"Derek! Derek! Please stop!" I cried as I approached Derek, wrapping my arms around him as I tried to pull him off Mason. He continued to punch Mason without flinching at all. Many kids congregated around, agog at what they had witnessed. A few of them had cellphones and were recording Derek and Mason fighting on camera. A huge guy hurried in their direction and pulled Derek off Mason. Our principal, Mr. Plummer, walked in and looked at Derek with a look of bewilderment on his face. With Mason in one hand, he steadied his spectacles and dragged Derek by the other hand.
"The two of you! Come with me. NOW!" He thundered.
"Including you, Isabel!" He emphasized as he turned back to face me. My eyes went wide and I could hear my heartbeat in my ear as I followed him. Why did Derek do this? I know he was trying to protect me from Mason but he shouldn't have gone too far by beating him up.
At the Principal's office~
Mr Plummer adjusted himself on his recliner, his eyes fixed on all three of us. There were piles of files, books and a globe on his table. At a right end was a large shelf which houses a number of books and stationaries. A portrait of him and the president was on the white flashy wall and the whole office smelled nice.
Mason, Derek and I were seated in front of his and we watched as his gaze flicked at each of us. He exhaled before scribbling on a paper and after some minutes, he raised his head to look at us.
"Derek Walter," Mr Plummer called slowly, fixing his blueish eyes on Derek. I gulped down the lump in my throat, wondering what he might do to Derek. Will he expel him? Or will he have him suspended?
"I believe you're a new student. I'm speechless as well as shocked seeing you engage in a fight with one of our old pupil. What was the reason for it?"
Mr Plummer asked, clasping his hands together before placing his chin on it. He listened intently, eager to hear Derek's explanation.
"When I witness a woman being taken advantage of, I find it intolerable. This, in my opinion, is a school where students are being taught discipline and morality. Everyone should be treated equally and fairly, regardless of their status. Mason here is forcing himself on Isabel. He believes she's someone he can use for his pleasure all because she's an omega. Isabel is someone dear to me and I won't stand seeing her being treated badly."
Derek expressed while Mason banged his fist angrily on the table. With clenched fists, he said to the principal, "Don't tell me you're falling for the shit he spilled out of his mouth. You know my status. You know what I can do, Plummer!"
Mason addressed rudely as he got on both feet. Seeing how he spoke hoarsely to the principal made me shiver. Even the principal doesn't have the power to control him due to his Hugh status. My hope was that everything get settled.
"Isabel," Mr Plummer called softly, shifting his gaze at me.
"Can you explain everything that happened back there? I would love to hear your side of the story since everything balls back to you,"
I glanced at Mr. Plummer and Derek simultaneously, trying to clarify the situation with trembling lips.
****
While we head back home in the yellow taxi, I remained mute and kept my eyes on the window screen. I felt very bad about everything that happened. How Mason treated me like I was a property and the fact that Derek turned out to be my stepbrother made me all upset. I recalled how after narrating everything that happened, the principal still supported Mason. He supported Mason because he knew his parents were rich sponsors of the school. Mason had a wealthy family, and he knew this, so he backed Mason. No male has ever challenged Mason or engaged in combat with him during my whole time at Riverdale Academy. I'm afraid Derek will frequently go afoul of Mason because he was the first to do such. He'll start to get picked on by Mason.
I feel it's best I reject Derek because I don't want things becoming more difficult and unbearable for the both of us. He won't have to deal with Mason if I reject him, and we'll both be happier living as step-siblings without any problems.
When we finally arrived home, I opened the door and met an empty house. My mom must have resumed work at her workplace and Mr Walter must probably be at his company.
"Isabel," Derek called as soon as I removed my sneakers. I rotated my neck slowly as I turned to face him. He took slow steps towards me, making my heart pound faster than normal.
"You know I can't stand to see you being taken for granted by some idiot. You're my mate and not Mason's and I'll always continue to fight him if he tries to get closer to you."
I was lost in thought as I glanced at Derek when he stated that with clenched teeth. His words melt my heart, even though I wanted to just reject him straight away. It touched my heart so much to see someone adore me this much.
He gave my cheek a feathery touch, making me tingle. Those hands of his were starting to work magic on me and I knew I might moan at any moment. His scent filled my nostrils pulling me towards him like a metal to a magnet.
"It's crazy how Mr Plummer can be so prejudiced and partial in that case. I had to apologize to Mason when he was supposed to be the one apologizing for what he did to you. I won't let him lay a finger on you again and I will beat him to a pup if he tries to repeat what he did to you today,"
Derek emphasized, his voice tinged with conviction as he stared at me. His emerald eyes bore into mine, holding me in their grasp, piercing directly into my soul.
I flinched gently away from him when I remembered that we were soon going to be step siblings. I slid my fingers into my blond hair, worry imprinted in my features.
"Isa-"
"Derek." I cut in, not letting him finish his statement.
I walked back to him and held his hands "I think it's best we reject each other. That's the suitable thing to do at a moment like this. We're step siblings and if you keep claiming me as yours, you might get into trouble. Our mate bond won't bring us any good. It will only make our parents separate and you know deep down how they love each other. Just picture the awkward looks our classmates will give us when they discover we are step-siblings in addition to being mates. You already know that it's not socially acceptable. Let us just accept that the Moon goddess perceives our bond as a mistake."
Derek slammed his fist on the wall, a hint of tears welling up in his eyes. His eyes were bloodshot as he turned back to face me. He grabbed my shoulders and took me into the room, staring directly into my eyes.
"Do you still have feelings for Mason? Tell me, Isabel! Do you still have feelings for him? Is that why you want to reject me as your mate?"
"No. Derek." I cried, tears streaming down from my cheeks.
"It's not because of that. It - it's the fact that we're step siblings. It's gonna make everything difficult for us if we accept our mate bond."
"Forget about every other challenges or cons that has to do with us being step siblings and mates. What about me?! Don't you want to be with me? Don't you love me?"
My chest heaved and more tears streamed down my cheeks. My lips quivered as I was unable to answer his question.
"Isabel answer me. I genuinely need an answer from you. When you ultimately reject me, will you be satisfied? Tell me, will you?!"
Derek asked as he slid his fingers into his hair, trying to hold back the tears in his eyes.
I knew he loved me so much . I could feel it. I could smell his scent and my wolf wants him too.
My wolf howled in my head, begging for me not to reject him.
I sobbed and dropped to the ground, clutching my hands to my chest. Derek squatted in front of me, tucking some strands of my hair behind his ear before stroking it.
"I do love you, Derek. I - I really do," I finally confessed and he raised my chin, making us have eye contact.
"If you really love me, you'd accept me as your mate regardless of what we are, Isabel."
"What - what of our parents?" I asked and he cleaned my tears with his thumb, flashing me a warm smile.
"I'll inform them about it. I'll tell them that we're mates so they can stop the wedding preparation,"
My eyes widenened at Derek's statement. Is he really serious and did he really mean what he said? My mom won't be happy. She has always been sad ever Since my dad died. It has always been difficult for her and I can see how happy she is with Mr Walter. I don't want to get rid of my mom's happiness all because I'm mated to Mr Walter's son.