Rooming With The Enemy Alpha

9. Games we play

(Aaron)

I sat at the table in Matty's Secrets, my coffee untouched, fingers laced tightly together, staring across at my angry girlfrined as she launched into another monologue about how much I’d changed.

She wasn’t wrong. I had changed. I just didn’t feel like defending it anymore.

And this... between us was becoming more trouble than I cared to admit.

Halfway through her rant, I yawned, and she glared at me.

"What the fu.ck, Aaron," she shouted, and I grimaced.

Thankfully, the restaurant was nearly empty. A couple of heads turned, their curious glances sharp enough to slice through my patience. I resisted the urge to crawl under the table and disappear.

I hated public drama, most of the times, and Samantha lived for that s**t. I clenched my jaw and tried to pretend I hadn’t just yawned in her face.

Samantha stabbed her salad like it had insulted her mother. I was sure she was imagining it as me.

Her expression, a mix of hurt and fury, made me want to apologize, but I wasn’t sure I'd mean it.

“You’re seriously bored right now?” she snapped. "When I am talking to you?"

Yes. Goddess, yes. But I gave her a tight smile.

“She’s been going on for ages,” Zed muttered in my head, voice low and annoyed. “We should just end this already. We’ll find our mate eventually. Why waste time with her?”

I didn’t disagree. But Sam… she wasn’t always like this. She could be kind. She just had a habit of spiraling into petty things when she didn’t feel seen.

“Aaron, are you even listening?” Samantha glared at me. “You're talking to your wolf again, aren’t you? He doesn’t like me.”

“I’m right here,” I said, rubbing a hand across my face. “Just... tired, Sam.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You don’t care that Carrie stole my dress for the Christmas moo ball?”

“I don’t even know who she is, and why don't you get another dress?”

She gasped. “You're not even trying to be supportive. You just sit there like someone stole your voice.”

“If only someone would steal yours,” Zed grumbled. I nearly laughed and had to cough to cover it.

“Zed, for once, shut it,” I warned, but he huffed and sulked in the back of my mind.

Samantha crossed her arms. “So that’s it? You’re not going to say anything?”

I leaned forward, voice flat. “Sam, I have bigger things on my mind than a dress for a stupid ball.”

Her lips parted like I’d slapped her again. “Did you just call me stupid?”

“No. I said the ball was stupid.”

She sniffed, clearly gearing up for a scene. Great. And now we had full-blown waterworks. Some guys from another table shot me glares like I’d kicked a puppy.

I wanted to hand them my seat and say, Go ahead. Survive ten minutes. Let’s see how righteous you feel then.

I sighed and tried to steer the conversation elsewhere. “Anyway, my parents are bringing Daisy to Hollow Creak Hospital. SO, I’ll be staying in the dorm.”

“What? Why?"

"My parents said so."

The dorms were co-ed, and I knew Samantha hated it, especially because Danielle lived in the dorm as well.

“You could stay with me!” she argued, indignant.

“My parents feel better knowing I’m on school grounds,” I said, keeping my voice even. “Besides, it’s not like I’ll be there much. I’ll be with Liam or in classes most of the day. It’s just a place to sleep.”

“But…"

"What?"

“You don’t get it, Aaron. Girls notice you.”

I laughed dryly. “You worried someone’s going to jump me in my sleep?”

She frowned but didn’t reply. Instead, she jabbed her fork into her salad again like it owed her something. Her voice dropped to a mutter. “You should just let Daisy—”

I froze.

“What did you just say?”

“N-nothing.” She paled instantly, eyes wide.

Zed snarled. “She said enough.”

I leaned forward, my voice low and cold. “Did you just suggest we should let Daisy die?”

“No! I—Aaron, I didn’t mean it like that—”

“Yeah? Then how did you mean it?” I growled, trying so hard not to lose it right here.

She looked like she regretted every word, but it was too late to take back now. I stood, chair scraping loudly against the floor.

“I’m done. And don’t come to my room. I’m not in the mood to be polite.”

“Aaron, wait—”

But I was already walking away, jaw clenched, fists tight. If I stayed a second longer, I’d say something worse.

Back at the dorm, I opened the door with irritation still humming through my veins—and nearly tripped over a pile of tangled clothes.

Perfect.

I flicked on the light and groaned. The mess Liam and I had created was untouched. Clothes were still scattered everywhere, and the bed looked like a war zone, and the owner of the room, still missing.

This whole dorm arrangement was already a disaster, and I hadn’t even spent the night yet.

Cursing, I walked straight into the bathroom.

***

I was peacefully enjoying my shower when the bathroom door slammed open. s**t. I forgot to lock it.

I never shared rooms. This was going to be awkward as hell.

I was about to announce my presence when I noticed the girl was undressing. A girl? What the hell? Why was I paired with a girl? Had Principal Alexander lost his s**t.

"This is going to be... fun," Zed said with a wink. "Now that you dumped her ass..."

