~Chapter 21~
The sun is still burning.
Not as hot as before… but enough to keep me still on the lounger.
The bowl of raisins is empty on the floor.
I can’t remember when I ate them.
Or why.
I just… needed something to do with my hands.
The silence is too quiet.
The kind that doesn't calm you down...it makes you think too much.
About him.
About what he said.
About what he didn't say.
I exhale slowly, leaning my head back.
Eyes closed.
Sun on my face.
Footsteps.
I don’t flinch.
I don’t have the energy for this either.
“Idris.” My mother’s voice. Calm. But not completely.
I open one eye.
She’s standing next to me, holding something.
An envelope.
I blink twice.
I raise myself slightly on my elbows.
“If there’s another bill, I’ll leave it to you,” I murmur, my voice hoarse.
She doesn’t smile.
And that… tells me everything.
“It’s not.” she says simply. She holds out the envelope to me.
I take it.
The paper is thick.
Not the kind you see every day.
The corners are perfect.
The seal.
I freeze for a split second.
The seal isn’t random.
It’s… intentional.
A symbol pressed into wax, clearly, without haste.
I feel my stomach tighten a little.
“Where is it from?” I ask, without taking my eyes off him.
Mom hesitates. Just a second.
“I don’t know exactly,” she says.
“But the man who brought it… didn’t look like a courier.
”
Perfect.
Exactly what I needed today.
I turn the envelope over.
My gaze falls on the name.
And for a second…I can’t breathe.
Otis Vale..and none other than Rowan Vale
I frown immediately.
Not confused.
Not completely.
But enough to feel like something’s wrong.
“Vale…?” I murmur softly.
That name never comes by itself.
My mother studies me.
“Do you know him?”
I don’t answer right away.
Because I do…but not in the way it should end up written on an envelope…
here.
I run my finger over the seal.
Still intact.
“Yes.” I finally say.
My voice is lower now. “From the academy.”
The air seems to get heavier.
I open the envelope.
Slowly.
Without rushing.
The paper inside slides out easily.
I read.
And with each line…my expression changes.
Not much.
But enough.
“Idris?” my mother’s voice brings me back.
I blink.
I lower the paper.
I look at her.
Then… a small smile escapes me.
But it’s not a quiet one.
It’s the kind of smile that… announces trouble.
“It looks like,” I murmur, finally getting up from the chaise longue, “we have an invitation.”
I grab my phone from beside me.
My fingers pause for a second above the screen.
Then I type a single name.
Cedric.
Pause.
I press call.
Because if Otis and Rowan Vale are sending out invitations then clearly… it’s not just a party.
Mom lingers for a second.
She looks at me.
She doesn’t say anything.
But the question is there.
“Is something wrong?” she finally asks, more quietly.
I look up at her.
I study her for a split second.
Then I shrug.
“Depends on how you define wrong.”
She doesn’t seem quiet.
Of course.
But she doesn’t insist.
Just nod your head slightly and take a step back.
“Don’t be silly.” she murmurs.
A corner of my mouth turns up.
“Never.”
She rolls her eyes, but leaves.
Quiet… or at least pretends to be.
The door closes behind her.
I’m left alone.
The phone rings.
Once.
Twice.
Then.. “Idris.” his voice.
Low. Steady.
Too steady.
I sink back into the lounge chair, envelope in hand.
“Cedric.” I murmur.
“What happened?” he asks immediately.
He doesn’t waste any time.
Of course.
I look at the paper again.
At the name.
"I got an invitation." I say simply.
Silence.
Brief.
Then:
"From who?
" I smile slightly.
"The Vale Brothers.
"
This time… the silence is longer.
I feel something change in his voice even before he speaks.
"You're not going." he says directly.
I blink. Then I laugh briefly.
"It wasn't a question.
"
"Idris." his tone hardens.
"There's no place for you right now."
I raise an eyebrow, even though he can't see me.
"Now?" I repeat.
