Rooming With the Grumpy Biker Alpha

Chapter 004

LAYLA

“I’ll tell you what I want in return later,” Edward says, smirking like he knows something I don’t.

I narrow my eyes, waiting for the catch, but he just keeps staring at me. “Are you serious?”

“Think of it like… you owe me a favor.”

“And what if I can’t… you know, do what you want?” I ask, trying not to sound too nervous.

“Don’t worry, I’ll go easy on you. I won’t ask you to do anything difficult.”

And this is the exact moment I’m supposed to back out because owing a favor to someone like him is a massive red flag, and an Alpha’s son can easily turn a simple request into something impossible. I mean, what could I possibly do for him that wouldn’t spiral into something crazy?

I bite down on my lip, studying his face like I might somehow read his thoughts. But he’s just wearing a bored, unreadable expression now.

And why is he even helping me? What does he gain from pulling me out of today’s mess? Are all Alpha’s sons this… decent? Yeah. No. Colt definitely isn’t, so that answers that.

“Tick, tick, tick.” Edward lifts his wrist, flashing the watch strapped around it. “Make up your mind.”

I gulp, parting my lips to tell him I can’t accept his vague, probably-dangerous deal but the memory of everything Colt said crashes back into me.

“There’s nothing attractive about you.” His words replay in my head. “Do you really think I want ugly pups?”

My lips tremble, anger and bitterness tangling in my chest. He said the only man who’d ever want me must be blind, and that he’s the best I can ever get.

If I walk in there with Edward, it’ll make him choke on every single word and I’ll turn all the attention from him to me. It’ll be reckless and impulsive and completely out of character but maybe that’s the point. Maybe I need to prove I’m not as boring and forgettable as he said.

And Amber? She will burn when she sees me.

With a deep exhale, I force out the words I know will probably come back to haunt me. “I’ll do it.”

Slowly, Edward’s lips curve into a smile, and yeah, I think I just made a deal with the devil. His beautiful green eyes hold no warmth, and whatever he plans to ask of me in return, I can only hope it doesn’t cost me my life.

“There’s no backing out now or you’ll regret it.” He warns, extending his palm. “Now, give me your hand.”

Hesitant, I lift mine and place it in his. Before I can even process it, he slips a bracelet around my wrist, fastening it snugly. I have no idea where it came from.

“Let’s crash this boring thing.” He adds.

“What’s this?” I ask, staring down at my wrist and my eyes widen when I recognize the insignia etched into the metal…it’s his pack’s symbol.

“You’re not my usual type.” He says flatly. “So it's something to prove you’re really with me and not just some bitter ex clinging for attention.”

The urge to hit him with the nearest solid object surges through my chest, but I force it down. There’s no point wasting energy when it’s probably true. Guys like him go for slim, perfect sexy girls that look like Amber and nothing like me. Not that I’m complaining because most of them turn out to be walking red flags anyway.

Just then, the bell signaling the start of the ceremony rings, sending a jolt through every cell in my body.

“Let’s go,” I finally mutter, dragging in a deep breath. “I’m ready.”

“Relax.” He turns his back to me, and I hate to admit it, but everything about him is unfairly perfect. “The couple needs to arrive before we do.”

“But—”

“Listen to the expert.” He cuts in, glancing back at me, and I swallow whatever protest was on the tip of my tongue.

We wait in heavy silence, time passing until I’m almost certain Amber has already walked down the aisle and the ceremony is fully underway.

At this rate, when we finally step in, it won’t just be an interruption. It’ll be a full-blown entrance.

Finally, Edward extends his arm. “It’s time.”

My gaze drags from his face to his arm and back again, my pulse hammering in my ears. After a split second of hesitation, I loop my arm through his. The moment our skin touches, a shiver races up my spine.

I can’t believe I’m actually doing this. Not even as he leads me out of the garden and toward the beautifully decorated ceremony grounds does it start to feel real. My heart is practically trying to escape my chest, and my wolf is thrashing wildly beneath my skin, buzzing with excitement.

“You’re fidgeting,” Edward mutters under his breath as we near the cleared ceremonial ground, where rows of seats face the decorated altar. “Don’t embarrass me.”

I force myself to straighten, pouring whatever strength I have left into my trembling legs. The moment we step into view, attention snaps toward us. Conversations trail off, heads turn and eyes widen.

