3
Stark
The ceiling stared backat him.
He was lost in his thoughts. His head felt heavy and his body was sore, as if he’d been in a battle. But it wasn’t a battle. It was only a date.
So why did he feel this way?
Stark tossed onto the other side of the bed. He realized with an odd feeling that if he and Chase got together, he would be the one taking up the other end of the mattress. Stark could no longer freely move about on his own bed.
Then he felt childish for thinking that.
He turned back to the warm side he had just been on, as if running away from his own thoughts.
It was a fun date. The evening had been pleasant. The food was fantastic and he still felt a leftover warm buzz from the drinks.
But something wasn’t quite right. Stark couldn’t put his finger on it, but a nagging sensation at the back of his mind wouldn’t let up, almost as if he was forgetting something extremely important - as if a word was on the tip of his tongue but just wouldn’t come out.
Stark let out a deep sigh. His eyelids felt leaden, and once they closed, they didn’t open again until morning.
* * *
“Aparty?”
“That’s right,” Killian said. “It’s next weekend, so make sure you don’t have any plans. I’ll get mad if I don’t see you there.”
His friend’s tone was playful but Stark knew he was serious. Besides, Killian wasn’t just his friend - or even just the prince anymore - he was the king alpha of Whitewood pack. You just couldn’t say no to that.
“Alright, alright, don’t have a cow,” Stark said.
Killian sounded confused. “What?”
“Oh, sorry.” Stark flushed with embarrassment. “I think it’s a human saying. I must be watching too much of their tv.”
Killian sighed with amusement. “Maybe I shouldn’t have given you so much time off.”
“Yes, I agree,” Stark said quickly. His heart raced at the notion of going back to work. It was easy and routine - he knew exactly what to do and he never felt this strange confusion he’d been feeling nonstop since he went on that date with Chase.
“No, no,” Killian said firmly. “You’ll stay on leave until I say you’re ready to return.”
There went his opportunity to escape the emotional turmoil. Stark suppressed his irritation. “Yes, Killian.”
“So,” Killian continued. “Are you thinking of bringing a date?”
Stark’s heart raced again, but it was laced with anxiety. “Um…”
Killian chuckled. “You don’t have to tell me now. But if you want to bring someone, feel free. This party is for friends and family only, after all.”
A cold sweat broke out across Stark’s palms. What did Killian mean by that? Did he think he was already mated to Chase? How did he even know about Chase at all? Had Kyle told them?
“Anyway, I’ve got to go see to Kendra,” Killian said. “I think Scout wants to take a nap. See you next weekend.”
“Okay.”
Letting the phone slide out of his hand onto the bed, Stark slumped back onto the mattress. After talking to Killian, he was even more confused now. Everything had been fine before he was forced to take time off - now he was constantly doubting his own emotions. All he wanted was to go back to his job and forget about his troubles.
As if on cue, his phone rang again. Stark was tempted to ignore it but by the third ring he knew he had to pick up. He didn’t bother looking at the caller ID this time.
