21. Chapter 21
Eden
E den stood in the doorframe of Eloise’s classroom. Eloise had requested to meet here so they could walk home together. As the Matriarch packed her bag for the day, she muttered times and locations to herself. Once they were in a more secure area, Eloise would want to discuss the looming mission she was to send Bastien and herself to complete.
With her bag over her shoulder and her attention on her phone as it buzzed. She kept her expression neutral as another photo from Wyatt appeared on her screen. Wyatt stood a distance from a ladder with Aron on top as they set up Kappa for the party. The demon had a bright smile across his face while his friend attempted to grab a beer bong from the top of the cabinet with a thumb up. Her fingers dashed across the screen as she told him to focus on the task at hand. Seconds later her phone buzzed with a response.
Wyatt Steele- It’s hard to focus when it comes to my Little Viper. -Sent 3:17 PM
Eden Miller- I’m not your Little Viper. -Sent 3:17 PM
Wyatt Steele- You’re right, not yet. One day you’ll allow me in those walls of yours and I will stand beside you. You are your own woman and worth the wait. -Sent 3:18 PM
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Eloise finally stand from her desk and start to pack books and papers to take home for the night. Eden quickly locked her phone and put it away to prevent The Matriarch from any accidental discovery. Her nail grazed her thumb as she watched Eloise approach, her heels clicked with each step and she adjusted her glasses.
“Learn anything useful today?” Eloise asked.
Eden shook her head and knew that she didn’t mean in class. “Nothing of note, though I did see Elder Anderson and Elder Bloodfang in the hall. They were discussing the little spell on Remi Moon.”
The two fell silent as they walked down the hall toward the exit that led to Elder Row. Their walks home were typically quiet as neither wanted much to be overheard by unwanted ears. As the two turned the corner to the exit, Eden opened her mouth to speak but was stopped when Cleo Anderson turned the corner at the same time.
“Elder Miller, I’m so glad I caught up with you.” The woman smiled politely.
Eden came to a stop beside Eloise and her body immediately tensed as Eloise spoke. “How can I help you, Miss. Anderson?”
“I was hoping you would be able to assist in walking some of the students of Omega to their house tomorrow.”
Cleo moved a stray piece of her black and streaked purple hair away from her face. Eden’s eyes traced the thin scars across the woman’s left eye and the few on her cheek. The Millers had run into the hunter on various occasions but never for long, which she was grateful for. However, she pulled on the thread of magic inside and added her own magic to the spell over their disguise to strengthen its barriers of detection. Under her sleeves, Eden felt the new chain sigils that trailed her skin heat as she channeled the new magic.
“Of course, whatever the security team needs.” Eloise agreed while she kept an iron clad unreadable expression.
Cleo smiled and peered over to Eden. “It’s very lucky such a large family has found its way back together. You don’t see too many families of high elves left these days. My sister told me how hunters had separated you and all later arrived within the grounds within a few months of each other. It was lucky you all remembered Eloise had attended the school a few decades ago. All this business must be pretty difficult.”
She nodded as Cleo repeated the cover story Eloise had created years ago to gain access to the school once more. “It hasn’t been easy but we trust the Security Team.”
“Good to hear.” The woman looped her thumb into the weapons belt she wore around her waist, unlike Eden and Eloise whose were concealed. Cleo’s expression shifted as her eyes drifted back to Eloise. “You two look familiar, have we all met?”
“Probably in passing, the supernatural world isn’t that large compared to humans.” Eloise mused.
“I’ve seen just over a thousand creatures enter these gates, however, even with five schools around the world, I’ll agree ours is small.” Elder Anderson walked up behind her sister followed by Elder Bloodfang.
“Isn’t this just a regular double family reunion?” The large man smiled from beside the demon.
Eloise’s eyes shot to the two behind Cleo and Eden’s gaze fell to the two Elders. Bloodfang stood less than a step ahead of Andromeda as she watched the scene carefully. As the three Elder women chatted amongst themselves of tomorrow's plan for security measures, Eden kept her gaze on the man’s expression. It wasn’t until his eyes met hers did she start to worry her magic wasn’t strong enough. Can he see us? The chains on her arms started to heat once more as she pulled harder on the string. However, the man didn’t say anything and just sent a smile her way.
“Well, if you don’t mind, I'd like to steal my sister.” Andy smiled at Eloise.
“By all means. It’s time I get home.” Eloise agreed and nodded for Eden to follow her.
