Chapter 44

"…Yeah,” Aaron muttered, dropping into the chair like he had just accepted his fate. “This is going to be a problem.”

Vera didn’t move from where she sat, but she could feel it—the weight of Kael’s presence still too close, It lingered in the air, pressing against her skin like something alive.

Lucian pushed himself off the wall slowly, his gaze flicking between them before settling on Kael.

interesting.....

He didn’t say it out loud, but it was there. Written clearly in his expression.

Aaron, however, had no such restraint,

His eyes moved from Kael… to Vera…

Then, the moment his gaze collided with Lucian’s, he immediately looked away, like he had just seen something he wasn’t supposed to.

A slow grin spread across Lucian’s face.

“Oh,” lucian muttered under his breath, shaking his head slightly. “This just keeps getting better.”

Vera frowned. “What?”

Aaron leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he looked at her properly now. “Are we in the middle of discussing something serious…” he paused, tilting his head, “…or did I accidentally walk into a sleepover?”

Vera blinked,

Then her expression went flat.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she said dryly “Next time I’ll make sure to dress for the apocalypse, Maybe leather. Something dramatic for your approval.”

Lucian’s lips twitched.

Aaron grinned wider. “No, no, don’t get me wrong. I support it. The rabbit ears really add… personality.”

Vera slowly reached up and touched one of the soft ears hanging from her hood, then looked back at him.

You talk a lot for someone who’s still breathing, she said calmly.

Aaron laughed. “This is why I like you.”

Kael said nothing, but his gaze shifted.

it dragged over her—taking in the oversized pajamas, the blanket still wrapped around her shoulders, the stupid rabbit ears that made her look completely out of place in a room like this.

And yet…

He didn’t look away.

Vera felt it, her fingers tightened slightly against the blanket, but her expression didn’t change.

Comfortable? he asked calmly.

Very, she replied without missing a beat, You should try it sometime "Might make you less insufferable"

Aaron snorted.

Lucian shook his head slightly, clearly amused.

Kael didn’t smile, but something flickered in his eyes, something that made her pulse react before she could stop it.

The door cracked again

Livia stepped inside.

Her gaze immediately landed on Kael… then shifted to Vera.

A soft smile formed on her lips.

Well, she said lightly, stepping further into the room. “Hello, everyone. What did I miss?”

Don’t start, Vera muttered under her breath.

I wasn’t going to, Livia said easily, holding up her hands. “I like this, It’s… different.”

Aaron groaned. “Why am I the only one telling the truth in this room?”

Because you don’t know when to shut up, Lucian replied calmly.

Aaron opened his mouth—

Then closed it again.

“…That’s fair.”

Lucian’s attention shifted to Livia. “Not now.”

The tone was calm, but firm.

Livia sighed softly, clearly used to it. “Fine. I’ll go back to my movie,” she said, turning toward the door. “Love you guys.”

Her gaze lingered on Vera for a second longer—curious, amused—before she stepped out, leaving the door slightly ajar behind her.

Silence settled again.

Aaron pushed himself up from the chair, stretching slightly. “Alright,” he said, glancing between Vera and Kael. “I’m going to pretend I don’t see whatever this is.”

There’s nothing to see, Vera said immediately.

Yeah, Aaron nodded slowly. “That’s exactly what makes it worse.”

Lucian pushed himself off the wall again, his expression unreadable as he looked at Kael.

A look passed between them.

Brief, but clear.........Handle it.

Kael didn’t react outwardly.

lucian turned and walked toward the door.

Aaron followed, but not before stopping right in front of Vera, he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice just enough to be irritating.

For the record, he said, gesturing toward her hood, keep the ears.

They’re doing something.

Vera stared at him "You’re very close to dying.”

Aaron grinned. “Worth it.”

Then he straightened and walked out.

The door cracked behind them,

Vera exhaled slowly, her patience already running thin. “If you’re going to stand there and stare, at least say something useful.”

Kael didn’t answer, instead—

He moved, Slow, Closing the distance between them like he had all the time in the world.

"You’re still here,” he said quietly.

Vera frowned. “Obviously.”

"After two days.”

Her expression hardened. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

“Hmm.”

He stepped closer And yet,” he continued, his voice lowering, “you kicked my door down.”

Vera held his gaze. “You were ignoring me.”

"That bothered you.”

“No,” she said instantly.

Kael tilted his head slightly, studying her.

“Liar.”

Her jaw tightened. “You’re not as important as you think you are.”

"Then prove it.”

Before she could react—His hand caught her wrist.

And in one smooth motion, he pulled her forward.

Vera’s breath hitched as her back met the edge of the desk.

She barely had time to register it before he lifted her onto it.

Effortless.

Like she weighed nothing.

Her hands instinctively went to his chest, fingers curling slightly into the fabric of his shirt.

She didn’t push him away.

Didn’t pull him closer either.

Kael stepped between her legs.

Close enough to make her breathing uneven.

“Missed me, princess?” he asked softly.

Vera’s lips parted slightly before she forced them into a smirk.

“You wish.”

His gaze darkened.

“Is that right?”

He leaned in slowly, his breath brushing against her skin.

“Then why did you kick my door down like that?”

Her heartbeat betrayed her.

I was bored,” she said, her voice steadier than she felt.

“Hmm.”

His hand moved to her waist, resting there—not gripping,

Just there.

Like a reminder.

“I don’t think so.”

Vera’s fingers tightened slightly against his shirt. “You think too much.”

His head dipped slightly, his breath grazing the curve of her neck.

Vera stilled.

Her body reacting before her mind could catch up.

You notice everything, he murmured. “Except the obvious.”

Her breath hitched.

“Which is?” she asked, quieter now.

Kael paused.

Then lifted his head just enough to look at her.

"That you react to me.”

Vera swallowed.

Her grip on his shirt tightened slightly.

…Don’t flatter yourself, she whispered.

A slow smile curved his lips.

“I’m not.”

For a moment—

Neither of them moved.

The tension stretched, Pulled tight enough to snap.

Then—

Kael stepped back, just like that...

Vera blinked, her breath uneven, her thoughts scattered, she hated that, hated that he could do that and just walk away like nothing had just happened.

“Focus,” he said calmly, already turning back toward his desk.

like she hadn’t just been sitting there.

Like he hadn’t just—

Vera clenched her jaw, pushing herself off the desk.

“Idiot,” she muttered under her breath.

Kael heard it, Of course he did.

“Go to your room, Vera.”

She stilled.

Her gaze snapped to him.

“…What?”

His tone didn’t change.

“Go. To your room.”

No explanation, No room for argument.

And for a second— Vera considered refusing.

Considered pushing back.

But instead…...She turned.

And walked out.