Chapter 11

11

BACON IS A MUST

Octavia

The sun filters through the curtains, casting soft golden rays that dance across the room. I blink awake, the remnants of dreams still swirling in my mind, but there’s a reality that pulls me back to consciousness — a warmth enveloping me. I turn slightly to find Wyatt still asleep beside me, his chest rising and falling gently. My heart swells at the sight. The memory of last night rushes back: laughter, shared secrets, the intimacy we’ve shared.

As I carefully move to extricate myself from his embrace, I feel a flutter of reluctance. I don’t want to wake him, but nature’s call is insistent. Slowly, I slip out of bed, trying not to disturb him. The sheets cool against my skin as I tiptoe across the room, every creak of the floorboards an echo of my caution.

The bathroom is blissfully quiet. I empty my bladder and splash some cold water on my face, waking up fully. I stare at my reflection, bed head mess of hair framing my face, cheeks still slightly flushed from sleep. I can’t help but smile; I feel different, lighter, as if I’ve stepped into a new chapter of my life. Wyatt’s presence has shifted something in me, and I like it.

After washing up, I tiptoe over to the closet, my fingers brushing against the soft fabric of Wyatt’s shirts. I pull out a blue and grey plaid flannel, the fabric warm and comforting. As I button it up, I feel his scent surround me — leather, pine and something distinctly him. It makes my heart race a little faster.

I slide into a pair of sweats, and with a glance back at the sleeping Wyatt, I make my way down the stairs. The house is still, the only sounds are the faint creaks of the old wood beneath my feet. I navigate the familiar path to the kitchen, excitement bubbling in my chest. I want to make Wyatt breakfast, something special to show him I care and love him, but I realize I don’t know his favorites yet.

As I enter the kitchen, I find Harrison standing at the sink, taking a swig of milk straight from the carton. My stomach churns at the sight. “Shit that’s gross!” I exclaim, startling him. “That jug of milk belongs to you now.”

He turns to me, a sheepish grin on his face. “Hey, I didn’t think you’d sneak up on me! I guess wolves’ hearing isn’t as great as I thought.”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “Well, I’ve always been good at stealth, especially when it comes to kitchen raids.”

Harrison leans against the counter, his demeanor shifting to a more serious tone. “What are you up to this morning?”

“I want to make Wyatt breakfast,” I say, rifling through the cupboards for ingredients. “But I have no idea what his favorites are.”

“You’re in luck,” he replies, his voice lightening again. “Waffles over pancakes, bacon is a must, and he loves biscuits with sausage gravy. Simple but effective.”

My heart flutters at the thought of serving him a hearty breakfast. “Perfect! I’ll get started on that.”

As I gather the ingredients, Harrison settles at the kitchen island, watching me with a relaxed smile. “You know, Wyatt was a handful when he was a teenager. Always getting into trouble, dragging the rest of us along with him.”

“Really?” I ask, intrigued, as I whisk flour and eggs in a bowl. “What kind of trouble?”

“Oh, you know, sneaking out at night, racing his motorcycle down backroads, trying to impress girls,” he says, a nostalgic glint in his eye. “We were young and reckless, but Wyatt had this charm about him that made everything seem like an adventure.”

I smile at that, imagining Wyatt as a young man, full of mischief. “Sounds like he hasn’t changed much.”

“True enough,” Harrison agrees, leaning back in his chair. “But I think you might be the one to finally settle him down. You’ve got a good influence on him.”

I feel my cheeks heat at the thought. “I’m not trying to change him, just?—”

“Just making him happy,” Harrison finishes for me, and I can hear the sincerity in his voice. “That’s all we want for him.”

I nod, feeling a warmth spread in my chest. As I start cooking, the scent of bacon sizzling in the pan fills the air. I can’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment.

Just as I’m plating the breakfast, Wyatt strolls into the kitchen with the lazy grace of someone who’s just awoken from a deep sleep. He runs a hand through his tousled hair, the flannel shirt I wore yesterday hanging open, revealing the toned muscles and tattoos beneath. My breath catches in my throat.

He crosses the room toward me, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind, pulling me close. I feel his breath warm against my neck as he kisses the mark he left there. “Mate, you look sexy wearing my stuff and cooking food for me,” he whispers, and a shiver of delight races down my spine.

Harrison makes a fake gag sound, which causes me to giggle. “Oh, come on, you’re ruining the moment!” I protest, turning my head to shoot him an amused glare.

Wyatt chuckles, his grip on me tightening. “Ignore him. I think it’s adorable.”

I turn to face him, and as I look into his eyes, the world around us fades. For a moment, it’s just the two of us, wrapped in each other’s warmth and laughter. I can’t help but smile, a genuine brightness filling the space between us.

“Breakfast is ready, baby,” I announce, breaking the spell. “Waffles, bacon, and biscuits with sausage gravy.”

Wyatt’s eyes light up, and he releases me reluctantly to take a seat at the island. “You’re a miracle worker, Gorgeous. I’m lucky to have you.”

As I set the plates in front of him, my heart swells. “I just want to make you happy.”

“Well you already do,” he replies with a playful smirk, digging in with gusto.

The morning unfolds with laughter and shared stories, the kitchen filled with the sounds of clattering dishes and lighthearted banter. I feel a sense of belonging, a warmth that wraps around me like a blanket. It’s a slice of normalcy I didn’t realize I craved until now.

As we finish our breakfast, Wyatt leans back, a satisfied smile plastered on his face. “You’ve officially outdone yourself baby girl. I could get used to this.”

Harrison nods in agreement, his mouth full of food. “Yeah, you might want to keep her around, Wyatt.”

Wyatt chuckles and turns to me, his gaze sincere. “I definitely plan to.”

My heart skips a beat at his words. I want to believe in the promise they hold, and as I clean up the remnants of breakfast, I can’t help but feel that this is just the beginning of something extraordinary.