Fractured (by N.O Darling)

I quickly close my eyes again and try to keep my breathing even, feigning sleep. I don't want to face Mr Collins right now. I'm still hurt and I'm too embarrassed at my reaction to his stunt. He won that round and broke me. I won't let him see me weak again but need time to compose myself.

"The seer will arrive after breakfast tomorrow, you two cant be anywhere near her when the reading is done. If you have a bond we don't want it overshadowing any other bonds. I'm going to have the seer collect her from her room. Keep Marcus, Cole and Damien here with her and you two attend your morning classes as normal," Mr Collins tells the guys.

"Fine," Theo agrees, his tone unfriendly.

"Is there anything else? If not, I think you should leave before she wakes up," Luke says and I can feel the unwelcoming vibes from here. My guys are still pissed at our dear headmaster. Good.

"You might not agree with what I did today but I won't have you disrespecting me. I'm your headmaster and you will speak to me as such," Mr Collins warns.

"No problem, Sir," Luke snarks, "but tomorrow, when you are identified as a part of our bond group we become equals and I will treat you as such," he mocks and I can imagine they are staring each other down right now.

“That won't be happening, Mr Weston, I assure you," Mr Collins says flatly and I can sense they're moving towards the door.

"We will see, have a good day Sir," Luke is over polite now. He knows just how to get under the headmaster's skin

"Before I go, I have scheduled a session for the three of you with Professor June after dinner. She's going to work on some control techniques for Josie and how you two can help her. Meet her in the gym at 7 PM,"

"We will be there," Theo confirms and I hear the sound of the door opening.

"Oh and one more thing, have you seen Mason? "Mr Collins asks, "He has been avoiding me and hasn't attended his morning class or the assembly,"

"Not since breakfast," Theo sounds concerned.

"Well if you do see him, tell him to come to my office immediately. He is only making things worse for himself by avoiding me,"

"If I see him, I'll let him know," Theo says before I hear my door click shut. Silent seconds pass before I feel a dip in my bed, someone is climbing onto it. A hand brushes my cheek lightly and somehow I know it's Theo.

"How are you feeling?" he asks quietly.

"Don't wake her, she should rest as long as she needs," Luke admonishes.

"She's already awake, aren't you baby?" Theo says with humour in his voice. A smile spreads across my face. without permission and I open my eyes.

"How did you know?" I pout at being caught out.

"I'm not sure there's much you can hide from me, your heart rate gives you away," he shrugs.

"How much of that did you hear?" Luke asks nervously.

"All of it. Why are you so sure he's one of my bonds?" I ask

"Because of how drawn you are to each other, before seers worked out how to Identify bonds we had to use our natural intuition to find our soulmates. I'd heard the rumours about Deacon filling your room with gifts and housing you in Ruby, plus the private dinner together. No matter how much he is fighting it, his instinct is driving him to please you and ensure your needs are met. It's ticking all the boxes for you two being bonds. Just like how I couldn't resist bringing you a coffee when I saw your eyes light up when you saw mine. I identified a need and it was as if I was compelled to fulfil it," he shrugs. "Then your reaction to his stunt today just confirmed it even more. If he's not identified as one of your bonds tomorrow then I'll be extremely surprised,"

"But what about Clarrisa, isn't he one of her bonds?" I frown, thinking back to that kiss and how much I hated it.

"Clarrisa is complicated," Luke sighs.

"I'm going to go grab us some lunch," Theo says and I can sense how worried he is about Mason.

"Take your time," I smile, "I hope you find him,"

Theo looks like a deer caught in headlights, "I'm sorry," he lowers his gaze. I reach for his hand.

"Hey, you don't need to apologise, and you don't need to hide that you're concerned and want to find him," I reassure, squeezing his hand like he's done to me many times already.

on

"How did I get so lucky to have you?" he smiles, the light behind his eyes renewed. He leans over to kiss me the cheek before rushing off to look for Mason, and hopefully bring us some lunch. When I look back to Luke he is writing on a small notepad.

"What's that?" I ask, leaning over to take a look..

He snaps the book closed and grins at me, "Ask me again tomorrow and I'll show you,"

"Okay, not weird at all,” I laugh. "So about Clarrisa," I steer us back to the conversation we were having. Luke explains how Clarrisa had three bonds, but they're all missing and presumed dead or captured by human. authorities. Clarrisa has been alone for years and has taken to chasing Deacon, throwing herself at him at any given opportunity. By the time he's finished telling me herstory, I begin to feel sorry for her. She must feel so alone and is trying to seek comfort in an unbonded male she is closest to. Theo returns sometime later with our bags we had left in the grand hall earlier and a selection of sandwiches. He is unable to find Mason and thinks henoveldrama

be running in the forest in his wolf form.

may

The rest of today's classes are cancelled so we spend the afternoon in my room getting to know each other better. I fill them in about my parents and my human life and they share their complicated family dynamics with me. Luke also admits to Theo that Alice is his sister and that if tomorrow goes as he thinks then we will all be expected at his family dinner on Sunday. By the time evening rolls around I'm feeling so much more relaxed with Theo and Luke and with them by my side, I feel ready to face the rest of the academy. Marcus, Cole and Damien meet us at my door and together we head to the dining hall.