Chapter 10 10
Jenna's POV:
The next time Evelyn comes anywhere near me, I’m going to act as though she doesn’t exist.’ I said to myself, sighing.
The shrill vibration of my phone on the counter yanked me out of my thoughts. I glanced down and sighed softly when I saw Sean's name flashing on the screen. Sean was my little brother, though he’d always behaved like he was the older one.
I quickly answered. “Hey, trouble.”
His voice came through immediately. “Finally! You know, for someone who claims she isn’t busy, you’re becoming suspiciously hard to reach.”
I laughed. “Please, I always answer your calls.”
“You didn’t answer this morning,” He shot back teasingly.
“I was… unpacking.” Lie number one, I reminded myself. “So? How’s school? Has anyone bullied you so I can come there and deal with them?”
“Relax. I’m fine.” He snorted. “I was calling to ask how moving into Grandma’s house was.”
My throat tightened, but I kept my voice light. “It was actually stressful.” Lie number two. “But it's been peaceful.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.” He hummed, clearly not fully convinced but letting it go.
“Well, when are families allowed to visit this semester? Do you know yet?” I asked, changing the topic.
“Not yet.” He replied. “But I’ll text you as soon as they give dates. Why? You miss me that much?”
“Of course I miss you ” I smiled into the mirror. “And I need to show off my incredibly handsome brother, maybe I’ll even come with a boyfriend this time.”
“Oh please no “ He groaned loudly. “Keep your boyfriend far away from me.”
“What?” I laughed. “Why?!”
“I don’t want to meet the guy who’s going to break your heart. Or the guy whose heart you are going to break.”
“Wow, the confidence you have in me is touching.”
“I’m serious.” He insisted. “Don’t bring anyone.”
I softened. “Still overprotective, aren’t you?”
“Someone has to be.” He muttered. “Okay, I have to go now. The coach is yelling at us. Text me later, okay?”
“Alright. Take care.”
“You too. And Jenna?”
“Hm?”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.” I chimed in and the call ended, leaving me staring at my reflection.
It seemed Sean still hadn’t grown out of that overly protective nature. After our parents died, it had been just the two of us and Grandma, who took us in and stitched what was left of our world together. But now that she was gone, Sean looked at me like I was everything he had left and if anything happened to me, he would spiral. Hence the reason why I can't tell him about Caesar.
With a sigh, I reached for my face cream again. But just as I rubbed some between my palms, the bathroom door swung open and Caesar stepped out, steam rolling behind him, with a towel hanging scandalously low on his hips.
I nearly dropped the cream. “Caesar!”
He blinked innocently. “What?”
“Stop being naked around me!”
“I’m not naked.” He grinned, hands on his hips. “I’m almost naked. Big difference.”
“That doesn’t make it better!”
“But we’re mates.” He said casually, then he padded over and wrapped his arms around me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder. “You’ll have to get used to it.”
“Caesar…” I called out but that only made him tighten his hold, acting cute on purpose.
His hands slid up, arms circling loosely around my neck, then he leaned in and placed soft, teasing kisses on my cheeks. My eyes widened and for a second I forgot how to move, then instinct kicked back in.
“Okay, enough!” I nudged him away abruptly, standing up.
He looked at me with sadness in his eyes for a few seconds before he slowly made a beeline for the wardrobe, took out a pyjama set and watched as he slid the pants on then while he began slipping on the shirt, I noticed how he looked hurt and genuinely confused.
I suddenly felt guilty realizing that he didn't do anything wrong, so I exhaled and walked back toward him. “I’m sorry,” I murmured. “I didn’t mean to push you so hard. I was just… shy.”
Slowly, a huge smile stretched across his face. He moved quickly, buttoning up his shirt like a kid preparing for a field trip. “Does that mean you’ll sleep with me?”
My hands froze mid-air. “Sleep with you?” I whispered, eyes wide.
He blinked. “I meant cuddle. I want to cuddle you.”
His voice was so sincere, and honest, that my shoulders dropped.
Relief blended with embarrassment. “Oh.” I breathed. “Right. Um… okay.”
His smile returned instantly as he grabbed my hand, practically dragging me to the bed. He laid me down gently, then slid in beside me and pulled me against him, spooning me like he’d been waiting for this all his life.
His breathing slowly grew steady, and warm against my neck while I laid there with reddened cheeks until my nerves eased, and I drifted off. When morning came, we brushed our teeths, got dressed in something casual, then we walked together to the dining hall where Alpha Roman and Luna Elsa were already seated for breakfast. .
“So.” Elsa said halfway through the meal, smiling kindly at me. “How was your first night here?”
“It was nice.” I responded, smiling warmly
Suddenly, Alpha Roman added. “I heard about what Evelyn did yesterday and I want you to know that you’re loved here. Truly.”
The words warmed something in me as I thanked him and continued eating but then I paused, cleared my throat and announced that I’ll be resuming lectures at the University tomorrow.
Elsa frowned gently. “You should still stay here. We love having you.”
“I wasn’t planning on leaving.” I smiled. “I plan on commuting from here to the University whenever I have lecturers.”
Roman nodded. “Caesar can drive the both of you to and fro so that actually works. And make sure he doesn’t take that motorbike anymore.” He sighed. “He never listens to us, but he’ll definitely listen to you.”
My cheeks burned as I murmured a thank you.
After breakfast, Caesar and I returned to his room to watch a movie on the massive screen. We sat close and at one point, the tension rose so thick he began leaning in and out lips were seconds away from meeting when there was suddenly a knock on the door.
I jolted back instantly. “Come in!”
Nathan stepped inside, eyes immediately flicking between Caesar and me. “I heard from Alpha Roman that you’re resuming lectures tomorrow with Caesar.”
I sat up straighter, and noticing his sour expression, I asked. “Yes. Is something wrong?”
He hesitated. “It’s not a good idea.”
My brows pulled together. “Why?”
He took a deep breath. “The Caesar Greywood known by the entire university is different from the Caesar Greywood sitting beside you now. So it won’t take long for his close friends to put two and two together.”