Chapter 5
The next morning, Eric was already downstairs waiting for us. Dark bags hung under his eyes and he wore a scowl on his face. He’d obviously been up all night long.
As soon as I saw him, I remembered our argument the night before and my heart dropped to my stomach again. But as we all gathered around the table, something felt even more wrong.
“Hey, Eric,” Ramsay greeted. “You, uh, look pretty tired. Is everything all right?”
I knew the answer before Ramsay even asked the question, even if Eric didn’t want to be honest.
Eric sharply turned to face him and said, “Yes. It’s fine.”
I narrowed my eyes. Why was Eric lying? Something was obviously bothering him.
“Uh, okay,” Ramsay said, taking a seat at the counter and helping himself to some fruit that Tansy laid out. “So… What’s the deal for today? Any big plans?”
Nobody spoke up. Colton ate some dry cereal. He seemed a bit uncomfortable with the unspoken tension in the air, and I couldn’t blame him. Things had been awkward since me and Eric’s argument last night.
Even though it was his fault,I thought bitterly.
That sour train of thought led me to remember that I had things to deal with, too--not just Eric. I had the weight of all four packs on my shoulders with the prophecy. Even though it was supposed to be fulfilled by now, nothing had changed. We were still threatened by the gryphons, and even worse was the dread and anticipation of knowing they could show up at any time. The only variable waswhen.
But if my secret was safe, then we still had time, and as the chosen omega, it was my responsibility to use that time wisely. Nothing was going to get done unless I tried.
“I’m going to meet Noro on the island and train with him,” I announced.
Ramsay nodded, popping a blackberry in his mouth. “That’s a good--”
“No, you are not,” Eric snapped.
Colton dropped his spoon into his bowl and Ramsay’s jaw dropped. The blackberry fell to the floor.
I stared at Eric. “Excuse me?”
Eric’s eye twitched. “You’re not going there. Not alone.”
The frustration that had been stewing inside of me since our argument last night bubbled up again like lava. “I never said I was going alone. And since when were you the boss of me?”
Eric’s eyes widened, the whites of his eyes contrasting sharply to the dark circles around them. “I never said I was thebossof you, Matheson.”
“Well, you sure are acting like it!”
“Whoa, guys, cool it!” Ramsay said, putting a hand on my shoulder. “What’s going on with you two?”
“Yeah,” Colton mumbled. He frowned like a child caught in the middle of his parents’ argument. “Don’t fight at breakfast.”
“I’m not fighting with anyone,” Eric growled. “I just don’t want Matheson going to meet that gryphon by himself, that’s all.”
“Thatgryphon’sname is Noro, and he’s been nothing but helpful to us all,” I retorted. “And since you can’t help teach me magic, then I guess I’m going to need his help, aren’t I?”
Eric turned his head away, which was somehow more annoying than an actual response.
“Okay, how about this,” Ramsay suggested. “Colton and I will go with Mathe. Sound good?”
Eric sighed. “Fine.”
I crossed my arms, frowning at Eric. “So, what, you’re not coming? Even though you’re the one who made a big fuss about me not going alone?”
Eric’s jaw tightened. “No.”
