it was getting late so I eventually stayed at, Magnus's house for a night.

"Good morning" Magnus came into my room in the morning as I was heading out

"Morning Magnus"

"How was your sleep last night? I hope my hospitality made you feel good?"

"I had a good sleep, (lie) don't worry. Your house is amazing. And also your hospitality. I looked up from tying my shoes

"Well, I admire the stuff, you're not half bad. The design is amazing." I said as he laughed waving his hand around

"I'm the high warlock of Brooklyn my dear I have tastes that are much classy and luxurious" he stated as I smiled

"Well, then thanks for letting me stay but I need to head out to the institute today."

"Won't stay for breakfast?"

"Oh, I wish I could. Next time maybe when I come over"

"You're always welcomed here, come by anytime," he said.

I went to the institute and as I entered Isabelle rushed towards me and engulfed me in a tight hug.

"I missed you, where have you been?" she said as she hugged me

"Ah, Izzy I'm alright it's okay"

"You know how much-worried everyone was when they got to know that you haven't returned to the institute last night, especially Alec."

"Alec?"

"Yeah," she said breaking the hug "he was the one who you said to pass down your message but in the evening when he stopped by your room to check. He saw it empty and got worried."

"I-I see, well don't worry I'm back" I gave her a reassuring smile

"Veronica, glad you're back. We got so worried for you." Jace rushed side hugging me as I smiled

"It's okay Jace, I'm alright sorry to get you guys so worried."

"It's okay you're back and that's what matters" wrapping his hand on my shoulder he said as I smiled

"Well I need to get back and change so, I'll see you guys for breakfast okay" They nod as I leave

"How do you think she'll react? My guess is she's not like it" Jace says seeing me walk away

"She won't instead he'll be the one who'll lash out at her, I know my brother" Isabelle stated

"We'll see," Jace says as they both get to work laughing and enjoying

I opened the door to my room and kept Mom's book on the table sighing "Welcome back" I heard the voice and shivers went down my spine

"For god's sake you should get a bell around your neck for when you sneak up on people," I  turned scared

"It's not funny Veronica," Alec says crossing his arms over his chest

"I'm serious too, you do scare me to death at times." I kept away the book and closed the drawer as he made his way over to me and pulled me around.

"You think going out all on your own and not even informing anyone is funny, we all were worried for you. Fuck, I was worried for you. You should've been back when you said but you were not here when I came back. you think it's funny" he closed the distance between us moving forward.

"You know how worried I got when I didn't see you here and on top of it you weren't even picking up your phone, do you even know how much I was being questioned by everyone here? you just left" he says placing his hand on my shoulder as our eyes met

"I'm sorry that I didn't inform anyone of you before but you do know that I can handle myself, Besides, I was with Magnus last night, and my phone had died and I didn't have the charger with me.  I can understand you but why are you getting so worked up about this? And who gave you the right here to shout at me!!" I said staring him down as he glared at me

"Then whom should I talk to, you were the one who wasn't answering any of our calls, and now you're blaming me for shouting at you!!" He raised his voice as he came close

"First of all, I'm a grown woman Alec I know how to handle myself, and I don't like being questioned where I was and what I did in my spare time. It's my life and no one has given you the right to barge in on me like this and give away your commands just because we know each other. did you call Magnus to ask him about me if I wasn't answering? You didn't. First of all, you don't do what you're supposed to and then on top of that, you're also blaming me for it. How convenient is that and here I thought that you're the most sensible out of everyone here" I reply in disbelief

"You know what if just my asking about your safety is irritating you then fine" he holds my hand pulling me close "Don't expect me to cover for you the next time something like this happens," he says as we both look into each other's eyes 

"Mr. Lightwood, The head of the institute wants to see you and Miss Veronica" I hear a knock and someone speaking from the outside as Alec replied and we pulled apart fixing ourselves as we moved out 

"Welcome Ms. Veronica Denvers" I hear Maryse standing across the room as I walk into the lobby and stand beside Isabelle as Alec and Jace stood beside her hands folded behind his back 

"We believe you snuck out the institute last night and didn't return until this morning" she claimed as everyone looked at each other at how they got to know, who snitched behind our back 

