"Isabel, tell me.. Where were you? I was searching and looking around for you the whole time while I was playing on the field. I didn't see you among the cheerleaders. Did you go somewhere else during the sports period?"
He asked, his eyes searching my face like there were answers on it. I let a faint sigh before shoving my fingers into my hair, my brows raising in confusion as I thought of the answers to give him.
"I was with Mrs Anderson..yeah. I was with her,"
I replied and his brows furrowed as he nodded, probably still not satisfied with my answers.
"Okay. So I'll make fast food for us to eat. I guess mom and dad will be coming early today," I mumbled as I got on both feet, wanting to change the subject. Derek's eyes were on me the whole time and I'm aware of it. Gosh! Did I just mention that I'll prepare the food? I've forgotten I have little ideas when it comes to cooking. Oh no. Why did I mention that?
As I held the door knob, Derek's soft feathery touch on my skin made me stop on my track. Slowly, I turned to face him and I couldn't help but bite my lips after staring at his emerald eyes which gave me an intense stare. I bit my lips, not knowing what he wanted to say to me and when he pulled me closer towards him, I let out a gasp.
He stroked my hair softly, his eyes searching my face closely. He probably knew I was hiding something from him. My face betrayed me so well. He could read every expression on my face and he could tell how I felt at any given moment.
"Tell him. Tell him Isabel -" Amy, my mate, muttered through the mind link. She always wants me to share all of my worries with my mate. How will Derek feel when he learns that I'm bullied? Just seeing Mason try to touch me made him furious., How will he react when he learns that I'm being treated badly by some proud spoiled girls…wait.. Maybe I should inform him about it so he can help me warn them. Perhaps he can help me confront them so they would stop bothering me but wait… won't they hate me the more if he stands up for me? Oh gosh! I'm tired of this situation!
"Isabel," Derek called, snatching me out of my reverie.
"Yes.." I replied, blinking as I stared at him, dumbfounded.
"Are you sure you're okay? You know you can always tell me whatever it is that is bothering you,"
I forced a smile after hearing his statement, trying hard to avert my gaze from him. He took a step towards me before cupping my cheek, his face filled with concern.
"I have a feeling you're bothered about something but you just don't want to tell me.."
"I'm not, Derek. I'm fine, I'm clearly fine-" I mumbled, holding his cheek softly.
"Tell him, Isabel! Stop acting like a coward!" My wolf bawled and I bit my lips before turning my back towards me. Letting out a deep breath, I finally confessed, "I was locked up in the bathroom, Derek. I was locked up by some group of girls,"
He grabbed my shoulders and made me turn to face him, his eyes widened as he searched my face, weighing the truth of my words in his eyes. It was as if my words rang a bell in his ear. He was utterly shocked that I was bullied and had been keeping it all these while.
"You what? You mean you were locked up in the bathroom throughout the sports period?"
He asked, wanting to be sure and I nodded in response, numbness etching my features.
"Who locked you up, Isabel? And why? Who were those girls?"
"I - I don't know… I don't know how many there are but they were jealous because you spoke to me that time in the corridor. You do know how girls are obsessed with you, Derek. They'll keep hating me if they see me get close to you. They warned me never to speak to you again or even look you in the eye. How annoying! If only they know you're my mate, Derek. I wonder how they feel when they learn that we're going to be step-siblings. Everything is confusing and devastating…I just want to have peace,"
I finally explained and I didn't know when tears started welling up my eyes. I was a cry baby, always emotional and I found it hard to hide it from people close to me.
Derek's eyes widened, utterly shocked at my statement. He wiped my tears with his thumb and brought me closer to him, making me lean and rest my head on his broad chest. I couldn't help but sob; It was difficult to control it around him. My wolf was finally satisfied and I'm certain she was relieved seeing me express my worries with my mate.
"They think I'm still wolf-less, Derek. They enjoy seeing me get bullied."
"Tell me, Isabel. Who are those that locked you up in the bathroom? Can you do me a favor by mentioning their names?"
Derek asked and I released myself from his grasp before looking up to face him. He was a little taller than me and each time I wanted to stare at him, I tended to raise my head.
I have no idea how many there were that planned to lock me up but from the little I know, I could discern their voices when they mocked me. I knew Matilda, Chloe and Charlotte were there. I'm sure they weren't just the three of them;I'm very certain they were much more than that.
Why is Derek asking for their names? What did he want to do to them?
"I have no idea, Derek since I couldn't see their faces," I replied and held my chin, not believing my words.
"I'm certain it's not the first time you're getting bullied. Who often bullies you, Isabel? I just need one or two names so I can warn such people. No one dares hurt my mate! I can't stand it so tell me!"
Derek bawled, gritting his teeth as he stared at my face.. My heart raced and my lips quivered, not having the courage to mention Matilda's name. What if she hates me more?
"You don't have to think or worry, Isabel. I will handle it just tell me who it is,"
Derek reassured, gliding his fingers into my hair, his face an inch apart from my face.
"It's… it's Matilda. Matilda and her crew," I finally responded and he banged his fist on the wall, his face a mixture of impotent fury.
"You're mine Isabel and I won't stand watching you get hurt all because you're mine.."
Derek mumbled, his breath fanning my face. His hands slid down my waist and he stared at me the whole time, the sincerity of his words brimming in his eyes.
My breath came out in short gasps and my chest heaved as he brought his face closer to mine. Our foreheads were now in contact and he immediately captured my lips in his, kissing it so hard and nibbling it.
With his hands on the wall, he continued to kiss me passionately as if we haven't been together for a long time. I couldn't breathe but I maintained my posture and carried on with the paces of his kisses.
After some minutes, he withdrew his lips from mine, his eyes staying on mine for a moment. My lips remained apart, and I gasped faintly, staring at him the whole time.. His eyes trailed my body and when he saw a bruise on my collarbone, his brows creased.
"Who did this to you?" He asked, anger evident in his voice. My wolf howled happily, feeling relieved that her mate was ready to fight for us.
"I - I" I stammered, staring at his furious face. Gulping down the lump in my throat, I finally revealed, "It's Matilda. She only made me trip.. that's all,"
Derek wasn't satisfied with my answer. He searched my face and my body for any signs of bruises. When he didn't see any on my hands and my legs, he undressed me till I was stark naked in front of him..
He moved around, searching my body like he was investigating a case. He held my back and when he saw wounds and bruises, he made me face him.
"Who did this to you, Isabel?"
"Derek.. it's.. it's nothing, okay. They're just old wounds. I had them since I was little,"
He shook his head, disagreeing with my statement. He grabbed my arms and said, "We're announcing it to everyone tomorrow,"
"Announcing what?" I asked as I raised my brows, my face etched with confusion.
"That we're MATES!!"
My eyes widened once more at his statement. No. No. Derek can't do this, can he?