Chapter Nine

Kyle

I argued with Mom. Of course, I did. I couldn’t believe she actually wanted me to share a room with Hayden. Of all people. She knows better that we are cat and mouse.

“Mom, I’ll just take the sitting room,” I insisted, gripping the strap of my bag a little tighter. “I’ll be fine there, seriously.”

But she turned around, adjusting the robe a staff had just helped her into, and gave me that look. The one that meant I’m not budging, so stop trying.

“Oh hell you won’t,” she said sharply. “You’re not going to embarrass me on our first night here. Especially not today, Kyle. Be respectful. This is the Alpha Mansion now, not your old routine at my house. The rooms haven’t been opened up yet, and Maddox will sort it out when he’s done with his rounds. For now, you’ll manage with your brother. You’re family.”

I opened my mouth to argue again, but nothing came out. She was done talking. I could tell.

So I had no choice. I sighed and made my way up the grand staircase, dragging my bag behind me, my heart beating just a bit too fast. I didn't know if it was dread or shame or some weird mix of both.

When I reached Hayden’s door, I didn’t think. I was too tired. I just pushed it open—no knock, no warning, and there he was.

Shirt halfway off, toned back catching the warm glow of the chandelier, jeans hanging low on his hips like he didn’t have a care in the world.

I froze.

Hayden turned, startled, and locked eyes with me.

“I’m really sorry,” I blurted, stepping back immediately. “I didn’t mean to—”

“What are you doing here?” he snapped, voice cold and already annoyed.

I exhaled, of course. I should’ve known this was how he’d react. I tried to keep my tone level. “I can explain—”

“I don’t want you to explain,” he cut me off, his glare sharp. “Just get the fuck out of here.”

I rolled my eyes and backed out of Hayden’s room, shutting the door a little harder than necessary. Whatever. I didn’t need this. I just didn’t.

That was how I found myself downstairs again, sinking into the edge of a couch in the massive sitting room. It was too open, too exposed. Strangers were walking past—staff, I guess, or maybe workers sent in to help with the final set-up. They were moving things around, adjusting flowers, whispering instructions to one another. All of them looked so polished. So unfamiliar. So not home.

I felt weird. Like I didn’t belong. My legs kept bouncing, and I couldn’t stop running my hands along the seam of my jeans. Some of them stared as they passed by, and I didn’t know if it was because they knew, or because I just looked that awkward sitting there like a lost kid. Either way, I hated it.

I just wanted to disappear. Lock myself up in a room. Strip off this heat-heavy shirt. Shower till my skin pruned. Something. Anything. I was exhausted.

Then I heard her voice.

“Kyle. What are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you not to stay in the sitting room?”

I looked up. My mom was walking toward me, arms crossed and a look on her face that told me she was halfway between concern and frustration.

I stood slowly, trying to keep my voice even. “Hayden… he didn’t let me stay. He told me to get out.”

She sighed sharply and muttered something under her breath before snapping, “What is wrong with that boy?”

Before I could even say anything, she was already reaching for my bag. “Take this. Let’s go. Upstairs. Now.”

I didn’t argue. I just let out a long breath, picked up my bag again, and followed her up the stairs. My legs felt heavy. Like every step was dragging me closer to something I didn’t want to face.

Something told me this night was far from over. And somehow, things were about to get worse.

When we got upstairs, Mom walked straight to the door and twisted the knob, but it didn’t budge. She gnashed her teeth.

“This boy is really getting on my nerves,” she muttered. “He’s trying me.”

She knocked hard, fist thudding against the wood. “Hayden!”

There was a pause, and then his voice rang out, annoyed and loud.

“Who the fuck is that? I told you to leave, didn’t I?”

Mom took a step back. “It’s me. Your mother. Open this door at once.”

Silence again, just a few seconds of tension sitting between us. Then the door finally creaked open.

Hayden stood there with that cold, unreadable look on his face. His jaw was tight, his brows drawn in a scowl, and his eyes sharp as ever. He didn’t say a word, just looked between me and Mom like he’d been interrupted from something very important.

She stared at him without flinching. “I heard you chased your brother out of the room? For your information, both of you will be staying here for the time being. So accommodate him. And please, I don’t want to hear anything else. Respect yourselves.”

“But—” he started, clearly ready to argue.

“No buts, Hayden. Please.”

His mouth stayed shut, but his jaw flexed, that muscle twitching like he was holding back all the words he wanted to spit out. He didn’t look at me. Not yet.

Mom turned to me with a sigh and softened her voice. “Go in. Try not to fight, okay? Just lie down and rest. You’ve had a long day.”

I nodded and stepped past her into the room. She offered me a small, worn-out smile, then shut the door quietly behind me.

“Mommy’s boy,” Hayden muttered behind me, just loud enough.

I froze. My fists clenched instantly.

“What did you just call me?” I turned fast, adrenaline hot in my chest, and rushed toward him. My hand shot up and grabbed the collar of his shirt, pulling him closer without thinking. “What did you say?”

I knew I was the weaker one. He could easily shove me off if he wanted to. But in that moment, I didn’t care. I was tired. I was ashamed. And I was done being looked at like I was nothing.

Hayden didn’t move. He just stared down at me with that same bored expression. Then he smirked. It wasn’t playful. It was ruthless. Cold. The kind of smile that made my stomach twist.

“You’re really pushing your luck,” he said, voice low.

I could feel his breath against my face, steady and unaffected, like he knew exactly how much control he had.

And that pissed me off even more.