Chapter 7 7
Jenna's POV
I woke up with the strange, prickling sensation of being watched. At first it felt like a dream until I opened my eyes and nearly jumped. When I saw Caesar lying on his side, propped slightly on one elbow, staring at me with that intense, unmoving gaze of his.
He wasn't blinking, and neither was saying a single word. Just staring, like I was some kind of miracle he couldn’t understand.
For a second I just looked back at him, caught between amusement and disbelief. Then I let out a giggle laugh and rubbed my eyes. “Good morning to you too.” I murmured.
His expression didn’t change, but something in his eyes softened as I pushed the sheets back and climbed out of the bed, stretching carefully. That was when I remembered I was still wearing his robe.
‘I must’ve looked ridiculous sleeping in something that practically swallowed me whole.’ I muttered under my breath
I spotted my gown neatly folded on the sofa, so I grabbed it and slipped into the bathroom to change. When I stepped back out, my gown held my shape again, I went straight to the dressing table, picked up my shoes from underneath it, put them on, then grabbed my bag.
Only then did Caesar finally stand. He walked toward me slowly, like he was afraid that if he moved too quickly I’d disappear.
“Where are you going?” He asked softly.
“I’m not disappearing.” I reassured him, smiling. “I just need to go join the movers. They’re taking my things to my grandmother’s house today.”
He frowned. “I’m coming with you.”
“Caesar…” I chuckled. “Go get ready first, I was never planning on going alone.”
He stared for another second, just to make sure I wasn’t lying, then nodded, reluctantly. I waited while he dressed, then we stepped out of the room together. We had barely begun descending the stairs when Luna Elsa’s voice drifted from the living room.
“Caesar! Jenna! Good morning,” she called.
I tightened my hold on the railing and walked toward her, bowing my head slightly. “Good morning, Luna Elsa.”
Caesar was still staring at me while smiling at her, which made her raise an eyebrow in amusement.
“And where are you heading off to so early, my dear?” She asked.
“My dorm.” I replied. “I need to pack and meet up with the movers.”
“Ah.” She nodded, then gave me that warm but authoritative look that made me straighten my back. “Why don’t you just move in here for a little while? At least before you resume school.”
Move in?
Caesar, of course, lit up like a child that was given candy. “Yes—yes, please.” He blurted out quickly. “Stay.”
Before I could even gather the strength to answer, Alpha Roman’s deep voice echoed from the stairs behind us. “What are we agreeing on this early?” He asked, his heavy steps settling in the living room.
Elsa explained, and Roman nodded thoughtfully. “It’s a good idea. We can all get to know her more. Besides, you two will be married after graduation anyway.”
Married? I didn’t know whether I should swallow or faint. But under all their expectant eyes, and Caesar’s ridiculous puppy-like pleading, I forced out a smile.
“O-okay. I’ll stay… for a few days.” Caesar looked like he’d won the lottery as I turned to leave, but Elsa suddenly narrowed her eyes at him. “Caesar, where are your car keys? Were you planning to hail a cab with her?”
His confusion was almost cute. Elsa sighed, and that was how he and I ended up heading back to his room again. He rummaged pointlessly through a drawer until I spotted two motorbike keys and one car key lying neatly in place.
On our way downstairs again, we ran into Jericho.
“Good morning,” I greeted politely.
He didn’t return it, instead he just stared at me with pure disgust, like I’d stepped on sacred ground that didn’t belong to me. I ignored it and walked out with Caesar. After bidding farewell to Alpha Roman and Luna Elsa, we reached the parking lot.
I pressed the button on the keypad and a black car blinked in response. “That one,” I said.
Caesar immediately hurried to open the passenger door for himself. “Uh-uh,” I said, catching his arm. “I am not letting someone with amnesia drive. Get in.”
He looked mildly offended but obeyed, while I took the driver’s seat, as the gates were opened and I drove out.
When we reached my apartment, I parked outside the gate and leaned back, trying to think. I couldn’t bring him upstairs. Rachel and Enid would see him, and the questioning, the interrogation, the rumors…
God!
