Explaining to the people.

Isabella.

They stood stunned as they all looked at me. Every stare was prickling amidst the silence and I couldn't help but shuffle under the scrutiny.

“Isabella?" I turned to look at my mother, whose expression held unbridled shock.

“What do you mean?"

My gaze flew to the floor. Guilt swelled up in me like bitter heat. I should have told them a long time ago, but then again, I was planning to tell them. Unfortunately, things didn't work out as planned.

But it was better late than never. That was the saying, wasn't it? Sucking in my breath, I looked back up to face them.

I knew what I was about to say was probably life changing, upending everything they knew about mates and mate bonds.

“I have a mate.”

Silence reigned for seconds, each one that passed lengthening the heavy tension that surrounded the room.

I counted every single one. When it had reached the tenth, it was as though everything disappeared.

A cacophony of noises arose from every end, and throughout the mingling of the