Reborn To Defy The Alpha-Chapter 85: Move In

Jason slowed to a shaky walk. His stomach twisted as if it were trying to crawl up his throat. His heart hammered so violently that his vision wobbled. Each step toward Ellie’s door felt like volunteering for public humiliation.

​He reached the matte black surface. Suddenly, it looked like the door to doom. He stared at the wood, breathing like someone who had forgotten how to breathe. His fingers lifted, hovered, and froze.

What if he was wrong? What if Ellie was not his mate? What if he stood there like an idiot and got laughed at for assuming anything? What was he even supposed to say?

​His pulse stumbled, tripping over itself. Panic climbed his spine. Then he remembered the necklace and that single word carved into the pendant: Mine. His fingers curled around it with a death grip. It felt like the only thing keeping him from turning around and sprinting back to Rhea’s room.

He could do this. He had to do this.

​Jason raised a trembling hand and knocked.

​There was a beat of silence. A soft shuffle sounded from inside. Then came the click of a lock. The door opened and air stopped existing.

Ellie stood there barefoot and shirtless, a towel slung over his shoulder. His damp hair was brushed back as if he had just stepped out of the shower. His hazel eyes landed on Jason, wide with surprise and something sharp enough to slice through Jason’s already fried nerves.

​"Jason?" Ellie’s voice was low and rough with surprise. The worry in it nearly made Jason’s knees give out. "What is wrong? What are you doing here? Did something happen?"

Jason’s lips parted, but all that came out was a squeak. His lungs forgot how to function. He stared, helplessly struck dumb.

​Ellie stepped closer, concern softening his features. His brows drew together. "Hey. Talk to me."

Jason’s fingers slowly uncurled, revealing the pendant resting in his palm. He lifted it with a shaky hand. "Is this..." His voice cracked, and he swallowed hard. "Is this because... I am... yours?"

​Ellie went utterly still. Then his gaze flicked from the necklace to Jason’s face. Jason’s entire body tightened under that look, every nerve setting ablaze.

Ellie reached out. Slow. Intentional. His fingers closed around Jason’s hand, still holding the necklace. Heat shot through Jason like lightning.

​"Yes," Ellie said quietly. "It is because you are mine."

​Jason made a tiny sound that should not belong to a full grown human. His knees gave a warning tilt. Ellie caught him instantly, closing the distance between them. Warm muscle, clean skin, and pure strength. Jason pressed into bare skin, dizzy from the contact and the way his heartbeat decided to sprint a marathon without permission.

​"But you are only mine once you can feel the bond," Ellie continued, his voice softer and gentler. "I promised myself I would not force anything before you were ready. Before the bond reached you."

​Jason’s heart tried to escape through his ribs. "Ellie." The name fell out small and fragile.

Ellie cupped his cheek. Jason only realized he was crying when Ellie’s thumb brushed a tear away. "You came rushing here because of that? Because you needed to hear it?" His tone was tender, almost amused at Jason’s meltdown.

​Jason nodded, his voice cracking. "I... I wanted to hear it from you."

A smirk curved on Ellie’s mouth, sly and fond. He tugged Jason a bit closer, his bare chest firm against Jason’s front. Jason felt as though he would spontaneously combust.

​"Well," Ellie said. "Now you have heard it. I am your mate." His knuckles brushed Jason’s jaw, sending shivers spiraling down his spine. Jason leaned into the touch, dizzy with how badly he wanted more.

​"I think I already..." Jason whispered. "I think I already feel it."

​Ellie chuckled. Then he pinched Jason’s side. Jason yelped and Ellie let him go. Immediately, Jason missed the contact. His face scrunched in an offended frown, his stomach flipping at the absence.

Ellie grinned, a teasing sparkle in his eyes. "You feel nothing yet. Whatever is happening in that cute head of yours is not the mate pull. If it was real, you would not have dashed here to clarify. You would have tackled me through the door already."

​Jason’s frown deepened, his cheeks puffing slightly. "But I like you. I have always liked you."

​Ellie reached out and ruffled Jason’s hair with a fond, unfairly charming scoff. "I am happy to hear that. Really. But that is still not the pull. You will feel it tonight. Trust me. Be patient."

​Jason nearly succumbed to the heat in his face. Tonight? Patience? That was not one of his top skills.

​Ellie glanced at his towel, then back at Jason. "You want to come inside while I get dressed?"

​Jason hesitated only a heartbeat before nodding. Ellie gestured with a playful flourish. "After you."

​Jason stepped inside carefully, the door clicking shut behind him. It hit him that this was only his second time here. The first had been with Rhea, and he had been too busy panicking to notice anything. Now he took in the room. Almost everything was red. Deep, bold reds covered the sheets, the towels, and even the rug. It seemed Ellie and Rhea had a lot in common.

"What is wrong?" Ellie asked behind him.

Jason blurted the thought before his mouth got approval from his brain. "Do you not like blue?"

​Ellie laughed as he stepped closer. "I do not really care about colors," he said casually. "When you finally move in, you can change the quarters to whatever colors you like."

Jason’s brain short circuited. Move in. With Ellie. Live here. Together. A rush of warmth exploded through him, equal parts excitement and sheer panic.

​Ellie watched him with a slow grin. "Seems like you do not like red?"

​"That is Rhea’s favorite color," Jason blurted out. His face erupted in heat. Why did he say that?

​Ellie’s eyebrow arched with villainous amusement. "Is that jealousy I am smelling?"

​"No. No. No." Jason’s words stumbled out of him like drunk puppies. "I do not mean it that way. I just... I just noticed. That is all." His entire essence radiated embarrassed denial.

​Ellie smirked. "I like it."

Jason wished the ground could swallow him. Ellie gestured around the room with an easy flick of his hand. "Feel at home."

​Then he turned and strode toward the bathroom. He pushed the door closed with a soft click. Jason stood frozen in the middle of the room, every nerve buzzing. His body felt too warm. His mind raced in circles, repeating one thought like a glitchy mantra: Move in. Move in. Move in.