But I couldn’t leave him in the car either. He’d probably break the window just to follow me. So, I turned to him carefully. “Can you please, just for two minutes, stay here? I promise I won’t be long.”
He frowned, suspicious as always. “Two minutes.”
“Yes. Two.”
He glared but I pleaded with my eyes and finally, he nodded. Outside, I approached the security guard. “Um, sir? Did my roommates Rachel and Enid in B09 come back last night?”
“No.” He shook his head. “they left in the evening and never returned.”
And they probably won't show up till tomorrow.
“Thank you.” I said, relieved, and returned to the car.
Caesar immediately stepped out to follow me, and I locked the car behind us. Inside, I unlocked the dorm and Caesar entered behind me, looking around as though the tiny room was some kind of artifact. I went straight back to arranging the half-packed boxes from days ago, before everything spiraled with Caesar fainting in my room.
I packed clothes, toiletries, books, and little things that mattered only to me, then I packed all of them neatly. Before pulling out my suitcase and filling it with clothes for the few days I’d be staying at the packhouse.
My mind drifted briefly.
Sean, my brother was still at his high school dorm so he wouldn’t return until break. And I was glad because I had no idea how to explain any of this to him, and hopefully by the time he came home, this whole Caesar-situation would be over.
The sound of my phone ringing dragged me back to reality as I realized that Caesar had just helped me tape the last box. I reached for my phone and saw that it was a call from the movers informing me that they had arrived. After telling them my room number, I waited and when they arrived I welcomed them in.
They carried everything from boxes, bags, and small furniture pieces until the room finally looked empty. When they were done, Caesar and I went downstairs with my suitcase. He lifted it before I could even try, placing it into the trunk like it weighed nothing. I drove ahead of the movers to my grandmother’s house. Once we arrived, I opened the front door and let the movers place everything inside. And knowing that there was nothing perishable, I locked the house again and we returned to the car.
The drive back to the packhouse was quiet but strangely peaceful. When we arrived, Caesar jumped out before I even unbuckled, grabbed my suitcase, and waited for me. I picked up my handbag and we walked inside.
On reaching the living room, it was empty which made me believe that Alpha Roman and Elsa were probably busy. So, we went straight upstairs, entered Caesar’s room and I began arranging my things in his wardrobe while he helped.
Halfway through, I remembered. “Oh, I forgot something in the car.”
“Do you need help?” He offered.
“No, keep arranging. I’ll be right back.” Then I stepped out, went down the hallway, and began descending the stairs when I saw an unfamiliar woman standing at the bottom, dressed in a wine-colored gown that looked painfully expensive.
Her aura was cold while her sharp and assessing eyes were fixated on me instantly. I nodded politely.
“Good day ma’am.”
I tried to walk past her, but she stopped me with a light touch on my arm. “You.” She said slowly, eyes narrowing. “You have an unfamiliar face, so you must be her.”
I blinked. “I’m sorry… excuse me?”
She looked me over from head to toe, not hiding her distaste. “You know…” She began. “I don’t like you. There’s something about you I can’t seem to wrap my head around, I don’t know what it is, but I don’t like you.”
I stared at her, stunned. “Excuse me, ma’am. But who are you, and why are you saying this to me?”
Her lips parted slightly, and before she could continue. “Evelyn?” Luna Elsa’s voice echoed from the stairs above. “When did you arrive?”
I turned to see that Elsa was descending the stairs gracefully, so I gave way, made my way to the bottom and stood a few feets away from the woman as I struggled to remember why the name Evelyn felt faintly familiar.
Evelyn looked up at Elsa. “This is her? This is the woman you allowed Caesar to bring into the packhouse? I don’t approve of her.”
Elsa reached my side almost protectively and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Jenna.” She said gently. “This is Evelyn, Caesar’s mother.”
Coming here I expected rogues, secrets, pack politics, and assassinations but the one thing that I wasn't prepared for was his mother.
Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful.