Chapter 102 New information

Chapter 102 New information


The hotel suite felt like a dream. I woke up in the massive king-sized bed, and for a moment, I forgot where I was. The sheets were impossibly soft. The pillows smelled like lavender. And beside me, still asleep, was Romeo.

I watched him for a moment, the way his chest rose and fell, the way his dark lashes rested against his cheeks, the way his hand was still curled around my waist like he was afraid I'd disappear.

This was real.

We were here. Together. Away from the Vanderbilt house. 

I all felt surreal. I still couldn’t believe it. 

His eyes fluttered open. "You're staring."

"Of course I am.” 

He smiled, and that smile made my heart ache, he pulled me closer. "You’re so creepy."

"Creepy? I think the word you’re looking for is romantic."

"Same thing I guess."

I laughed, and he kissed me, and for a few perfect moments, the world outside didn't exist.

\-——————————

The hotel became our sanctuary.

We ordered room service for breakfast, croissants and fruit and coffee that arrived on a silver platter. We ate in bed, watched a lot of bad reality tv shows, talking about nothing and everything. We even did homework together. 

It was strangely comforting. Not having to run around sneaking around the Vanderbilt house, or worrying about being caught. 

Now that everything was out in the open, we could live and stay freely. 

"This is what I want," Romeo said, his arms around me, his breath warm on my neck. "This. Every day. Forever."

"Forever is a long time."

"I know." He kissed my shoulder. "I'm counting on it."

I think I believed him. 

\-———————————

School was different now. Well, only a little bit. Romeo and I decided we had no reason or need to hide our relationship anymore. Especially if his uncle already had an inkling that something was going on between the two of us. 

Ruby found us by my locker, her eyes bright with excitement.

"Look at you two," she said, grinning. "Finally acting like a couple. I bet the rumors are gonna start real sooon.” 

"Oh they can talk as much as they want. We don’t care," I said.

"I'm proud of you. Really, I am." She lowered her voice. "Also, have you noticed the new girl? Faye? She's everywhere."

I glanced down the hallway. Faye was surrounded by a group of students, laughing at something she'd said. She was beautiful, charismatic, the kind of person who drew people in without trying.

"I've noticed. People are warming up to her. They really like her," I said.

"She's friends with Angel now. Like, friends friends. They were laughing together at lunch."

Romeo's jaw tightened. “Yea that’s very strange. We need to be careful with her."

"Careful of what?" Ruby asked.

"Just... careful."

Ruby looked between us, her eyes narrowing. "You two are keeping secrets again.”

"Ruby…” 

"I'm not going to push." She held up her hands. "I’ll let it slide just this time. You guys know I know about the whole wolf shenanigans so you don’t have to keep anything away from me anymore.” 

"Thanks, Ruby."

She squeezed my arm and walked away.

\-——————

Romeo had been quieter than usual all day.

I noticed it in the way he held my hand a little too tight, the way his eyes kept scanning the hallways like he was waiting for something to happen. When we got back to the hotel, he finally told me.

"There's going to be a big game soon," he said. "Football game. Against our biggest rival."

"Okay?"

"Their captain, he's a wolf too. Actually he’s now an alpha. He and I have history."

"What kind of history?"

Romeo's jaw tightened. "The kind where he's always wanted to prove he's better than me. He's been waiting for another face off with me for a while now"

"Are you worried about the game?” 

He looked at me, something raw in his expression. "No I’m not. I just wish there was a better way I could keep you safe from my world and the wicked people in it. If you were a wolf, they wouldn’t dare to try anything if you can hold your own. But as a human…"

"So, being human makes me vulnerable?"

"Very. I don’t want to ever lose you because of my own problems and enemies."

I crossed the room and took his hands. "You're not going to lose me."

He pulled me into his arms, holding me tight.

"I’ll make sure I don’t.

————————————

Kai came to the hotel that evening.

He looked tired but happy. He told us he didn’t know that we had left the Vanderbilt house. And when he heard what happened from Sarah he called Romeo right away. He came over with some beer. 

"Kai," I said, surprised. "What are you doing here?"

“You guys thought you could leave me alone with stuck up Mrs. Vanderbilt and those troublesome twins? Hell no.” 

Romeo appeared behind me, his expression wary. "Is that why you’re here?"

"Let me in first."

We sat in the living area of the suite, the city lights flickering through the windows. Kai poured opened his beer, and drank some, then set the can on the table.

"Cornelius summoned me to the pack house," he said.

Romeo's jaw tightened. "I know. You told me."

"I didn't tell you everything. Didn’t want to bother you.” 

Romeo leaned forward. "What are you talking about?"

Kai took a long drink, then set the glass down. "He threatened me, Romeo. He wanted me to spy on you. On Calliope. Report back to him about everything you did, everywhere you went, everyone you talked to."

Romeo's hands clenched into fists. "And what did you tell him?"

"I refused."

Silence.

"He didn't take it well." Kai's voice was flat. "He reminded me of my father. Of how he died. Of the debt I owe to the pack." He paused. "He said I was lucky he didn't hold me responsible for my father's failures."

"Failures?" I asked.

Kai looked at me, his eyes hollow. "My father was Romeo's mother's beta remember. Her second-in-command. He died protecting her when she was attacked." He paused. "Cornelius has always blamed him for not doing enough. For not saving her. He said my father's blood was on my hands too."

"He’s crazy," Romeo said. "Your father died a hero."

"I know." Kai's voice cracked. "But Cornelius doesn't see it that way. He sees it as a debt unpaid. A failure that needs to be atoned for."

"And now he wants you to spy on us to atone for that?” 

"Yes." Kai looked at Romeo. "He said if I didn't cooperate, he'd make sure I paid for my father's mistakes."

Romeo stood up, pacing the room. "He's trying to isolate me. Trying to take away everyone who supports me. First he sent Damien and Marcus. Then Faye. Now he's coming for you."

"I know."

"I won't let him."

"Romeo…” 

"I won't let him hurt you." Romeo stopped pacing, his eyes blazing. "I'll challenge him. I'll end this. Whatever it takes."

Kai shook his head. "You're not ready. He's been alpha for years. He has the pack's loyalty, the pack's trust. If you challenge him now…” 

"I’m tired of him meddling in my life and affairs. I need to do something."

Kai was quiet for a long moment. Then: "I'm not going to spy on you. I'm not going to betray you. But I think for now, I’m going to make him think I agree and feed him false information about you.” 

"That sounds like a good plan. But what kind of information?” I asked Kai. 

Kai stood up, his can empty. "I know. That's what I have to think about.”