Eden walked slightly behind a group of her housemates and made her way toward Kappa Theta. Their laughs wafted from up ahead as she peered at the already lively house that had music that drifted in the cold air. She ignored the girls and reminisced on her talk with Bastien the other day, his words had hit her harder than she had expected. If you do, echoed in the back of her mind most of the day and as she lay in bed. With quick consideration of her options, she messed with her hair as she remembered Wyatt would most likely find her the moment she walked in the door.
The winter wind blew her hair as she approached the entrance and made her way in to find Bastien. When she crossed the threshold the music played loudly and she wove through the packed house. Eden made a beeline into the kitchen and found a large group of people in a large circle around the island. Bastien stood beside Corvus hand-in-hand as they talked with Rosalyn, Donnie, Leilani, and Octavius. Her eyes trailed to their hands and a pang of worry fell into her chest.
Lennox, Aron, Remi, and Celia seemed deep into their own conversation while Wyatt sat on the counter. The man swung his legs lightly and bounced his heels off of the drawers as he drank from his own red solo cup. Eden forced her gaze from him and eventually fell on Remi and her hair stood on end. With the knowledge of the past between the wolf and her mother, things were about to get awkward once she was noticed. As she made her way over to Bastien and Corvus she caught a hint of the discussion.
“I know Remi, I will help you all figure out how to break this,” Aron told her with a smile and held up his drink toward her.
Celia looked over at him with an eye roll and sarcastic tone. “We’re fucked then. You never attend classes.”
“First of all, just because I don’t have class… Hiccup… Doesn’t mean I don’t know how to be helpful. Second of all- I generally like werewolves, but you are a piece of work.”
“You just aren’t used to wolves like me,” she smirked as Eden went out of earshot, thankful she hadn’t been noticed as she passed behind the girl.
Eden kept Wyatt in the corner of her eye as he chatted and drank. He hadn’t noticed her quiet yet which typically would have been nothing to her. For the first time she considered a chance to sneak up on him as he always seemed to do but decided against it. She had never once flirted with any true intentions before, not since Holden years back. Maybe it wasn’t time for that yet. Can’t be that easy to get to yet though it would help to have some experience in this area. She moved to the left of Bastien and elbowed him as he laughed with the others.
“Eden!” Rosalyn spoke up as she joined the group. “You made it too!”
“I did, it’s good to see you.” She smiled, almost happy to be there. She had fun with them the other week despite it being a mission.
“It’s good to see you too,” Wyatt’s voice drifted from beside her.
“You found me quick.” Eden turned to the left as her eyes fell on him.
“I heard your name, that’s all I need to find you.” He winked and wrapped an arm around her waist in a side hug, without letting go.
This time she didn’t fight it and turned slightly within the crook of his arm toward the others and felt her nerves settle at his touch. Bastien turned to face the two, a giant ‘I told you so’ smile across his face. Her eyes narrowed at her uncle before she glanced around for the drink coolers.
“They are over on the other side of the island. What’s your drink of choice tonight Little Viper?” Wyatt leaned down, his lips beside her ear to be heard over the music.
“Whatever concoction you two have dreamed up, everyone seems to like it.” She noted to him as the music seemed to only get louder.
“One junk in the trunk coming up.” he beamed and released her and went into the other room.
Octavius was deep in conversation with Rosalyn and Corvus about various Elders classes, Bastien slid jokes here and there, clearly in his social element. As opposed to Eden who stood there her nail traced over her fingertips and she listened with a polite attentive look. Her mind drifted to her earlier thoughts as he laughed about things Eloise had said to people in her classes. I have to know if I’m capable of running the family… Or if maybe it is time to follow something that feels good.
There was a choice to make, and her heart sank into her stomach as the realization came. In her mind there was no other way to test the theory out, she’d have to attempt to find a target that didn’t need a dagger to terminate. Her eyes drifted to Octavius, someone close to Lennox, check. Not a demon, check. Thankfully, she had dealt with an Arachne before and knew it would be easy enough to overpower him.
As she watched the creature, she felt Rosalyn’s eyes on her. The turn of her head toward Eden made her distant expression vanish and a smile formed on her face. The woman returned the gesture as Wyatt appeared beside her once more and handed her a red cup. His attention returned to the others; she tasted the drink out of curiosity. It reminded her of fruit punch, unable to even taste whatever they had put in, she knew another cup would be dangerous. With what is going to happen tonight, I need just enough to shake the nerves.
