Chapter 73 Chapter 73

Chapter 73 Chapter 73
CELIA'S POV

I stayed stiff in Xavier’s arms for a second, my face pressed against his chest. His heartbeat was steady and strong under my cheek, and his scent wrapped around me like a blanket I didn’t want to admit felt good. I wanted to pull away. I really did. Push him off and tell him to fuck off like I always did. But somehow… I liked it. The way his big hand rested low on my back, the warmth of his body soaking into mine, the way he held me like I was something precious instead of the omega he used to bully. My stupid heart fluttered and I hated it.

I finally managed to push back, stepping out of his arms. My cheeks burned hot. I could feel them turning red as I looked up at him. My eyes dropped straight to his lips without meaning to. Those same lips that had growled at me so many times before. Now they looked soft, a little parted, and I remembered how Jasper’s had felt on mine last night. Heat rushed between my legs all over again.

“Stop it,” I muttered, crossing my arms tight over my chest so he wouldn’t see how hard my nipples were. “You’re trying to seduce me with that hug, aren’t you? Being all cheeky and sweet. It’s not gonna work.”

Xavier’s mouth curved into a small smirk, but his eyes stayed soft. “Maybe I am. Can you blame me? You feel too good in my arms, Celia. And I meant every word. I’m not giving up on you.”

I rolled my eyes even though my stomach did a little flip. “You’re ridiculous. One second you’re sorry, the next you’re hugging me like we’re some couple. You really think I’m just gonna forget everything because you said you fell in love?”

He stepped closer again, not touching me but close enough that I felt his warmth. “I’m not asking you to forget. I’m asking you to let me prove it. When we get back to school, I’m gonna pursue you for real. Sincerely. No games. No bullshit. Just me showing you every day that I’ve changed. That I want you. That I love you.”

I stared at him, heart racing. It sounded so stupid. So fake. These guys had treated me like dirt for months. Now suddenly they were in love? But deep down, a tiny part of me — the part that still tingled from Jasper’s touch and now Xavier’s hug — was looking forward to it. I wanted to see him try. I wanted to watch him fail and laugh. Or… maybe part of me wanted to see if he could actually change. The thought made my cheeks even hotter.

“You’re gonna look like an idiot trying,” I said, voice a little shaky. “But fine. Do whatever. I’ll be watching you mess up.”

He smiled, real and warm, and it did something stupid to my insides. “I won’t mess up. Not this time. You’ll see.”

We stood there for a second, the air thick between us. I could feel the pull again, that mate thing making me want to step closer, to let him kiss me, to feel his hands the way Jasper had. But I didn’t. I just nodded once, sharp.

He finally turned and walked to the door. Before he left he looked back at me, eyes dark and full of promise. “See you soon, baby.”

The door clicked shut behind him.

I stood there for a long moment, cheeks still burning, body warm in all the wrong places. Then my legs gave out and I fell back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. A stupid smile crept across my face before I could stop it. I pressed my hands over my mouth, trying to hide it even though no one was here.

“Idiot,” I whispered to myself, but I couldn’t stop smiling. “You’re such an idiot, Celia.”

I rolled onto my side, hugging a pillow tight, that ridiculous grin still stuck on my lips.I lay there on the bed, still smiling like a total idiot, my fingers pressed over my mouth. Xavier’s words kept spinning in my head. I fell in love with you. Yeah right. But that hug… the way his arms felt around me, warm and sure, made my stupid heart do flips I didn’t ask for. I sat up fast, shaking my head hard.

“What the hell is wrong with me?” I whispered. I promised myself revenge on all of them. I was supposed to make them pay for every cruel thing they did. So why did my cheeks still feel hot? Why did part of me actually like the idea of him trying? “Did I fall for their vulnerable side or something? Jasper almost dying, Xavier looking all sorry… am I really this weak?”

The thoughts made me angry at myself. I jumped up and finished packing, shoving the last clothes into my bag like they personally offended me. My body still ached from last night with Jasper, but now Xavier’s hug had me all mixed up too. I zipped the bag, grabbed it, and headed outside. I needed air. Fresh air. Something to clear my head before I lost it completely.

The garden was quiet, moonlight spilling over the flowers. I dropped onto a stone bench, breathing deep. The cool night felt good on my hot skin. For a minute I just sat there, trying to push everything away. Revenge. Hate. The way their touches made me wet even when I hated them.

Then someone sat down right beside me. I almost jumped out of my skin.

“Kaiden?” I blurted, heart racing. He was too close, his leg brushing mine, that cocky smirk on his face like he owned the whole damn garden.

“Hey,” he said, voice low and teasing. “Didn’t mean to scare you, baby.”

I scooted away a little, arms crossed. “What do you want? I’m trying to get some air here. Alone.”

He didn’t move. His eyes stayed on me, dark and intense. “I want your forgiveness, Celia. For everything. The bullying, the pranks, all the shit we pulled. I’m sorry. I know it doesn’t erase it, but I mean it.”

I laughed, sharp and bitter. “Forgiveness? I already heard that from Xavier. And Jasper. You guys planning this together or something? Tag-team apology hour?”

Kaiden shook his head, leaning in closer. His breath brushed my ear. “No plan. Just me. I’ve been thinking about you nonstop. The way you fight back, the way you saved Jasper… it’s hot as hell. I like you, Celia. For real.”

Before I could even roll my eyes or snap back, he cupped my face and kissed me. Hard. Sudden. His lips were warm and demanding, tongue teasing mine like he’d been waiting to do this for weeks. Heat exploded through me. My hands grabbed his shirt without thinking, pulling him closer for half a second before my brain caught up.

He pulled away just as fast, eyes blazing. “I like you,” he said again, voice rough. “A lot.”

I sat there frozen, lips tingling, heart slamming against my ribs. My body felt hot all over. Wet. Ready. But my mind screamed at me to slap him, to run, to remember every bad thing they did.