Chapter 40: Chapter 40

I sighed and looked at myself in the mirror. I am wearing an orange silk nightgown for the first time in my life because that's the only thing that I saw in the closet, aside from some branded dresses.

I pouted as I walked out of the bathroom. Jeff was watching the television while sitting on the bedroom bench. He immediately turned to me and stared at me from head to foot.

My cheeks immediately flushed, causing me to look down to my feet. "S-sorry. This is the only thing I saw in the closet." I started to explain.

"That's okay." I heard him say. "Dior didn't know what to buy so she just bought what she usually uses." I raised my gaze and looked at him. "You can go with her to shop tomorrow for the clothes you like."

I nodded and walked towards the bed reluctantly.

I stared at it and wondered if I'm sleeping in here. I stared at the couch and I immediately heard Jeff clearing his throat. I turned to him with a questioning look. " Are we?"

I haven't even finished my sentence and Jeff already placed two pillows in the midline of the bed. I stared at him while he fixed the bed, making sure there was a wall between us.

I pursed my lips, keeping a smile from flashing. He smiled at me and shrugged. "Can we now sleep in peace?" he asked.

I frowned at him. He's acting like this is all normal between us and that's what baffles me the most. But then again, do I have a choice? All this is part of the faux marriage 1 signed up for. I need to endure everything for six months.

I sighed and faked a smile. "What side do you prefer?" I asked him.

He shrugged and chose the side closer to the door. "I'll stay here," he replied as he lied down on the bed.

I nodded and walked over to my side quietly.

Do you want the lights on or off?" he asked me while I

sat on the bed.

"Off," I replied and he immediately grabbed the remote

and turned the lights off.

I slowly lay down on my side, back turned opposite his direction, heart beating loudly inside a quiet room. I sighed silently and tried to think about thoughts that would make me happy.

I thought about how I imagined my life would be six months after the marriage. I would have a lot of money and I can live the life I have always dreamed of.

I thought about my parents who are still with the pack. I wonder if they're treated well. I hope after what my father did for the pack, even if he's already exchanged his prize of promotion for my life. I wish that they are living better.

"Are you okay?" Jeff suddenly asked, breaking the

silence.

I sighed. "You're not yet asleep?"

"I can hear your thoughts from here," he replied and I smiled. "What are you thinking?"

I shrugged. "About the wedding and the divorce," I said. I have a lot of things in mind. I have a lot of worries about the coming days.

"The wedding preparation will be easier than you think," he told me even though I did not open it up. "Everything will be arranged by Mother so all you have to do is tell her what you want."

I bit my lip. "Can I tell her my preferences?" I chuckled because I thought his mother will not allow me to. "It seems like she's already planned everything and all I am going to do is to accept and follow her instructions."

I heard Jeff sighing, "Thank you for agreeing," he whispered. "You know what would happen to me if you didn't.

I pursed my lips. "I didn't agree. You threatened me," l corrected and he started laughing. "You told me you'll kill me. if I don't agree so I had no choice."

"I will not kill you," he told me. "I was just testing your courage.

I couldn't help but look at him which only left me flustered when I saw him already facing me, staring at his gray eyes that shined under the faint light from the moonlight on the window. My heart started racing fast, stunned and regretting that I faced him.

"Your eyes shine like diamonds," he uttered in a raspy whisper. "I wouldn't mind looking at them for the rest of my life.

My lips parted, surprised at the words I heard from him. For the rest of his life? Why did he suddenly tell me that?

"You should sleep," he smiled. "We don't know what Mother would be planning for tomorrow.

I bit my lip and nodded. "Good night," I whispered, still couldn't take control of the beating of my heart.

He smiled at me. "Good night, Andrea," he uttered as we both closed our eyes, facing each other.

The next morning, I woke up alone in bed. I could hear the shower running which only left me thinking if Jeff went out for a morning jog like he always does.

I rubbed my eyes and sat up straight. I looked out over the window. The sun is already up and I suddenly felt the urgency to go down and make breakfast.

But then, I looked at my clothes. Can I go down looking like this? I barely know everyone in the house.

The bathroom door suddenly opened, revealing Jeff with only a small piece of towel hugging his body. Water is running down his torso that would shame even the gods from Olympus. He's drying his hair with another towel as he walked leisurely around the room as if I am not around.

I couldn't move on my seat, especially when I finally met his gaze. He narrowed his eyes at me before smirking when he noticed that I am looking at his body.

"Oh, you're awake," he uttered before resuming on drying his hair. "You should take a bath, too. Breakfast is waiting for us downstairs.

I swallowed hard before nodding. "Right," I said, still out of my right mind. I can't believe he's acting like everything is nothing to him at all. He just walked almost naked in front of me Can't he think of how scandalized I might be right now?

My purity! My innocence!

I could only let out a sigh of relief when he finally entered the walk-in closet and left my sight. I held onto my chest and shut my eyes. There will probably be more moments that he'll be like this. So I think I have no choice but to get used to this.

When he was finally dressed, I started to prepare, too. I chose a navy blue flowy dress and matched it with a pair of black stilettos. I chose the longest dress in the closet because I am not comfortable with the designs of the other dresses.

Jeff was sitting on the coffee table near the window when I was done. He's wearing a black shirt and a pair of dark jeans, His hair is styled effortlessly but he still looked like a model of a magazine while he's looking out the window.

I cleared my throat, causing him to look my way. He eyed my look and smiled. "You look good in blue," he said as he walked towards me.

"Thank you," I smiled weakly.

He held my hand and shrugged. "Let's go eat breakfast

before Mom arrives and take you away from me for the whole

day.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Are you not coming with us during the preparation?" I asked, slightly disappointed for some unknown reason.

He shook his head. "I have to speak with the wolves regarding our training," he replied. "We also have to hunt for rogues lurking around our territory."

I nodded. "Is that the rogue we saw in the forest?" I asked him.

"We already killed him," he replied nonchalantly making my eyes widen in shock. "That fast?" I asked.

He nodded. "The day I saw you, I have already asked Ryan, Nelly, and Pires to hunt down the rogues who were after you," he began.

"The wolf we saw by the lake is the last one. I blinked, confused at what he was suddenly telling me. But then I nodded. "Yeah, having rogues around is definitely dangerous to your pack."

Jeff stopped and looked at me. "It's not just the danger they bring to the pack," he said. "I can't stand you being in danger." There wasn't any humor in his voice. He sounded so serious which only revived the erratic beating of my heart.

It's like there was a feast this breakfast. I don't know where the other members of the pack are but it was only me and Jeff who ate together.

I looked around but there wasn't one inside the first floor of the house. Jeff and I sat on the couch in front of the portraits of the former alphas in their pack.

"Where are Ryan, Nelly, and Dior?" I asked him.

Dior probably went back to the city for her work, he replied.

"Ryder and Neil are jogging in the forest."

I nodded and smiled. "What time will your mother come?" I asked.

He looked at his watch before sighing. "She's probably on her way he replied and just like that, Rosemary barged inside the packhouse with a loud greeting.

Jeff chuckled as his mother approached me.

"Let's go ahead," she beamed without even asking me about my first night in the packhouse.

I bit my lip and looked at Jeff but he just nodded. " She'll take care of you. Just tell her what you want," he told me as his mother pulled me outside the house while telling me everything she wants to happen for the wedding.

Listening to her words, I already know that this is going to be a long day.