Stuck with the enemy

Chapter 73: Final Confrontation

I rang the doorbell, my heart pounding. My mind was a mess, thoughts swirling like a storm. I could hear faint footsteps from inside—please let it be Tommy.

The door opened, and there he was. Tommy. Relief flooded me.

"Deniz!" he said, his voice warm and a little worried. He pulled me into a quick hug, then stepped back, his eyes scanning me. "What's with the clothes? How's your back?"

I managed a weak smile. "Got caught in the rain. I had to change. I'm okay." My voice was small, still shaky. "Can I come in?"

"Of course." He stepped aside and let me in, closing the door behind us. The warmth of the house wrapped around me, and I realised just how cold I was.

"Where's Alya?" he asked, frowning a little.

"She'll be here soon," I said quickly, heading toward the stairs. "I need a shower first. Urgently."

I wasn't really lying—Alya will come here for sure. Knowing her, she wouldn't miss out on this story for the world.

I slipped into my room and grabbed my phone from the nightstand. Ten unread messages from Alya.

What happened? Are you with Derek? Tell me everything when you see this!

Deniz, I told the guys you stayed at my place and left your phone at home. Morning! Did you make it? Text me when you're home—I'll come over.

I quickly replied: I'm here. Come over if you want—I really need to talk.

Then I dropped the phone on the bed and headed for the shower.

The hot water washed away the chill in my bones, but it couldn't scrub away the thoughts swirling in my head. I stayed there longer than I meant to, until my skin was pink and the mirror was fogged up.

When I finally stepped out, a towel wrapped around me, Alya was already sprawled on my bed, phone in hand.

"Spill everything!" she squealed, barely containing her excitement.

I rolled my eyes, a small smile tugging at my lips as I rifled through my drawers for clothes. "It was just a mess last night," I said, pulling on a hoodie.

"A mess? Spill. Now!" she said, hugging a pillow to her chest.

"He was attacked by a group of rogues," I said quietly, glancing at her in the mirror. "I felt it... through the mate bond. I couldn't stay away."

Alya's eyes widened. "And you ran to him. In the middle of the night. To save your mate. So romantic," she squealed, practically bouncing on the bed.

I snorted. "Yeah. Super romantic. He's the Alpha of the pack—it's my job to protect him."

"Uh-huh. So what happened after?" she asked, her voice softening as she hugged the pillow tighter.

"It started raining. We found shelter at his father's cabin. I don't know why he went there, but I think it has something to do with his mother."

Alya's curiosity burned in her gaze. "How do you know?"

"It's close to the anniversary of her death," I said, pulling the hoodie tighter. "He had a nightmare about her. He was burning up from his wounds, but... we got through it."

Alya's expression softened. "You patched him up, didn't you?" she teased.

I nodded, a tiny smile escaping.

"Deniz, are you sure you don't feel anything for him?" she said, her tone suddenly serious.

I sighed, dropping onto the edge of the bed. "Maybe I was wrong about him. I don't know why he hurt us in the past, but he's... he's not like I thought. He's a good Alpha. And, well... he's kind of handsome." My cheeks burned as I admitted it.