Keifer was still asleep.
That itself felt illegal.
My face was half-buried in Keifer's chest, my leg thrown over his thigh like it belonged there—which, objectively, it did. His arm was heavy around my waist, fingers curled like he was afraid I'd disappear if he loosened them even a little.
Which was cute.And ironic.Because apparently the universe had decided I was very much alive and about to be hunted.
"Sleep," she whispered. "kings of ulypongs"
The first light of dawn barely kissed the curtains when Jay slipped out of bed, careful not to wake the warm, solid weight beside her.
She straightened, stretching sore muscles, grabbing a hoodie and tying her hair into a messy bun that screamed I survived explosions and emotional trauma. The knock came again—louder, more dramatic.
I was mid-thought—Wow, this is domestic. I could get used to this—when—
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Violent. Illegal. Disrespectful knocking.
I froze.
Keifer didn't.
He groaned, buried his face into my hair, and muttered, "If that's Sam, I'm killing him."
Another knock.
"Jay," Sam's voice sang from the other side of the door. "Alphaaa. Wake up before we come in and ruin your reputation."
Adam added, way too cheerfully, "You look like a disaster already, by the way. Just letting you know."
I slowly lifted my head, hair everywhere, face creased with sleep, wearing one of Keifer's black shirt with my white shorts that swallowed me whole.
I looked feral.
I opened the door.
Sam, Adam, and Michael stood there like a boyband that specialized in chaos instead of music.
Sam whistled. "Wow."
Adam crossed his arms. "You look like you fought sleep and lost."
Michael nodded solemnly. "Tragic."
"I will murder all three of you," I said calmly. "Give me five seconds."
Sam grinned. "Practice. Training room. No excuses."
"I'm injured," I said flatly.
Adam shrugged. "We let you off the hook yesterday."
Michael leaned in. "That grace period has expired."
I smiled sweetly. "I'll come at 5:35."
Sam blinked. "It's 5:00."
"Yes," I said. "Now get out before I kill you."
They backed away laughing
I sighed but let myself relax for a few more minutes, curled against him, listening to his heartbeat.
Alive.
Still here.
jay kissed keifers head like he is something precious
Keifer was half-awake, hair messy, eyes barely open, watching me with that lazy, dangerous fondness that should be illegal before sunrise.
I walked back, leaned down, and kissed his forehead.
He hummed. "Wifey… are you trying to take advantage of me in my sleep?"
I snorted. "Go back to sleep."
He smirked. "You could've just asked. i would have given you but look like you made reindeer angry"
Then he shifted—and my eyes dropped.
Black upper garment.
And—
"Why," I whispered, horrified and fascinated, "are you wearing reindeer boxers?"
He cracked one eye open. "Christmas gift. Comfortable."
Keifer Smirked. "He reacts to affection."
I slapped his chest. "literally in early morning"
keifer "only for you"
At 5:30, I forced myself up, cleaned up, tied my hair back, and changed into training gear.
Sam was already there, lining up targets. Adam and Michael were boxing, gloves on, laughing and trash-talking like idiots.
And then—
Something nudged my foot.
I looked down.
Black.
Massive.
Glossy.
A black panther sat there like this was completely normal, tail flicking lazily, golden eyes fixed on me with unsettling affection.
"…Sir?" I whispered.
He pressed his head against my shin.
My brain malfunctioned.
"WHY are you acting like a cat?"
He flopped down.
Rolled.
Put his head on my foot.
Adam stopped mid-punch. "Oh. He found you."
Michael wiped sweat from his brow. "Told you."
Sam sighed. "He only does that with you."
"WHY?" I demanded.
Sam shrugged. "Imprinting? Fate? You're weirdly calming?"
The panther sneezed and climbed onto the sofa.
Dragged me with him.
I sat.
He put his head on my lap.
I stared at the ceiling. "This is my life now."
Five minutes later, exhaustion won.
I slept.
Keifer woke up to an empty bed.
Which was unacceptable.
He searched the room. Bathroom. Closet. Hallway.
Nothing.
Sec E was already up, tension sharp.
"She's gone," Keifer said.
Aries frowned. "She wouldn't leave without telling—"
"She would if she was tired," Percy muttered.
Angelo cracked his knuckles. "Find her."
Chaos.
Doors opened. Corridors searched.
Then Rafael appeared, sipping coffee like he wasn't surrounded by anxiety.
"…Have you checked the practice room?"
Everyone froze.
Keifer turned slowly. "Why would she be there?"
Rafael smiled. "Because she never rests."
They moved fast.
Silent.
And then—
They looked through the glass window.
Adam and Michael boxing.
Sam shooting.
And—
jay
Curled on the sofa.
Asleep.
With a black panther sprawled across jay lap like it owned her
Silence.
Then—
"…Is he touching her?" Keifer said, voice dangerously calm.
Rafael choked on his coffee.
Aries snorted.
sec e literally shouting
Angelo muttered, "I swear if that thing scratches her—"