CHAPTER 201: CHAPTER 201 TERRITORIAL

He rubbed the side of his neck, wincing just slightly as if it still hurt. That small, deliberate movement made their gazes snap to the marks again, and this time Jay’s jaw nearly hit the floor while Jace’s mouth dropped open in disbelief.

Leo’s eyes sharpened on Jace in particular, a dark, territorial glint flashing there — the kind that wordlessly said don’t even think about it.

Neither of them moved, still too stunned to speak. So Leo, with all the finality of a man who’d just won a silent battle, slammed the door shut in their faces.

Leaning against it for a moment, he let the satisfaction wash over him. They’d remember this. They’d know exactly who she belonged to.

Smirking faintly, he turned back toward the bed and climbed in beside her again... only for his expression to sour instantly.

There she was, still fast asleep, but instead of curling into him like last night, she had rolled over and was now hugging her unicorn plushie with the kind of devotion he didn’t even get.

Leo’s glare lingered on the offending plushie for several long seconds, his dark eyes narrowing as if the poor unicorn had personally stolen something from him. Then, without hesitation, he reached over, plucked it from Bella’s arms, and tossed it unceremoniously to the far end of the bed.

The moment her arms loosened around the toy, she instinctively reached for the nearest warm thing. Which, to his immense satisfaction, was him.

Her small hands brushed against his shirt as she curled closer, her cheek pressing lightly against his chest. The quiet sigh she let out made something in his chest tighten — a strange mix of pride, tenderness, and a deep, possessive ache he didn’t care to examine too closely.

She clearly liked to cuddle. And now she was cuddling him.

Leo stared down at her for a long while, his features softening in a way no one else ever saw. He didn’t understand these feelings or maybe he understood them too well, and that was the problem. They’d been building for weeks, growing stronger each time he saw her.

He’d tried to suppress them, tried to keep the distance he thought was necessary. But this morning... he let go. He didn’t want her away from him. He didn’t want to share her warmth, her laugh, or even her sleepy face with anyone else.

Especially not Jace or that nosy little brother of his. He’d deal with them soon enough.

For now, he shifted closer, sliding his arm around her waist and pulling her fully into him. Her small frame fit so easily against his that it felt natural, like she belonged there. His chin brushed the top of her head, catching the faint scent of something soft and sweet — strawberries and whatever shampoo use.

When Bella began to stir, he kept still, eyes half-lidded, pretending to be asleep. He wanted to see her unguarded reaction.

Her lashes fluttered, and the first thing she became aware of was the steady thump of his heartbeat under her ear. Then the firm weight of his arm across her waist. Then the realization that her head was pillowed on his chest, his shirt slightly open, revealing warm skin beneath.

Her eyes widened instantly, a rush of heat flooding her cheeks. She tried to shift away, but his arm only tightened, holding her in place as if letting her go wasn’t an option.

She tilted her head up slightly, and that’s when she saw his face — relaxed, yet undeniably masculine, with faint morning stubble along his sharp jawline. His lashes were long, almost unfairly so, brushing against his skin as his eyes stayed closed. For a moment, she just stared, feeling her cheeks heat for no reason at all.

"Leo..." she called softly, trying to wiggle out of his hold.

He hummed in response, his voice still deep and rough with sleep, and slowly opened his eyes to look down at her. "Hmm?"

"Can you let me go?" she asked, her voice almost shy, though she tried to sound firm.

He took in a slow breath, his gaze lingering on her face for a second longer than necessary before he finally nodded. "Alright," he said quietly, loosening his hold.

The moment she was free, she scrambled up and hurried toward the bathroom, her hair bouncing behind her. He watched her small figure disappear, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips. Cute, he thought, already missing her warmth and the faint sweetness of her scent.

Bella assumed that by the time she came out, he’d be gone. But when she stepped back into the room, still in her soft pink pajamas and holding her hair back with a towel, her eyes widened in disbelief.

Leo was still there. On her bed. And in his hands...

"Oh no—" she gasped. "Snowball!"

He was holding her seal plushie, turning it over as if trying to figure out what species it was. "What is this creature?" he asked, raising a brow at her.

"That’s my Snowball!" she said, hurrying toward him, the squeaky sound of her fluffy slippers following her with each step. She snatched the plushie from his hands and hugged it protectively. "Don’t you dare burn it."

He tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Relax. I wasn’t going to burn it."

She narrowed her eyes. "You always threaten to burn my plushies."

"Well," he drawled, leaning back on his elbows, "maybe this one is an exception."

Her eyes narrowed further. "And why are you still here, exactly?"

He gave her a confused look. "Good question. What am I doing here?"

"You don’t remember?" she asked, her mouth falling open.

"If I remembered, would I be asking you?" he replied dryly, rolling his eyes.

She crossed her arms. "You were drunk. So I brought you here."

"Oh." His tone was casual, but then he added, "Thanks."

Her eyes widened. Did he just... thank me? "Uh... you’re welcome?"

He straightened a little, his expression unreadable. "Since you helped me, I’ll give you one chance. You can ask me for anything, and I’ll fulfill it. One wish."

Her lips parted in surprise. "Really?"

"Try me," he said, his gaze steady. "State your wish."