Page 38 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos (The Rossi Legacies #7)

Sienna

“ S eth is here?” Heaven asks in surprise as she sits on the edge of my bed.

I nod glumly, drawing circles on the floor where I’m sitting cross-legged. Lessons are over, and we’re just hanging out here in my room.

Allie raises a brow. “Well, you’re going to have to face him sooner or later, you know that, right?” she questions sceptically, ever the voice of reason.

“Yes. Especially with him being slated to become Ahren’s Beta at some point,” Heaven adds.

I sigh heavily.

Yeah… I heard.

Seth’s older brother, Shane, was born via surrogacy.

Although it was Rose’s friend Dylan, a warrior, who donated his sperm, the egg was from an omega, and it was an omega who carried the baby.

Rose or Lola couldn’t use their own eggs because even science can’t fertilise a non-omega female’s egg without being mated.

So, he isn’t as strong or even the kind of person who wants to lead.

Being Beta was never something he was interested in.

Seth is actually Shane’s half-brother. Dylan found his mate a year after Shane was born.

She was of beta blood from a neighbouring pack, and both were strong warriors.

They then had Seth; however, they were tragically killed in battle when Seth was four, and without hesitation, Lola and Rose adopted him.

Seth was always more of a leader, stronger and faster than Shane, and although, for now, Maddox is the Beta, he is standing in temporarily since Lola stepped down.

After Dad, although she tried, she wasn’t able to keep the role. She and Dad were close. Dad always said she was like a second sister to him, and she never forgave herself for not being there to protect him.

“So… what’s the big deal? I mean, it’s just one conversation.” Allie pushes as she lies on my bed, staring at the ceiling, or maybe at the dust that flies around, a deep frown on her face.

I look between them, my cheeks heating up. “Well… Jayce and I… kissed.”

Heaven’s head snaps to me, her eyes widening as Allie jolts upright, and I look down at the floor.

“You what?” Heaven whispers as she drops to her knees next to me and touches my forehead. “Are you telling the truth or are you delusional?”

“See, I was right,” Allie says, glaring at me. “And she was like ‘no, never, it’s not like that!’ Drama queen.”

“He’s your division leader,” Heaven whispers.

I raise an eyebrow. “He’s younger than any other division leader; you can’t use that one. We would have just been in the same division and nothing more if he wasn’t picked.”

“Ok, ok, fine. So when?! Where? And how? I mean, how did it happen?” she asks, her eyes sparkling with excitement, her voice of reason vanishing.

I can’t help but smile. At times, she acts so mature, but then moments like this, she’s just her sixteen-year-old self.

“Well… that day when-”

“Hah! Something happened the day of the attack. I was trying to figure out why his bloody handprint would be on your thigh! A tad too high,” Allie says, now on her knees as she leans off the bed to look me in the eye – as if that would confirm the answer.

I blush. “Well, nothing happened that day, but we had a moment-”

Heaven squeals. “They had a moment. Oh my gosh! Details! Everything, ok!”

I look at Allie, who is staring at me intensely. “Well, go on then.” She crosses her arms.

In their own ways, both of them are really curious right now and want to know. So, without going too much into every intimate moment, I tell them about our slight flirting moments and the exchange under the rain.

When I’m done, they’re both silently staring at me. Heaven’s cheeks are pink, a big smile on her face as if she’s the one who’s in love, and she hugs me.

Wait, I said… in love.

My heart skips a beat, but I keep my face passive as Heaven moves back.

Is love the right word?

“I’m so happy for you, honestly, when you ended it with Seth, I was worried…” she trails off when my face falls at the mention of Seth.

“I did love him, but… I don’t anymore. With Jayce, I feel- it feels different,” I admit. “But he also wants to figure it out before we tell anyone. I sometimes hate how entwined our families are.”

“I kinda like it,” Allie says. “It’s not common for everyone to be so tight-knit, although it does feel kinda incestuous, ya know, you and Jayce.”

“It does not! He’s not my cousin,” I pout.

“But a breakup would be weird. Imagine parties,” Allie says, her voice now deadpan and serious, staring at me unblinkingly. “Are you sure-sure you like him?”

“Yeah, she’s right, because you don’t want what’s happened with Seth to happen again, but let’s not think of them breaking up. Let’s focus on Seth. Maybe you can meet him after the match?”

