ENDURING {Sequel to Everlasting} ❗️EDITING ❗️

Chapter 21

I yawn as I brush my teeth, eyes full of sleep but thankfully not bloodshot. I rinse my face, brush my hair and take a shower before getting dressed.

Kade and Lisa are leaving in two days, I only have to pretend until then. Waking up in my bed tells me that Hardin is gone, although I did notice he'd taken my socks off, and untied my hair. It makes me smile a little, knowing he remembers that I like the feel of the fresh sheets against my feet, and that I get a headache if I sleep with my hair up.

Simple little things, things that people don't usually take notice of, or even remember.

"Good morning." Lisa smiles as I enter the kitchen, still in her pyjamas and her hair messy. It's around seven in the morning, Kade is probably still sleeping.

"Morning, do you want a hot chocolate?" I offer with a polite smile, grabbing my favourite yellow cup from the rack and preparing the drink.

"I made tea, thank you though." Lisa says, sitting at the small island with her phone and mug.

As I'm pouring the kettle, I notice movement outside the patio doors, which are right next to me. The shock has me spilling the scorching kettle water, barely missing my flesh as it splashes onto the floor.

"He's still here!?" I hiss to Lisa in partial panic. Why am I panicking?

Lisa stares at me, a little alarmed. "I thought you knew."

As I move closer to the glass, I realise Hardin is still asleep, using his arm as a pillow as he lays uncomfortably across the seating. I immediately feel guilty. Why didn't he just sleep on the couch?

With a small sigh, I grab a glass and some oranges, using the citrus juicer that I use on occasion to make him a glass of fresh orange.

Taking my cup of hot chocolate and the glass of orange, I head out back and slide the patio doors shut. Using my foot, I nudge Hardin's muscular hard leg, knowing how much of a light sleeper he is, I'm not surprised when he bolts up instantly.

Alphas are always on high alert.

"You didn't have to stay outside." I immediately tell him, holding out the glass.

He rubs sleep from is eyes, sitting up before he takes the glass from me. "Thanks." He mumbles, his voice husky with exhaustion.

Sitting on the edge of the stone fire pit across from him, I stare down at the yellow cup clasped between my hands.

"I wasn't certain you'd be comfortable with me inside." Hardin is the first to break the silence that falls between us.

For a few minutes we sit in silence, before I stand up, leaving my empty cup on the fire pit.

"If you want a shower or anything, the bathroom is the second door on the landing." I tell him.

"Do you have somewhere to be?" He frowns slightly, standing up and grabbing his jacket, preparing to leave.

"No, but I do have to muck out the horses." I admit, and seeing the look of utter loss on his face, I chuckle quietly.

He has no idea what mucking out means.

"Shit picking." I explain.

Hardin grimaces. "Sounds fun."

"Good, then you won't mind helping out." I state cheerily, already walking across the field to the stables.

"What?" Hardin calls out, appalled. I ignore him, making it clear that he's helping me.

Technically I don't need help, but I want to see how he reacts to Apollo and Aurora.