Chapter 22
866 Words
The sunlight was already filling the room when I opened my eyes. For a moment I just lay there staring at the ceiling while Devon’s arm stayed heavy around my waist. His steady breathing brushed against my neck and the warmth of his body made me want to close my eyes again and forget the world existed.
I turned a little to face him and found his eyes already half open. His mouth curved into the kind of smile that made my heart squeeze tight in my chest.
“Morning,” he whispered, his voice still thick with sleep.
“Morning,” I answered softly.
He brushed my hair away from my face like we had all the time in the world. I felt myself melt into him and when he kissed me, slow and unhurried, I thought maybe this was what happiness was supposed to feel like. Safe and simple.
We stayed like that for longer than we should have, tangled in the sheets, laughing at nothing, stealing kisses every time our eyes met. It was too easy to forget everything else. Joey’s teasing, the doubts, the weight of the pack. None of it mattered while he held me like I was the only person who mattered to him.
When Joey knocked again and left another tray outside the door we finally got up. I threw on one of Devon’s shirt, which hung loose around me, and he carried the food in with a smirk like he knew exactly what Joey would think if she saw me dressed like that.
We ate on the bed, our knees touching, his hand brushing mine every so often. The bond between us still hummed quietly under my skin and every touch from him only made it stronger. I laughed more in that hour than I had in my whole life and I found myself wishing time would stop so that I can enjoy this moment more.
But even while I was laughing a small voice at the back of my mind whispered that this was too good. Happiness had never lasted long in my life. Every time I thought I had something, it slipped away. I tried to ignore the feeling but it clung to me like a shadow.
When Devon left later to handle some pack work I promised him I would stay inside. He kissed me once more at the door, holding on to me like he didn’t want to leave, then finally went. I cleaned up the bed and the tray Joey left, humming under my breath even though the uneasy feeling hadn’t gone away.
I decided to take a short walk through the hallway just to clear my head. The pack house was quiet at that hour. Sunlight streamed in through the tall windows, painting the wooden floors in soft gold. For a moment I felt almost peaceful.
Then I turned a corner and nearly walked straight into Levi.
His eyes locked on mine instantly and that same suspicion that had never left his face was waiting there. I froze, my breath catching in my throat, and the peaceful moment shattered like glass.
“Enjoying yourself?” he asked, his voice sharp.
I swallowed hard. “I was just walking.”
He stepped closer until I had to tilt my head up to meet his stare. “Don't think that one night in his bed makes you untouchable.”
The words stung, cutting straight through the fragile happiness I had been holding on to.
“You don't belong here,” he continued, his tone low and cold. “The pack has not forgotten who you are or the danger you brought to our doorstep. You would do well to remember your place".
I clenched my hands at my sides but forced myself to keep my head down. Fighting back would only make things worse. “I understand,” I whispered.
Levi studied me for a long moment, his gaze searching for something. Then he gave a short laugh that held no humor. “Do not forget. You can be cast out as easily as you were brought in.”
He brushed past me, his shoulder hitting mine harder than necessary, and I stood frozen in the hallway long after he was gone.
My chest ached and I hated how quickly his words unraveled me. Devon’s warmth still lingered on my skin, his voice still echoed in my ears, yet one conversation with Levi was enough to remind me that happiness was fragile. Too fragile.
I pressed a hand to my chest, forcing myself to breathe slowly. I told myself I would not let Levi’s bitterness take this away from me. But deep down I knew the fear would not leave so easily.
I made my way back to Devon’s room and sat on the bed, hugging my knees to my chest. The room still smelled like him and for now that was enough to calm the storm Levi had stirred inside me.
I whispered into the quiet room, more to myself than anyone else. “Please let this last.”
Because for the first time in a long time, I had something worth losing.
- Writer