I sit up, wait, Jayce is playing! “Or I can talk to Seth while Jayce’s match is going on?” I suggest.

They exchange looks, then look at me. “Seth has come with a group of others, and like every single time, the match will be against the visiting team. It’s a bit of fun along with the seriousness of their visit. The fact you didn’t know that is weird,” Allie says.

“It’s Si, she lives in dreamland.” Heaven waves her hand.

“I do not, I just don’t like sports,” I protest. “So Seth will play against Jayce?”

“Yes, and it’s pretty hot. They may take their shirts off,” Heaven whispers, wiggling her brows at me. “You’ll come for that, right?”

“Well, I’m not going.” I cross my arms, although the idea of Jayce in some shorts and no shirt makes my stomach knot in a way only he can make it.

“Really? You’re not? We are.” Allie crosses her arms, sitting straight-backed on the bed.

“Oh… Well, I guess I will then…”

“Just admit you want to be there to see Jayce,” Heaven teases.

Even if I should go, I don’t know what we are, and I didn’t tell them what I said to him after Seth walked off, but I should still go…

I mean, is our date still on? I hope so, but after how I ran off, he hasn’t messaged.

I pout, sighing. “Well, I have potion homework to do, but I guess I can come.”

“Sure thing, if you get any done,” Heaven says before she stands. “I’m going to go change into something cute.”

“Wait, you guys have to promise not to tell anyone about what we just discussed, ok?”

“Oh, please, we’re not you.” Allie points out, then smiles. “Imagine if the enemy ever gets to interrogate you… just don’t say a word.”

I frown as I get up, grab a cushion, and aim to swing it at her head.

“Hey!” she yelps as she jumps off the bed from the other side, and I throw the cushion at her as we all burst out laughing.

An hour later, we’re all seated up in the bleachers.

We’re a few rows up, and the view of the football pitch is pretty good.

The players haven’t come out yet, and the sun is beating down on us.

I’m in denim shorts and an oversized white tank, which I have partially tucked into my shorts and a pair of trainers on my feet. My hair is in a high ponytail.

Looking around, it’s clear that at least half the school is here. There are way more people than there were for the last game, which was just a friendly match between the students, according to Allie.

But really, did people always come to see these matches? Gods, I really am in my own world.

The moment I hear cheering, I turn to see the Midnight Academy team come out, or as Heaven would say, ‘home team’.

The scoreboard says the Midnight Shadow Wolves. Way too much for me to remember.

My heart skips a beat as I spot Jayce. He’s in the official Academy colours today, a deep, dark midnight blue, with a strip of dark grey and matt silver, WESTWOOD with the large number 10 reads across the back of his shirt in matt silver.

That’s his number…

The Academy crest is on the front left side, and on his upper arm, I notice the captain’s band.

He looks gorgeous, and my heart skips a beat. His eyes flick to mine, holding my gaze for a fleeting moment. “Good luck…” I whisper, doubting he can hear but hoping he could at least read my lips.

He looks away, but I don’t miss the faintest of smirks ghosting across his face as he runs past, and I smile. He isn’t mad.

“You two are so-” I place my hand over Heaven’s mouth, shaking my head. I don’t want anyone to hear us by mistake.

“You should have been wearing his number…” Allie remarks as she turns and looks across the bleachers.

I follow her gaze and realise so many of the girls are sporting a 10 as well as a 0 and some other numbers.

A sliver of jealousy rushes through me, and I look unhappily to the front.

Theo is the goalie, and I see Ares among them, too.

Mystic Academy players come onto the field next, in the darkest shade of plum with beige and matt gold. The Mystic Reapers. I spot Seth and look away quickly, not wanting him to see me watching or Jayce to see me looking.

Gods, how did things get so complicated?

The game begins, and everyone’s shouting and cheering. I get the basic concept of the game.

“Would this game be called fair? I mean, Midnight Academy is full of alpha blood, whilst Mystic Academy – I’m not sure if there is an alpha on that team,” I say to the girls.

“There’s more to football than speed and strength. Skill is a big part, trust me,” Allie replies dismissively.

The game continues, and I look over at Allie and Heaven, who are both completely into the game.

It’s hot, and I find myself on edge a couple of times when either team is about to score, hoping for Jayce’s team to score and hoping Seth’s team doesn’t.