You can do this. You can do this, Layla.

I chant silently, bracing myself for the reactions because this is Edward Strout walking with me. The Edward Strout girls would sell their souls just to be seen with. The one whose name alone sparks rumors, jealousy, and fantasies. The kind of guy people notice the second he enters a room.

And right now, he’s with me.

As we head toward our seats, more attention peels away from the stage where Amber and Colt are standing. Edward’s expression stays perfectly blank, like none of this concerns him. Me? I’m very much concerned.

My gaze collides with Colt’s. He’s staring straight at me, his face so red he looks seconds away from combusting and the sight sends a thrill through my chest, and I have to bite back a smile.

By the time I sink into my seat beside Edward, my pulse is racing and for the first time today, it’s from satisfaction.

“Are they together?”

“What’s Edward doing with her?”

“I can’t believe this.”

“What’s going on between them?”

Questions spread, swelling until it almost drowns out the ceremony itself. At this point, it feels like Amber and Colt aren’t even exchanging vows anymore, not with all the attention bleeding in our direction.

When Amber finally lifts her gaze and it collides with mine, I tilt my head slightly and let a slow smirk curve my lips.

********************

“I think your ex wants to talk to you,” Edward says, his hand wrapped around a wine glass.

I follow his gaze and spot Colt standing with his friends and the moment our eyes meet, his jaw tightens.

“I’ll give you some privacy.”

“Don’t—”

The word barely leaves my mouth before Edward is already walking away through the crowd gathered for the reception.

Most of them are Amber and Colt’s friends, plus Ginny and Dad’s too. The rest are pack members and familiar faces who’ve known them forever. I’m probably the only one here who doesn’t think they make some perfect, destined couple and the looks being thrown my way make that painfully obvious.

Honestly, I can’t even tell if it’s because I’m Colt’s ex… or because I walked in with Camden’s most eligible bachelor.

A shadow falls over me. I lift my head, already knowing who it is from the familiar scent.

Colt steps closer, his body pressing against mine without a care that we’re standing by a table in the middle of the room.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he snaps.

I shove a little space between us. “What are you talking about?”

He grits his teeth, eyes dark. “Are you trying to get my attention… or make me jealous with Edward? Newsflash, that’s not going to work.” He steps closer again, forcing me to back up. “How long have you known him, huh? Your plan… it’s weak and pathetic, actually.”

My grip tightens around the wine glass. I really don’t want to play this card, but… I have no choice.

“Do you really think you were the only one cheating?” I lift a brow, and his eyes narrow, lips twitching like he’s fighting to stay composed. “You’re… really clueless.”

“You cunt.” He sneers. “A dirty tissue in the hands of a prince is still a dirty tissue. Edward can’t change who you are… or make you any more desirable.”

“Does Amber know you’re this bothered about me on her special day?” I shoot him a full look of disgust, letting every ounce of anger and contempt show. “You rejected me. Why don’t you move on… or are you actually jealous?”

He opens his mouth to speak, but Edward suddenly appears beside me, his hand sliding around my waist. I almost flinch, but manage to catch myself just in time, heat crawling up my neck.

He doesn’t even glance at me and his green eyes lock on Colt. “I’d like to steal her back from you,” he says. Then, with a flick of his hand, he nods toward Amber, whose face is twisted with fury at us. “Your new mate seems to be looking for you.”

Without another word, Edward guides me away from Colt and toward another table. I’m so tempted to glance back and catch Colt’s expression, but I resist, fighting a small, victorious smile.

Edward had really granted all my wishes by embarrassing Amber, and making Colt jealous and angry. Honestly? They probably deserve each other and maybe the moon goddess did actually send Edward to the garden just to find me.

The next few hours blur by and finally, the reception winds down, guests slowly filtering out. Edward is chatting with some guy at a distance and I take the opportunity to slip away.

“Glasses.” Edward’s voice echoes behind me and I pause midstep, then slowly turn to face him. He shoots me a suspicious look. “Are you trying to run away?”

“No, you were talking to someone.” I step closer, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “I was going to say thank you for helping me out today.”

“There are far better ways to thank me,” he replies.

My smile falters, my heart jumping into my throat. “Have… have you figured out what you want me to do?”

He nods, a spark lighting his eyes. “I have. You, Glasses… will be my roommate.”