Chapter 19
1044 Words
I’m already halfway across the room when Devon groans dramatically and flops back onto the bed like a sulking child.
“You betrayed me, Addy,” he says, throwing a pillow over his face. “I was about to win that kiss.”
I roll my eyes and bite back a laugh. “It’s not a competition, Devon.”
He peeks out from under the pillow with one eye. “Everything is a competition. You’ll learn that soon enough.”
I shake my head and head toward the door. The knocking comes again, a little more insistent this time.
When I open it, Joey bursts inside without waiting for an invitation. She’s holding a tray that smells heavenly. eggs, bread, and something sweet that makes my stomach grumble so loudly I actually slap my hand over it.
“Well, good morning, lovebirds,” Joey says with a grin, wiggling her eyebrows. “I hope I didn’t interrupt anything too... intense.”
Behind me, Devon sits up instantly, glaring. “You did.”
Joey laughs so hard she nearly drops the tray. “Oh, Alpha, don’t look at me like that. If looks could kill, I’d have been six feet under a long time ago.” She sets the tray down on the table and glances at me knowingly. “Breakfast. Before someone starves. And before someone else explodes from all that pent-up energy.”
I feel my cheeks heat. “Joey!”
“What? I’m just saying!” She raises her hands innocently, though her grin gives her away.
Devon mutters something under his breath that sounds suspiciously like “I should exile her,” but he’s already pulling me back toward the bed.
“Sit. Eat,” he commands, patting the spot next to him. “You need food after all the stress yesterday.”
I glance at Joey, who’s now lounging in the chair like she owns the place. “Are you staying?”
“Of course,” she says cheerfully. “I brought the food. I deserve to share it.”
Devon groans again, dragging a hand down his face. “Why me?”
Joey smirks. “Because the Moon Goddess has a sense of humor.”
I can’t help laughing as I pick up a piece of bread. The tension in the room eases, and for the first time since the seer came, it feels almost normal. Devon tries to feed me a bite, but I shove it into his mouth instead, and he nearly chokes while Joey howls with laughter.
“This is what I get for being nice,” he sputters after gulping down some water.
“You call that nice?” I tease.
“Yes,” he insists, though his lips twitch like he’s fighting a smile.
Breakfast turns into more of a game than a meal. Joey keeps making sarcastic comments about “newly-mated bliss,” and Devon keeps trying to flick crumbs at her when he thinks I’m not looking. The whole thing is ridiculous, but my chest feels warm in a way I can’t explain.
After we’re done eating, Joey finally decides to leave, muttering something about training schedules. As soon as the door shuts, Devon lets out a dramatic sigh of relief.
“Finally. Peace.”
I burst out laughing. “You act like she’s your worst enemy.”
“She might as well be,” he says, but I can tell he doesn’t mean it. His eyes are softer now, watching me with that look that makes my stomach flutter.
“Come on,” I say, jumping off the bed. “If you stay in here sulking all day, the pack will think you’ve gone soft.”
He raises an eyebrow. “And what do you suggest we do?”
“Anything that doesn’t involve moping,” I shoot back. “Maybe training? Or sparring?”
He smirks. “You want to spar with me?”
“Why not?” I cross my arms. “Unless you’re scared I’ll beat you.”
He actually laughs a deep, genuine sound that makes my heart skip. “Addy, you wouldn’t last five seconds against me.”
“Is that a challenge?”
“Definitely.”
We end up outside in the training grounds, where a few warriors are already practicing. The moment they see us, they stop to bow, but Devon waves them off, his eyes fixed on me.
“Alright,” he says, stretching his arms. “Show me what you’ve got.”
I square up, trying to remember the moves Joey drilled into me. The first attempt is… not great. Devon sidesteps easily, catching my wrist before I even realize what happened.
“Too slow,” he says with a grin.
I glare at him and try again. And again. Each time he dodges effortlessly, and each time I get more determined. By the fifth try, I actually manage to surprise him, landing a light punch to his shoulder.
“Yes!” I shout, jumping back with a grin.
Devon looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Did you just celebrate hitting me?”
“Yes,” I say proudly. “That was a victory.”
He chuckles, shaking his head. “You’re impossible.”
But the sparkle in his eyes tells me he’s enjoying this as much as I am. Before long, we’re both laughing so hard neither of us can fight properly. At one point, I trip over my own foot and tumble straight into his arms.
“Careful,” he murmurs, steadying me.
“Maybe I planned that,” I tease breathlessly.
“Oh, you definitely didn’t.” His grin widens.
The other warriors are trying not to stare, but I can hear their muffled laughter. I bury my face in Devon’s chest, half in embarrassment and half because it feels safe there.
“Alright, that’s enough sparring for today,” he declares, wrapping an arm around me like I’m already claimed territory.
I look up at him, my heart still racing from laughter. “You’re just saying that because I was about to win.”
Devon laughs again, pressing a quick kiss to my forehead. “Keep dreaming, Addy.”
For once, I don’t mind losing.
- Writer
