Chapter 7

Jason's hand was still by my cheek. I stared up at him while unsure whether to slap him or bolt for my room.

After a few seconds, I just cleared my throat and shoved the plate behind me. "I'll wash the dish. And... I'll buy you another cake."

Jason chuckled and finally took a step back. "Make it double fudge, and we'll call it even, pumpkin roomie."

I didn't say a word. I just nodded while grabbing a napkin, and wiped the rest of the frosting off my face.

As I hurried back to my room with what little pride I had left, I heaved a deep sigh and plunged my face into the pillow. "I hate werewolves," I muttered.

***

The next morning, I woke up earlier than usual. Maybe it was guilt from last night, or maybe I just didn't want to be in the same room as Jason again without some sort of plan.

Either way, by 6:30 AM, I was already out the door with a grocery list to make myself a good breakfast. After a few minutes, I walked back into the condo with two bags full of fresh ingredients. When I arrived, the whole place was still quiet so I faintly smiled while clinging to my hoodie. I just tied my hair back and put on my apron.

Eggs, tomatoes, sausages, garlic rice, and pancakes, because why not? I even made a small bowl of fruit salad just to make the plate look prettier. The sizzle of oil and the warm smell of garlic and bacon made me heaved a deep sigh for a while. The smell was giving me some comfort.

I was just plating the last pancake when I heard footsteps behind me. I gently turned and saw Tyler. His hair slightly tousled and his eyes were warm even in the morning light.

"Wow," he commenced and smiled at me. "Your cooking smells amazing, lady."

I faintly smiled at him. "Good morning, Tyler."

"Morning," he replied and stretched his arms as he looked over my shoulder at the food. "Is that all for you?"

"Yup. And before you ask, yes, I know the rules. No food sharing," I uttered teasingly while remembering how he reminded me just last night. The cake that he baked that I ate. My smile faded slightly. "Actually... about that."

Tyler raised a brow. "Yes?"

"I... may have eaten a slice of your cake last night," I admitted while rubbing the back of my neck. "I was really hungry, my food got canceled, and it just smelled so good. I'm sorry."

He chuckled, softly. "It's just a cake, lady. It's fine."

"I still feel bad," I muttered, then gestured to the table. "So... if you want, you can share breakfast with me. You're the only one who's been nice to me anyway."

His smile widened at me. "Are you sure? I mean, I did hunt half the night with my brothers. I'm really starving."

I chuckled. "Sit. Before I change my mind."

Tyler pulled out a chair and began to help me bring the plates over. Then, I sat across from him as we both dug into the food. I hadn't even finished my second bite when our calm conversation was shattered.

"I smell pancakes!" Jason's voice rang out of nowhere. "Breakfast is ready!"

He immediately darted into the dining table like a puppy off a leash. Behind him, Ethan also followed but he was silent and intimidating as always. His eyes also flicked over the food, then landed squarely on me.

I crossed my arms while narrowing my eyes. "This is Tyler's breakfast. Not yours."

Jason who was unbothered just leaned down beside me. "Ethan... Do you wanna know who stole a slice of cake last night?"

I froze while glaring at him, but before he could say more, I forced a bright smile and cut him off. "You know what, fine. You can eat. But just for today, okay?"

Jason whooped. "I knew you loved us deep down."

I didn't reply. Instead, I picked up my fork and pretended he didn't exist.

Jason happily plopped into the seat beside Tyler and started piling food onto his plate. Ethan, on the other hand, moved slowly. He sat across from me but he was not taking a bite yet. He was just staring while his sharp eyes fixed on mine. I tried to ignore it, but I knew for sure that his gaze was impossible to miss.

"What if this is poisoned?" he asked me.

I set my fork down and glared right back at him. "Then maybe I shouldn't have shared it with you in the first place."

The corner of his lip twitched like he wanted to smirk, but he didn't. He just picked up his fork and stabbed a sausage.

I sat back in my chair, watching them eat my food like it wasn't a war zone ten minutes ago.

What even was my life?

A second-year biology student, living with three alpha werewolves, one of whom just threatened me with food poisoning and another who blackmailed me with cake. And yet, weirdly... this breakfast? It felt like the calmest moment I have had in days.

After my breakfast with the triplets, which was surprisingly... not chaotic, I rushed to my room and got ready for my lab class. We had a Molecular Biology Techniques lab today, and it was one of those subjects where you had to show up on time or risk being locked out by Professor Myles, who had zero patience for tardiness.

I immediately stuffed my lab coat and protective goggles into my bag slung my backpack over my shoulder. By the time I left the condo, my hair was still damp from my hurried shower, and I was basically power-walking across campus.

I was halfway down the hallway of the Life Sciences building when I crashed into something.

I gasped while stumbling slightly as my project binder almost flew out of my hands. "Crap, sorry—"

But when I looked up it was Ethan. Damn! Why of all people, it had to be him? He was neatly dressed in a white lab coat. His shirt tucked in perfectly and his ID was clipped on straight.

Ugh! Of course he would look like a walking medical magazine cover.

For a few moments, I just stood there like an idiot. And it wasn't just me, everyone in the hallway seemed to notice us. I could feel the glances and the quiet whispers. Because what was he doing with me?

I snapped out of it and immediately stepped to the side, pretending not to notice him. I tried to walk past, but his hand shot out and grabbed my arm, stopping me.

"Why are you ignoring me?" Ethan asked. He gently leaned in, just enough for me to smell the faint scent of aftershave and cold peppermint.

I blinked at him and pulled my arm free. "Because we're in school, and in school, we don't know each other."

He raised an eyebrow. "But we live together, omega."

"And no one here needs to know that," I replied. "In here, I'm Sarah. A regular weak omega student. You're Ethan Blackstone. Alpha werewolf, science genius, or whatever. Let's keep it that way."

He didn't move. Just kept staring at me. I couldn't tell what it was, curiosity? Annoyance? All of the above?

I just took a step back and adjusted my bag. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have actual science to do."