“How about a game of corn hole? We’ve got two sets outside.” Wyatt suggested to the group.
“That sounds like a great idea!” Rosalyn exclaimed excitedly.
“Lennox, Aron, Celia, Remi! We’re going outside! It’s corn hole time!” He called the other group.
Shit, Eden peered over at them as she had wanted to avoid them at all costs.
As each of their names was called they peered over from their serious talk. Immediately Remi’s eyes fell on her, her face drained of color before it went bright red. I’m fucked if she’s able to hint. As her chest tightened and her jaw clenched, the two stared each other down. Eden raised an eyebrow as if daring her to try. The wolf’s expression darkened and she stepped toward her. Eden crossed her arms and used the motion to unsnap the latch from the sheath that held her silver knife. She tilted her bottom arm down and she felt the cold metal against her inner wrist.
At that moment Wyatt said corn hole, Aron’s face lit up and he bounced over with his own red solo cup in hand. As the demon swung around, he bumped straight into Rosalyn, his eyes widened in panic and he backed up straight into Eden. Unknowingly he broke the unnoticed tension between the two women as both of their gazes shot to him. She noted his reaction as he apologized quickly, grabbed Lennox’s hand and pulled her along with him to the backyard. The others followed suit and Eden watched Celia whisper something to Remi as she checked the bands around her wrist.
“Come on then everyone, chop chop corn hole is waiting!” Wyatt chuckled from beside her.
“We are actually going to stay inside for a bit, We’ll come out in a bit.” Celia told Wyatt as she started to lead Remi toward the common room.
He offered her his arm and motioned in the direction everyone was going in.
The staggered group made their way into the open backyard that faced the entrance to the campus. Bastien, Corvus, Octavius, and Rosalyn all made their way to one set of the game, while Wyatt flagged over Aron and Lennox to play against them. Before she could attempt to protest the teams, everyone had settled at their boards. Wyatt stood across from her beside Aron, Lennox approached the opposite side of the board Eden stood on.
Her nerves shot a wave of anxiety over her which made her look for Bastien. Once her eyes found him, she noticed he was completely engrossed in the demon across the way.
“Don’t listen to any of the trash talk the boys do,” Lennox spoke up as they waited for them to throw first.
“Come on Daddy Long Legs! Get it in the hole!” Bastien’s voice yelled over to Octavius from the neighboring board.
Octavius let out a loud laugh, along with everyone within earshot while Eden hid her discomfort as conflict arose once more in her mind. “I never do.”
“Good, then you’ll fit right in. How long have you and Wyatt been a thing?” Lennox questioned.
“Actually we aren’t really together-together.” Eden corrected but hesitated.
“Are you sure about that?” The demon eyed her knowingly. “You know, you’re all that man talks about.”
Her face shifted to surprise, though she should have known by the way he acted. The confirmation of Wyatt’s feelings toward her sent the butterflies through her. Could this be more than I thought? For a moment a pang of guilt hit Eden as she was now face to face with the potential scope of Wyatt’s feelings for her . Her gaze traveled back to the tattooed man who laughed beside one of his best friends. As she sipped her drink and her gaze fell to the face of each creature in attendance. For the first time, she saw the people around her as another group of students having a good time.
The game started and each pair took turns and took shots for every point they scored. Aron and Wyatt seemed to never miss the board and sunk each bean bag into the hole multiple times each. The girls laughed as they canceled out their scores time and time again while they taunted each other. Between turns, one would attempt to distract the other by making a lewd comment or loudly clear their throat.
At one point Aron seemed to say something to Wyatt which caused him to turn bright red and look away from the board toward Eden and made him miss completely. The man sent him an annoyed look and he peered over to her once again. A soft breeze blew a few pieces of hair into her face as she sent a very small smile in his direction. His expression softened slightly as their eyes met. Quickly, she decided it would be good to keep playing hard to get and turned to see how the other game was going. Bastien seemed to get every point in and when Eden looked at Rosalyn she saw surprise written across her face at how good he was.
In contrast, Lennox hit the board most of the time only occasionally one in. Where Eden hit the board more frequently than the head of house which made the game lean toward her and Wyatt. Aron threw the next one and made it just on the edge of the circle cut out and let out an exasperated sigh. Wyatt took his turn as he concentrated hard before he threw his corn sack and knocked both in the hole. Celebrating, Aron laughed and glanced over at him then elbowed him in the shoulder.
