Chapter 37:

The quiet hum of the vending machine fills the empty motel lobby, broken only by the soft clatter of a soda can rolling into the dispenser. 

I reach down, pulling out the can of cola, then press the button again for another. A second can drops with a metallic thud.

Behind me, I can hear Caspian's low voice as he talks on the phone a little distance away, his tone clipped and businesslike. 

Probably speaking to one of his men. I glance at him briefly—his broad frame leaning against the wall, grey eyes sharp and focused. 

Even in this run-down motel, dressed in jeans and a plain black T-shirt, he still looks like he belongs in a mansion.

I shake my head and move to the next vending machine. Chips. That's what I need. My fingers hover over the selection buttons, but something catches my eye. 

A mirror.

There wasn't one in our room last night, so I pause, giving myself a once-over. My blonde hair has grown longer than I realized, falling in soft waves down past my waist line and resting a little on my butt.

My baby pink crop top clings snugly, accentuating the gentle curve of my waist and the flat plane of my stomach. The faded light blue jeans I'm wearing aren't even mine—they belong to Cassidy. 

They're slightly baggy on me, hanging loosely around my legs, but they're comfortable.

I sigh, brushing a hand through my hair before turning back to the vending machine. I punch in the number for a bag of chips and wait. 

Nothing happens. I frown and press the button again. Still nothing.

"That machine is busted."

I spin around at the voice, finding a woman in a janitor's uniform leaning against a mop. 

She looks to be in her late forties, dark curls peeking out from beneath her cap, brown eyes sharp and amused.

I glance back at the machine, then sigh. "Of course it is. Just my luck."

She chuckles, "These machines are temperamental. Just like men."

I laugh, fingering the counter I set the soda on. "You're not wrong about that."

"Here, let me help you." She steps forward, raising a hand. "This thing's got a sweet spot. You gotta hit it just right."

She lifts her fist and gives the machine three firm knocks. A second later, a few bags of chips tumble down into the dispenser.

"There you go. Your overpriced chips." She smirks.

I laugh, grabbing my snacks. "I owe you one."

"Nah, consider it a public service." She leans back on her mop. "You passing through?"

I nod. "Yeah, just a stop before heading out."

She hums in understanding, then her gaze shifts toward the glass doors leading outside. Her expression turns curious. "Is he your boyfriend?"

I blink, caught off guard. "What?"

She tilts her chin toward the parking lot, where Caspian stands, his back to us as he speaks into his phone.

I hesitate, heat creeping up my neck. "Uh... no. He's...he's my boss."

The janitor raises an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Your boss, huh?"

"Yeah," I mumble, suddenly very interested in the soda cans in my hand.

"Must be a tough job, working for someone who looks like that."

I laugh nervously, unsure of how to respond. "It's... complicated."

She studies me for a moment before shrugging. "Well, you better stick with him. Pretty girls shouldn't be alone around here."

A shiver runs down my spine. Her words bring back last night—the men outside, their leering gazes, the way Caspian had to shut them down so fast I barely saw him move.

I swallow. "Thanks for the warning."

"Don't mention it." She gives me one last knowing look before walking off, pushing her mop along the floor.

I exhale and shake off the uneasy feeling, heading toward the exit. Caspian is just finishing up his call when I reach him. 

He slides his phone into his pocket, his eyes flicking down at me.

"You're wearing jeans."

I blink, caught off guard by the random observation. Then I glance down at myself. "Oh. Yeah. They're Cassidy's. I don't—"

"You look nice."

I stop mid-sentence, my brain momentarily short-circuiting. The heat from earlier rushes back to my cheeks.

"Oh. Um. Thanks." I shift awkwardly, then thrust one of the soda cans toward him. "Here."

He looks down at my hands, then at the bag of chips under my arm. His lips twitch. "Snacks for the road?"

I shrug. "Let's call it breakfast."

He chuckles, the sound deep and smooth.

I narrow my eyes. "You've been doing that a lot lately."

"Doing what?"

"Smirking and chuckling."

He tilts his head, amused. "Have I?"

"Yes." I fold my arms, narrowing my eyes. "You used to be all scowls and brooding silence. Now you're acting like an actual human being."

He gives me a slow, knowing smirk as he unlocks the car. "You've been more interesting lately."

I roll my eyes, but I can't stop the small smile that tugs at my lips.

We climb into the car, and as he starts the engine, I crack open my soda, the fizz hissing into the air.

"So, who were you on the phone with?" I ask, taking a sip.

He pulls onto the road, eyes focused ahead. "My men. Making sure everything is in place before we move again."

I pop a chip into my mouth, glancing at him. "Oh... checking to see if the Alphas in the packs around don't know their prince is on the move?"

His lips twitch, but his gaze remains on the road. "No. Checking to see if there are any Rogues within our path."

I pause mid-chew. "Rogues? You think they'll be a problem?"

"It's possible. We're heading into a more exposed area soon. Some of them like to linger near the borders, waiting for an opportunity." His fingers drum against the steering wheel. "They'd be foolish to try anything, though."

"Of course. You're a weapon." I roll my eyes, but I'm feeling low-key grateful that he decided to come with me. The security I feel alone...it's unmatched.