Pause.
"It's stressful.
" he continues. "And you..." he pauses for a second.
"You don't need this. Not in your condition. "
Ah.
That.
My smile slowly fades.
I sit up straight.
The phone is pressed to my ear.
“Really?” I say, colder.
“I’m not trying..”
“That’s exactly what you’re doing.
” I interrupt him.
I feel the tension change.
“I’m trying to avoid trouble.
” he says calmly.
I laugh again.
This time without humor.
“Then don’t come.”
Silence.
“Here you go?”
“Don’t come.
” I repeat. “I’m going alone.”
My voice is quiet.
Too quiet.
“Idris...”
“And say thank you for calling you.” I continue, ignoring him.
“I could have said nothing.”
Silence.
Heavy.
I feel him hold his breath for a second.
Then he exhales.
Not nervous.
Not explosive.
Controlled.
“Why do you want to go?” he finally asks.
His tone is different now.
Below.
More… careful.
I run a hand through my hair.
I look at the sky.
For a second… I don’t answer.
Because the truth is simple.
But it doesn’t sound important.
“Because I don’t want to be the kind of bad friend who misses special occasions.
” I finally say.
Pause.
There’s no tension from before.
It’s… something else.
Cedric doesn’t answer right away.
And when he does… his voice is softer.
“Idris…”
He doesn’t continue.
But I hear him.
Unspoken question.
Care.
And something he doesn’t want to say directly.
I roll my eyes, even though he can’t see me.
“It’s no big deal.” I add. “Just an invitation.”
Lie.
And we both know it.
Silence.
Then he speaks.
“I’m coming with you,” he says.
Simple.
No other explanation.
A corner of my mouth turns up again.
“I knew it too.” I mutter.
And I hang up the phone, putting it in my pants pocket.
I smile a little at the thought of finally seeing my friends after being locked in this house with Samuel and his bad jokes.
I lean over a little and take the envelope from the chaise longue, then start walking towards the door that separates the courtyard from the entrance to the house.
I push the door gently.
The house is cool.
Too quiet compared to the sun outside.
I run a hand through my hair as I walk down the hallway.
I hold the envelope between my fingers, as if it might disappear if I’m not careful.
I get to my room and go straight to bed, throwing myself on it with my face in the pillow.
“What should I wear?” I mutter to myself and roll over onto my side with my hand to my cheek.
Maybe some pants and a shirt? But I haven’t even read what occasion it’s for.
I sigh and stand up, picking the envelope up from the floor and opening it, reading again:
"Dear Idris,
On the occasion of the end of the academy and the beginning of something new for us, we would like to have you by our side at the party that will take place after we and the other people receive our certificate of defense of the adjacent packs in extreme cases.
In case you want, or are obliged.
..you can come with someone. Even with Loxley, in case he finds you.
If you didn't know...then fuck off.
You didn't have to find out from us.
Anyway.
The event takes place at the southern pack, on July 9th, Between lunch and dinner, I think.
But I'll send you the location and when to show up.
I can't wait to see you there, and to talk about what happened when we wasn't with you.
With love, brothers Vale.
But, with more love, Otis Vale"
I glance over the text again.
And again.
Not because I don’t understand.
But because each word…
has weight.
“Defense certificates…”
“Southern pack…”
I roll my eyes slightly.
“Of course…” I murmur.
But I stop.
My gaze falls on the last part.
“With love, Otis Vale.”
The corner of my mouth turns up.
It’s not exactly an invitation.
It’s a challenge.
I run my finger over the paper for a second, then drop it on the bed and stand up abruptly.
“Good.”
I turn to the dressing room.
I open it and go inside, going to the closet.
For a few seconds I just… stand and stare.
I choose my mind over my clothes.
Then I pull out a black jacket, among which are some colorful ones.
I hold it up in the air.
"Yes..."
I put it down and pull on some sleek black pants.
Perfect.
But... the problem comes when I reach for the white shirt.
