Navy's Sons: Bullied by Quadruplet Stepbrothers novel Chapter 35

30. Cake Tasting

Fighting over dominance isn’t exactly uncommon between werewolves-especially those with Alpha blood like them. In fact, werewolves are naturally territorial creatures. They are often in a pissing contest with each other over the simplest of

reasons.

But I have a feeling that Jace and Luca are not just fighting over a chair.

Luca frowns, clearly annoyed. Jace’s expression stays unreadable, but his grip tightens. His knuckles go pale.

Luca frowns, clearly annoyed. Jace’s expression stays unreadable, but his grip tightens. His knuckles go pale. I’ve never seen Jace look this serious before. He’s always the most playful one among his brothers. But now, he looks almost as intimidating as Evren. Their eyes lock, and for a second, it feels like the air stills around them. Their Alpha energy makes the air slightly suffocating. I’m just glad my mom is too busy chatting with Lydia to notice what is happening. Meanwhile, Reed

quietly observes his brothers in amusement as if he is watching a boxing match and he doesn’t care who gets to win as long as he’s entertained.

I shift in my seat, uncertain if I should intervene or look away.

Luca’s eyes drop to his brother’s hand. Then he sighs. He glances at me once, then lets go of the chair and steps aside,

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30. Cake Tasting

letting Jace have it. Shit.

I straighten as Jace quietly slides into the seat beside me. Luca circles around the table and sits beside Evren instead. Reed takes the chair next to Jace, balancing the group out, as if nothing just happened. My neck is stiff while I put a conscious effort to not look to my right, fearing I might lock eyes with Jace.

The tasting begins with vanilla. Chef Lydia serves us with individual slices. It looks tasty, but I might as well be chewing concrete, because all my focus is on figuring out how to avoid

Jace.

“That’s delicious!” Mom comments. She looks delighted. Well, at

least the bride-to-be is happy.

I hear the scrape of a plate being pushed forward and the soft creak of a chair leaning back. “Vanilla’s alright, I guess. But I’ve never really been into vanilla things,” Reed comments.

Mom lets out a breathy chuckle, and Chef Lydia gives a knowing smile as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. I can hear Luca snort under his breath, and even Evren’s lips curl faintly in amusement. But the seat beside me stays still.

I don’t need to look to know Jace isn’t laughing. He’s quiet, it’s strange. Normally, he’d be the first to egg Reed on or throw in something worse. But now, there’s nothing. I risk a glance toward the mirrored ornament on the far wall and cata 09:25

30. Cake Tasting

partial reflection. Jace is looking at me, not at the cake. His gaze is heavy that makes me quickly drop mine to my plate.

I try to ignore his blatant stares as we move on to chocolate, then strawberry shortcake. Each time someone offers their opinion, I stay quiet and keep looking at my napkin.

During a short break, while everyone is busy cleansing their palate with water or chatting quietly, I take the chance to excuse myself to the bathroom. I walk to the sink and turn on the faucet. The water runs over my hands, and I focus on the sound as I get rid of the sticky icing that had clung around my fingers.

Just then, I hear the door open behind me. I glance up at the

mirror.

Jace. Ugh, of course, it’s Jace!

He steps in and leans against the wall, arms crossed, his gaze meeting mine through the reflection. I sigh and shake my head.

“You really have a hobby of barging into ladies’ bathrooms.” I

help the bitter twist in my voice.

ales sharply. He doesn’t look amused.

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Navy’s Sons: Bullied by Quadruplet St…

31.Explanation

Tabitha’s POV

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“If you actually want to talk about what you saw last night, maybe stop avoiding me like I’m some plague,” he jabs, voice laced with frustration

I keep my eyes on the sink. My hands move slower under the stream of water.

“Why would I want to talk about it?” I ask bitterly. “It’s none of my business who you kiss. You can do whatever you want. Kiss whoever you want. That has nothing to do with me.”

He pushes off the wall. “Is that why you walked away after what you saw?” he taunts.

I grit my teeth and rip a paper towel from the dispenser to dry my hands.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Did I ruin the mood for you? I’ll make sure next time I see you with your tongue down someone’s throat, I’ll cheer instead of walking away,” I shot back, my voice dripping with acid.

I turn to leave, but he reaches for my arm and catches me gently. The contact makes me freeze. His expression softens.

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31.Explanation

“I’m sorry. That wasn’t what I meant. I didn’t come here to piss you off. I’m here because, well-fuck.” He briefly shuts his eyes close as if he is frustrated with himself. “Yennifer kissed me,” he finally continues as soon as he opens his eyes again. “I didn’t want it. I didn’t kiss her back. I pushed her away!”

I look down at his hand on my arm.

“You don’t owe me an explanation,” I say quietly.

His jaw clenches. He steps closer, then cups my chin to tilt my face

1. I don’t fight him, not when his thumb over my chin makes my heart go haywire.

“I do have to explain,” he insists in a firm voice. “I hate misunderstandings. I hate that you think I kissed her and liked it. I didn’t.”

Γ

“What difference does it make, Jace? Whether you kissed her or not-it doesn’t matter because it has nothing to do with me.” God, I hope I was able to convince myself that before I ran away like an idiot yesterday.

“It has everything to do with you because…” he trails off and averts his gaze.

“Because what?” I probe. I don’t know why I’m doing this. I should just drop this conversation but I can’t seem to stop myself from getting the answer I’m not sure I want.

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31.Explanation

Jace mutters a curse before leaning closer, his forehead kissing mine. My breath hitches at our sheer proximity. One wrong move and I’ll feel his lips against me.

“Because I don’t want you to have the wrong impression of me. Yennifer and I have been over for a while now. And I’m not planning to go back with her-or anyone.” His gaze drops to my lips and I swallow hard. “Contrary to your belief, I don’t think with my dick.”

“Then, why were you inside the ladies’ bathroom in the first place?” Damn it, I should really stop asking more questions.

“Yennifer had been pestering me the whole night. She kept saying she wanted to talk. I got/sick of the back-and-forth, so I told her fine. One conversation. That’s it.” He takes a deep breath and rubs his thumb over my lower lip. “I meant to talk to her in the hallway. But there were guests everywhere, and I didn’t want to make a scene.

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