The Pet🐾 (Completed)

Chapter 21

Ashley

Once Sophia and Jasper left, Roman wrapped the ice in a smaller bag with a tissue.
"Put this on your chest for tonight," he said, handing it to me.

I took it and lightly set it over the bruise.
"Thanks... for everything," I said softly.

Roman smiled and walked back into the closet, returning moments later with a blanket. He grabbed a pillow and arranged a comfy spot on the couch.
"I'm guessing you don't want to sleep with me, so I'll take the couch," he said.

"Wait—I don't want to kick you out of your own bed," I said, reaching for him.

He looked back, serious. "So... do you want me to sleep with you?"

I felt my cheeks heat up. "As long as you don't try anything," I said, crossing my arms.

"Haha, I won't, I promise," he said, turning off the lights.

As darkness fell, my heart raced. The bathroom light came on, and Roman appeared in the doorway.
"You okay?" he asked.

"Oh, um... yeah. Just leave the bathroom light on, please," I said.

"Okay," he nodded, then walked to the other side of the bed. He slid in beside me, hands behind his head, lying flat on his back. He glanced at me and smiled. I realized I had been staring and quickly looked away.

"So..." I said, trying to distract myself. "Why do you have such a big room?"

He laughed. "I'm the alpha—the leader, the... king."

Holy—my eyes widened. "Really? Wow," I breathed, staring at the ceiling.

"Yup. Your turn—what's your favorite food?" he asked.

"Oh... pizza, or something really greasy," I said, giggling.

"Interesting," he murmured.

I hesitated. Ask it, Ashley, you'll regret it if you don't. "Uh... why do you have women's clothes in your room?" I blurted out. Immediately, I regretted it.

He shrugged. "Oh, each room has a small supply of both men's and women's clothes in various sizes."

Relief washed over me. "Oh... okay," I said softly.

He continued, "Well, what do you like to do for fun?"

"I like to swim, and I go running... though I'm nowhere near as fast as Sophia," I said, giggling.

"Maybe we can go running one day," he suggested.

"Oh... that sounds like fun," I said, blushing. I yawned.

"You should get some sleep," he said gently.

"Okay," I whispered, closing my eyes. My mind wandered to thoughts of running with him... what it might be like... would it feel like with Jasper, or... different? Could we ever be something more?

I felt him drift to sleep beside me, his chest rising and falling with each breath. I watched him, wondering what it would feel like to be closer, when suddenly a sound made my heart skip. My mind raced—was it intruders? The rogues again? My dream flashed back in fragments. The rumbling, the whispers.

I slid closer to Roman, seeking comfort, and laid my head on his chest, wrapping an arm around his waist. His warmth made me relax, and soon I drifted toward sleep, feeling his arm wrap lightly around my back.