Free Web NovelChapter 43: Why do you care?
"Do you know what you are saying?" Xavier leaned down until he was at her eye level. His right arm braced against the wall beside her head, his tall, powerful frame completely swallowing her space. The heat radiating from his body mixed with the scent of chlorine and something warm and masculine.
Yuki tilted her head up, refusing to look away. "I know exactly what I am saying. But why does it feel like you are not worried that I might get wasted... but that I might end up hooking up with someone who isn’t you?" freewebnoveℓ.com
The moment the words left her mouth, it felt like all the air around them had been sucked away. The noise of the party faded into a distant hum. A heavy, charged silence stretched between them.
Xavier’s dark eyes bore into hers with an intensity that made her heart stutter. After a long moment, he spoke with quiet, devastating confidence. "What if that is the case?"
Yuki’s eyes widened in disbelief. She stared at him, completely stunned. "What do you mean?" Her voice came out softer than she intended.
Her fists clenched at her sides as nervousness twisted in her stomach. She waited, breath held, for whatever he was about to say next. freeweɓnøvel.com
"Xavier..." A slurred voice suddenly cut through the thick tension.
Both of them froze. Their heads turned toward the sound. One of the nearby doors swung open and Ajax stumbled out, clearly drunk. His eyes widened the moment he saw them.
"Wait... you know her?" Ajax blurted out. A sleazy grin spread across his face as he threw an arm heavily over Xavier’s shoulders. "Why aren’t you saying anything? Did I just stumble into your secret?"
Xavier rolled his eyes and shrugged Ajax’s arm off. "You are wasted."
Ajax scoffed and immediately threw his arm back around Xavier. "Come on, guy. Take a break. Just because you are a good fighter doesn’t mean you have to be as stuck up as Kaden." He ignored the sharp glare Xavier sent him and turned his attention to Yuki with a wide grin. "By the way, some of the guys and Liv are about to start a game. I was wondering if you would be interested."
The air around them grew noticeably colder. Ajax, being an Alpha-born, did not seem bothered by Xavier’s darkening mood at all.
"What game are we talking about?" Yuki asked, though she already had a strong suspicion.
Something flickered across Ajax’s face while Xavier’s expression grew even darker. "Truth or Dare," Ajax revealed with a mischievous grin. "Although it’s going to get pretty messy tonight."
The door Ajax had come from opened again and Olivine’s slender figure appeared. Her gaze landed on Yuki with a hint of surprise before shifting curiously between her and Xavier.
"Ajax, we are waiting for you," Olivine said.
Ajax glanced over his shoulder. "Just getting an extra player. The more the merrier, right?" An amused smile curled on Olivine’s lips.
"You want to invite Yuki?" she asked, arching her brows.
Ajax smirked. "Well, it depends on whether she is interested in playing." He tilted his chin toward Yuki. "Are you in?"
Yuki’s gaze flickered to Olivine. Maybe it was the craziness of the night, or the lingering frustration from everything that had happened lately, but a strange burst of courage filled her. "I will give it a try."
Both Ajax and Olivine smiled brightly.
"Perfect then. Come on in," Ajax chimed, already leading Yuki toward the room. Xavier watched them disappear through the doorway. He did not follow immediately. A thought crossed his mind and he made a quick decision.
He pulled out his phone. The screen lit up with several notifications. Photos from the poolside ( images of him walking straight up to Yuki, dripping wet and standing close) were already circulating. In less than an hour, they were trending.
Xavier did not know whether to feel upset or amused at how fast rumours spread in their world. A particular direct message from a contact saved as "Angry Wolf" had already sent one of the pictures.
Angry Wolf: Are you really official?
Xavier smiled and typed back quickly.
Xavier: Why do you care? Just because you are my good friend doesn’t mean I need your permission to date anyone.
Angry Wolf: Good friend? Did you drink too much pool water? I don’t care who you date. Just don’t do anything stupid.
Xavier nearly laughed. He replied immediately.
Xavier: I am glad you don’t care. After all, you have much better things to do. Also, just a heads up, we are about to play Truth or Dare. Who knows, we might end up official tonight.
The reply came almost instantly.
Angry Wolf: At Ajax’s house?! You know how crazy that guy is.
Xavier: And? I know you have better things to do than worry about student parties.
He sent the message and immediately went offline. Xavier tucked his phone away and stepped into the room.
It was a spacious gaming room with plush cushions and bean bags arranged in a large circle. Dim, colourful lighting created a more intimate atmosphere compared to the chaos outside. Yuki was already seated, holding her can of beer and taking slow, cautious sips. The only spot left was right beside her. Xavier walked over and sat down.
As soon as he settled in, Ajax spoke up. "What took you so long?"
Xavier reached for a red cup and poured himself a drink before leaning back comfortably. "Nothing serious. Just a good friend of mine checking up on me."
Yuki’s curiosity was instantly piqued. From the reactions of everyone in the circle, they all seemed to have a very good idea who this "good friend" was. A subtle tension settled over the group at the mention.
"Don’t tell me he might crash my party," Ajax grumbled, though his smirk remained.
Xavier arched his brow. "Do you think he doesn’t already know about this party? He wouldn’t crash unless there is a good reason."
Ajax’s shoulders relaxed slightly. "In that case, let’s start then."
Ajax picked up a half-filled beer bottle, downed the rest in one big gulp, and placed the empty bottle in the centre of the circle. A wide grin spread across his face as he gave it a firm spin.
Everyone’s eyes locked onto the spinning glass bottle. The room grew quieter as they watched it slow down, finally coming to a stop with the neck pointing directly at Xavier.
Ajax’s smile widened with mischief. "Xavier... Truth or Dare?"
