I stood transfixed to a spot as all their gazes flashed at me. My heart fluttered like a trapped dove in my ribcage and my lips parted slightly. I stood there, dazed, stupefied, deadened. How on earth did Ashley see the mark? Gosh! I knew I had forgotten about the mark completely when I decided to arrange my hair. It probably must have revealed my bare neck, exposing the mark to Ashley's curious eyes. Now, she alerted the others and I'm totally speechless as my mind is numb and out of a suitable explanation to give.
"Oh! My gosh! Isabel.. You now have a mate? Tell us. Is it - is it Mason? Don't tell me Mason marked you, did he?" Hayely asked with a dropped jaw, her eyes widening as she took slow steps towards me.
Shaking my head, I mumbled, "No. No way. It's - it isn't Mason. He's not my mate neither did he mark me,"
"Mason already has a mate. Aren't you are of it?" Gloria added, raising her brows and shaking her head along, her eyes glued on a shocked Hayley.
"Since when did he have a mate? Since when did he claim his mate? Who is she? Can someone tell me this is a joke!"
Hayley yelled in disbelief, flicking her gaze at each of our faces. Bonnie nodded, crossing her arms as she let out a deep sigh, one that was filled with exasperation. Derek's gaze met mine and I gulped down the lump in my throat, lost for words to say.
I never expected them to notice the mark. I never thought that a day might happen where they'll all notice the mark; not even today because I didn't plan on a suitable explanation to give them.
Bonnie coughed and spoke, "Yes. Isabel has found her mate. What's so surprising about that?"
"Of course it's surprising to us because she never even mentioned it. Who is the lucky guy urh? Tell us. Who is he and why did she hide it from us?"
Hayley asked, diverting her gaze back to me, curiosity imprinted on her features.
"It's someone from a different pack." I finally answered before pressing my lips together. "What pack?" Hayley added with raised brows.
"Urh.. urm from a guy from Newton's ville pack. We met when I went there to visit my grandmother."
"Cool. What's his name and - and why isn't he here with you? I thought mates are supposed to stick together after discovering that they're mates,"
"He has plans of relocating here very soon. He had to mark me and claim me as his so that everyone can be aware that I have a mate."
Putting my words together, I sighed with relief when I saw how they believed my words with a nod.
"Do let us know when he arrives. We can't wait to see your mate and how he looks." Hayley squealed in excitement for me.
"What's his status? Is he an Alpha's son, the son of a beta, an Omega or worse, a rogue? What's his name?" Ashley inquired with a crossed arm, a scornful smile tugging her lips.
"His name is Alex. He's a noble person. Not an Alpha's son, not a beta and definitely not an Omega. Have I answered your question?"
I finally replied, shooting Ashley a scathing look. "So why did you hide the fact that you already found your mate from us? Why do you have to let us find out by ourselves?"
"I believe Isabel has the right to keep her relationship status a secret. It's her choice if she chose to inform you or not. Gosh! She already gave you the response to your questions. What more do you want?"
Bonnie intervened, obviously getting tired of their questions. "Let's get going. I have to escort Derek and Isabel to the main roads. You guys know how far their house is from here. I don't want them to get home late,"
"Show us a picture of your mate, Isabel. I believe you guys must have taken a picture of yourselves together," Ashley inquired, not wanting to give up easily.
Numbness set over my features; I had no idea of how to fulfill her request. I never had any mate called Alex. What picture do I show them for someone from my fantasy? Alex doesn't even exist. They mustn't find out that I've been lying to them all along. They'll get more nosy and eventually discover that Derek and I are actually mates and I don't want that to happen.
"You know what? Why don't she keep it a secret from you guys? Since Alex will be coming any time soon, I guess it's best we keep you guys on suspense till you eventually see him with your own eyes."
"I totally agree with Bonnie," Marco added with a mouthful of popcorn.
Bonnie creased her brows as she directed her gaze at him.. her eyes widened when she saw Marco stuffing his pocket with popcorns. "Don't tell me you're gonna keep all of that in your pocket?"
