CHAPTER 8
1122 Words
MABEL’S POV
The evening had gone surprisingly smoothly after his appearance. Though Layla and Nike kept throwing glances in our direction but I didn’t care.
Before any member of my family could start asking invasive questions and accidentally expose the fact that this entire relationship was fake, I forced a smile and stood up quickly.
“Let me get Zach settled in,” I announced.
My nana beamed immediately. “Oh, how lovely.”
I could practically feel Layla’s suspicious stare burning holes into the side of my face.
Which was exactly why, instead of leading Zach toward one of the many guest rooms downstairs like a normal person, I walked straight toward the staircase.
If I suddenly insisted on separate rooms after claiming he was my boyfriend, Layla would never let it go.
I opened my bedroom door and instantly regretted my decision.
My suitcase was still lying open from earlier, and right on top of it sat a black lace bra beside several very visible pairs of panties.
Unfortunately, Zach noticed.
“You own surprisingly cute underwear for someone who dresses terribly."
“Oh my God…” I rushed forward, throwing random clothes inside as fast as possible. “Shut up.”
My face burned as I shoved the remaining lingerie into my wardrobe before awkwardly brushing a strand of hair behind my ear.
“Welcome to my room,” I muttered.
Zach glanced around before strolling inside.
I pointed toward the neatly folded blankets beside my vanity.
“You’ll sleep there while I take the bed.”
“No.”
I frowned. “No?”
““No,” he repeated calmly, already unbuttoning the cuffs of his shirt before shrugging off his suit jacket.
My breath hitched. “What are you doing?”
Zach raised an eyebrow. “I can’t exactly shower in my clothes.”
Then the corner of his mouth lifted.
“Besides, if we are going to convince everyone we are dating, you should stop blushing every time you look at me.”
“I’m not blushing.”
He scoffed before walking toward the bathroom.
The second the door closed behind him, I looked at myself in the mirror.
My entire face was bright red.
************
After my own shower, I returned to my room to find Zach lying comfortably across my bed.
“What are you doing?”
He looked up from his phone lazily.
“You were supposed to take the floor,” I reminded him slowly.
“You are welcome to.”
Any gratitude I’d felt when he’d shown up tonight disappeared instantly.
“You unbelievable ass,” I muttered.
He adjusted one of my pillows beneath his head. “Goodnight, Mabel.”
I glared at him for another ten seconds before snatching the blanket and pillow from the floor and dropping onto the rug with as much dignity as I could manage.
By morning, every muscle in my body ached.
I stretched with a groan that died in my throat as the bathroom door opened.
Zach stepped out wearing black sweatpants and a fitted shirt. His damp hair looked slightly messy, making him look unfairly attractive.
“How was your night?” he asked casually.
I glared.
“The audacity,” I muttered.
“What was that?”
“Nothing.”
I quickly got dressed, and together we headed downstairs for breakfast.
The moment we entered the dining room, Nike looked up.
“Did you get any sleep?” Nike asked, frowning slightly. “You look tired.”
I opened my mouth to answer, but before I could say anything, Zach suddenly wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me against his side.
My entire body stiffened.
“It’s my fault,” Zach said smoothly. “I kept her up all night.”
My eyes widened slightly.
Zach looked completely calm as he glanced down at me. “It’s hard to sleep when she looks this pretty.”
Nike’s gaze flicked from me to Zach. For a second, something dark crossed his face before it disappeared behind a tight frown.
“Right,” he said flatly.
Zach pulled out my chair for me. Which was incredibly ironic considering he’d watched me sleep on the floor without the slightest hint of guilt.
I leaned closer once he was seated beside me
“What was that for?” I whispered through clenched teeth.
“A favor.”
I wanted to ask what he meant, when Nike spoke again.
His eyes remained fixed on Zach.
“So,” he said slowly, “how did you two meet?”
“At my pack,” Zach answered.
“At the hotel,” I said at the same time.
I nearly buried my face in the table. This i***t was going to get us exposed.
Nike knew I’d spent almost my entire life in the suburban city, the neutral territory where humans and werewolves unknowingly lived side by side.
“At a hotel…” I corrected quickly. “…in the Shadow Pack territory.”
Nike raised an eyebrow slightly. I could practically feel the suspicion radiating off him. Beside me, Zach remained annoyingly calm.
After a long moment, Nike leaned back in his chair.
“So,” he said, “since you’re here… why don’t we play a game?”
Zach didn’t even glance up from his coffee. “What kind of game?”
“Pool. Chess. Poker.” Nike shrugged. “Your choice.”
A knot formed in my stomach.
I already knew where this was heading.
Layla seemed to realize it too, but unlike me, she looked almost entertained.
“Poker,” Zach said.
My stomach sank.
That was bad.
Very bad.
Nike was ridiculously good at poker. Back when we were dating, he’d won almost every game he played. Half the men in our social circle refused to bet against him.
A slow smile spread across Nike’s face.
“Loser answers one question.”
Zach looked mildly disappointed. “That’s all?”
“Do you have something more interesting in mind?”
Without a word, Zach’s gaze settled on the silver chain around Nike’s neck. The one I’d given Nike for our second anniversary.
“I want that.”
Nike instinctively reached up and wrapped his fingers around the pendant. His expression shifted ever so slightly before dropping to the expensive watch around Zach’s wrist.
“Fine,” he said evenly. “One honest answer and your watch.”
Zach raised an eyebrow.
Nike’s smile returned, calm but challenging. “You can still refuse.”
I subtly shook my head at Zach.
Please.
This was a terrible idea.
But Zach only glanced at me briefly before looking back at Nike.
“Deal.”
- Writer
