Chapter 9

After the celebration, my mom gave me a kiss and urged me to go to bed. It was already past one and she didn't want me sleeping late because I might wake up late tomorrow. 

“Good night honey. Sleep tight. Once again, I'm sorry for not returning early to witness your first shift,” 

My mom apologized warmly before brushing my forehead with her kisses.

“It's not your fault. I'm so grateful for everything you gave me. The gifts, the flowers,. I - I don't know what to say.”

“You two are just the best,” I mumbled sweetly before embracing both my mom and step dad.

“Good night, honey.” Mr Walter muttered, his blue eyes shining and illuminating my spirit.

I walked back to my room but when I heard my mom ask of Derek from Mr Walter, I stopped on my tracks, trying to eavesdrop on their conversations.

“He left a while ago. Maybe he was feeling sleepy. I'll go check on him once I'm done with clearing up these dishes,” I heard Mr Walter say and I took slow steps to my room, pondering on what transpired between Derek and me a while ago.

I was tempted to check on him as I passed the door leading to his room, but I resisted the urge and headed to my room instead, feeling bad about what I had said earlier.

‘Do I still want him to be my mate? Do I not want him to be my mate? Should I reject him? Should I not reject him?’

All of those thoughts disturbed my mind as I approached my room. When I was about to lock my door, I saw a hand slide in before revealing the whole figure. My eyes widened as soon as I saw that it was Derek.

“Wh-what are you doing here?”

I stuttered as I asked, feeling timid and embarrassed at once.

I gulped down the lump in my throat when I remembered what I had said about finding a real mate. He walked towards me and I stepped back slowly, wondering what he wanted to do to me.

To my amazement, I saw him pull out a beautiful golden necklace and a charm bracelet from his pocket. He held my hands and placed the jewelry on my palms before looking up to face me.

“This is my gift for you, MATE,” He said, his voice barely above a whisper and my breath hitched to a stop. Why is he still calling me his mate? What if my parents hear him? How on earth would they feel?

With a loving smile, he placed my other hand on the jewelry and had me grasp it tightly. I could see the sadness in his eyes and once again, I felt guilty for what I said earlier.

“Sweet dreams!” Derek muttered, his eyes staying on mine for a moment and I watched as he retraced his steps before closing the door before him.

***

I was startled out of my sleep by the alarm's loud shriek. I turned and yanked it off without thinking, then stretched my hands and continued to yawn. I wiped my tired eyes, trying to chase away the last vestige of tiredness. I looked at the wall clock and saw that it was almost six o'clock. I smiled, knowing I still have much time to prepare for school.

I wrapped up in my towel after taking a bath and went to my closet to look through my clothes for my uniform. I took it off the rack and smiled warmly as I turned to face the mirror and appreciated how it fit my shape. It was a new uniform and I was glad to finally get rid of my old torn uniform. 

As I glanced at my shoulder and my collarbone,thoughts of my intimate moments with Derek flooded across my mind once again. I bit my lips, wondering how we would be able to pull through with everything. If I accept him as my mate, my parents will eventually find out and if I reject him, he won't be happy as well as I.

Regardless of how I try to ignore him and distance myself from him, I still feel the urge to be close to him. My wolf wants him; my body wants him and I'm confused as hell.

“Hurry up Isabel! You don't wanna be late for school!” 

My mom's loud voice interrupted me from my reverie and I hurried with my dressing before scurrying out of my room.

I walked over to the dining, feeling amazed at the sight of the palatable meal waiting patiently on the dining table. I pulled out one of the chairs and smiled at the chicken casserole boiling warmly on my plate. My mom placed some glass cups and a jar of juice on the table. After some time, Derek showed up and greeted my mom and I watched as she gave him an air kiss. She has never had a male child and she was so glad to have Derek as her step son. It was so nice seeing her shower him with motherly affection but when I remembered he was my mate, my stomach began to churn as worry overwhelmed me.

“I hope you love casseroles?” My mom asked nicely and he nodded before responding to her with his eyes on the meal. He shifted his gaze from the food to my face and I gulped down the lump in my throat at once.

“Good morning, Isabel.” Derek greeted me and I was surprised that he didn't call me his mate.

