Chapter 144 - Princess

Gabe

My head throbbed like a mother. I struggled to open my eyes and I prayed for mercy. Who am I? A chuckle got stuck in my throat. Seriously though, where am I?

“The question is who is here?” My wolf asked, he was on high alert, at least one of us was. I grabbed my head before sitting up and looking around. My jaw dropped, I couldn’t believe who was in my room. I don’t know who I was expecting but it definitely wasn’t him. Leo sat at my dining room table as if he belonged there.

He was wearing black shorts that hung loosely on his hips and a white sleeveless shirt. His elbow was on the table, his head leaned on his open palm, and his eyes were closed. I tried to figure out what I was missing.

Why was he here?

How was he here?

I needed to figure out why he was here and how he got into my room. It didn’t make sense. I grabbed my phone and checked the time. It was only the day after the Ceremony meaning there wasn’t any work today. Ady would be with Alpha Ethan and wouldn’t need us to guard her.

My eyes wandered back to Leo to find brown eyes staring back at me. He was awake and he was staring at me. My eyes moved to the gash above his eyebrow. The last two days have been eventful. From the tournament to the ceremony, a lot has happened.

“You’ve slept in,” Leo said, his voice husky. “Like a princess.”

“I’m not a princess,” I said. A lightning bolt flashed through my head and I groaned. “Why are you yelling,” I groaned. Leo chuckled.

“I’m not yelling. You’re just hungover,” he said and a frown pulled at the corners of his lips. “I would have walked you home but someone got in the way.”

“Someone…“ I started to ask but everything that happened last night hit me at once. “Oh great,” I groaned. I made one too many mistakes. At least I was sensible enough to do what I’d normally do… the memory of me shushing my heart had me squeezing my eyes shut tightly.

“Did something happen?” Leo asked. It took me a minute to understand what he meant. He was asking if I’d done something with Odis.

“If something had, wouldn’t he be here?” I asked sharply. He didn’t flinch though, he didn’t act like my tone bothered him at all. Instead, he smiled as he took in the empty spot beside me.

“Are you upset that nothing happened?” He asked and I couldn’t help but glower at him.

“More importantly, why are you here?” I asked.

He ignored me and got to his feet. I watched him as he got to his feet. I watched him cautiously as he made his way over to me. His pretty blonde hair and big muscles wouldn’t make me swoon. All I cared about right now was water and some Tylenol. The bed dipped as he sat beside me.

“You’re way too comfortable in a stranger’s home,” I said.

“But you’re no stranger, Gabe,” he said. He leaned in and I didn’t move back. It felt like he was threatening me… no… testing me. What the fuck does he want? “We’re partners,” he said.

“We’re off today, Leo,” I said.

He froze and his eyes lingered longer than I would have liked.

“Say it again,” he murmured.

“What? We’re off?” I asked.

He shook his head. “No, my name,” he said.

“You’re being weird,” I said.

He leaned in until I had no choice but to lean back. When he didn’t stop, I leaned back until I hit my head on the bed frame. Hitting your head when you had a hangover wasn’t the best feeling in the world.

“Mother fu-,” I started but I realized Leo was close. Too close. He was so close I could feel the warmth of his body and his breath.

His hands gripped my wrists and before I knew it, they were both on each side of my head. Who the hell does this guy think he is? I opened my mouth to protest but he started speaking before I could.

“Say it,” he said.

Of all the ludicrous things, is he still on that? “Are you serious, right now?” I asked. I fought against his hold on my hands but was still weak. Ugh. This was so frustrating. I huffed and leaned back against the headboard.

“Say it,” he started, “please.”

My cheeks started to heat with embarrassment. I can’t believe he’s making a huge fuss over me saying his name! I almost kicked his ass, he’s lucky I’m weak right now. Shit, he’s lucky I’m hungover or I’d headbutt the shit out of his head.

Cool it.

Relax.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Breat—Gah.

Fine.

I looked up into those brown eyes. They stared down at me but were missing the smugness I’d seen at the tournament. Instead, his eyes looked soft and hopeful as they stared down at me. It made me want to bite my tongue and hold back the curses that begged to be let out.

“Leo,” I said.

He leaned in until his nose almost touched mine. “Again,” he said.

This mother fu… I took a deep breath and exhaled. “Leo.”

“Yes, Gabe,” he said as his eyes flickered and his breathing deepened.

“We aren’t working today,” I started, “I don’t see why you would come here.”

Leo moved his head to my shoulder and turned his head into my neck. What was he? Was he nuzzling me? I moved my head from him and fought against his hold. This time, he let me go.

“I know we aren’t working today but I figured we could get some training in while the Luna is…preoccupied,” Leo said.

“And why would we do that?” I asked.

“We haven’t trained together and we were thrown in together as partners. As partners, I think we should become familiar with each other. Training together would be good for us, and our Luna. Don’t you think?” He asked.

I wring my wrists and shoot him a glare. He’s got a point, I scratch my head and avoid his gaze. “Well, I need to get dressed,” I said.

His gaze trailed down my chest and lingered on my scar before it continued to where my thigh lay exposed.. “Don’t stop on my account,” he said and held his hands up.