Chapter 23 Chapter 23
Brendan’s eyes widened. “What the hell are you–”
“Oh my– Ki!” Rey walked in just as she was about to take off her bra and used his wolf-speed to move over to Brendan and turn him around, keeping both of their backs to her as she got dressed. “You were meant to send her to the wardrobe,” he fumed.
“She wouldn’t move, then just started stripping!” he sneered.
Rey scoffed, “You froze like a startled deer.”
“Shut up.”
“Okaaaaaaay, I’m dressed,” Suki exulted, stretching and yawning immediately after. “Can I sleep now?”
Reynard turned around first and patted Brendan’s shoulder to assure him she was clothed. “Not yet, drink this,” he moved over to her, sitting on the edge of her bed and handed her one of the bottles of water.
She pouted.“All of it?”
“Yes, and don’t try me with those puppy eyes. Drink it.”
“Fiiiiine…” She opened the bottle and started drinking. She looked at Rey, then over at Brendan, and then down to her lap, giggling.
“What’s so funny?”
Suki tittered, “I have not one but two boys in my room. My father would go absolutely ballistic if he knew.” Her eyes narrowed. “To be fair, I’m surprised I’m not going insane over it. You two hate each other.”
“Yeah, love, that hasn’t changed,” Brendan huffed, sitting on the edge of her desk.
She rolled her eyes, “Why can’t you both be civil to each other, for me?” She drank more of her water and sighed, “None of us asked for this. Why do I have to keep the peace?”
Rey looked at Brendan, then back to Suki. “Hey, we made that deal earlier, didn’t we? We’ll do better to be civil, won’t we?” he pushed the question to Brendan.
“Yeah,” he sighed, moving over to the bed and sitting on the other side of her, “we’ll do better.”
Suki smiled at them both. Peering down at the half-drunk bottle of water, she tried handing it over to Brendan to take from her.
“Nice try, love, Mr Perfect already told me your hangover cure. Drink up.”
Reynard laughed at her as she huffed and carried on drinking.
“You’re both not going to stay here and watch me sleep, are you?”
Brendan’s smile grew smug. “Is that an invitation into your bed?”
“Brendan,” Reynard scowled.
“Oh, what, I can’t make jokes now?”
He rolled his eyes. “I’ll come check on you in the morning,” he said softly, gesturing towards her almost finished water bottle, “and if you’re not feeling too rough, I’ll take you for the fry up, how does that sound?”
Once she emptied the bottle, she snuggled under the covers and hummed happily, “Perfect.”
✧ ✧ ✧
Suki awakened feeling like the air around her was thick and pushing her down. She groaned, sitting up slowly, her head felt weighted and throbbed.
Scanning the room, she was confused for a moment, not entirely remembering how she got home last night.
“What the…?”
“Morning!” Reynard said cheerfully and loudly as he strolled into her room.
She rubbed her head, “Not so loud, Rey…”
Making his way over to her window, he opened the curtains and turned to face her. “Bet you’re thankful I made you drink that water last night now, your headache could’ve been a lot worse.”
“Right…” she mumbled, leaning back on her headboard. As her mind awakened more, she was able to piece together the night before easily. “Oh my… You both were in my room last night?”
Rey nodded.
Looking from left to right, she covered her mouth as she gasped, “I started changing in front of Brendan?!”
Giving her a cringed smile, Rey nodded again.
She covered her face as her cheeks flushed red. “Oh, that’s so embarrassing.”
“I think Brendan would beg to differ.” Rey shrugged. “Now get up, we’re going for breakfast.”
Sliding back down, she covered herself entirely with her duvet.
“Oh, no, you don’t. Get out of bed before I drag you out of there.”
“You wouldn’t…” she challenged, her voice muffled under the covers.
He paced over to the end of her bed, sliding his hands under the covers and grabbing her ankles to haul her down and off the bed in one tug.
Suki squealed, “Rey!”
Pulling her to her feet, he led her to her ensuite bathroom, then cupped her face with one hand, smirking, “Shower, then we’ll go eat.”
She crossed her arms and pouted.
“I’d help you shower…” he whispered, dragging his free hand across her hip and under her top slightly, feeling the warmth of her skin. A hunger lingered in his eyes as he gripped her waist and grunted, “But I need to restrain myself for now.”
Leaning into his hand, Suki hummed, “I’ll go, wait here, I’ll be out in a bit.”
✧ ✧ ✧
“You know, you could’ve let me sleep in a little longer,” Suki complained, scooping her hair into a low bun, then resting her head on the table of the cafe.
Reynard scoffed, “You would’ve slept in all day and then felt a million times worse because you hadn’t eaten.”
She rolled her eyes, then smiled, knowing he was 100% correct.
The owner and chef of the cafe yelped at the sight of the pair, “Which one of you is dying today?” he asked.
Suki raised her hand, and Rey pointed at her.
“I’ll get started with your usuals. Want anything else while I’m at it?”
“Two coffees,” Reynard said, watching Suki, amused.
He laughed, “Will you two ever learn…” and hastened off to prepare their breakfast.
“I’m never drinking again,” she mumbled and pulled the hood of her hoodie over her head.
“You say that every time, we both do, until eventually we–” Rey stopped speaking suddenly.
Suki sat up sluggishly and narrowed her eyes at her. “What’s wrong?” She followed his daggered gaze towards the entrance of the little cafe and blinked her eyes wider, locking eyes with Brendan.
‘So this is the place you come to for your hangover cure?’ His voice felt extra loud in her head. Her sensitive and frail state seemed to make it easier for him to access her mind. ‘It’s… cosy.’
“Ignore him,” Rey whispered. Suki instantly turned back to look at him. “You don’t want to get caught staring.”
‘Did you hear him?’
‘No, but I could tell he was connecting with you through the bond.’
Brendan pushed himself into her mind again. ‘Aww, he’s telling you not to talk to me, isn’t he?’
Suki shook her head. ‘Stop it, both of you.’ She pushed through the bond, hoping both of them would hear her words at the same time. Pressing her finger against her temple, she sighed, “Easy on my head, please.”
The coffee arrived at their table. “Two coffees, and here is the extra milk and sugar that I know you love, Suki.”
She smiled, “Thanks, Chef.”
Chef turned around and huffed, “We don’t serve Rogue’s here, find another establishment to eat at.”
Brendan forced a dramatic pout. “Oh, come on, I don’t have fleas, I swear it,” he held one hand up and left the other over his heart, speaking with arrogance and an obvious attitude.
There weren’t many people in the cafe, but they all looked at him with disgust and disappointment. Apart from Suki, who felt like his behaviour was some kind of act, like he was putting on a show on purpose.
“I don’t care. Leave.”
He rolled his eyes, not moving an inch. “I’m waiting for a friend.”
Chef went to retort but paused as he, and everyone in the cafe, watched Zale walk inside.
“Morning,” he said, noticing eyes on him.
The rest of the cafe went back to their chatter and eating. Chef bowed his head and exhaled, “Alpha-son, a pleasure to have you here.” Admitting defeat against the Rogue, he moved back to the kitchen to continue cooking.
Zale smiled and walked over to Brendan. “Why did you want to come here?” he asked, grabbing a menu and skimming over it, confused.
Brendan’s eyes shifted to Suki for a split second and then back to his friend. “I just wanted to try somewhere new,” he smirked at Suki.
Suki’s gaze shifted between him and Rey, and she realised at that moment that a battle for her heart was commencing between her two mates.