Chapter 69 A Secret About to Blow
Phoebe
“Ouch!”
I groaned as Phoenix smacked the top of my head. Not hard, but enough to make it throb. He just grinned, looking way too pleased—like he’d been dying to do that forever. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if he woke up from his coma just for this.
“Come on, say something funny. I just woke up and I want my life to feel meaningful—but, you know, chill.” He leaned back against the pillow with that annoying smirk. “Seriously, you look hilarious when you’re trying to be serious.”
“But—” I tried to cut in, but the words got stuck in my throat. Instead, my brain started replaying memories of the old Phoenix—Mr. Perfect Rules, the guy who snapped when anyone so much as bent the law of his universe.
He always called me a rebellious brat, a walking headache who created chaos for him to clean up. And now… now I’ve got four mates. Four! I can’t even imagine how he’s gonna react when he finds out.
Mom walked back in with the doctor, and that’s when I realized she’d left earlier. I’d been so focused on Phoenix that the rest of the world kind of vanished. They started explaining how fast he was healing, how his wolf side was stable now. For the first time in days, I felt a little relief.
“The doctor says we just need one more check. Gotta make sure all your senses and reflexes are good,” Mom said with this teary little smile.
At least that made me feel better—even though Phoenix still found time to tease me for crying when I hugged Mom tight.
“Wow, Phoebe, here comes the sentimental side,” he snickered. I didn’t care. He was awake. That’s all that mattered.
Mom ruffled my hair, then looked at Phoenix. “Oh, Phoenix, I’m so thankful you’re back. But… seems like your annoying streak came back too.”
I stuck my tongue out at him. “Told you, Mom’s on my side!”
Phoenix just snorted, but his eyes never left me. Like he was… investigating a crime scene.
Over in the corner, Finley was busy on his phone. “Hayden says he’s on his way—with the others. He also asked Coach Cooper for practice off.”
My jaw dropped. What?! That’s the worst idea ever.
I haven’t told Mom. I haven’t told Phoenix. And I am not ready for this hospital room to turn into a drama battlefield.
“Why do you look so pale?” Finley walked over, giving me that suspicious look.
“They just wanna check on Phoenix, that’s all,” he added casually. “You know how Hayden is—bossy as hell.”
“But this is about Phoenix being in a coma, not me. I’m fine. Healthy. Normal. And… confused.”
“Confused?” Phoenix narrowed his eyes. Mom was staring at me now too, all curious.
“Yeah, um… I just don’t think this is a good idea.”
“Why are you talking in broken sentences?” Phoenix was getting impatient.
I froze. I almost spilled it. Almost told him that the little sister he spent his whole life protecting… now has four freaking mates. Four! And yeah—I’ve slept with all of them. Goddess, no. I bit down on my lip so hard, praying the words wouldn’t slip out.
Because if they show up and start acting all… couple-y?
Moon Goddess, just kill me now.
“I… need to ask you something, Mom.” I shot her a look, desperate for an escape.
Mom stepped closer. “What is it, sweetheart?”
“I… uh, need new undershirts.”
Phoenix blinked. “Undershirts?!”
“Yeah,” I said quickly, acting all innocent. “Mine are too small. So… if you’re going home later, maybe you could grab some? Or just… buy new ones?”
Mom smiled warmly. “Of course. You’re still the same size, right?”
And that’s when my face went up in flames. Size? Oh Goddess, don’t talk about that. My brain immediately went to places it shouldn’t. Like… how after being with four mates, my body feels different. My boobs… yeah, they’re definitely bigger now. I notice every time I squeeze into my old tops.
I glanced down, then shot my gaze back up. Phoebe, stop thinking about this before you turn into a freaking tomato!
“Phoebe?” Mom looked confused.
“Eh? I-I mean… yeah. Same size. Probably. Hehe.” I gave this super awkward grin. Phoenix, of course, caught the blush creeping up my cheeks because his eyes instantly narrowed.
“Alright then,” Mom said. “I’ll go home, grab some clothes, and pick up your undershirts. Take good care of Phoenix, okay?”
The second she left, I let out the biggest sigh of relief.
We spent the rest of the day—me, Phoenix, and Finley—chatting about random stuff. Academy gossip, winter festival plans, even who was dating who.
“So,” Finley teased, “are you two still doing that identity swap thing?”
I swallowed hard. I was about to answer when Phoenix cut in first. “I just wanna play Mobile Legends again. That’s the priority.”
I gawked at him. Seriously? Dude was in a coma for weeks and the first thing he wants is a video game?!
Then the door opened. Hayden walked in… with Zion and Adonis.
My heart dropped straight to the floor.
“Hey, Phoenix,” Hayden said casually. Too casually.
Oh no. It’s about to get crowded.
The room went dead silent. Phoenix raised an eyebrow, staring Hayden down. “Wow. Mister Ice Cold from Livingstone suddenly turned polite? Is the world ending?”
Hayden let out a slow breath. “Just trying to be respectful. Besides…” He flicked a glance my way. “I’m your sister’s boyfriend.”
WHAT?!
My mouth fell open. I completely forgot to tell Hayden NEVER to say that out loud.
Oh crap. We’re doomed.
I could feel Phoenix’s gaze sharpening like a blade. His voice dropped low, almost a hiss.
“Did he just say… he’s my sister’s boyfriend?”
I gave this stiff, guilty smile like a kid caught stealing cookies. Inside, alarms were blaring:
RUN, PHOEBE, RUN!
But my legs refused to move. My face was burning, my breath hitching, my brain spiraling:
Should I tell him now? Should I just confess about the four mates? Should I—
No. No way. I just sat there, pretending to be calm while my entire body was in full-blown panic mode.
Phoenix’s eyes cut back to Hayden, then to me. His stare was sharp enough to peel skin, like he was stacking a thousand questions, ready to blow.
And all I could do was swallow hard and pray the earth would swallow me whole.
Oh Goddess. This… this is the beginning of the end.