I thought he would call me his mate in front of my mom. My heart heaved and I watched him join me at the dining, a flashy smile spreading across his face. He turned to face me, and I quickly looked away from him before looking at my food. I chewed on my food as fast as I could and I knew his eyes were on me.

My mom smiled and chortled as she watched us and I shifted my gaze at her, wondering if she was aware of anything going on between us. 

“Don't mind Isabel, she hurries whenever she's eating. I'm sure you two will get along quite well.” 

My mom mumbled as she removed her apron from her slender waist. Her eyes were on the two of us till she left for the kitchen.

I let out a deep sigh before downing my drink at once. Derek kept on eating slowly and I was relieved that his eyes weren't on me.

“Mom! I'm leaving for school.” I stood up and called out to my mother while holding onto the handle of my bag.

As soon as she heard me, my mom showed up and snatched up her phone, eager to dial a number.

“Mom. What are you doing?” 

I asked and she turned to face me, her deep blue eyes radiating assurance.

“I think it's best if you guys use the school bus. I'm trying to see if I can get in touch with your -”

“No-way!” I cut my mom off across her words and she narrowed her gaze at me, wondering why I had rejected her idea.

“There's no way I'm going with the school bus. I'm better off with a taxi.”

I emphasized, shaking my head along. I didn't want to go with the school bus because I didn't want other kids to know that I live in the same house with Derek. The worst thing that can ever happen is they finding out that we're step siblings let alone mates. 

“I understand your point, Isabel. You're free to go with a taxi. What of you Derek?” 

My mom turned to ask Derek who stood up and grabbed his school bag along.

“I'll go with a taxi too.” 

Derek gave his reply to my mom and I felt my heart sink heavily in my tummy. My mom flashed him a warm smile like a kid thinking he just said something cute. She thought we would get along perfectly like siblings. No. There was nothing cute and sweet about that. Why would he even suggest using a taxi? Why does he always want to be close to me?

“It's because he's your mate, Isabel. Don't try to resist or ignore the mate bond. You can't succeed if you keep being stubborn and adamant,” My wolf, Amy, mumbled in my head and I growled faintly in the mind link.

“Goodbye, lovelies! Have a great day at school today.” My mom said as she gave both Derek and me a lot of kisses. 

Without wasting much time, we both went out of the house and stride to the street, hoping to stop a taxi.

I waved my hand in the air, trying to stop a yellow cab which sped without pausing for a second. I groaned after several attempts of trying to stop them. Derek was beside me the whole time, smiling as the wind undulated his long black hair. I hope he's not boarding the same cab with me.

I tried stopping a cab again, but it dashed across the road and splashed some water on my skirt. I frowned as I looked at the little smudges of water on my skirt, feeling angry to have ruined my uniform on a Monday morning.

Derek brought out a soft cloth and wiped it off and when he raised his head, our eyes locked at once. I tucked the strand of hair on my head behind my hair, not knowing how to feel at the moment.

Derek made his first attempt to stop a cab and it halted at once in front of us like an obedient dog.

“Riverdale Academy,” Derek said to the driver who nodded at once.

I had no choice but to step in after he graciously opened the door for me. He turned to the other side and opened the door of the car before taking his seat beside me.

I kept my eyes glued to the window screen as the car drove by different buildings, unwilling to look Derek in the eye, much less engage in conversation.

My heart began to race as soon as we got to our school because I was worried about what people would say when they saw us together. I would like them to remain unaware of our impending step-sibling status. Since I am aware that the majority of the girls who are crushing on Derek are my bullies, I don't want Derek's love for me to make them dislike me even more.

I hope Derek will give up on the fact that we're mates. We can't be mates and it can't be possible.

“Derek!” I called finally, heaving as I looked at his charming green eyes. I didn't have the courage to say what I was about to say but I had no choice but to do it.

“What is it, Isabel?” Derek asked, his voice soothing my spirit but I was far beyond comfort. I need to tell him now. We have to end everything..

“I think I've made my choice,”

“What choice?” He asked, getting curious.

“I've made up my mind to reject you. I feel it's best, Derek,”

I revealed and I saw him widening his eyes, probably shocked that I was still having thoughts of rejecting him.