Barely Breathing

Chapter 30: Willow, I know you're awake

Droplets of water gloriously cascading and massaging my back in a soft prickling way. The coolness seeping through my skin as my mind drifting elsewhere.

Lifeless eyes of a blond wolf staring nowhere, still haunt me every time I close my eyes. Jasper is dead. I should not dwell on it. No one's after me anymore. I am finally free. Yet something in my gut tells me it was just the beginning.

What Xyrus might not be telling me? Would it change my life again? Am I so engrossed with my own nightmare that I never cared to see he has his own demons?

The solution for my nightmare apparently from what I understand was the beginning of his own. I closed my eyes, promising myself to get answers tomorrow. It can wait.

A soft knock echoed from my bedroom door. I quickly turned off the shower and put on a robe and wrapped my hair in a short towel.

I stared at the wooden door debating whether to open it or not. Xyrus was outside my door. He knocked again this time louder. "Princess... I know you're there..." He called out.

These new profound feelings I have for him would do me no good. I don't deserve his affection, he's too good for me. Too good to be real. Who knows when he will start to disappear in my life like those who are dear to me.

I can't bear the agony of losing someone again. It's too painful.

"I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm counting to three. ONE."

I rolled my eyes glaring at the door, of course, he would force his way in.

"TWO." He said amused yet tiredness laced on his tone. "Both of us knew we could do this the easy way."

I took a deep breath, still debating whether to open it and let him in. I don't trust myself with him around.

"Fine. I'm knocking this down." Xyrus announced to which I quickly opened the door and glared at him. Half of my body was hidden behind the door.

"I'm going to sleep, go away," I said and was about to close the door when he flattened his hand on the door, pushing it open.

"What do you want?" I asked irritated. Though I can't help to notice the occasional droplets cascading from his damp hair falling on his shoulder like he had rushed to go here even before his hair fully dried. His eyes were tired yet there's a spark in them that wasn't there before.

He was wearing a black v-neck shirt and same colored fitted short blending well with his toned complexion.

A lopsided smile brightened his face, taking my breath away from how gorgeous he is.

"Sleep."

"Pardon?" I asked absentmindedly. He was holding a pillow on his other hand to which I arched my brows.

His smile stretched widely while shaking his head. "You amuse me sometimes. I'm going to sleep, we are. So open the door wider." He spoke casually like it was normal for him to sleep in my room.

"No. I-I'm not, I mean, uh, what?" Did I hear him right? I hold the knob tighter, my eyebrows creased at his self invitation to sleep in my room. "This is my room, you can't--"

"I'm going to sleep in there whether you approve it or not." He intervened, pointing inside my room.

"Beat me." I challenged. "You can't just order me around.

He looked intently at me a moment, shifting from one eye to the other until his gaze fell on my slightly parted lips. Something crossed his eyes like he was assessing me in his mind and a mischievous smile slowly made its way on his lips.

He inched his face towards mine. Slowly, nearing to which my eyes almost bugged out. Heart pounding wildly in my chest and my mind creating vivid scenarios of what fated to happen.

Right before he crossed the gap on our lips, I stepped back unconsciously. Cheeks flushing, as heat kept crawling on my insides feeling tingly. And, it doesn't help that my heart thudded widely than it ever did before.

His smile widened as his eyes sparked that of mischief lacing in its hypnotizing irises the color of the ocean.

The sound of the door locking woke me from a trance. I blinked my eyes few more times, can't believe I was distracted enough to let him in.

"You..." tricked me... I want to say but no words left my mouth as I watched the alpha in front of me.

His gaze lowered in my body slowly down to my toe and back up to my lips, again and again. His smile faded replaced by the side of his jaw tensed and his eyes scare me of how intense they were, like fire blazing with passion. A gulp formed on his throat and he cleared his voice.

"If you ain't ready for what I want," He said in a deeper voice than usual. "I suggest put some clothes on before I can't help myself and do things you aren't ready for." He paused gulping once more felt like he was struggling. "...yet."

It was my time to gulped and moved backward, averting my eyes elsewhere. Ignoring the traitorous blush that crept once again in my face, probably redder than I am before.

Xyrus turned around, his back facing me. Wrinkle stretches on the white cloth wrapped in the pillow of how tight he was gripping it.

"What are you doing? " I asked confusedly.

"Get dressed."

"With you in here ?" Disbelief laced in my voice, hiding my embarrassment.

"Will you prefer me watching?" He teased. "I don't mind you know--"

"No!" I said abruptly, so fast that it came out louder.

"Then get dressed."

Never in my life did I got to dress with a man in the same room much to be with this alpha who happens to be my chosen mate. Embarrassment was not enough word to describe how I feel.

I quickly rummaged my drawers for a big T-shirt and cotton shorts while purposely checking from time to time if he was peeking. Xyrus stood still unmoving, except for the usual movement of his shoulders from breathing. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

In no time I was done and was drying my hair. He however laid in my bed mostly occupying all the spaces leaving me with a small portion to lay on. He was laying on his stomach, arms on either side of his head and peacefully breathing on the pillow he had brought with him.

He looked peaceful. Undeniably handsome as I watched him sleep.

I gently laid to the other side, hugging one of my pillows and turning my back to him. I love cuddling a pillow when sleeping, it's a comforting gesture to me ever since I left my bear, Mr.cushcush, and everything else at home to be burned.

My mood instantly changed remembering what happened in the forest. He is dead. He's gone. A larger part of me feel relieved yet a tiny part makes me feel this is just the beginning.

My body felt rigid as I felt warm breath on my neck after a slight movement of the bed. I closed my eyes, pretending to sleep.

"Willow.." My name rolling in deep octave waves made a shiver run down my spine.

"I know you're awake."