Nothing Happened
Gabrielle POV
Morning comes too fast.
By the time we reach the main lodge, my nerves feel scraped raw. Every sound is too sharp. Every laugh too loud.
Tess doesn’t bother with subtle.
She takes my wrist and drags me straight toward the staff table.
“Excuse me,” she says, planting herself in front of Mrs Carter. “We need to talk.”
Mrs Carter looks up, startled, her smile already sliding into place. “Girls, breakfast first–”
“No,” Tess says flatly. “Now.”
I inhale, then force myself to speak before my courage evaporates.
“I was followed last night,” I say. “Into the woods.”
That does it.
Mrs Carter’s smile falters. “Followed?”
“Yes,” I say. “By Connor Hale.”
Mrs Carter exhales slowly. Her gaze flicks to the room – not to us. To who might be listening.
“Gabrielle,” she says gently, “You know you were explicitly told not to leave the marked paths.”
My chest tightens.
“I know,” I say. “But he—”
“And you did leave them,” she continues, voice still calm. “Alone.”
Tess bristles. “That’s not the point.”
“It is part of it,” Mrs Carter replies, firmer now. “With everything going on, we expect students to follow instructions.”
Something sour twists in my stomach.
“So it’s my fault?” I ask quietly.
Her eyes soften – which somehow makes it worse.
“No one is saying that,” she says. “But you must understand how the situation looks.”
Looks.
As if this is about appearances.
“He touched her,” Tess snaps.
That gets a pause.
Mrs Carter presses her lips together. “Connor came to us. He said he was concerned. That you were distressed and ran off.”
Of course he did.
I feel sick.
“I was distressed,” I say. “Because he followed me. He wanted to kiss me.”
"Gabrielle," she says, "I do need to ask you something, and I want you to answer honestly."
My stomach sinks.
"Did Connor actually kiss you?"
Tess explodes. "Are you kidding me?"
"I'm asking for clarity," Mrs Carter says calmly. "Because Connor has stated that there was no physical contact beyond checking on Gabrielle's well-being."
My chest tightens as I grit out, "No, he didn't kiss me."
There it is. The moment everything tilts.
Mrs Carter nods, relief flickering across her face. "Thank you. That's important."
"But he tried to," I add. "He grabbed me. He touched my hair."
She gives a small careful smile. "I understand it might have felt uncomfortable."
Felt.
"But feelings can escalate situations in hindsight. And Connor has told us about your feelings towards him. I was a young wolf once too, and I can understand the attraction. But please don't mistake kindness and concern as anything more."
My hands curl into fists.
"That's not– " Tess starts, but she's cut off by a calm voice.
“Everything all right here?”
He stands a few steps back, hands loose at his sides. Watching.
Mrs Carter visibly relaxes. “Rowan, yes. These girls are upset about last night.”
Rowan’s gaze moves to me, brief and assessing.
“You left the lit paths,” he says.
Not a question.
Tess steps in front of me instinctively. “Someone followed her.”
Rowan nods once. “I’m aware.”
Mrs Carter straightens. “We’ve spoken to Connor. He’s been warned.”
“That’s it?” Tess demands.
“For now,” Rowan says evenly.
Mrs Carter nods in agreement. “And the council has made it very clear, no one leaves the retreat early unless there’s a medical emergency. Increased supervision will prevent further misunderstandings such as this”
Misunderstandings. Are they serious?
“So we’re stuck,” Tess mutters. "He gets a slap on the wrist, at best! And we get locked in."
“You’re protected,” Mrs Carter corrects.
Rowan doesn't.
He simply says, "Stick together today. Don't wander."
Mara speaks up softly. “What should we do if something else happens?”
Mrs Carter smiles. “Stay with your group. Don’t panic. And don’t go looking for trouble.”
The words sting.
As if I went looking.
As if I asked.
“Stick with your friends today,” he says quietly. “And follow instructions.”
That’s dismissal dressed up as concern.
As we turn away, Mrs Carter calls out, “Rowan, thank you for handling this.”
Tess leans in as soon as we’re out of earshot. “Did she seriously just blame you?”
We're interrupted by a shrill whistle.
Mrs Carter claps her hands together. “Everyone, listen up!”
The room quietens.
“Today’s activities will run as scheduled,” she announces. “Groups are posted by the door. Stick with your assigned leaders at all times.”
Tess grabs my sleeve. “We’ll be together,” she says, like she can will it into being.
I nod, already moving toward the noticeboard.
My name is there.
So is Tess’s.
And just beneath it–
Connor Hale.
The room tilts.
Across the lodge, Connor looks up and smiles.
Like he already knew.