When fantasy becomes reality

Chapter 17

"Gwen, why did you call him a furball?" I repeat my question.

The room fell silent at my question. Inside, the feeling of unease grows while trying to make eye contact with Gwen. Her expression went from frustrated to surprise in a second. There's a fleeting moment of unease in her eyes, almost as if she's been caught off guard. Wordlessly, she glances around the room, as if looking for support or an excuse among the others. But the others sit in awkward silence, as speechless as she seems to be.

"Um... what do you mean?" she stammers, her voice faltering slightly as she avoids meeting my gaze.

Her response is vague, and I can't help but notice the way she fidgets nervously with the hem of her sweater. It's as if she's struggling to find the right words, or perhaps trying to conceal something beneath the surface.

"I mean... do you know about... them?" I press, my curiosity piqued by her reaction. "Or why did you call him a furball?"

"Uh, yeah, I... I know," she stammers, her voice tinged with unease.

Her answer is vague, but there's a lingering sense of unease in the air, as if Gwen is holding back something she's reluctant to share. It's a subtle shift in her demeanour, but it doesn't escape my notice. There's a secret lurking beneath the surface, one that Gwen seems hesitant to reveal. Suddenly I am struck with worry.

"Are you also... that?" I ask tentatively.

My voice sounds vulnerable even to my own ears. It's one thing to try to come to peace with the fact that I apparently am Kians mate. And the fact that he is a werewolf. And the fact that Melissa is a werewolf too, who despite her fragile appearance is capable of killing someone. But Gwen, I'm not sure how I would react if she were one too. Not that I have anything against werewolves, I kind of must come to terms with the idea that they exist. After all, it's hard to ignore what I've seen and what I feel inside. But Gwen, she's the only person other than my mom that I've trusted completely for most part of my life. She and I know each other inside and out.

"No... I'm not" she quietly breathes out, still not able to meet my gaze.

I ponder for a moment, absorbing Gwen's hesitant response. It's clear she's wrestling with something, her unease unmistakable in the air around us.

"For how long have you known?" I inquire, my voice soft with curiosity.

I can't shake the feeling that there's more to Gwen's replies, and I'm determined to uncover the truth. Inside, frustration begins to sprout. I don't want vague answers right now. Something inside me tells me she's hiding something from me and I worry about what it might be.

Gwen shifts uncomfortably, her gaze flickering briefly before she meets my eyes with a forced smile. "Um... for a while"

Behind me, Oliver clears his throat. "I'm getting a little hungry, so I'm going into the kitchen for a bit. Anyone else joining?"

Oliver's interruption breaks the tension, his casual mention of hunger drawing our attention to the tray of sandwiches on the table. But even as he suggests a snack, there's an underlying tension in his voice, as if he's trying to say something else.

"Um... Why don't you just have a sandwich?" Nikko asks, nodding towards the tray.

"I'm not in the mood for...cheese. I probably need something else, something that isn't in this room" Oliver gets up from the armchair and nods towards the door, the intention of his words beginning to be clear to everyone but Nikko.

"Well, If you're going to the kitchen, can you bring some popcorn? This is drama is getting really interesting, I don't want to miss a second" Nikko smiles teasingly as he half sits on the couch's armrest next to Melissa.

The room falls into silence for a brief moment. Oliver's gaze is intense as he maintains eye contact with Nikko. I suspect they communicate with each other via their mind link. Their unspoken communication only leaving me feeling like an outsider even more. After a little while, Nicko sighs reluctantly and gets up.

Kian also gets up from the couch and walks over to me. "Will you be okay if I leave for a little while?"