My Salvation | ✔️

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

There was no harm in her question. It was only how my parents met, and they met well. So I answered her question.

"My parents met several years ago when my dad became alpha. Their eyes locked, and they fell in love instantly," I explained slowly, as my heart flushed with warmth upon the happy moments with them.

Serena smiled brightly, "That's adorable, honestly."

All the girls nodded rapidly, but once again, Odette didn't.

She tilted her head and leaned closer, "Did your mother perhaps... mention any friend she had back then? Or who had a crush on your father when he was the alpha's son?"

Is she on crack?

Why is she being so creepy?

I felt a wave of irritation every time she pried into my past, digging for details I wasn't ready to share.

Her relentless curiosity felt invasive, like she was picking at old wounds just to satisfy her own nosiness.

Worse still was her two-faced nature; she would smile warmly at me in public, pretending to be a supportive friend, but I knew that behind closed doors, she probably relished in gossiping about my secrets.

Should I even trust Odette at this point?

This duplicity made me distrust her deeply, and every encounter left me feeling exposed and betrayed. The combination of her prying and deceit made my skin crawl, filling me with a lingering unease and a desire to distance herself from him entirely.

I tilted my head and met her burning gaze, "No, not that I recall. She did tell me that my father was eye candy. Many females wanted him but, at the same time, couldn't get him because she was his mate."

Odette leaned back, her shoulders locked, "Is that so."

Wanting to get even, I ask loudly, "So, where are your parents, Odette?"

Her lips fall into a thin line, eyes cast downwards, "They're dead."

We all gasped, and it made me feel bitter. I wanted to get even but didn't want to go that far. I shouldn't stoop that low to her level.

I wore a mask of concern, but my eyes betrayed my true feelings. When the others weren't looking, a flicker of impatience crossed my face.

I offered the expected words of sympathy, but they were hollow, devoid of genuine emotion. Inside, I felt indifferent, even annoyed by the situation.

I couldn't muster real empathy; instead, I was simply going through the motions, performing an act I knew was expected of me.

The truth was, I didn't care about her plight and resented the obligation to pretend otherwise.

My apathy was well-concealed, but to the discerning observer, my lack of true compassion was clear.

"I'm... sorry to hear that. How did they die?" I asked, my eyebrows furrowed as I faked my interest.

Odette said, "I prefer not to talk about it."

Oh... so you get to ask questions that bother people, but when we ask, you get all defensive, huh?

I was tempted to say it, but kept my mouth shut.

No one said much after that. Instead, we all decided to go to bed and prepare for more training tomorrow since it was already really late.

Everyone fell peacefully into their slumber, all except me. I had trouble sleeping, and things seemed too fast around here.

I was actually... a tad bit happy here.

I had friends here.

All except a mate, I thought bitterly before a creak caused me to perk my head up. Sparing a slight sideways glance to the door, I spotted Odette tip-toeing out of the room.

She looked at both ends of the hallway before leaving the room, going god knows what.

Waiting for just a few seconds, I slip out of my covers and step out of the room to follow her. Curious about why she was up this late at night.

Perhaps she needed a drink of water?

'You have too much faith in her, Iris,' Wasabi suddenly voiced in my head.

'I know I do. However, I sometimes feel like if I say it repeatedly, I'll believe it,' I replied instantly, seeing Odette's silhouette stopping at the door.

Wasabi didn't say anything; she was still keen and cautious of Odette.

As Odette knocked on the door, a person opened it.

Someone I'd never thought would.

'Mate...?' Wasabi asked, seeming confused as I was.

A/N: I've seen many predictions of what will happen next, but no one hits the spot. I assure you... you've underestimated Reese. Keep the guessing going!