Page 48 of Missing

"Ah, dear," she sighed, empathy evident in her voice. "Being rejected by your mate can really mess with your head."

I clenched my jaw, hating the sympathy in her voice. Was she implying that my mom's downfall was justified? That I should feel sorry for her?

"Have you all bonded yet?" she asked, shifting gears.

Griffin replies "No mum, Orlando and Harper have bonded, and are actually mates, Dante wolf has claimed her, and I feel the pull, but not bonded yet"

"Congratulations on finding your mates," she said, her voice warm but hesitant. "I can't wait to meet you, Harper."

"Thanks," I muttered, though the pit in my stomach only grew heavier. She knew more than she was letting on—I could hear it in her voice. The unspoken secrets hung thick in the air between us, making it difficult to breathe.

"Thanks, Mom," Griffin echoed, his gaze locked with mine as he ended the call his piercing blue eyes meeting mine as he pocketed his phone. "She knows more than she's telling us," he said, a mixture of frustration and concern lacing his words.

I nodded in agreement, the uneasiness I felt mirrored in his expression. "Yeah, it's like there's a piece of the puzzle missing.”

Chapter 42

Harper Hillstrom

Iwas sprawled out on my bed, the worn pages of Wuthering Heights cradled in my hands as I lost myself in the moors of England. Griffin sat across the room at the massive wooden desk, scribbling away like a madman as he worked on his water power homework. The sound of pen scratching against paper filled the air, almost drowning out the subtle beat of my heart.

"Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same," Griffin quoted suddenly, tearing me from Heathcliff's tormented embrace.

My jaw dropped as I stared at him, unable to believe what I just heard. "You've read Wuthering Heights?" I asked incredulously.

He glanced up, smirking with those devilish blue eyes that could pierce through armour. "Yeah, we go to human high schools before we get to come here, you know."

"Shit," I muttered, shaking my head. It was hard enough trying to figure this guy out without discovering he had a taste for classic literature. Our worlds felt so far apart, yet somehow, they were crashing together like waves onto a rocky shore.

"I didn't know that," I murmured, glancing around the room as if it held all the secrets I'd yet to uncover. "In fact, there's a million things I don't know."

"None of us knows everything," Griffin said softly, his deep blue eyes locked onto mine. A gentle smile played at the corners of his mouth, revealing a warmth I hadn't expected. "But that's the beauty of life, isn't it? There's always something new to learn."

"True," I agreed, feeling a sense of kinship with him that seemed to defy reason.

Our little bubble of peace was shattered by the harsh sound of the bell signalling lunchtime. Griffin stood up gracefully, stretching his long legs before turning to me. "Come on, let's go eat."

"Actually, I think I'm going to stay here," I said, hesitating for a moment before deciding to be honest with him. "Is that okay? I have a free afternoon next, and I'd really like to spend some time alone. Can you tell Orlando where I am and that I'll join you guys for dinner?"

Griffin's smile was like a lifeline as he easily agreed, "Of course, sometimes we all need a little alone time." It was a simple statement, but it felt like the weight of a thousand worlds had been lifted off my chest.

"Thanks, Griffin," I said, feeling the tension in my body begin to ease. He nodded, that gentle warmth still present in his eyes.

"Alright, I'll head out then," he replied, gathering up his scattered homework from the desk. The papers rustled like whispers as he stuffed them under his arm, preparing to leave me with the solitude I craved.

"See you for dinner," Griffin said. He reached the door and glanced back at me one last time, his blue eyes piercing straight through to my soul. And then, with an almost imperceptible nod, he walked out, closing the door softly behind him.

A surge of relief washed over me as the door clicked shut, the sound echoing through my empty room like the final note of a sad song. I sank into the plush bed, allowing my body to conform to its welcoming embrace. For the first time since arriving at Oakland Harbour, I could breathe – really fucking breath.

"Ah, sweet solitude," I murmured, wrapping my arms around myself and curling into a tight ball. My eyes fluttered closed, the darkness behind my lids a welcome escape from the chaos that had consumed my life lately.

My thoughts swirled like leaves caught in a gust of wind, pulling me deeper into a restless sleep.

Time seemed to slip away and before I knew it, a persistent knock on the door jolted me out of my sleep. The sound echoed through the silent room, startling me awake from my peaceful slumber. My mind struggled to adjust to the abrupt interruption, my senses stirring as I sat up in bed. The knock grew louder, more insistent, almost demanding a response.

I rolled off the bed, groggily checking my skirt to make sure it hadn't ridden up too high and slipped on my kitten heels. Wouldn't want my ass cheeks on display for just anyone, now would I? With a sigh, I walked over to the door and flung it open without thinking.

"Surprise, bitch," Jessica smirked, her ice-cold blue eyes narrowing in delight. She was flanked by Yasmin and Olivia, their expressions smug as they hovered behind her like a pair of obedient little lapdogs.

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