Chapter 43: He’s Just A Beta… A Side Character

Morning light glows against my eyelids. I stir slowly, consciousness seeping in through layers of warm, perfect comfort. My face is resting on something wonderfully soft and warm. My hand is curled around it, too. I give a gentle squeeze. So soft. So incredibly comfortable. I nuzzle closer, trying to burrow into this haven.

Then I feel it. A steady, rhythmic thump-thump beneath my cheek.

Deniz.

My eyes fly open.

The first thing I see is Deniz’s beautiful face, relaxed in peaceful sleep. My face is pillowed on his chest. My hand splayed over his heart. I freeze, not daring to breathe. Don’t move.

Neon…

Don’t you dare move and break this.

My eyes lock on him. His scent—calm, deep red roses—wraps around us like a shared blanket. He’s… breathtaking. His dark hair is messy against his temple. His eyelashes are absurdly long, black as a starless night, dusting his pale cheeks. The morning sun gilds his skin, making him look almost unreal. And his lips… soft, parted just slightly, a shade of gentle pink.

I stare, awestruck. He’s just a Beta. A side character in the grand plot. So why does my chest feel tight?

Hesitantly, I raise my hand. My fingers hover, then lightly brush the tip of his nose. A soft, uncontrollable smile touches my lips.

His eyes flutter open.

I snap my hand back and slam my own eyes shut, going completely limp. Act. Sleep. Deep, deep sleep.

Heart racing like I’ve been caught stealing something precious.

Deniz shifts, trying to gently extricate himself from my octopus grip. I tighten my hold, letting out a soft, sleepy mumble.

“I know you’re acting,” his voice is a low, sleepy rumble beneath my ear. “Let go.”

No. I bury my face a fraction deeper. God, his chest is so warm. I want to sleep right here for the rest of my life.

He tries to move again. “Leave me, Zyren. I know you’re awake.”

I keep my eyes sealed shut. I am a rock. A very affectionate, stubborn rock.

He lets out a short sigh. “If you don’t let me go,” he says, voice dropping to a threatening whisper, “I’m taking you on the roller coaster again.”

My eyes snap open. I lift my head just enough to glare at him. “What did you just say…?”

He looks back at me, and I feel my cheeks blaze. “Are you trying to make fun of me?”

He stares for a second, then a laugh bursts out of him—real, bright, and utterly disarming. “I had no other way to wake you up!”

My face is still plastered to his chest, my arm a determined band around his waist. I stare up at him stubbornly, my eyes wide and sweet, my blush betraying me completely. “Your smile is so precious,” I whisper, the words slipping out before I can stop them.

He goes silent. His ears turn a brilliant, transparent red right before my eyes.

I love it. I love every single time he blushes for me.

He hesitates, his Adam’s apple bobbing. Then, he tries for sternness. “What are you doing here?”

I just stare, then blink, pouring every ounce of innocence I possess into my expression. “I’m sleeping.”

“But why here? You should be on the bed.”

I glance over at the perfectly empty, unslept-in bed. “I don’t know,” I say, my voice the picture of childish confusion. “When I fell asleep, I was up there.”

He looks at me the way a parent looks at a toddler spinning an obvious lie. He narrows his eyes. “Don’t lie.”

I blink again, and this time, I’m utterly sincere. “Believe me, I don’t know how I ended up here.” It’s the truth. I have no memory of migrating from the bed to his floor-bound arms. But then I nuzzle my face back against his chest like a seeking puppy. “But it’s really comfortable. And soft.” To prove my point, I give his chest another deliberate, appreciative squeeze.

Deniz’s face turns completely crimson. He pushes me back with surprising strength and sits up, scrambling away from me.

I grin. “I slept really well. What about you?”

“I—I should make breakfast,” he stammers, not meeting my eyes. He’s on his feet and out the door in a heartbeat.

I lie back on the floor where he left me, a smile so wide it hurts spreading across my face. I’m grinning like a crazy person.

I honestly don’t know how I ended up in his arms.

But they were so, so warm.

I stand on the apartment balcony, hair a complete mess, still wrapped in pink pajamas. Morning sunlight spills over my skin—warm, gentle—while the air carries a chill that wakes my senses. I stretch lazily, arms lifting above my head, bones loosening.

God. I feel good.

I pick up the coffee cup from the tiny table and take a slow sip. Bitter. Perfect.

Strange. I slept on the floor last night—and yet my body feels light, rested. Warm.

Because of Deniz.

The thought makes a smile bloom on my lips before I can stop it.

Then—

A sharp whistle.

I flinch and turn my head.

From the adjacent balcony, a guy leaning casually against the railing, eyes crawling over me without shame. He grins, waves lazily.

“Hey, beauty. You just made my day, showing that pretty face so early.”

I stare at him, completely unimpressed.

“And you ruined my morning,” I say flatly, “just by showing yours.”

He laughs, like he finds it charming. “Fiery, huh? Never seen an omega this hot-tempered before. Kinda impressive.”

I exhale slowly and look away. Wonderful. One more second and this coffee is going to meet his face.

“Listen—” he starts again.

I turn back, eyes cold.

“I don’t know how you ended up with that boring beta,” he continues, running a hand through his hair like he’s a gift to humanity, “but I’m an alpha. Leave him. Come with me.”

I step closer to the railing, set one hand on it, and meet his gaze dead-on.

“I’m an alpha,” I say calmly, dangerously, “and if you don’t disappear right now, I’ll throw you off this building myself.”

His smile vanishes.

Eyes widen. He steps back once—twice—and then retreats into his apartment without another word.

I sigh, rubbing my temple. What kind of place is this?

Behind me, a familiar presence approaches.

Deniz steps onto the balcony, concern flickering in his eyes. “What happened?”

I turn to him, all sharp edges melting away. A soft smile curves onto my lips.

“Nothing,” I say easily. “Just enjoying the morning air.”

And somehow, it’s true.

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