“Thanks for that one buddy! Couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Oh shut it, we are still tied and it’s the girl's turn. We can still win this.” Wyatt scolded him, confidently shouted to Eden. “Kick his ass!”
The genuine smile on her face widened as she watched the two push each other around and took sips of her drink here and there. By the end of the game she finished it already and already felt the slight buzz start. In the last round, Aron missed the board on his last shot.
“Miss! Len, come on, we gotta win this one!” Aron called over.
“It’s just a game!” She called back.
“Not with these two.” Eden commented with a laugh.
“Most of the Kappa boys have always been competitive, these two just are a little louder about it.” Lennox shook her head.
The score was tied nineteen to nineteen and it was back to Eden. She tossed each one and got one on the board, missed, and put another into the hole. When Wyatt saw it go in, he cheered and glanced at Aron with a bright smirk.
“My girls got it!” He said loudly and walked toward her.
“I’m not your girl and just out of curiosity how many of you two’s concoctions have you had?” Eden asked and started to cross her arms over her chest as he wrapped an arm around her waist again. Aron complained under his breath as he joined the group.
“Enough to ask you if you’d consider it.” His gray eyes bore into hers as he asked.
“How about you ask me when you’re not intoxicated?” She let a smile drift onto her face as she felt a warmth within her chest at the suggestion.
Beside her, Lennox spoke with a chuckle as she held up her cup to the two of them, “Good game guys.”
“Okay love birds, why don’t we go wait for the others to finish their game?” Aron elbowed Wyatt and distracted him from Eden once again.
“Fine then, while we wait-”
He released her and turned around, Wyatt reached toward the Head of Kappa and grabbed him by the back of the jacket. Swiftly, he pulled his head into his chest in a headlock and messed up Aron’s hair and bandanna with a fist. The two grappled for a few seconds before Remi and Celia walked up between Eden and Lennox. Remi watched her out of the corner of her eye, and stood as far as she could from the hunter. Thankfully she hadn’t tried to say anything about the situation or gone after her, which was the last thing Eden wanted to deal with tonight as she plotted Octavius. All four women stood there watching the two of them all with various levels of entertainment.
“Who do you think is going to win?” Remi asked the group.
“My money is on Wyatt.” Celia smirked.
“I don’t know, they seem pretty evenly matched.” Lennox opposed.
Aron reached up and pulled Wyatt down and away from himself. “You think that’s enough to stop me?”
“No, but maybe I am!” Octavius had made his way over and joined in the tussle.
Eden took a moment while their eyes were on someone else to let out the breath she didn’t know she held. Between her attempts to take Bastien’s advice, her questions about the family, being around Lennox and Aron, and the other side of her path to Matriarch, Eden hadn’t actually relaxed in weeks. Her muscles relaxed, she watched as Bastien joined in the pile of wrestling men.
No one stopped them, Rosalyn and Corvus joined the small group with the same entertained look at the others. Lennox and Rosalyn chatted among themselves for a second as the demon nodded toward Aron. Corvus casually asked Remi and Celia questions about themselves since they were new to the school. All the while, Eden’s gaze followed Bastien’s moves to make sure he would hold back so as to not draw unwanted attention. As he helped hold Wyatt from Octavius, his eye met hers. With a smirk, he swung his arm around his chest and pulled him down.
“More drinks, anyone?” Corvus asked them.
“I got it!” Wyatt popped his head out of the pile and made his way to his feet.
The pile was quickly broken up as the drunken men stumbled over to them. Wyatt took the empty cup from Eden gently and glanced at the others. Rosalyn held her cup out to him but it was quickly snatched away by Octavius.
His laugh boomed and Wyatt shook his head, “Anyone else?”
“I’ll take one too,” Lennox said, smiling as he handed her cup to him
“Alright, three new drinks coming up!” He turned and linked arms with Aron who had appeared behind him and started to head back inside, followed closely by Octavius and Bastien.
The evening turned into night, the area outside was illuminated by a large bonfire controlled by Aron to stave off the cold. Several of the others from Kappa and Omega sat around it and chatted amongst themselves. Eden sat in her lawn chair between Rosalyn and an empty one Wyatt had occupied. She watched the smoke rise into the sky, as the hum of chatter filled the air. She didn’t mind being the quiet one in the group, it was easier to fit in this way as opposed to Bastien who made close friends with each one of them.
