Nightmares at Everglade Falls

12. Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Gabriel

I feel like my entire world is crashing down around me as I stumble out of Ophelia’s room.

Every step feels heavy, like I’m carrying the weight of my mistakes on my shoulders.

I should never have come here, never have let things get this far. But here I am, drowning in a sea of regret.

Fuck me!

I can’t go back to my room. I can’t face the emptiness and the guilt that awaits me there. No, I need to talk to someone to try to make sense of the mess I’ve made. So, I find myself heading to House Glade, to Owen’s room.

When he opens the door, his expression shifts from surprise to concern as he sees the state I’m in. “Gabriel, what happened?” he asks, pulling me into a hug without hesitation.

I bury my face in his shoulder, unable to hold back the tears any longer. “I don’t know, Owen,” I manage to choke out between sobs. “I think I messed up big time.”

He pulls back, looking at me with confusion and sympathy. “What do you mean?”

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “There’s something about Ophelia,” I begin, my voice barely above a whisper. “Something that just... calls to me.”

Owen’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Ophelia? But what about Isabella?”

I shake my head, feeling like a complete and utter failure. “I couldn’t end things with Isabella,” I admit, my voice cracking with emotion. “I’ve known her my whole life, Owen. She’s been my friend, my confidante. I tried to do right by her, but... I could never bring myself to make her my mate. It just never felt right.”

Owen’s expression softens, his gaze filled with understanding. “And Ophelia does?”

I nod, feeling like the world’s biggest jerk for even admitting it. “Yeah,” I confess. “I think I’m falling for her, Owen. And I think Isabella knows it, too. That’s why she gave me the ultimatum— her or Ophelia. I had to choose Isabella. She is a beta, almost my equal. But now... now I think I made a terrible mistake.”

Owen wraps an arm around my shoulders, offering me what little comfort he can. “You were just trying to do what you thought was right, Gabriel,” he says softly. “But sometimes, what’s right isn’t always what’s best. You have to follow your heart, man.”

I nod, feeling a glimmer of hope amidst the turmoil. Maybe Owen’s right. Maybe it’s not too late to make things right, to follow my heart, and be with the person I truly care about.

But first, I must find the courage to face the consequences of my actions, confront Isabella, and tell her the truth.

“You told me your big thing. I guess it is my turn. Gabe, I have a secret,” he says, his voice barely above a whisper.

I lean in, intrigued. “What is it?”

He takes a deep breath. “I’ve been seeing Aurora,” he says finally.

I knew it!

My eyes widen in surprise. “Since when?”

“Since the summer holiday,” he admits. “It all started when I had a fight with my parents and ended up leaving home. Nothing new there.”

I knew his family had been pushing him to quit school and focus on the family company, but I had no idea it had gotten so bad. I need to pay more attention when he speaks.

“I checked into a hotel, and that’s where I ran into Aurora,” he continues. “We talked a little, and there was just something about her... something that drove me wild. I thought I was going to go mad with the need for her. It consumed my every waking thought, Gabriel. I thought I was slowly going insane.”

I can’t help but smile at his enthusiasm. “Is that why you’ve been taking human blood?”

He nods. “Yeah, but that’s not important. What I later realized was that what was making me feel off-kilter was the mating bond.”

I gasp. “You mean... you’re mated to Aurora?”

He nods again, his eyes shining with excitement. “I slept with her, and things got a little rough. I…uhm… I bit her and accidentally triggered the bond.”

“What the fuck?”

“I know. At first, we were both so freaked out about it, but after talking it through, she made me understand that at least now we understood our dynamic. I now know why I couldn’t keep my hands off her. She had been my mate all along.”

I can’t contain my happiness for him. “Wow, that’s... incredible. But aren’t your parents going to flip when they find out?”

He shrugs. “Most likely. But I can’t help but feel happy. I’ve always dreamt of meeting the one, and now that I have, I couldn’t be happier.”

I pull him into a hug, feeling genuinely happy for my friend. “What does Aurora think about all this?”

He chuckles. “She’s still new to the whole idea. She lives with her grandma, who doesn’t care much about mates and species and all that.”

I can’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy. Owen’s always been there for me, and now that he’s found his mate, I can’t help but feel a little left behind. But seeing how happy he is, I know that this is what he’s always wanted.

And for that, I couldn’t be happier for him.

“You are a lucky bastard, you know that,” I tell him.

“I know. I know. But that is what I am telling you, Gabriel. Take a chance on you. Take a chance on what you want. Be a little selfish.”

I nod slowly, feeling the weight of his advice. He’s right. I’ve spent so long putting others before myself, always trying to do the right thing. But maybe it’s time I start thinking about what I want for a change.

We talked for a little while longer, and I thanked him for listening to me.

As I return to my room, I feel lighter somehow, like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

But when I open the door, I’m met with a sight that stops me in my tracks. Isabella’s sitting on the bed, tears streaming down her face. My heart sinks as I realize she must have overheard our conversation.

“Izzy, what’s wrong?” I ask, rushing over to her side.

She sniffles, wiping away her tears. “I... I was on my way to Owen’s when I heard you talking,” she says softly. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I couldn’t help myself. I’ve had enough, Gabriel.”

I reach out to take her hand, but she pulls away. “Please, just tell me the truth,” she says, her voice breaking. “Were you really going to break up with me the day you proposed?”

I hang my head, unable to meet her gaze. “I was,” I admit quietly.

She starts to cry harder, and my heart breaks at the sight. “I’m sorry, Isabella,” I say, reaching out to her again. “I never meant to hurt you.”

She shakes her head, her tears still flowing freely. “I don’t want anyone who’s with me out of pure obligation,” she says, her voice filled with pain. “It’s over, Gabriel. I’m done.”

And with that, she storms out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I hate that I hurt her, but deep down, I know I did the right thing.

I cannot chase her down if I don’t intend to keep her.

She deserves an alpha who’s fully committed to her, and if I can’t give her that, then it’s better for both of us to walk away.