CHAPTER 23
1185 Words
ADINNA’S POV
Dean’s teasing lingers in the air, smooth and easy, but it digs under my skin.
“I’m not thinking about him,” I say, too quickly. My voice sounds too defensive even to my own ears.
Dean’s smile curves slowly and knowingly. “You sure about that?”
I cross my arms. “Yes.”
He leans back in his chair, eyes glinting with quiet amusement. “You really shouldn’t lie to someone who can hear your heartbeat, Adinna.”
I freeze and my pulse spikes traitorously. Dean chuckles softly, his voice low. “See? It’s screaming his name.”
I grab the nearest pillow and throw it at him. “You’re insufferable.”
He dodges it easily, his grin widening. “And yet, here you are, still talking to me.”
I roll my eyes, but I knows he’s right. Somewhere along the line, Dean’s company had become enjoyable. He has been the calm in a storm I didn’t realize I was surviving.
He sighs and leans forward. “Jace is spiraling, you know.”
That name makes something in me tighten. “And you’re telling me this because…?”
Dean’s expression shifts to a less playful now, more serious one. “Because you should know what you’ve started.”
I blink. “What I’ve started? He’s the one who keeps cornering me, threatening me, confusing me—”
Dean interrupts, his voice softer than I expect. “You’ve gotten under his skin, Adinna. And that’s saying something. Jace doesn’t lose control. Not like this.”
The words make my stomach twist. “You make it sound like I wanted this. Like I asked to be his obsession or whatever this his.”
Dean studies me. “You didn’t. But Jace isn’t built for halfway feelings. Once he wants something,” His gaze flicks to mine, lingering. “He doesn’t stop.”
I look away, my heart thudding. “Then he should find someone else to torment.”
Dean lets out a small laugh and shakes his head. “It’s not that simple.”
Silence fills the space between us. The air feels heavy as it hums with something I can’t name.
Finally, I say quietly, “You sound like you pity him.”
Dean gives a humorless smile. “I don’t. But I know him. And I know what happens when he fixates on something he can’t have.”
My throat feels dry. “So what, he kills it?”
Dean’s eyes flick up to meet mine. “Sometimes. Or he’ll destroy himself trying not to.”
The weight of that settles deep inside me. I don’t want to feel sorry for Jace. I won’t. But my chest aches anyway.
Dean leans closer as he lowers his voice to a near whisper. “He’s dangerous, Adinna. But you…” His gaze softens. “You might be worse for him than wolfsbane.”
I let out a shaky breath. “That’s not exactly comforting.”
He smiles faintly. “It’s not meant to be.”
For a moment, neither of us speaks. The air between us crackles with warmth. Dean’s hand brushes mine on the bed, a fleeting touch that sends shivers up my arm.
“Dean” I start, not sure what I’m warning him or myself about.
But he just shakes his head, his eyes searching my face. “Relax, Adinna. I’m not him.”
I want to believe that. I want to believe there’s at least one person in this place who doesn’t see me as a challenge or a game piece.
Then Dean smiles again, softer this time. “You really don’t see it, do you?”
“See what?”
“How much you’ve changed him.”
I huff out a laugh. “Changed him? Please. Jace is still the same arrogant, controlling jerk who thinks I’m a toy to break.”
Dean’s eyes glint. “And yet he hasn’t touched anyone else since you got here.”
That makes me pause. I hate that it does. “How do you even know that?”
Dean shrugs. “We notice things. Especially when one of the alphas starts acting strange.”
I fold my arms again, trying to sound unaffected. “Good. Maybe he’s finally realizing tormenting me is boring.”
Dean’s gaze lingers on me, steady and unreadable. “Or maybe he’s realizing he doesn’t know what to do with someone who looks him in the eye and doesn’t flinch.”
That pulls a small, unwanted smile from me. “Are you complimenting me or warning me?”
“Both,” he says, with a grin on his face.
The door swings open before I can reply. Jace strides in like he owns the place and his eyes immediately land on Dean and I.
The room goes silent, for a heartbeat.
Then his gaze flicks to Dean, sharp and dark. “What are you two talking about?”
Dean doesn’t even flinch. “Your emotional instability.”
I nearly choke on air at his blunt reply.
Jace’s jaw tightens. “Careful.”
Dean smirks, completely unbothered. “Relax, man. I was just telling Adinna you’re a big baby when you don’t get your way.”
The temperature in the room seems to drop five degrees.
Jace’s voice is low. “What did you just say?”
Dean rises slowly with that infuriatingly calm look still on his face. “You heard me.”
Something feral flickers in Jace’s expression, but Dean just pats his shoulder as he walks past. “Don’t get all growly. I’m not stealing your toy.”
Jace grabs his wrist with a tight grip. “Watch your mouth.”
Dean meets his stare head-on. “Maybe you should watch your temper.”
For a second, I think they’ll tear each other apart but then Dean smiles, tugging his arm free. “See you around, Adinna.”
He leaves before Jace can say anything else.
The silence that follows feels like a ticking bomb.
I glance at Jace, whose chest is rising and falling too fast. His eyes are still dark, stormy with something that looks a lot like jealousy.
He finally speaks, his voice low. “You think he cares about you?”
I swallow hard. “At least he’s not trying to control me.”
Jace takes a step closer. “You really think that’s what this is? Control?”
I try to back away, but he catches my wrist gently, his touch hot. “Then what is it, Jace? You act like you hate me one second, and the next…”
He cuts me off with a whisper that sends a chill down my spine. “I don’t hate you. That’s the problem.”
My heart stutters. I hate that it does.
His hand lingers a moment longer before he lets go. “Stay away from Dean,” he murmurs and then walks out without looking back.
I stand there for a long time, staring at the door and trying to make sense of the chaos that was left behind.
- Writer