Her sightless gaze peered through the flames to the other side as she watched Bastien and Corvus smile and whisper to each other. He does look happy… The sight of them like this together started to shift her thoughts, her expression softened as she decided she would do what she had to in order to protect him. Eden turned her attention to the left, she found a now very drunk Lennox and Aron dance together with a small group of others by the speakers by the door. Her eyebrow rose as Aron seemed to have not only two left feet but a terrible rhythm. It’s almost sad I have to break them apart. The daggers she had been instructed to make swam into her mind's eye.
Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice Rosalyn attempt to get her attention until she felt someone tap on her arm. Eden jumped, turned toward her and attempted to laugh it off.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” The demon apologized.
“It’s fine, what’s up?”
“I know we didn’t chat much last term, but I’m glad you’re hanging out with us this semester, I’ve never seen Wyatt so bright-eyed.” She smiled gently at Eden. Why does everyone keep bringing him up? In her tipsy state, she almost asked the very question out loud. “I don’t mean to intrude on your personal business, but I have to know- How do you feel about him?”
Eden knew the answer she should give regardless of her true feelings toward the man, she took a moment to consider them. If she truly searched her heart, she knew something strong was quickly forcing its way up with every glance they shared. So strong in fact, she found herself question her family more everyday. No matter how much she didn’t want to, she did care about him.
“As much as I hated him in the beginning… I can’t imagine him not being around now.” She admitted, the alcohol was enough to loosen her words. “I don’t know how to handle that, until I figure out if we could keep that between us?”
“Of course, you have my word, girl!” Rosalyn bounced in her chair and bobbed her head to the music.
Eden’s gaze fell back to the flames before she decided to go into the house to find another jacket. She stood from her chair and walked past the group and into Kappa. The music was muffled behind the walls of the mostly empty fraternity as she made her way through the halls. She made her way into the entranceway and found one of Bastien’s jackets hung on a hook. With a smirk to herself as she slipped it on, she turned around to head back outside.
Within a few steps she was suddenly toe to toe with another member of Kappa Theta she had never met before. The frat member stood about five inches taller and from what she could see of him he was strong to go with it. He had short curly brown hair that sat on the top of his head in a ruffled mess. The sudden appearance and forced stop made her head spin again as her eyes trailed up to his face. The man had a drink in his hand, gazing back down at her with a look in his eyes that sent a shiver down her spine.
“I’ve never seen you at one of the house parties.” He held out a hand to her and stepped toward her in another attempt to close the distance. “Nick’s the name, and what may I ask, is yours sweet cheeks?”
Eden’s eyes drifted over the man to size him up as she went toward the blue thread to her magic and the chains around her arms heated. I can’t attack him here, maybe if someone saw I might be able to claim self-defense. I don’t want to draw attention to myself before I go for Octavius. Her gaze darted to his feet as he took another step toward her. Every step he took, she retreated back until she felt her back touch the door. The cold wood sent another chill down her and fear started to cause her to grip the thread. Her hand slowly reached into her back pocket for her phone, her purple eyes brightened into a shade of blue. If I can get any sort of message to Bastien I won’t have to worry about hiding a body tonight.
“I don’t do parties, and I don’t think you need to know who I am.”
“Oh come on baby, don’t play hard to get, I just want to talk.” His voice dipped as he lifted the hand with the cup over her head and against the door and leaned even closer to her.
“I don’t have anything to say to you.” Her voice rose a little in an attempt to get it through his drunken head.
The demon was much too close for comfort. Eden slipped both of her arms behind her back to abandon her phone for the knife she had almost used on Remi earlier. It wouldn’t be much help in actually killing him but it could make for a nice distraction. Her hair stood on end and her heart sped up in her chest, just as it did when on a hunt. Nick took his opportunity, his free hand moved to her arm, and gripped it tightly.
The next few seconds became a blur. As she moved to grab his wrist she pulled the thread and allowed her palm to be coated with ice. When it met his skin, his eyes widened and he jumped back as it transferred to his wrist. In seconds it started to spread up his hand. He started to panic until someone grabbed him by the frozen wrist. Eden’s eyes fell to the familiar rose tattoo.
Her eyes moved to the familiar charcoal haired man now in front of Nick with his wrist held so tightly it started to lose color. His cup was now spilled on the floor a few feet from where she stood as he attempted to sputter out words. Wyatt’s stormy eyes flashed with a crack of rage before it was replaced with a dark smile. He looked slightly down at his housemate then to his hand that had already started to thaw. The sound of the snap of electricity from his other hand caught Eden’s attention and she stayed frozen on the spot.
