Chapter 4 MORE FOREWARNINGS

As I tied my hair in a ponytail, I couldn't help but hope that Derek wasn't going to make it to school. He was making everything and everywhere uncomfortable for me. And his father barely paid any attention to me. Derek had already told me countless times that I was his property and he was treating me like one.

I held my breath, heading downstairs when I saw him at the dining table.

I guess I'll just skip breakfast. Anything to keep me away from him. My lips were still tingling at the thought of the kiss I shared with Owen the day before. I couldn't ignore the pulsing in between my legs.

“What's wrong with you?” He asked, barely glancing up at me. I planned to ignore him, but I couldn't.

“Nothing. I'm heading to school. I don't want to be late.”

He scoffed, slamming is cutlery into his plate. “What do you even take me for? A fool? Do you think I don't know that you just want to hurry up to meet with Owen?”

I turned to look at him, confusion written all over me.

“What are you talking about?” I asked in the calmest voice I could muster. “Owen is sick. He might be dying for all I know.”

I could only hope that he was using the remedy that I gave him.

Derek cocked an eyebrow. “Is that care in your voice?” He stood up, taking a step towards me. “What have you been getting up to with Owen?”

A shiver ran through my spine, but it wasn't the time for me to be scared of him. I tipped my chin instead. “Haven't you come to interrupt us whenever we got the chance? I believe you're fully aware of everything I do. Especially with your minions around the school.”

The shock on his face was priceless. I knew that this was my only chance to challenge him. Outside, I wouldn't dare. Outside, I was his puppet.

His lips were suddenly lifted in a smile. “You know that you wouldn't dare do all this drama outside. I'll give you the grace. Get in the car.”

I stomped my feet on the floor. “You don't have the right to order me around. Besides, when did you start taking me to school?”

“Since now,” he said, grabbing my wrists as he pulled me with him. “The whole school needs to know that you're off limits.”

I allowed myself to a small smile. I knew that Owen wasn't going to avoid me for anything. He was the only one that had managed to stand up to Derek this whole time.

Derek pushed me into the car, and we drove to school in silence. During the second period, Owen walked into the class, and I felt like I could finally breathe.

He gave me a small wink as he sat down on the empty seat beside me.

“Saved a seat for me?” He asked.

“You wish,” I said in a teasing tone. “You just happened to be lucky.”

I looked at the place where his injury was, and I couldn't help but notice that it was already healing up so fast. I heaved a sigh of relief.

“Thank you for the paste you brought,” he said, showing me his healing injury. “Worked like magic. I feel like I'm literally glowing.”

I felt myself smile. “I guess I'd have my grandmother to thank for that.”

Owen's eyes widened slightly. “Huh. I should probably thank her myself then.”

I quickly shook my head. I didn't know what my grandma was going to say if I showed Owen to her. The last thing I needed was anyone questioning me. The whole pack already knew that I was betrothed to Derek. Even if it wasn't officially yet. And I didn't plan on making it official anytime soon.

“You don't have to. I'll extend your thanks to her.”

He bit his lip, not saying anything else. The both of us stayed that way until lunch time. I headed towards the cafeteria when Derek quickly grabbed my hand.

“You're having lunch with me.” He growled, leaning into my neck.

I quickly moved away from his touch. “I already had plans of having lunch with Owen. Maybe next time, you can inform early like any normal human being would.”

“Take your hands off her,” Owen said, and I took in the way his jaw tightened.

“Or what?” Derek asked. “She isn't yours. She's not some toy that you can just claim as yours.”

“Oh, really now?” Derek asked in a mocking tone.

I shook my head. I didn't have the energy for anything that he was trying to do. I managed to yank my hands out of his, as I headed outside.

I immediately regretted that decision because I came in contact with Garrett again. He quickly threw the cigarette that he was holding on the floor, before crushing it with his boots. His lips were spread into a wide smile.

“You came to find me. What a shocking surprise.”

“No, I didn't,” I answered immediately. “You just happened to be here.”

“Have you thought about what I told you?” he asked, and I shook my head.

“You were spitting rubbish. And honestly, I don't have the time and energy for any of that.”

His smile quickly turned into a sneer. “People are dying in your pack, Iris,” he said, taking another step towards me. I quickly took one back. A shudder ran through my spine as he said my name.

“You're lying,” I said.

“He might be saying the truth,” Lara whispered.

No, it has to be a lie. People at the pack were fine. But then, there was no explanation for the people that were going missing at the pack. The elders always said the goddess was punishing them.

Garrett wasn't even done speaking.

“Unexplainable deaths. Missing people. The elders are covering everything up. And it's in your house now.”

“How-”

A blood curdling scream cut me off from the parking lot, gaining both Garret and my attention.

“We have to see,” Garret said, dragging me with him. I wanted to stop, but I couldn't bring myself to. I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was about to see something that was going to change my life.