
Was Mason my mate? No. It can't be.
I glanced around for the source and then, my eyes fell on Derek's emerald eyes. He was looking at me, watching Mason try to get nearer to me, and he was furious.
What would happen next?! Will he fight with Mason?