CHAPTER SEVENTY THREE
ALEX DAVALO
Something is wrong!
Sandro and I had driven to school, as excited as we had ever been. Of course, it had to do with Nadia. We wanted to let her know that we wanted to keep the mate bond we shared, and stay as mates.
The early morning sun cast a warm golden glow over the tree-lined streets, while birds chirped cheerily, almost as if they knew what today held.
Sandro drove, the wheels of his car softly crunching over gravel as he pulled into the school parking lot. I could feel the thrill racing through me, pumping adrenaline into my veins. We had big plans, and the idea of surprising Nadia with everything we had picked felt monumental.
We wanted to show her how much she meant to us, and how much we were willing to prove it. Initially, Sandro had kicked against the idea of us giving her the gifts in public, saying that it might fetch her even more enemies. But I disagreed.
“Since we bullied her publicly, it’s only right we make amends publicly,” I said to him. I was glad he finally understood.
“Can you believe we’re actually doing this?” Sandro asked as he parked the car. He ran a hand through his tousled hair, his excitement almost tangible in the confined space of the car.
“Absolutely! It’s about time we made things right,” I replied, trying to stifle my own nervous energy. The thought of Nadia’s bright smile and how her eyes might light up when she saw the dresses, shoes, and accessories made my heart flutter. We both knew how much she deserved this. “She’s going to love what we got her.”
But still… a nagging doubt danced in the back of my mind, like a shadow lurking just out of sight. “Do you think she would accept our gifts?” Sandro’s voice broke through my thoughts, tinged with uncertainty.
“She has no choice, she can’t turn us down,” I assured him, though my own confidence started to waver a little. I had seen how much Nadia had struggled with her social standing in school. The subtle jabs from the popular kids stung, and even we, in our past ignorant arrogance, had added salt to her wounds. But today, we would flip the script entirely.
“I am worried that…” Sandro hesitated, his brow furrowing.
“You worry over nothing, Sandro,” I interjected, trying to slice through his doubts with firm logic. “She’ll see it as we mean it… a step forward, a promise to be better.”
With a shared nod, we stepped out of the car, the cool morning air refreshing against my skin. The excitement returned as we made our way towards Nadia’s classroom, my heart racing with each step. The plan we made the day before replayed in my head like a thrilling movie reel.
Sandro and I had driven to the mall the previous day and we visited a colorful store filled with racks of clothing, aisles of sparkling shoes, and shelves glittering with accessories.
Soon, we had assembled a collection fit for a queen… expensive necklaces that glinted like stars, a sleek wristwatch that whispered of sophistication, and trendy bags to catch everyone’s attention.
But the piece de resistance was the apartment we had been dreaming about… a cozy place that was light years ahead of the dingy studio she lived in now. We imagined its warmth, its welcoming atmosphere, and how it would finally give her the environment she deserved to flourish.
“This is going to change everything,” Sandro said, a smile breaking on his face as we envisioned the moment.
Now, standing at the threshold of her classroom, the idea of surprising her made us giddy. However, as we peered inside, our hearts sank. She was not there.
“Where is Nadia?” I turned to a girl sitting near the door, who had been whispering to her friend. “Do you know where Nadia is?” I repeated.
“Oh, she didn’t come in today,” the girl replied, brushing her hair over her shoulder. “Maybe she’s at the library?” she added.
Sandro and I locked eyes, a silent understanding passing between us. “Let’s go,” I said, already walking towards the exit. The library was quieter, filled with the soft rustle of pages being turned and whispers of students engrossed in their studies.
Frustration gripped my chest as we scanned the aisles, but Nadia was nowhere to be found. I pulled out my phone, my fingers trembling slightly as I hit redial, but it sent me straight to voicemail.
“Maybe she didn’t show up to school today,” Sandro suggested, crossing his arms, with worry etched on his face.
“She wouldn’t miss classes, especially with exams coming up,” I insisted, already feeling panic rising.
“Let’s check for her at home.”
We hopped back into the car, and the ride felt longer than it ever had. The vibrant edges of our plans had quickly dulled into a deep-toned worry. When we finally arrived at her apartment, my heart sank further. It was locked.
“I’m sure she’s gone for another shift at the grocery store,” Sandro dismissed, rolling his eyes slightly, though his own uncertainty mirrored mine.
“I don’t think so. Something feels off,” I said, my instincts flaring. But he shook his head, unwilling to entertain the thought. “If something were wrong, our wolf would know, and we would have felt it, just like previous times.”
“Or do you feel it?” Sandro asked, glancing at me with a question in his eyes.
“No,” I managed to say, though it felt wrong. “But it doesn’t mean what I feel right now is false. She might be in danger and our wolf might not have felt it.”
“I’ve never heard of such when it comes to the matebond,” he replied.
“I guess you’re right,” I managed to say.
“You know, I’m sure she is safe wherever she is. We’ll see her tomorrow,” Sandro encouraged, but the reluctance to leave her empty apartment ate at me, gnawing deeper into the well of dread that filled my stomach.
With a heavy heart, I climbed back into the passenger seat, feeling my spirits dampen like a storm on the horizon. Something in me was clamoring for answers that were just out of reach. The drive back to my house was a blur, my mind racing with worry and frustration.
That night, sleep evaded me like a ghost, and I tossed and turned, chasing dreams that eluded me. Suddenly, spiraling shadows turned vivid. I saw someone chasing after Nadia, her voice a desperate whisper calling for me, “Alex, help!”
I jolted awake, my heart pounding like a drum in my ears. The dream felt alarmingly real and I was resolute. By morning, I had to see her.
With the sun breaking the horizon, painting everything in shades of gold, Sandro and I hopped in the car again, albeit with a sense of urgency. But this time, I wasn’t taking no for an answer. I dialed Nadia’s number repeatedly, gripping the phone tightly as I hoped for a miracle. Today, I’d drag whatever was afflicting her into the light.
“Get ready for a ride,” I said to Sandro, the resolve clear in my voice, as I tightened my grip on the steering wheel and headed toward the possibilities of uncovering the truth.
“What if something bad has happened to her?,” Sandro asked.
“Let’s not think about it.”