"No..." I hissed, my eyes on this intruder

Her shirt was halfway over her head, and she couldn’t see me—and unfortunately, I could see plenty.

Shit. This is so wrong.

“Goddess, she’s gorgeous. Look at those breasts...”

“Bastard. Look away.”

But I wasn’t. Neither of us were. Zed was practically drooling in my head. I wasn't a pervert... but fuck...

“You’re still staring, hypocrite.”

“Hey, I am here and—” I finally spoke up, but too late.

She yanked the shirt off, her eyes locking on mine.

“What the actual hell?” she screamed, jumping back.

“What the hell?” I echoed, stunned as I finally recognized her. “Danielle? What the f**k are you doing here?” In your fu.cking bra?

“Oh, I never knew Dani was hiding such glorious breasts under those jackets,” Zed said with an audible smack of his imaginary lips.

“Shut the hell up, Zed.”

“Don’t tell me you didn’t imagine cupping—”

“No! Just—shut up and stop putting images in my head.”

And then it hit me. My parents’ too-sweet smiles. The way my mother insisted I stay in the dorm, and also told me I shouldn't be an ass to Danielle. All of that.

This was her plan.

“Turn around,” I ordered, trying to keep my eyes off her.

She was frozen, eyes shut, still topless. I wasn’t a pervert, but damn—she looked really good in just a bra.

This is so wrong. Look away.

“Don’t look away. I’m enjoying this. This is gonna be fun,” Zed muttered with way too much enthusiasm.

She peeked open one eye and caught me staring. Her gaze flicked down—then slowly up my legs. If she looked any higher—

“Aaron, fuck... what the hell are you doing in my bathroom, you pervert?” she snapped.

“Turn around,” I repeated, ignoring the fact that I should’ve been the one turning.

“You’re not even decent—your... thing...” she sputtered, clearly flustered.

“Stop staring then,” I snapped back, my body burning.

“A little late for that,” she murmured, eyes wide, cheeks red. She reached for her shirt. “Don’t tell me you’re my new roommate,” she begged. “Please, let this be a mistake. Say Samantha’s staying here. I’d rather deal with her.”

“Nope. I think... I'm your roommate. Welcome to hell.”

“Why didn’t you lock the door, you perv?” she hissed as she stormed out, shirt clutched to her chest.

Five minutes later, I walked out in a T-shirt and sweatpants. Danielle was leaning against the kitchen counter, her hands covering her face. Thankfully, the shirt was back on.

“Unfortunate. I rather liked it better without the shirt,” Zed mused.

“Nobody asked you.”

“I am dying here, Goddess. Send me an angel. A fallen one will do.” Danielle groaned dramatically.

Is she for real?

I fought the urge to laugh. Instead, I walked over to my desk and sat down, opening a book. Not that I could focus. Every movement she made, I felt it.

She stomped over to the fridge and pulled it open.

“f**k, where’s my juice?” she shouted.

I stayed silent. I was the one who threw it away—it had expired.

“It was you, wasn’t it? Why are you even here? Is this a sick joke? Leave me alone, Aaron. I don’t have the energy for this cat-and-mouse game anymore.” She sighed.

I hated how much she reminded me of Daisy. It made me angry. Daisy was lying in a hospital bed, lifeless. Danielle was still living.

“Would you rather Danielle was gone too?” Zed asked gently. “What do you really want, Aaron? You’re being cruel—and you know it.”

I didn’t know the answer.

“Aaron, I’m so tired of this game. So tired. Can you just listen to me? Please?”

“Yeah,” I said, voice calm even though everything inside me churned. “Say what you need to.”

“I—I didn’t bring Daisy there.” Her voice cracked. I jerked upright, shocked.

I didn’t expect her to say that.

But she had. We knew she had.

“I miss her, Aaron,” she whispered. “As much as you do. Maybe even more.” Her hands clutched her chest like it physically hurt.

It hurt me more.

“Not more than me,” I bit out. “You couldn’t.”

“Maybe not. But I still miss her. She was all I had—my sister, my best friend. Please, Aaron, can we just... can we not fight anymore?”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. Just... not fight while you’re here. Can we do that?”

I sighed, then nodded. “Okay.”

Her eyes widened in disbelief. She looked at me like I’d grown a second head.

“What are you doing, Aaron? No. Don’t do it,” Zed warned. “You’ll regret it.”

I ignored him.

“Did you just say okay? Are you possessed? Should I call an exorcist?” she asked, eyes narrowed.

She really didn’t know when to shut up.

“I’m tired of the cat-and-dog game too,” I said quietly. “Let’s put it on pause. At least while I’m here.”

She stared at me, unsure, before finally nodding.

I smirked.

That was all I needed. I would break her heart like she broke mine. Ours.

“Asshole. You’re going to burn in hell for this,” Zed muttered.

“Then I’ll drag her down with me.”

___