I take it in my hand.
I look at it.
I hold it out in front of me.
And. .. I stop.
For a second.
Then I exhale, harder than before.
"No."
I slowly pull my shirt off and throw it on the bed.
I run my hands over my stomach.
Tense.
"I look... like..." I stop. "I'm losing my masculinity.
." I breathe faster. I close my eyes. "It's not working.
"
My heart starts beating faster.
I look at my reflection in the mirror.
And I don't like what I see.
It's not about clothes.
It's about... control.
About how I should look.
Perfect.
Powerful.
Impossible to ignore.
I run a hand through my hair, harder than before.
"I need to find something."
My steps quicken through the dressing room.
I open drawers.
I pull out clothes.
I throw them away.
My breathing quickens a little.
"Not like that." I throw away a T-shirt.
"Not that." Another one. "No..."
I stop abruptly.
I put my hand to my temple.
"Calm down. " I mutter.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Slowly.
I force myself to calm down.
Because it’s not a battlefield.
It’s just… clothes.
But the feeling doesn’t go away completely.
I turn back to the closet.
More carefully.
More calculated.
I pull out a white tank top, spotless, with thick straps.
The kind that just when you look at it, gives you vibes that the guy is dominant but is also…
Simple. Clean.
I lift it up slightly.
I look at it.
“Yes…”
I put it next to my pants.
Then I take the jacket.
I hold it in my hand for a second.
And exhale slowly.
“I’ll wear it.” I stop. “Or not.”
I put it on the bed.
I run a hand over my face.
“I’ll see tomorrow.
”
I lean back in my chair, looking at the clothes I’ve chosen.
It's not perfect.
But it's enough.
Enough for a miserable party that only lasts a few hours.
And it's something for one time anyway.
I cross my arms and smile slightly.
"Let's see what happens. " I murmur
---
"Baby?" I hear from behind.
Cedric.
He watches me as I try to pack everything into the pile of clothes I've made.
"What are you doing? Did you eat?" I ask, folding a black polo shirt.
When he doesn't answer, I turn to him.
He looks at me and stands leaning against the door of his dressing room, smiling softly.
"What?" I ask and stand up, putting my clothes back in their place.
"Nothing," he says and walks into the room.
"Then why don't I answer..." Before I can say anything, he comes over to me and hugs me, bringing his hands to my waist, or lower, resting his hands on the beginning of my stomach.
"wife..." he murmurs and rests his head on my shoulder.
I remain still for a second.
Not because I don't want to answer.
But because I feel his hands on me.
And, for a moment. .. everything stops.
My breathing evens out without trying.
“Cedric?” I murmur softly, but my voice sounds calmer than I expected.
I place my hands over his, over the ones at my waist.
My fingers lace with his, as if I’m holding him there.
“Are you jealous?” I add, a small smile in my voice.
I don’t immediately turn to him.
I just tilt my head a little, bringing him closer.
Cedric doesn’t answer directly.
But I feel him.
Close.
Too carefully.
He lifts his head slightly from my shoulder.
“Who?” he asks quietly.
His voice is low.
Controlled.
But there’s something about it.
..Something I can’t get.
I smile wider now.
“Everyone,” I say simply.
I finally turn to him.
Our eyes meet.
And for a second…everything is quiet.
Too quiet.
His hands remain on my waist, but his gaze quickly drops.
Not insistently.
Just… attentive.
“You’ve been tense all day,” he says.
It’s not a question.
It’s an observation.
A fair one.
I raise an eyebrow slightly.
“You’re usually annoyingly attentive too,” I reply.
My tone is calm.
But I don’t contradict him.
Because he knows.
He rolls his eyes slightly, but smiles.
“So…you got the invitation.” he says simply.
He doesn’t ask.
He confirms.
I pause for a split second.
Then I nod slowly.
“Yes.”
Cedric doesn’t react right away.
He just looks at me.
Like he’s trying to read more than he’s saying.
