Alex's p.o.v
"Lex. What you did for Leo was admirable. Toby and I will do the same for you too."
She does not know how to react, and Noah is walking back after covering the bill. Toby and Lucas walk away hand in hand leaving her stunned.
"Wait. Wha—?"
She followed, so did Noah. Lucas has been a crappy friend lately and pimping his friends out is a new low for him. She knows that Lucas decides are based on his self-interest to court Toby, but he could have left in Moon. She did not want to go on this trip and she regrets coming here, she's getting overwhelmed. They stood under the palm tree, and she was pleading with her eyes, Lucas turned his back and walked away. The worst thing Lucas has ever done to her is leave her when she asked when she asked him to stay. Not because she used to have a crush on him, she just needed him to stay till she gathered her thoughts and emotions.
She turned slowly. Noah looks like one of those guys parents warn their children to stay away from. His devastatingly handsome, his presence calms her anxiety but not her thoughts. She's not and does not want to be they type of girls Noah usually goes for. She is interested in him, and she wants him. But she has to guard herself from history and how Noah abandons every woman his ever been with, according to his reviews.
"We're fine, right? Yeah. We're fine. We don't need to talk."
The rooming situation was messed up. She just ended up in the room she took from Jayden. She was not comfortable wearing Noah's clothes, and she did not appreciate the number of people that stared at her making assumptions. She's used to people spitting on her name and character, but it doesn't mean it does not hurt. Being this close to him is dangerous for her heart and control, she's not a fan of their nature now.
"Alex, stop. Stop shutting me out." His hand caught her wrist. The grip was firm but gentle enough to stop her. She turned slowly to face him. "Let's at least see if we are compatible before you throw in the towel."
His looking at her lips and she instinctively licks them. He moves closer and she does not move away. He leans down slowly giving her a chance to back out but she does not move.
"Can I kiss you?" She felt a single tear fall, but she still did not move. Her eye does not leave his, he should be able to see the hurt, uncertainty and insecurity. "Trust me."
She nods. His lips hit her like a sunrise, slow and soft at first warm, inviting. Exactly how she imagined her first real kiss should feel. But just as she parted her lips to protest, Noah deepened it.Suddenly, it wasn't soft anymore. It was demanding hot, passionate, everything she hadn't prepared for.
"Uhh. N-Noah. Stop. Let us stop, I—"
She can't be this girl; she can't let anyone in in such an intimate way. They don't know each other beyond the superficial. She moved to break the kiss, but Noah just hugged her. His still hard but he does nothing but hug her. Here it goes. Will he force her? She trembled and more silent tears fell on his chest, but she did not fight to move.
"Shh, don't cry." She's not but her brain is expressing her bottled fears, she just stands there. He wants her to trust him. "I will let you go if it makes you feel better."
He says but before he removed his arms she held onto his waist, now she's crying. She does not say anything. She is overwhelmed by a lot of emotions she is having a hard time processing. In hissteady, strong arms, safe and warm she finally allowed herself to relax in his arms.
.
She woke up on the bed; the room was spotless just as it was before. Stillness lingered, how long did she sleep? She looks at her phone, three hours almost four. She turned to the bottle of orange juice and a generous slice of death by chocolate cake. She smiles after taking a bite of the fudgy, caramel chocolate cake as it melts in her mouth. She sees a folded note propped next to the bottle.
My dearest Alex
We have rehearsals now. I didn't want to wake you because you looked so beautiful, so happy and at peace in your dreams. Whenever you wake up, come watch me :) I'll be waiting for you.
Love Noah
.
.
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Leo's p.o.v
"I don't know when," Leo started, eyes fixed on the ground, "but somewhere along the way... I lost romantic interest in Alex."
He thought about how he held her hand, and yesterday when he kissed Alex. He had waited for something magical to happen both times. Fireworks. Music. A jolt of clarity. But nothing happened. It was just a kiss.
"Toby is your cousin?"
Jayden raised an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Yes."
Leo swallowed. He knew what he wanted to hear. But the truth still stood stubbornly between them like a wall made of unsaid rules and unspoken fears. Alphas weren't meant to be with betas. That was the order of things. What if his destined mate showed up tomorrow? What then? He felt the pull fate's stubborn bond, but the rules said otherwise. And if there was no future, what was the point? Still, he rambled on, nervously trying to piece together his thoughts.
"It's... complicated. I know Alex likes Noah, I knew I never stood a chance. I always thought I would be heartbroken but I'm not
"Honestly, I thought I'd be heartbroken when the day came that Alex caught feelings for someone else. But I'm not. Not even a little. Maybe because I saw it coming, but I just wanted to confirm it."
Jayden didn't respond immediately. He just watched him.
"Then what's holding you back?"
His voice was quieter now, but the intensity of it filled the room. Jayden took a slow step forward. Then another. Each one made Leo feel more exposed. Why was he nervous?
"You," Leo blurted out. Then panicked. "I mean what do you mean?"
He knew he was spiralling. Rambling. His thoughts scattered like puzzle pieces thrown across the floor. None of them fitting quite right. They entered the room he was supposed to share with his friends quietly. Leo, still fidgeting, grabbed the bag of breakfast leftovers. He was starving anything to distract himself. They ate in silence at first, sharing dry pancakes and half-warm eggs. Somehow, it felt... safe. Comfortable. Too comfortable. They ended up commenting on the football match playing in the background. Slowly, the nerves faded. The awkward tension melted into something softer.
And for the first time in days, Leo's mind felt clear. Completely, terrifyingly clear. At that moment, Jayden stole the show. He leaned in slow, deliberate and pressed his lips to Leo's. There was a second of stillness, a heartbeat of hesitation where Jay waited for permission. He gave in. Jayden dominated the kiss, and Leo melted into it, remembering everything he'd missed his arms, his touch, the ache of his body pressing against him with desperate hunger. Everything Jayden did fuelled his need. They had been intimate before he was the only man Leo had ever been with, and Leo knew exactly what kind of fire Jayden brought when things got heated. That familiar, consuming rhythm that made his body surrender before his mind caught up.
"Leo."
Jayden's voice was deep, velvety, and possessive.
"Fuck. Say my name again," Leo breathed, almost begging. "Please."
"Leo," the alpha growled. "You are mine."
The words weren't just a claim they were a promise. A vow sealed in heat and want.
"Jay. Please. I'm yours."
As if a switch flipped inside him, Jayden transformed. Alpha mode: full control, full dominance. He moved with purpose, his primal side ignited, the air thick with their chemistry. Leo didn't resist he couldn't. Every part of him was screaming to be claimed, to be wanted, to be loved by this man.
.
Afterwards, tangled in each other's limbs and silence, Leo's mind drifted through the haze of pleasure... until something pulled him back. His gaze met Jayden's, and realisation struck like cold water.No protection was used. Jayden had been inside him completely. Nothing between them. No barriers. No more room for pretending. It was no longer just a secret. Their friends will know. Something this raw, this vulnerable, would leave traces. It was no longer about casual meet ups and stolen touches. This was real now. Tangible. Unavoidable. And for the first time, Leo wasn't sure whether that terrified or thrilled him.