Also, sadly, none of them ditched their shirts.

Did they lie about that just to get me here? ? I look at the girls suspiciously.

But Jayce is in his football kit with sweat dripping from his hair, and it’s sizzling hot. I don’t even know how I’d manage to focus on anything if he were shirtless.

I see him and Seth cross paths a few times, seeing the rough way they knock shoulders, and the looks between them. Is it real, or am I imagining it?

I think I see Seth say something as he passes Jayce, but even if I had a wolf, I wouldn’t have been able to hear above this crowd.

“Wow, those two got some tension…” Heaven says. “Oh my gosh!”

I turn back to the crowd only to see Seth stagger, Jayce not too far from him, and the referee blows a whistle. Is that Professor Raj? I never knew!

The crowd erupts with protests when he holds up a yellow card, saying something to Jayce, who simply shakes his head and walks away unbothered by the referee as Theo and the others protest in his wake.

“Shit… Jayce ain’t playing,” Allie murmurs.

“What happened?!” I hissed.

“Think he fouled Seth, look. And he’s been given a warning,” Heaven whispers.

I look back at the field, my heart skipping a beat. I watch as Seth waves off his team, feeling Jayce’s burning gaze on me. My eyes dart to him; he’s frowning. I can tell that from up here.

I sigh softly as he turns away. Oh, gods, why do things have to be so complicated?

We approach halftime, and I get up, wanting to grab Jayce a water bottle, although I can see there’s a water station to the side.

I glance at the score. The Midnight Shadow Wolves are winning 3-2.

Nice…

“I’ll be back!” I shout over the crowd before making my way down just as the whistle for half-time goes.

Whispering a spell, I levitate one of the bottles from the case on the ground beside the stand and grab it when it’s within reach. No one notices; everyone’s too busy with the game. I wait on the side, but now that I’m not in the bleachers, I can’t even see Jayce anymore.

I see a few boys jog off towards the locker rooms, discussing the game. I try to move closer, only to be elbowed aside, and then I spot him coming towards the water station.

“Jayce!” I call, earning myself a few looks from students around me. Someone shoves in front of me, and I step back, losing sight of Jayce once more. I sigh, looking down at the water bottle.

How foolish. He already has access to water a few yards away. What am I even doing?

I turn away when a hand takes hold of my shoulder, and my heart skips a beat, knowing it’s him. I turn back and look up into those green eyes.

“Hey…” I say, feeling embarrassed.

“Hey,” he replies. I can sense a few people watching us, but most aren’t, as everyone takes the chance to grab some snacks or visit the bathroom.

“Water?” I offer, holding out the bottle.

“Thanks.” He takes it from me, unscrewing it and taking a few gulps.

Oh, gods…

I watch as his Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows, and then he goes and pours the remainder of the bottle over his head.

Gods, that is… fucking hot.

My heart thumps, and everything else is muted as he shakes his head, spraying me with water, but I don’t even blink, my core clenching, probably as wet as he is right now.

Fuck…

His eyes are back on me, this time a brilliant blue, and then his hand is around my wrist as he pulls me away from the crowds and into the shade beneath the bleachers.

“I’m sorry,” I blurt out, “for how I left earlier.”

He looks at me, his eyes flicking to a couple making out several feet away.

“It’s fine, but I wasn’t expecting you to be here.”

I look out at the pitch. “I guess I’ll be here more often going forward,” I reply lightly, shrugging, my cheeks burning hot.

He smirks. “I could get used to that.”

I smile up at him. “So, are we still on for later?” I ask.

He arches a brow. “Definitely.”

“Great,” I say, playing with a strand of my hair, feeling super self-conscious. “So, I’ll let you get back out there. See you after…”

I step back, but he takes hold of my elbow and tugs me closer. “Yeah, see you later.” He leans down, placing a soft kiss on the corner of my lips, before he steps back, winking at me and jogs off, leaving me with a pounding heart and weak knees.

Gods, this man.

Taking a few moments to collect myself, I walk out from under the bleachers, only to see Allison standing not far away, and her eyes are on me. A wave of unease floods me; there’s no smirk or malice on her face, but something about that serious cold face is somehow far worse.

She doesn’t speak, and I look away, hurrying back up to the others, but I’m unable to shake off the way she was looking at me.