“And?” he finally asks.
I shrug.
“And… let’s go.” My voice is simple.
Too simple for that.
Cedric doesn’t seem convinced.
“Idris…” he begins.
But I stop him gently, placing a finger on his chest.
“Don’t start.
” I look him straight in the eye. “It’s no big deal.
”
Silence.
But he doesn’t back down.
On the contrary.
He lowers his hand slightly, rests it on my stomach.
His fingers stop there.
Protective.
Too protective.
“For you, nothing is a ‘big deal’ when it comes to other people.” he says softly.
I clench my jaw slightly.
Not nervous.
Just… aware.
“It’s an invitation.
” I repeat. “That’s it.”
Cedric tilts his head.
“From Otis, the one who never shuts up, and Rowan, who always seems to want to leave when he’s with Otis.
Plus, they both have a thing for me,” he says.
He doesn’t ask.
He just confirms once again that he knows exactly what I’m talking about.
I roll my eyes slightly.
“Don’t start again.
”
He smiles weakly. But he doesn’t give up.
“It’s going to be stressful and too busy,” he says calmly.
“And you…” He pauses for a second. “You don’t need this.
”
I stare at him.
“You don’t have to decide for me.
.”
My voice is quiet.
But firm.
Cedric doesn’t answer right away.
He tightens his fingers around my waist slightly.
Then he exhales.
“I know,” he finally says.
And that…isn’t a complete surrender.
But it’s enough.
He rests his forehead on my shoulder again.
“It’s just…” he adds more quietly. “We have to be careful.”
I relax a little.
“Always.”
His hands stay there.
And, it’s not about Vale anymore.
It’s not about the invitations anymore.
Just about him.
And about the fact that, no matter where I go from now on, I’m not going alone.
I roll my eyes, but smile.
I slowly lie back on the pillow, staring at the ceiling.
And for a moment… I don't think about anything.
Just the fact that he's here.
Next to me.
His breathing is steady, warm.
And, without realizing it… I relax completely.
"Cedric..." I murmur again, more softly.
This time... almost a whisper.
He doesn't answer.
But he gently tightens his hand over mine, as if answering without words.
I close my eyes for a second.
"Okay.
.." I murmur. "Let's stay a little longer.
" I continue slowly and lower his hand that is now resting on my torso, and close my eyes.
"A little longer" I whisper softly..
---
(Jump in time. 10:05 am)
I blink a few times.
The light is… too high.
I frown slightly and reach for my phone, still half asleep. I turn it on.
And freeze.
10:05
“…no.” I mutter softly.
I blink again, as if the time would change if I looked closer.
It doesn’t.
“NO.” louder this time.
I sit up abruptly, pushing the blanket off me.
“Cedric!”
He mumbles something, not moving.
I push him away quickly. “CEDRIC, IT’S 10 am”
Pause.
A second.
Then… he reacts.
He lifts his head from the pillow, almost automatically.
“What?”
I throw the phone in his face.
He looks.
And his expression changes instantly.
“…shit.”
“Exactly.”
I get out of bed without saying anything, already looking for clothes.
“We’re late.”
“Shouldn’t we wake up earlier?
” he asks, already getting up.
I glance at him. “Yeah.”
He runs a hand through his hair. “You should have set the alarm.”
I stop for a split second.
I turn my head towards him, slowly.
“Me?”
“Yes.”
I narrow my eyes.
“You should wake up first. You’re Alpha. I woke up at 9 but you said to stay!”
He blinks.
Once.
“…did I say?”
“YES.”
Silence.
Then he sighs. “Okay. It doesn’t matter.”
“It does, it’s your fault.”
“It’s not my fault.”
“It is.”
“Okay”
“CEDRIC...”
“IDRIS...”
We both stop.
We look at each other for a second.
Then, at the same time.
“Let go.”
I roll my eyes and go back to my clothes.
“We have 10 minutes.”
“We don’t have 10 minutes.
