Jayce’S POV.
I wish I listened.
I wish I didn’t lie.
I wish I had told her.
If I had done that, I would not be standing in front of Reed’s bedroom door at midnight with tears-filled eyes and my head spinning because I’m tipsy.
After Alora sent me out of our bedroom, I went to the guest room, but I couldn’t get any sleep. I went downstairs to get a shot of tequila, but one shot became two, two became three and the rest is history.
I’m such an idiot.
This is all my fault.
It’s late and Reed is probably resting right now after a long day at the office, but here I am in front of his room door, about to knock and bore him with my relationship problems.
I need to talk to someone about this issue, else I’ll lose my damn mind.
“Alpha Jayce what the fuck are you down out there?” Reed’s voice sounds from the bedroom. I step forward and lean my forehead against the door.
He must have heard my footsteps and perceived my smell.
Fucking werewolf abilities.
“Open up.” I slur, knocking at the door. When I hear the doorknob turning within, I withdraw my body from the door so I won’t fall inside when he swings it open.
Reed’s stern face is revealed at the door.
“You reek of alcohol.”
“That’s not important.” I push him aside and walk into his bedroom. I pause and look around, completely stunned by his theme colours and how neatly organised the room is.
His theme colours are black and grey, which gives the room a cool dark aesthetic that’s as cold as his personality and the manner in which this room is organised is extreme.
“Do you have some kind of OCD for extreme cleanliness and organisation?”
“No, it’s just a habit.”
“I see…” My eyes are still scanning the bedroom.
I would rather spend the night under the bridge than here. Even just sitting down on his couch will feel like I’m violating some extreme hygienic rules.
Reed never ceases to amaze me. He is full of surprises.
“If you’re done ogling, can you please tell why the fuck you are in my bedroom at midnight? I was about to go to bed.” I turn to his direction. He has a neutral countenance. His eyes are as cold as ever. He’s not upset that I’m here.
He’s eager to know why, but he doesn’t want me to know that’s the case.
I’m gradually getting to know him better.
“Like you had speculated, Skye went ahead and told Alora about our past and I’m sure she lied or exaggerated some aspects. Alora told me while crying and proceeded to kick me out of our bedroom.” I explain with a melancholic look on my face.
Reed exhales heavily and starts pacing slowly.
“You know, I still can’t believe we’ve gotten this close. Why are you even telling me this? It’s not like it’s any of my business.”
“I know it’s not, but as it is now, I need to speak with someone before I lose my mind and you are the only one I feel comfortable enough to talk to. I’m sorry, but you have to carry that cross.” He groans in exasperation and stops pacing.
“So what do you want me to do right now? Go over and beg her?”
“Of course not.” He throws his hands in the air.
“What then?”
“I want you to drink with me and give me a few words of encouragement. I want you to tell me that I’m going to find a way to fix this problem. That Alora is going to forgive me and we’ll be on good terms again. Those words of encouragement are what I need to get through tonight.”
“But, that doesn’t make any sense. If you know those things, why then is there a need for me to say them to you all over again? Why do you have to hear it from my mouth?”
“It’s a psychological thing. Hearing someone else say it will boost my spirit and give me more confidence to do what I have to do to make things right.”
“Even when you had to feed them to me and all I had to do was vomit them back to you? When I’m not saying them from the depth of my heart?”
I give him a side eye.
There’s no shady business with Reed.
He tells you things as they are whether you want to hear them or not. It frustrates me everytime, but my feet run over to him alone whenever I have an issue.
What kind of sorcery is this?
“Alright then.” I give up. “Tell me what’s in the depth of your heart concerning this issue. No matter how dark or negative it is, tell me. Give me the blow.” I swing my hands and feet in the air, warming up and taking deep , short breaths as I wait for him to lash at me with his burning words.
“You asked for it.” I almost hold out my hand out for him not to say anything, but I stop myself.
Whatever harsh truth he has to say to me, I need it.
“I think you are a dick for dragging this out till Alora had to find out from the wrong source. This is the first time I’ve seen you act like a coward and I’m greatly disappointed, not that it matters though. But then, it’s a minor issue that can be resolved with one or two conversations and a genuine apology. One thing for sure is that Alora loves you very much and she’s ready to hear what you have to say to her. So stop sulking and prepare a speech already.” He stops talking and I just stay on my spot, looking at him in awe.
Wow!
Those weren’t the words I expected to hear from him.
I actually feel a lot better right now after hearing what he just said.
Reed has a heart after all.
A good one at that.
***********************************************
THE NEXT MORNING.
Reed’S POV.
Alpha Jayce spent the night in my bedroom. I didn’t get any sleep.
I have a very bad habit of not being able to spend the night with anyone in the same bedroom. It’s a habit I’ve had since I was a child and my mother tried to get it out of me to no avail.
My greatest fear is what I’m going to do when I finally find my mate. I’ll need to spend the rest of my nights with her in the same bedroom. I guess I’ll learn when she shows up.
Anyway, back to Alpha Jayce. He’s still asleep in my bedroom. I woke up and prepared for work and he didn’t even stir on the bed. He must be very exhausted.
After dressing up for work, I went over to the main castle with the intention of meeting Alora so I could have a word or two with her, but when I got there, I was told she went for training, so here I am, at the training centre, about to enter the arena where she normally trains with her personal maid and her personal trainer.
“Reed.” She calls the moment she sees me. There’s just two of them in the arena.
“Luna Alora.” I stop walking and bow down to her. She rushes over to me. The other girl stays behind and has her head bowed down.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to tell you to listen to what Alpha Jayce has to say to you later today.” Her facial expression changes. She starts frowning at the mention of Alpha Jayce’s amen.
The audacity!
“He’s sorry.” I continue. She folds her arms over her breasts and takes a stylish pose before me.
“He lied to me!”
“We all lie. I’m sure you are guilty of that sin as well. Are you or are you not?” I ask with raised brows. She stays mute. “I take it that you are guilty of that sin. You see, sometimes, lying is necessary. I’m not trying to justify his actions. What he did was wrong and it hurt you, I get it, but he didn’t hurt you intentionally. This reaction, this attitude you are giving him right now, he foresaw it, that’s why he didn’t want to tell you right away.”
“He’s sleeping with another girl.”
“No, he’s not! He called off everything with her the day he brought you into this castle. Skye is history, so give him a damn break!”
And that’s enough talking for one day with one person. I turn on my heels and leave the arena before she can say anything else.
I can feel her scorching gaze following me as I walk out the door. My body crashes into something and I look ahead only to be met with a pair of furious green eyes.
“For fuck’s sake, watch where you are going!” She scolds me.
She fucking scolds me.
I’m astonished as I watch her bolt into the arena.
A girl just scolded me. And she’s pretty.
She’s so damn pretty!