The hallway was still buzzing with leftover tension when Angelo and Ion finally stepped out of Jay's room,
their hands brushing awkwardly, both of them pretending nothing happened while their faces were beet-red.
Ion kept flicking her hair away from her face, avoiding eye contact with Angelo, while Angelo's ears were still crimson from that unexpected kiss.
Aries and Percy were the only two who looked completely unbothered—rather, proud—standing with arms crossed and wearing the most knowing, "older brother menace" smiles ever.
Aries and Percy tried grabbing Keifer like he was a criminal.
"OUT. NOW. ROOM CHECK. MORALITY CHECK. SISTER SAFETY CHECK." Percy barked dramatically.
Keifer rolled his eyes but Jay quickly stepped between them, arms wide like she was protecting a priceless artifact.
"Chill, you two psychos. I'll make a deal."
Both froze instantly—because they knew she never offered deals unless she was desperate.
Jay looked at Aries first.
"I'll help you sneak Ella out at night for that date. I'll even cover when Tito walks around checking everyone."
Aries' entire angry expression melted.
"Deal accepted," he said instantly.
Then Jay turned to Percy.
"And you— I'll buy you that stupid, overpriced, 'limited edition no-you-don't-need-it' watch… and give you food for a whole month."
Percy gasped dramatically.
"Jay… you beautiful human being… I accept."
And just like that — the two watchdogs stepped aside. But as Keifer walked past them, Aries leaned in and hissed:
"Don't. Touch. My. Sister."
Keifer smirked, because yes… he was planning to touch her. But not in the way Aries feared—Keifer just wanted to hold her, keep her near, protect her all night.
Jay dragged him into her room before Percy added a lecture.
Inside Jay's Room
Jay was exhausted, half-asleep already as she sat on the bed adjusting her hair. Keifer didn't even give her time to say anything—he simply wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her up onto him, her body practically sprawled across his chest.
"Keifer—!"
"No. Mine," he mumbled, burying his face in her neck like she was his air.
And Jay suddenly felt the tiredness leave her chest, replaced with warmth that made her heart clench.
Meanwhile Outside…
Ion nudged Angelo with her elbow.
"You're still red," she whispered, smirking.
Angelo instantly shot back, "You're literally avoiding eye contact. You're blushing."
"I am not!"
"You are."
"No, you—!"
Their bickering ended when Angelo realized his ears were turning red again and panicked, dramatically fleeing down the hallway.
Ion laughed softly.
For once, even the walls felt like they were finally breathing after days of tension.
Back to Jay & Keifer
Jay was moments from drifting to sleep, eyes half-closed, when—
BANG. BANG. BANG.
"JAY!! ALPHAAA!! COME FAST!"
Jay groaned into Keifer's chest. "What the hell now…"
But Keifer got up first—careful not to jolt her too much—and opened the door.
Samuel and Adam stood there, grinning like absolute idiots.
"Oh," Adam said, looking Keifer up and down with the most teasing smirk. "So this is why you were taking long."
Samuel fake-coughed. "Alpha activities, huh?"
Keifer's eyebrow twitched. "GREAT. Perfect. Literally EVERYBODY is behind us. Not a single person wants to let us breathe."
Jay dragged herself to the doorway, hair messy, eyes sleepy.
"What do you both want, idiots?"
Samuel spoke first, breathless.
"Jay… everyone outside still thinks you're dead. So they're discussing who will become the next head—like actual voting is happening—planning succession—chaos."
Adam nodded eagerly.
"They're even betting which gang takes territory first. It's insane."
Jay blinked.
Then blinked again.
Then scoffed.
"Let them think I'm dead. Their brains didn't work when I was alive, why would they start now?"
Keifer snorted, and she elbowed him.
Jay continued, voice lowering, a wild spark in her eyes:
"I'll set everything straight… after I sleep. Right now, I swear on every god in every religion, if one more person knocks on this door—I will actually commit murder."
Samuel and Adam straightened at once.
"Yes, Alpha."
"Yes, ma'am."
They ran off before she could throw something at them.
Jay shut the door.
Keifer wrapped his arms around her from behind instantly, resting his chin on her shoulder.
"You heard them," she sighed, leaning back. "No one is letting us have five minutes."
Keifer kissed her temple softly.
"Then we'll make our own five minutes."
He slid them both back onto the bed, pulling her against him with the kind of hold that said he wasn't losing her ever again.
Jay relaxed into him.
Finally—finally—her world felt like it was stopping for a moment.
And for the first time since the explosion…
Both of them drifted into sleep with the other in their arms.