SHAPESHIFTED (✓)

32. Mirror, mirror on the wall.

Alec raced towards his room as soon as he entered the institute, wanting to be alone and process everything Magnus had told him, but to his dismay, his siblings and his mother were waiting for him in his room, with a worried look on their faces.

"Seriously!?" He exclaimed as he walked in and sat on his bed.

"Alec! Sweetheart, are you okay? You both didn't fight again, did you?" Maryse asked with concern visible in her voice.

"Do I need to murder that man or you both are back together?" Jace asked sternly.

"Did you both talk it out? You got your closure, right?" Izzy asked softly.

"Stop bombarding me with questions, guys! Why are guys being this nosy?" He asked not so gently.

"Because we can't see you like this, honey. You're not being yourself. What happened between you both today?" Maryse asked again.

Alec sighed and rubbed his face with his palms. "Yes, we talked and no, we're not back together. It's much more complicated than I thought!"

The three shadowhunters frowned and exchanged a look but it was someone else who broke the silence.

"So, Magnus did tell you everything?" Catarina asked from the doorway, having a sad smile on her face. Everyone looked at her as she walked in.

"Catarina, you're aware?" Maryse asked her friend, whom she just finished discussing about her High warlock position and some long-lost chats.

Alec sighed. "Actually, not everything. We still need to talk, I couldn't take it anymore so I came back. I need time before I see him again. And, thank you for your advice, Catarina."

"Always, Alec. I'm glad you decided to listen, Magnus was miserable."

"Okay, what's going on? Catareena, you know what's wrong between them?" Jace asked as he looked between the two.

Catarina sighed and shook her head. "Jace Herondale, for the billionth time, it's Catarina, call me Cat if you can't pronounce my name. And yes, Magnus is my best friend, so I do. But it's not my place to say anything, and neither is anyone of yours to interfere between them. We all should respect their private life."

"Thank you, Catarina. But I think you should be with Magnus right now. He needs someone to be there for him. And... tell him that I understand, but it's not easy for me to forget everything. I need time."

"I will. And take care of yourself too." Alec nodded, after saying goodbye to everyone she left, leaving the three shadowhunters looking at Alec with more worried expressions.

"Alec, honey, you sure you're okay?"

"Honestly, no, but can you all please leave me alone? I don't want to see or talk with anyone right now."

They were hesitant at first, but eventually agreed and left the room. As soon as everyone left, Alec locked his bedroom door and fell on his bed with his face buried in the pillow. He was exhausted, mentally, and physically both, so he just closed his eyes and fell asleep shortly.

The blaring of the alarms woke him up from his deep sleep. Rubbing his eyes, he sat up and noticed he barely slept for three hours. Apparently, there was a greater demon attack once again, but he knew his siblings could handle it. He wanted to be alone to relax his mind, going on a mission was the last thing he wanted. He sighed and stood up to go to the bathroom.

As the cold water hit his face, he felt slightly relaxed and more awoken. After splashing it a few more times on his face, he closed the tap and grabbed the towel to dry his face. Once he was done, he looked at his reflection in the mirror, but he frowned when he realized that his reflection had blue eyes and black hair, unlike his hazel and brown and it felt like his reflection was looking straight into his soul.