OLD FACES NEW TENSIONS

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Chapter: Old Faces, New Tensions

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Chapter: Old Faces, New Tensions

The house was quiet now, with Xander tucked away in his room, fast asleep after a long day. Ivy leaned against the kitchen counter, watching Jayden as he moved about the living room. He had taken to fatherhood quickly, doting on Xander as though the boy had always been a part of his life. But the peace of the evening didn't last.

A sudden knock at the door shattered the quiet. Ivy's body tensed, her hunter instincts kicking in immediately. She wasn't expecting anyone—especially not at this hour.

Jayden frowned, his posture shifting as he moved toward the door. "Who could that be?"

"I don't know," Ivy muttered, already reaching for the knife she kept hidden in the kitchen drawer. But as Jayden reached for the handle, the door swung open on its own, revealing a figure Ivy hadn't seen in years.

"Ivy!" the man at the door exclaimed, his voice filled with surprise and excitement. The familiar sound of it sent a jolt through Ivy's system, and she blinked, momentarily stunned.

"Jason?" Ivy whispered, her eyes widening. She hadn't seen him in so long, not since they had parted ways after one of their missions. And now, here he was, standing in her doorway like no time had passed at all.

Jason stepped inside, his tall frame filling the entrance as he gave Ivy a wide grin. "I can't believe it's really you! I was passing through and figured I'd see if you were still around."

Jayden's eyes narrowed instantly, his protective instincts flaring as he took in the sight of this stranger—this man who clearly knew Ivy far too well. "Who's this?" he asked, his voice tense.

Ivy stepped forward, quickly closing the distance between them to prevent things from escalating. "This is Jason," she explained, her voice calm but firm. "He's... an old friend."

Jason's smile faltered as his gaze shifted to Jayden, sizing him up. He hadn't expected Ivy to be living with someone—much less a man with such an intense presence. But he didn't back down. "Yeah, we go way back," Jason added, his tone light but his eyes never leaving Jayden's.

Jayden crossed his arms, his expression unreadable, though Ivy could feel the tension rolling off him. "I see," he muttered. "Well, it's late. Xander's asleep."

Jason's eyebrows shot up. "Xander?" he repeated, glancing back at Ivy with surprise. "You've got a kid?"

Ivy smiled softly, nodding. "Yeah. He's three."

Jason's face softened, but before he could respond, Jayden stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the man standing in his home. "You didn't answer my question. What are you doing here?"

Jason chuckled, shaking his head. "Relax, man. I'm not here to cause any trouble. Like I said, I was just passing through and wanted to see an old friend."

Jayden's jaw clenched, and Ivy could feel the jealousy radiating from him. It didn't help that Jason was casually throwing around the term "old friend" like it meant more than it did. But before Jayden could say anything else, Ivy stepped between them.

"Let's sit down," she said, shooting Jayden a warning glance. "We'll catch up, and I'll explain everything."

Reluctantly, Jayden nodded, but it was clear he wasn't happy about the situation. He watched with sharp eyes as Ivy and Jason moved to the living room and sat on the couch. He stayed standing, arms crossed, his presence looming over the conversation like a storm cloud.

"So," Jason began, leaning back comfortably, "what's been going on with you, Ivy? It's been, what, years since we last saw each other?"

Ivy smiled softly, the memories of their past missions rushing back. "Yeah, it's been a while. I've been... busy."

"Busy?" Jason grinned. "I remember when we couldn't sit still for more than a day before we were on the move again. Always another mission, always another city."

Jayden's eyes flicked toward Ivy at the mention of "missions," his interest piqued. But Ivy quickly steered the conversation away from dangerous territory.

"Things are different now," she said, glancing toward Xander's bedroom door. "I've got responsibilities."

Jason's gaze softened. "I get it. But you know, sometimes I miss those days—being on the road, hunting together."

Jayden's brow furrowed. "Hunting?"

Ivy tensed, feeling the walls of her carefully constructed life closing in around her. She hadn't wanted this conversation to happen like this, especially not with Jayden in the dark about her true identity.

Jason, oblivious to the tension, continued with a smile. "Yeah, remember that time we took down that pack of rogues outside of Denver? Those were some wild days."

Ivy's heart pounded. She shot Jason a sharp look, silently willing him to stop. But it was too late. The words were out, and Jayden was now watching her closely, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.

"What kind of hunting are you talking about?" Jayden asked, his voice low and dangerous.

Ivy opened her mouth to answer, but the words wouldn't come. She wasn't ready for this. Not now.

Jason, still unaware of the tension, leaned forward. "You know, the usual stuff. We were hunters. Ivy and I took down rogues all over the country."

Silence fell over the room like a heavy weight, and Ivy felt her stomach drop. She glanced at Jayden, whose expression had shifted from confusion to something much darker.

"You're a huntress?" Jayden asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Ivy swallowed hard, her eyes locked on his. There was no hiding it now. The truth was out.

The tension between them hung thick in the air, and Ivy could see the rage flicker in Jayden's eyes. His body went rigid, his fists clenched at his sides.

"I can explain—" Ivy started, but Jayden cut her off, his voice cold and furious.

"A hunter? You're one of them?" His tone was venomous, filled with a burning hatred that took Ivy by surprise.

She opened her mouth to respond, but he was already stepping back, shaking his head as if he couldn't believe what he had just heard. "Hunters like you killed my sister," he spat, his voice trembling with barely controlled anger.

Ivy's heart dropped. She had no idea. The weight of his words hung between them like a chasm she couldn't cross.

"Jayden, I didn't know—"

But he wasn't listening anymore. His face was twisted in pain and fury, and without another word, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the house.

"Jayden, wait!" Ivy called after him, her voice desperate. But the door slammed shut behind him, leaving Ivy standing in the middle of the living room, her heart pounding.

Jason frowned, glancing between Ivy and the door. "What's his problem?"

Ivy closed her eyes, feeling the weight of her secret crashing down around her. "You have no idea.". And he doesn't know I have powers

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