"what you heard was right, but there's a slight difference between what you've heard and what happened. I didn't snuck out I went for my training over to Magnus and stayed the night as it was quite late." I reply as her firm gaze stays fixed on me 

"I don't care whether it was that you snuck out or went away willingly, you left the institute for a long period in who knows what has happened, you were told to stay put in the institute for everyone's safety and to avoid further chaos but you didn't listen," she says marching forward as my jaw tightens at her comment

"I believe Alec was given the duty to keep a close eye on you and monitor where you were going but I guess you weren't ready for the responsibility Alec. She was out of the institute and no one even bothered to inform us that the recruit has left the institute" she grunts and looks at him as he stands tall his eyes piercing through mine as he looks up and I feel this chill run down my spine 

"Alec is not to be blamed for whatever happened, it was my fault and I appreciate it if you would stop holding him accountable for something he hasn't even done. You told him to check on me, he did that. you also told him to be informed about my whereabouts and you got to know that I didn't come back to the institute last night and you called me the moment I stepped foot in this institute. What more do you expect from him? To beg at your feet and follow your orders like a slave" I replied to Maryse giving her a taste of reality 

"No one ever in this institute has had this much audacity to disrespect me and my position in such a manner ever," she says moving back as two shadow hunters step forward and Alec and Jace stay put beside her 

"I'm not here to oppose or disrespect you Maryse I'm just telling you to look at the whole picture and stop holding Alec Lightwood and the rest of your family members accountable for every problem regarding me. It's my life and my problems we are all adults here and I don't want them to waste their time babysitting me like a child lost in the woods. I'll figure my way out  to deal with these situations in my way" I say as she frowns in anger 

"Fine, you do whatever you want to but don't try to drag my family in this, because unlike yours the Lightwood name holds a very promising reputation in the shadow world" she demands 

"As far as it is considered for your family then I don't care about either becoming a part of it or dragging it with me. I consider Isabelle, Alec, and Jace as my friends and wouldn't want them to suffer because of me. As soon as I find my family I'll leave you and this place" I walk away after my commitment as everyone stares at me 

"Now I understand why Isabelle always longed for a mother's love, because this woman not only has no affection for her own family but also other people around her, Except for Jace and Alec apparently,"  I thought walking back to my room 

I was closing the door and saw him approaching me  "You're right I should've called Magnus to ask about you definitely would have been with him the whole night. I'm sorry for shouting" he said 

"It's okay Alec, you got worried, look, it's my fault too. I should've called through Magnus's cell to let you guys know. It's normal for anyone to get worried when something like this happens. But it's okay, you panicked it's alright. Anyone would have done the same thing if they were in your position, okay" I placed my hand on his shoulder as he nodded 

He brought his gaze up to me softened as he nodded, I smiled at him "Why did you take a stand for me out there in front of my mother? even after our fight?" 

"I did what I felt was right to do. I know I said you to stop worrying so much for me but no one can change the fact that my life's in danger and all of you are just doing this to protect me, So I just told Maryse the truth, you were being questioned for something you didn't do and it was not right. I couldn't just watch you getting blamed for all of us this when it was my fault" I said 

Alec and I stayed by my door as he looked at me and smiled "Thank you Veronica" he said 

"Now go on, you guys might have some work to do. I'll catch up with you guys in a minute after I freshen up." I said smiling back as he walked away 

Closing the door, I showered and changed into something comfortable for the day sitting on the bed for a while to calm myself down from the chaos that just happened outside in the lobby. But whatever the circumstance I couldn't get Erik out of my mind,

"he's back and he would have started looking for me now. I stayed away from him for a long time now, don't know what he'll do when he finds me out now."

I walk to the kitchen for breakfast with everyone trying to focus on today. We all sit and talk and between conversations, Alec and I make eye contact and smile. It was all good.

Today was all about taking it easy I trained with Izzy and Hodge and then with my daggers. It was great overall and I was able to keep my mind out of it.

I walked into the training grounds and found Alec practicing with his Bow and Arrow as he glanced at me with a smile.