Chapter 38

Isabella

"No," he interrupted, his tone brooking no argument. "I'll drive you."

Before leaving, Michael paused at the bottom of the stairs. "There's a pair of sweatpants on the bed if you don't want to wear last night's dress," he said. "They belong to my sister Sophia. She left them when she stayed over."

I was momentarily stunned, touched by his thoughtfulness. Last night's dress was too formal for daytime, and my underwear was uncomfortably damp. The fact that he had considered these details and offered me a practical option made my heart bloom with warmth.

"Thank you," I said softly. Michael's consideration almost made me want to cry—no one had ever been this attentive to my needs before.

I quickly changed, hastily folding the dress from last night and carrying it with me. Sophia's sweatpants were a bit big on me, hanging loosely around my waist, but they were much more comfortable than last night's dress, and at least I wouldn't have to worry about flashing anyone.

Michael's car, while not as flashy as Richard's luxury sedan, was nicer than any vehicle I'd ever been in—sleek, powerful, and spotlessly clean inside, with leather seats that carried a faint scent mingling with Michael's own, making me inhale deeply. As we drove through the forest outside Silver Moon City toward my apartment, I suddenly remembered I needed to call Julian.

"I should call Julian later," I said, my voice small as if afraid to disturb the quiet in the car. "He's probably dying to hear about last night."

Michael chuckled, the deep sound making my heart skip a beat. "Your friend seems very invested in your love life."

"He's the only one I can talk to about this stuff," I explained, staring at the trees rushing past outside the window, trying to hide my shyness. "We've worked together at the coffee shop for two years. He knows everything about me."

As the car pulled up to New Moon Apartments, my stomach churned, shame washing over me like a tide. The run-down building looked even worse in daylight, with peeling paint like a skin disease on the walls, cracked concrete steps with chunks missing. It was a stark contrast to Michael's beautiful forest cabin, like comparing heaven to hell.

I bit my lip, fingers clenching the dress, wishing I could disappear into a hole in the ground. What must he think? Seeing me live in a place like this, would he think I wasn't good enough for him?

"You don't have to come up," I said quickly as he parked, my voice tinged with panic.

"I want to come up," he insisted, his tone gentle but unyielding, as if the decision had already been made.

I swallowed, my shame intensifying, my face burning as if on fire. What would he think of my shabby apartment? Would seeing where I lived make him think I was a worthless Omega? My wolf whimpered uneasily beneath my skin, both craving his approval and fearing his disdain.

Michael approached the building entrance, his eyes narrowing as he noticed the broken lock on the front door, his frown deepening. "How long has this lock been broken?"

"Since I moved in," I shrugged, trying to appear unconcerned, though my voice trembled slightly. "The landlord promises to fix it every month, but never does."

His jaw tightened, a flash of anger in his eyes, but he said nothing. We climbed to the fourth floor, each step making my heart beat faster, as if it might leap from my throat. By the time we reached my door, my palms were sweating with nervousness, my hands shaking like I had Parkinson's as I fumbled for my key.

"Here we are," I said quietly, staring down at my keys, wishing I could disappear into thin air.

I hesitated, conflicted—should I invite him in? Would seeing my poverty make things even more embarrassing? My apartment didn't even have proper furniture, just water stains on the ceiling and a mattress on the floor... Fuck, would he think I was a useless waste of space? "Do you want to come in?" I finally asked, my voice barely audible, secretly hoping he would decline.

Michael smiled gently, his gaze so warm it accelerated my heartbeat. "I need to go. I have classes to prepare for Monday."

I felt relieved, yet somehow disappointed, as if I'd lost something. He'd given me an easy way out without making me feel rejected, but I knew he must have sensed my discomfort. Does he think I'm pathetic?

"Thank you for last night," I said softly, looking up at him, my cheeks still burning. "And for breakfast."

"My pleasure, beautiful," he murmured, leaning down to place a kiss on my cheek. His lips were warm, slightly rough with stubble as they brushed against my skin, making me shiver and grow wet again between my legs. God, I'm hopeless. "See you Saturday at Erotic Paradise."

The mention of our Saturday meeting made my face burn hotter, my heart drumming. "Saturday," I nodded, my voice barely audible.

I stood in the doorway, watching him descend the stairs, his broad back disappearing around the corner, before turning to enter my apartment.

I collapsed onto my bed, my emotions tangled in a complex knot. Before I could sort through them, my phone rang. Julian's video call request popped up, his name flashing on the screen as if urging me to answer.

"She finally appears!" Julian shouted as soon as I connected, his voice so loud I nearly dropped my phone. "Look at you, still in last night's dress... Wait, what are you wearing? Is that a man's T-shirt?"

I looked down at Michael's college shirt, the scent of pine and leather still tickling my nose, making my cheeks flush. "It's Michael's. He lent it to me."

Julian's eyes widened, grinning like an idiot, flashing his white teeth. "Girl! Tell me everything! Did you sleep with all three of them? How was it? Are they as powerful as they look? Details, Isabella, I need details!"

His enthusiasm made me laugh, though my face reddened further, like a ripe tomato. "I only slept with Michael, just actual sleeping, nothing else."

Julian looked disbelieving, his eyes growing even wider. "Nothing happened? After what you told me about the restaurant? Don't lie to me!"