𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐀𝐄𝐓𝐇 | Scott McCall

Chapter Seventeen

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As the scent of bacon and pancakes wafted through the air, Alex felt the weight of Caleb's words linger in her mind. She was grateful for the warm breakfast and the unexpected camaraderie in the kitchen, but the undercurrent of tension remained palpable. She exchanged a glance with Derek, who was meticulously flipping the bacon, his expression a blend of annoyance and amusement.

"You're not making it easier, you know," Alex said, leaning against the counter. "The more you act like I need protecting, the more suspicious it sounds."

Caleb smirked, returning to his pancakes. "What can I say? It's a brother's duty. Plus, it's just fun to tease you." He shot a sideways glance at Derek, who rolled his eyes but smirked back.

"You might want to let her breathe a little," Derek said, flipping another piece of bacon. "Trust her judgment."

"Hey, I trust her," Caleb replied, his tone shifting slightly serious. "It's Scott I'm worried about."

Derek chuckled, his eyes still focused on the cooking. "Scott's a good guy. Besides, I think he's learned his lesson about boundaries."

A soft laugh escaped Alex. "You guys are acting like I'm a delicate flower that needs protection. I can handle myself." She pushed off the counter, trying to lighten the mood. "But maybe you should take notes from Scott on how to treat women, Caleb."

Caleb raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "You think I don't know how to treat women? I've been trained by the best."

Derek choked on his laughter, and Alex couldn't help but smile. It was refreshing to be in a space where the stakes felt a little lower, even if just for a moment.

As the pancakes piled high, the atmosphere shifted. Lydia poked her head in from the living room, her expression curious. "Is breakfast ready? I'm starving!"

Caleb sighed, feigning annoyance. "We're working on it! Keep your hair on, Lydia."

She rolled her eyes dramatically. "Well, hurry up! If I don't get food soon, I might just faint."

"Drama queen," Caleb muttered under her breath, earning a playful nudge from Derek.

As the breakfast spread grew, Alex felt a flicker of comfort. She and Scott had a complicated history, even in this alternate reality, and the echoes of last night still rang in her ears. As if reading her mind, Scott walked into the kitchen, his hair tousled and a warm smile on his face.

"Smells amazing in here," he said, glancing between Alex and Caleb.

Caleb's expression hardened slightly, and Alex felt her heart race. "Just making sure Alex here gets a proper meal," he said, keeping his tone light but the undertone sharp.

Scott raised an eyebrow, clearly catching the tension. "I appreciate the hospitality, Caleb." His gaze shifted to Alex, and for a moment, everything around them faded. "You okay?"

"Yeah, just... having a fun morning," she replied, trying to keep her tone light but feeling the weight of his gaze.

Caleb snorted. "Fun? If you call being interrogated by your brother fun, sure."

Scott looked momentarily surprised before he shot Caleb a warning glance. "I wasn't interrogating her."

Alex bit back a smile, sensing Scott's discomfort. "It's fine. Just normal sibling stuff, right?"

"Normal?" Caleb scoffed. "You have no idea what normal is, Alex. Not in this family."

Scott shot a glare at Caleb, the protective instinct rising. "Let it go, man."

The air thickened, but Alex stepped in. "Let's just eat before it gets cold," she suggested, taking a plate and serving herself. She glanced back at Scott, who was observing her with a mix of admiration and concern.

As they settled around the table, the conversation shifted, but Alex could still feel the weight of unspoken words lingering between her and Scott. Every glance, every subtle brush of their arms felt charged, and she wondered if anyone else could sense it.

After breakfast, as everyone helped clear the table, Alex caught Scott's eye and motioned for him to follow her into the living room. "Can we talk?" she asked, her voice low.

"Yeah, of course." He followed her, his brow furrowing in concern.

Once they were out of earshot, Alex leaned against the wall, gathering her thoughts. "I'm sorry about Caleb. He can be... overprotective."

Scott chuckled softly. "He's just looking out for you."

She looked down, biting her lip. "And you?"

"What do you mean?" he asked, tilting his head slightly, genuine curiosity in his eyes.

"Are you looking out for me, or is it something else?" The vulnerability in her voice surprised even her.

Scott's expression softened. "I want to protect you, but it's more than that. I—" He hesitated, searching for the right words. "I care about you, Alex. A lot."

She felt her heart race. "I care about you too. But this is all so complicated."

"Tell me about it," he said, a small smile creeping back to his face. "Alternate realities, supernatural threats, and now... feelings? It's a lot to handle."

Alex chuckled nervously. "Right? Like, who knew I'd end up in a situation where I'd have to navigate a potential love life while avoiding werewolves and hunters?"

Scott stepped closer, the teasing fading into sincerity. "Just know I'm here for you. Whatever happens, we'll figure it out together."

Her heart swelled at his words, but doubt flickered in the back of her mind. "What if we can't?"

"We will," he said, unwavering. "We've faced worse things than this."

As they stood there, the world outside faded into the background, leaving only the two of them, suspended in this moment. She could feel the air shift, the tension building again, and she wondered if she could dare to close the gap between them.

But before she could move, Lydia reentered the room, breaking the spell. "What's going on in here? You two look like you're plotting something."

Alex felt her cheeks heat up, and she shot Scott a quick, uncertain glance. "Just discussing... breakfast."

"Right," Lydia said, smirking. "Well, if you're not careful, the others will start to think you're up to something."

Scott cleared his throat, a slight flush coloring his cheeks. "We're not up to anything, I promise."

"Sure, sure," Lydia teased, crossing her arms. "Just keep it PG, you two."

As she left, Alex turned back to Scott, her heart pounding. "This is going to be harder than I thought."

He nodded, a small grin on his face. "But at least we're in it together."

"Together," she echoed, feeling the truth of it resonate deep within her.

As the day unfolded, filled with laughter and light-hearted banter, Alex couldn't shake the feeling that everything was shifting. The path ahead was uncertain, but with Scott by her side, she felt a flicker of hope in the chaos of this alternate reality.