”
“Then we have 5.”
“Even worse.”
“Then move.”
He’s already looking for his clothes.
“I’m moving.”
“Faster.”
“I can’t go any faster.
”
“You can.”
“No.”
I grab my pants and pull them on in one motion. "I hate you in the morning."
"I love you too"
I don't answer.
But the corner of my mouth twitches a little.
After we've gotten dressed at the speed of light, or so we think, I look at my watch.
11:21 already. Jesus! Why does time go by so quickly when you have things to do.
I look at myself one more time before I leave.
I look... acceptable.
And beautiful.
Like always.
I come out of the dressing room, and they quickly grab my phone from the nightstand with my documents in case of anything.
I go down the stairs two at a time, phone in one hand and jacket slung over my shoulder.
Cedric is right behind me, still trying to wind up his watch.
The kitchen.
Exactly what I didn't need.
Mom is standing by the counter, and Dad is holding a coffee mug.
They both look at us at the same time.
Perfect timing.
"Where are you going in such a hurry?
" Mom asks, raising an eyebrow.
I open my mouth to answer.
..But Cedric takes it first.
"We have an event.
" he says simply.
I turn my head to him, slightly surprised.
Event? Seriously?
Dad puts down his mug.
"What kind of event?"
Pause.
Small.
Dangerous.
"From the academy." I add, quickly interjecting. “End of term, official stuff.”
It’s not a complete lie.
But not a complete truth either.
Mom studies me for a second too long.
Then she crosses her arms.
“And you couldn’t say that last night?”
I run a hand through my hair, irritated.
“He showed up… in the last hundred meters.”
Cedric doesn’t say anything.
But I feel his gaze drift to me for a split second.
Dad sighs slightly.
“And you’re leaving without eating?
”
I look at the table.
Food.
Time?
There isn’t one.
“We’re getting something on the way.
” I say quickly, and I look at Cedric, embarrassed that Dad only mentioned me.
Mom doesn’t seem convinced.
But she doesn’t insist either.
“Don’t be silly.” she adds, again.
One corner of my mouth turns up.
"Never.
"
Cedric mutters something beside me.
"That doesn't sound credible at all.
"
I nudge him lightly with my elbow.
"Shut up."
Dad lets out a short, almost amused sigh.
"Be careful, Idris. And you..." he stops and looks at Cedric, "...if something happens I'll cause you big trouble."
This time... I don't answer ironically.
I just nod.
We leave the house.
The air outside is colder than I expected.
The car is parked right in front.
It's not his.
It's a white Cadillac, I have no idea what full name or anything.
I stop for a split second.
"That's it?
"
Cedric takes out the keys and turns them between his fingers.
"I told you I fixed it."
I look at him.
More carefully now.
"From where?" I ask, narrowing my eyes.
He smiles slightly.
"You don't want to know."
I look at him for another second.
Then I nod.
“Right.”
I don’t insist.
Not now.
I open the door and climb in.
The interior smells like new leather.
Cedric gets in too, starts the engine without rushing.
Too calm for how late we are.
I put on my seatbelt and lean back.
My heart is still beating faster than it should.
Not because of the rush.
Because of the destination.
“Are you okay?” he asks, without looking at me.
I look ahead.
The road begins to move in front of us.
“Yes,” I answer automatically.
Then I add, more quietly, “No.”
Cedric nods his head slightly.
As if he’s expected.
“Honey.”
Silence.
The engine purrs quietly.
Too quietly for what’s coming.
I lick my lips.
“Do you think this is a bad idea?”
He doesn’t answer right away.
“Yes.”
I smile slightly.
“I know.”
He turns his head to me for a second.
His gaze is serious.
But the corner of his mouth trembles.
“But I’m going anyway,” he continues.
I lean my head back.
I exhale slowly.
“I knew.”
The road continues.
And somewhere between the silence and the engine…
I feel that thing again.
It’s not fear.
It’s…anticipation.