Chapter 10

Chloe’s Point of View Sunlight streams through my half-closed curtains as I slowly lift my head to stare at my phone buzzing nonstop on my nightstand. "Ugh... what now?" I grumble, still feeling very groggy as I sit up and grab my phone. I quickly unlock the screen, going to our group chat. MAYA: Girl. We need to talk. SKY: Please tell me the Alpha didn’t actually throw you over his shoulder like a literal caveman. MAYA: And then kiss you in full view of half the pack. Because that’s what Jack told me. SKY: Jack won’t shut up about it. He’s traumatized. MAYA: I, personally, am LIVING for the drama. MAYA: Chloe! Are you still asleep? I am dying over here! SKY: Yes! Wake up already so you can tell us what happened last night! I snort, shaking my head as I quickly type back. CHLOE: He did. And yes. It happened. SKY: Finally! We were just about to come see if you are still alive! We want details. Now! CHLOE: Later, I just woke up, okay? Right now, I urgently need to take a shower and I need a very big coffee. I'll meet you at the coffee shop in half an hour. Both of them quickly agree, and I sigh as I lie back down on my bed. My thoughts drift back to last night and I lift my hand, softly touching my lips. Zayde. The party. That kiss. My heart stutters just thinking about it and there is no mistaking the butterflies fluttering around in my stomach. Some of what happened last night is pretty hazy, but that kiss... That I remember clearly... The kiss started out slow at first, with me just taking a chance, hoping he would kiss me back. But I never imagined him kissing me back would feel like that. I can still feel it, the kiss deepening, becoming more passionate as we both let out all the unspoken feelings we have kept hidden for so long. I can't help the smile that spreads on my face as I think about the kiss and what Zayde said to me last night. He said he wanted me. That he always had. But being completely honest I am not sure what to make of it. For a second, doubts starts to creep in, making me wonder how he would react towards me today. Would he still want to give us a shot? Or will he push me away again? Zayde had spent months acting like I didn’t exist, or worse, like it annoyed him having me around. He was so hot and cold towards me, so standoffish. But last night… That kiss wasn’t something you can fake. With that last thought I crush the doubt trying to worm its way in quickly. I need to be positive. I know this isn't going to be easy. But maybe this is finally our chance at happiness. With my spirits lifted, I quickly make my way to the shower, ready to start my day. When I step into the coffee shop half an hour later, the girls are already sitting at our usual booth with three iced coffees in front of them. Maya and Sky are practically bouncing with excitement as they call me over. "We have already gotten you your coffee. Now, spill it. All of it. And don’t leave out the part where he manhandled you." Sky says smirking. "I wasn’t manhandled, exactly." I mumble, feeling a blush creep up my neck. "He spanked you, Chloe." Maya grins at me as well, and I groan with my face in my hands. "Oh my god. I forgot about that. Jack really told you everything." "Oh, no. That juicy little bit I got from Jennifer. She was there too last night." Maya says and Sky nods her head. "And according to her, he then kissed you like the world was ending." "That isn't exactly what happened. I kissed him first." The girls both squeal loudly, and I shush them, looking around the coffee shop. "Quiet down, or you won't get anything." I whisper yell at them and they both calm down a little. "Fine. We will be quiet. Now, tell us exactly what happened last night." Maya urges. I nod my head and take a sip of my iced coffee before I take a breath and begin to tell them what happened between me and Zayde. "And that's it... I think... I think he really meant it." I end the story, shrugging my shoulders. The teasing that continued throughout my story dies down for a few minutes as they stare at me. Maya and Sky share a quick look, both of their expressions softening a bit. "And are you okay? Like really okay?" Maya asks, reaching out and placing her hand on mine. "Yes. Well, I think I am. Honestly, I am just trying not to freak out. I mean it has been years of him pushing me away. And now suddenly he’s all in? It is just a lot to process, and I haven't had a lot of time. We haven't even talked about what happened yet." "It is okay to take a second for yourself, Chlo. You don’t have to jump in headfirst if you're not ready just because he finally managed to pull his head out of his ass." Sky says, grabbing my other hand, and Maya nods her head in agreement. "Yes, but if you do, we totally support you." "Thank you both. I just want to take it slow. I want him to prove that what he said wasn’t just in the heat of the moment." I say, squeezing both of their hands, and they nod their heads at me. "Of course. That’s fair, and totally understandable. But, uh, just saying... if he kisses you like that again..." Sky says, trailing off with a smirk, wiggling her eyebrows at me before she whistles. "Girl... then you’re toast." She finishes, shaking her head, making all three of us laugh, the tension in me easing slightly. "Anyway, enough about me. Tell me, did I miss anything that happened last night?" I ask, leaning back in my chair and drinking my coffee. Again, Maya and Sky share a look, before Maya shifts uncomfortably in her seat. "Well... I uhmm...." She begins and looks over at Sky for help. Sky rolls her eyes before she sighs and looks at me. "Maya kissed Jason. Well, to be precise, she launched herself at him and kissed him in the middle of the party, in front of everyone." I choke on my coffee, my eyes widening as I stare at her. "No!!! Really?" I ask, leaning forward in my chair, my eyes bouncing between the two of them. Maya nods her head, her cheeks tinged red. "Yes, really. I have no idea how I am going to face him after last night." She says, looking mortified and Sky and I burst out in giggles, making her frown. "Anyway, moving on... How much trouble do you think we are in?" Maya asks, changing the subject and her question immediately makes me and Sky quiet down. "Jason looked pretty mad when they got there last night. I'm just glad he hasn't told our parents yet." Maya nods her head slowly. "I am not looking forward to being called in by Zayde." Sky and I both nod our heads, agreeing with her and, for a few minutes, the three of us sit in silence, drinking our coffee. My phone starts buzzing on the table, breaking the silence between us and I quickly pick it up, glad for the distraction before I see Zayde's name flashing on the screen. My eyes widen, and I turn the phone around, holding it out to them. "Guys! It's Zayde. What do I do?" "You answer the phone you idiot." Sky urges, shaking her head as she pushes my phone back to me. I quickly nod my head. "Right... Yes... Answer it." I murmur, taking a deep breath before hitting the answer button.