The next day,
The morning air was crisp and cool as Jayden jogged through the park, his breath coming in steady rhythms. The sun had barely crested the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. Most of the city was still asleep, leaving the park paths empty except for a few early risers and their dogs.
His feet pounded against the pavent in a familiar cadence, each step bringing him closer to completing his daily quest. But his mind wasn’t on the exercise. It hadn’t been all night. The fallout with Cassandra was all he could think of.
He pushed himself harder, legs burning as he increased his pace. Maybe if he ran fast enough, he could outrun the mory. Outrun the guilt that sat like lead in his stomach.
But it didn’t work. It never did.
His mind replayed that mont over and over again. That mont when she broke in tears like an heartbroken lover. It was a sudden reaction that Jayden didn’t expect.
He loved Penelope. He’d ant it when he said those words to her. The connection they’d shared that night had been real, powerful, transformative. But Cassandra...
Jayden shook his head, trying to clear the thoughts as he rounded the final corner of the park. The familiar notification appeared in his vision:
[Daily Quest Complete]
[ 10 Exp received]
[ 10 Stat points received]
He dismissed it with barely a glance and headed toward ho, his pace slowing to a walk as he approached the residential district. The exercise had done nothing to settle his mind. If anything, the solitude had made it worse, giving him too much ti to think, to replay yesterday’s disaster over and over.
The house ca into view, and Jayden took a mont to compose himself. He couldn’t let the family see how much this was affecting him. They’d ask questions he wasn’t ready to answer.
He entered through the front door, the familiar scent of breakfast greeting him. Voices drifted from the dining room... Jessica and Tasha, already up and eating. He made his way there, wiping the sweat from his forehead with the hem of his shirt.
"Morning," he said, his voice carefully neutral as he entered.
Both girls looked up from their plates. They were dressed in matching tracksuits; Tasha in navy blue, Jessica in burgundy, their hair pulled back in practical ponytails.
"Morning, you," Tasha replied with a warm smile. "Thought you’d never finish your workout."
Jayden walked over, leaning down to kiss her cheek, then moved to Jessica to do the sa. The gestures were automatic, habitual, but he hoped they masked the turmoil churning inside him.
As he straightened, his eyes landed on Tasha’s plate. A perfectly golden piece of toast sat there, practically calling his na. Without thinking, he reached over and snatched it.
"Hey!" Tasha protested, but she was laughing.
Emboldened, Jayden turned to Jessica’s plate, hand already reaching to grab one...
SMACK
Jessica’s hand shot out, slapping his away with surprising force. "Get your own, you toast thief."
Jayden chuckled despite himself, the sound genuine for the first ti since yesterday. "Worth a shot."
He moved to the fridge, pulling out the milk carton and taking a long drink straight from it. As he lowered the container, he finally registered what the girls were wearing.
"You guys going to the gym or sothing?" he asked, setting the milk on the counter.
Tasha shook her head, swallowing her bite of eggs before answering. "Dad’s taking us to Aileen’s house. We’re supposed to have training there today. Rember?"
The words took a mont to penetrate. Training. Aileen’s house. Right. They’d planned this earlier in the week... switching up their training locations to keep things fresh for the tournant preparation.
"Oh. Yeah, I almost forgot," Jayden admitted, running a hand through his damp hair. "I’ll go get ready."
"Be quick," Tasha called after him as he turned to leave. "We’re leaving soon. Dad’s already getting the car ready."
Jayden nodded and headed for the kitchen exit, eager to escape before...
"Jayden, wait." Tasha called out.
He paused at the threshold, shoulders tensing. Tasha’s voice had shifted, losing its casual warmth and taking on a note of concern.
"Yeah?" He didn’t turn around.
"Are you okay?" Tasha asked softly. And through their pack bond, he could feel her worry, her curiosity pressing against his consciousness like gentle fingers.
"Yes," he lied smoothly, finally turning to face her. "Why’d you ask?"
"What happened yesterday?" Tasha asked, her eyes searching his face. "Between you and Cassie?"
Jessica leaned forward, setting down her fork. "Yeah, you’ve been moody ever since you left her room. What went down?" she asked, curiosity creeping in.
Jayden forced a smile that felt like it might crack his face. "Nothing happened," he said simply. "I’m fine. Really. You guys don’t need to worry about ." Then he smirked. "What should be worried about is your breakfast."
And then, before either of the girls could react, Jayden darted forward with supernatural speed, his hand shooting out to snatch a piece of toast from Jessica’s plate. It had happened so fast Jessica and Tasha didn’t see anything other than a blur.
When Jessica finally noticed the missing piece, her eyes widened. "Jayden!" she yelped, grabbing her spoon and hurling it at his retreating form.
The utensil bounced harmlessly off his back as he laughed and bolted up the stairs toward his room.
Behind him, he heard Jessica grumbling about "toast-stealing rat" while Tasha’s softer voice murmured sothing he couldn’t quite catch.
Once in his room with the door closed, Jayden’s smile faded. He leaned against the door, exhaling heavily.
[Nice deflection] Luna’s voice echoed in his mind. [But you can’t avoid this forever]
"Watch ," he muttered, pushing off the door and heading for the shower.
Back in the kitchen, the girls sat by the counter, both staring in the direction Jayden bolted.
Then Jessica turned to Tasha, her expression filled with worry. "Do you believe him?" she asked.
Tasha sighed. "No, he’s hiding sothing," she murmured, her brows furrowed. "Sothing definitely happened between him and Cassie yesterday, and I intend to find out what."
....
Twenty minutes later, Jayden stood in the foyer dressed in his own tracksuit... solid black with silver accents. He’d showered quickly, thrown on his clothes, and made it downstairs with minutes to spare.
Jessica and Tasha were waiting by the door, and through the window, he could see Jacob’s hover car already floating in the driveway, its sleek silver surface gleaming in the morning sun.
"About ti," Jessica teased, though there was still a hint of concern in her eyes as she studied him.
"C’mon guys. Let’s go," Jacob called from outside, his voice carrying through the slightly open door.
They filed out, climbing into the spacious vehicle. Jayden took the back seat while Jessica claid shotgun, leaving Tasha to sit beside him. The car humd to life, lifting smoothly into the air and joining the morning traffic flow.
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