SWNOVELS Chapter ROAD TRIP
Bella:
When I grabbed my phone the next morning, I was greeted with fifty texts from Hazel and a hundred missed calls.
"What the hell?" I muttered aloud, pushing away Kai's hand, which was draped over my chest.
At that moment, a frantic knock assaulted the door, prompting me to push my legs off the bed. I grabbed a robe from the closet and made my way to the door. As soon as I unlocked it, Hazel barged in, her eyes widening as she took in the sight of the triplets sprawled half-naked on the bed and on the couch.
"No! No!" she screamed, shutting her eyes as though trying to erase the image from her mind.
I grabbed her hand and pulled her into the walk-in closet, where I grabbed three robes. Then I headed back to the room, casting a glance at the triplets, who were just beginning to wake up.
I threw the robes on the bed.
"Put some clothes on," I said, then returned to the closet where Hazel was pacing frantically. I leaned against the door, watching her as she circled the table in the center of the room.
"What is it that couldn't wait so much that you had to bombard my phone with texts and calls?" I asked, and she stopped, her brows raised.
She walked up to me, grabbed my shoulder, and said, "Look at my eyes. Does it look like I slept at all last night?" I stared at the dark circles under her eyes. "I stayed up all night listening to her rant about her new plan, but she wouldn't reveal it." She paused, her expression growing more intense. "The bottom line is that she wants to kill you." "What?" I asked, my throat tightening with fear.
At that moment, Finn knocked on the door. I opened it and stared blankly into his eyes.
"Did something happen?" he asked. I glanced back at Hazel.
"Fae is planning to kill her at the werewolf hunt camp, and I think it's best we involve a guardian. We could tell the alpha or the beta, and-"
"No," Ryder interrupted, and everyone turned to face him. "Bella got suspended last time, and her mother did
nothing to stop the situation. I don't care if she was trying to help; she gave Fae the power she wanted."
"I
agree with Ryder," Kai added. "Principal Evelyn is only going to try to keep Bella away from Fae, even if it gives Fae more power. The closest we came to having peace was when we took action ourselves."
"So, what are we going to do?" Hazel asked.
"Attend the camp like every normal student," Finn said. "By then, she'll reveal her plans to you guys."
The day for the camp arrived in the blink of an eye, and soon the students found themselves in the school auditorium for the orientation.
"Due to the circumstances of the Thorne pack, the camping activities will be hosted in the Dusk pack this year. Remember, never take off your tags, and stay with a guide to avoid getting lost," Mother announced, then she closed the book in front of her. "With this, I urge you all to have fun at the camp and bring back the trophy!"
The auditorium erupted in applause as students clapped while she made her way off the stage.
"Great," Ryder grumbled as we lined up to leave our seats.
"What?" I asked, tilting my neck to catch the expression on his face.
"Dusk pack? I'll be seeing my mum again," he sighed.
I reached behind me and grabbed his hand as we made our way to the bus where we had earlier packed our bags. I didn't let go of his hand until we reached the bus, where I spotted my mother and Alpha Fred standing nearby.
"Bella," my mother called out to me, causing me to release Ryder's hand.
"Come here," Alpha Fred said to Ryder, and he followed me.
"Are you sure you don't want to go with us in the car?" my mother asked, keeping a straight face. I nodded silently.
"I won't ask you that, because you never agree to go with me, but be good with your mother. She said she would be present, and-"
"I'll be fine, Dad," Ryder muttered, cutting his father shut.
Alpha Fred pressed his lips in a hard line, then he gave Ryder a gentle pat on the shoulder.
I left at once with Ryder to join Hazel and the twins, who were waiting for us on the bus.
"Why does everyone have mummy issues?" I sighed as we climbed the bus stairs.
This earned a chuckle from Ryder, which lightened the heaviness in my heart. My mother's secret still troubled me, but she wasn't ready to share, and I wasn't about to probe her.
We settled into our seats shortly after.
The ride was long, filled with sleeping, waking, and singing along to road trip songs with the other students. Eventually, we saw the huge signboard ahead of us.
"Mystic Meadows Camp"
I saw the gigantic sign on the large black gates. Then I shut my eyes, placing my head on Ryder's shoulder, because I still felt drowsy. I tried to keep my eyes shut as much as I could, but Hazel had other plans.
"We're here!" she squealed, tapping Finn, who was seated close to her, then turned to tap Ryder, Kai, and me. There was a random student seated beside her, and she tapped him too without care.
"Haze-" I groaned, opening my eyes, but she was already sticking her head out of the window, pressing her body against Finn, who groaned as well.
Suddenly, the bus came to a halt in the middle of the campgrounds, and the doors opened.
"Welcome to Mystic Meadows Camp!" someone announced through a megaphone, causing everyone to leap to their feet in excitement.