“I know you’re drunk, Nick. But you can’t go around being a dick.”
Nick sputtered in shock as his eyes darted between the hand Wyatt had on his and the one at his side. “I-It’s not what it looks like, Wyatt. I was just getting to know the Omega girl.”
“Omega girl’s name is Eden.” She spoke up and shifted the knife so Wyatt wouldn’t see it. “You couldn’t take the fact that I wasn’t interested.”
“Eden, I’m sorry.” Nick’s wrist was released and he fixed the man’s jacket before he placed both hands on either shoulder.
“You’re how old and you don’t know how to take a hint?” Another tug at the thread sent an overwhelming amount of energy down in reply. The air dropped a few more degrees but the chains and sigils on her arms were on fire.
“It won’t happen again I swear.” Nick watched her carefully and stumbled back into Wyatt.
“You, Aron, Lennox , and I will have a talk in the morning. If you dare so much as breathe in her direction again, you will deeply regret it.” His deep voice growled as he let Nick go once more.
The drunken man stumbled away toward the backyard once more. Eden kept her eyes on him until he was out of sight. With the adrenaline and magic still mostly in control, her body moved instinctually. She swiftly sheathed her knife back in its holster so he wouldn’t see it and avoided the gaze that was now on her. From the corner of her eyes, she could see his eyes scan her over and the anger seemed to fade as concern washed away the storm. Wyatt took a hesitant couple of steps toward her and extended a hand. The movement caused her attention to snap fully back to him, her eyes wide and her body tense.
“Are you okay?” He asked softly and broke the quiet between them.
“I’m fine- I don’t need a bodyguard, I had it under control.” Her voice raised slightly and her eyes drifted up and down to study his body language as he got closer.
“Eden-” He held his palms toward her.
“No, I am more than capable of handling myself.”
“Eden-”
“Wyatt! I don’t belong to you!” She told him, her body shook lightly as she pressed her back against the door once again.
“No, you don’t, but I will always be there when you need me.” He promised calmly and kept his expression even despite her raised voice.
Her eyes darted once again as she searched for an escape. Over the music she heard a loud crash from the other room which caused her to jump. He stopped a few feet from her as their gazes met once more. Wyatt kept both of his hands up in surrender and moved toward the wall so his right side was almost against it. Her eyes flashed to the exit route he offered if she chose to walk away.
“I promise, you’re safe. What can I do to show you?” He softened his voice slightly.
Eden blinked up at him as she attempted to slow the thoughts that fought in her mind. Her body screamed for her to move, to walk away from what could turn into more danger. Except, this wasn’t the normal type of danger hunters faced every day. Grave injuries, yes. Demons and creatures from people's nightmares, yes. The risk of death, yes, but this wasn’t the same. Though she knew she should find Bastien, she found herself frozen as he proved to her she wasn’t in danger anymore.
There was something in the way that Wyatt looked at her that seemed to calm her. Eden felt her muscles slowly start to relax as he seemed to understand more than she knew. When she didn’t move, he took another step toward her, but this time she didn’t flinch. He tilted his head down as he finally closed the distance between them. He reached out to place a hand on her shoulder but stopped his hand an inch above and lifted his eyebrows no more than a twitch as he waited for her permission to be touched. Eden took a small step toward him and allowed the contact. He smiled down at her and rested his hands on her shoulders. He held her there for a minute as her chest started to match the rise and fall of his. Eden blinked as she realized her chest ached from the struggle to breathe.
His hands slid down her arms to her hands, and in that moment he seemed completely wrapped up in her. No one has ever looked at me like this before. The heavy feeling of guilt for what she had to do tonight settled into the pit of her stomach. She tore her eyes from his burning gaze and peered over his left arm. I can’t tell him anything about how I feel real or fake until I know where I stand. It may be an act, but it doesn’t feel like one anymore.
It was then she heard his voice in almost a whisper, “You warned me the day we met to not waste my time on you. That I would regret meeting you. Eden, you are no waste of time and since our last few dates, I haven’t regretted it once.”
His words sent another, different kind of fear through her. He didn’t attempt to hide the feelings she had heard so much about and it was plain as day in his eyes. The thought of what could happen if she shared his feelings, images of Stacey and Eloise came into her mind. The disappointed look in their eyes when Eden did something they didn’t agree with. Her breath caught once more in her chest she peered up at him and shook her head unable to form words.
Wyatt stopped her. “It’s okay, you don’t have to say anything right now. I just needed you to know.”