Marco smiled before stuffing himself with more popcorn. "I don't want it to go to waste. Trust me, I can finish them all In a matter of seconds,"
"I know you can. I'm not against you taking it. What I meant was, you could have asked for a bag or a packet from me. It isn't hygienic stuffing all of those in your pocket,"
"No worries. I've been doing this for a long time.." Marco replied with a weird smile before dragging his feet as he left. His baggy pants and sweater made him appear ridiculous and I couldn't help but burst out into a chortle.
Hayley swaggered over to Derek before wrapping her arms around him lovingly. She caressed his neck with a finger, winking at him seductively.
"I pray the Moon goddess makes us mate, Derek. Even if we aren't mates, I'd rather reject my own mate just to be with you,"
She confessed, drawing gasps from each of us.
"What?" She turned to face us and asked, her brows raising in fury. "Why are you all acting weird? It's just a lady expressing her desire to be his mate. I don't want him to be taken or mated to someone else. I will definitely hate whoever it is that turns out to be his mate. No one can have him except me."
Hayley emphasized, bringing her lips closer so she could give Derek a kiss. Derek smirked and pulled off from her grasp, not having the intention to kiss her.
"I know you don't like me, yet. I won't stop until I make you mine. You'll mark me with your own canines, Derek and we shall be mates, forever!!"
Hayley said lastly before winking at him. We all left the room while Bonnie closed her door angrily before inserting her key into the keyhole. After locking her door, she turned to face me and muttered, "Don't mind everything Hayley said okay. Leave that bitch and don't feel bothered by her words. You know how she is so it's best you just ignored her.. You do know Derek doesn't even have her time let alone wanting anything to do with her.".
"I - I still can't get over the fact that she kissed him.." I whined, my voice above a whisper.
"I'm so sorry about that. You know it's just a game and nothing else. Are you bothered about it because you think Derek might actually give her some attention?"
"I - I don't know, Bonnie. I'm just jealous…"
Bonnie pulled me and gave me a hug after hearing my comment. She stroke my hair and mumbled, "I know it's not gonna be easy for you and Derek but please stay strong okay,"
"I will.." I replied while she withdrew herself from the hug before flashing me a warm smile- one that soothes my troubled spirit.
"Come on! Lemme accompany you and Derek."
With a nod, I held her hands and we both made our way outside the apartment. When I remembered what I saw on Ashley's phone, I decided to ask, "What do you feel about those messages on Ashley phone? Her chat with Mason wasn't romantic at all. Mason seems to be threatening her. I don't intend to be nosy but I do wish to know more. She doesn't look really happy and she seems to be hiding something from us. Do you have any idea what it is all about?"
"I have no idea, Isabel. I'll make sure I speak to her and inform you later. I was also curious when I saw it but I chose not to disclose it."
After discussing with me for a while, a yellow cab finally pulled up beside us. Derek turned to face Bonnie and said, "I really enjoyed my stay at your place. I'd love to visit often as well,"
"Thanks, Derek. I also enjoyed your company. Please take good care of Isabel. She's certainly worried about a lot of things.." Bonnie told him and ended up winking. Biting my lips, I stared at her with cringed brows, feeling awkward as I glanced around in hopes that anyone didn't hear her comment.
"I sure will," Derek said lastly before opening the door of the taxi for me. When I saw everyone staring, my eyes widened and I remained in a spot, debating on entering or turning to the other side and opening the door myself.
Bonnie pushed me into the car while Derek walked to the other side before opening the door and sitting beside me. I glanced at Bonnie from the windscreen and a faint smile tugged my lips.
"Goodbye! We'll discuss it on the phone, okay?"
"Okay.." I replied and the car zoomed off at once, going past various buildings. I kept my gaze on the windscreen, trying to see if I could still see Bonnie.
Derek's hand on my lap got my entire attention and I turned to face him with wide eyes…
"About the kiss…" He began, probably wanting to apologize.