Chapter 170: The little brat steals another heart

Chapter 170: The Little Brat Steals Another Heart

POV: Astrid Vale

We arrived back at the apartment well past midnight, and the first thing I saw was Ivy fast asleep on the couch, exhaustion pulling her under completely while Midnight dozed peacefully in her arms despite her never having actually met him.

"She’s out cold," Xander said quietly.

"We should figure out where he’s sleeping," Reed said, glancing at the kitten.

"Obviously with Astrid," Xander said, like the matter required no further discussion whatsoever.

"He needs his own space," Reed said. "Food schedule, litter box, somewhere safe while we’re in classes. He’s not sleeping in our bed."

"He’s a baby. Of course he’s sleeping in the bed."

"He’s a kitten with an injured paw who needs structure."

"He needs love, Reed."

I rubbed my temples. "He’s a kitten, not a royal guest requiring a council meeting. We’ll figure it out tomorrow."

We settled on something temporary for the night, and since Moonshade didn’t allow pets in classrooms or most student areas, we agreed Midnight would stay with whoever’s schedule allowed caretaking during school hours. Before we fully settled down, Xander crossed the room and carefully lifted Ivy from the couch, carrying her into my room and setting her gently on the bed without waking her, more tender than his teasing usually let on.

I woke the next morning to an ear-piercing scream.

I jolted upright, heart hammering, scanning the room for danger before I found Ivy pressed into the corner, shivering, staring at Midnight, who sat a short distance away, golden eyes wide with curiosity, tail swishing lazily like he couldn’t understand why his new roommate was making such a terrible noise.

"What happened?" I asked.

Ivy pointed at him. "Why is there a cat in this room?"

I blinked, then explained the whole story, the stray in Valeria, the injured paw, the vet, the adoption.

Ivy looked between me and Midnight like I’d confessed to smuggling home a wild animal. "Are you afraid of cats?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

"No."

The answer came too fast, and I burst out laughing.

Still in my pajamas, I climbed out of bed and scooped Midnight into my arms, and he relaxed instantly against me, purring as I stroked his head. "See? Cats don’t bite."

Ivy eyed us suspiciously. I approached slowly, holding him out a little so she could see him properly, and he stretched one tiny paw toward her.

She recoiled. "It’s reaching for me!"

"It’s a paw, Ivy. Not a weapon."

I kept teasing her gently until she finally let him sniff her fingers, and he rubbed his cheek against her hand. She froze. He purred. Something in her expression softened, and she tentatively stroked his head, then again with more confidence, until he’d settled against her entirely, and she held him like she was afraid he’d vanish if she loosened her grip.

"Traitor," I whispered to him.

He closed his eyes, entirely unbothered.

A knock sounded, and Xander walked in ready to hurry us along, stopping dead when he saw Midnight nestled in Ivy’s arms. His face fell. "Fantastic. First Astrid, now Ivy. The little brat is stealing everyone’s heart. What’s next, the entire population of Moonshade?"

Midnight meowed.

"Don’t call my baby a brat," I said.

Xander turned toward me slowly. "Your baby?"

"Yes."

"Astrid, I’m your mate. I’ve been your mate for months, and you’ve never called me that." He pointed accusingly at the kitten. "But that little menace gets to be your baby after one night?"

Midnight meowed again.

"Don’t you dare answer me," Xander said.

I pulled Midnight closer and kissed the top of his head. "Don’t listen to him, baby."

Xander clutched his chest. "I’m being replaced in my own home."

Reed appeared behind him, already dressed. "Are you finished?"

"No."

"Breakfast is ready. We have classes, and we’re already running behind. Everyone get ready."

Within seconds, Ivy headed to the bathroom, I started getting dressed, and Xander reluctantly stepped aside.

Reed glanced at Midnight. "Xander, you’re dropping him off with his caretaker this morning."

"Why me?"

"Because you’ve spent the entire morning complaining about him. You can spend the drive getting acquainted."

"Think of it as bonding," I said.

"I’m a prince. I shouldn’t have to bond with a cat under duress."

Midnight meowed.

"Stop agreeing with them!"

After breakfast, Xander complained the entire way to the drop-off point, though I caught him checking the carrier’s latch twice to make sure it was secure. When Midnight refused to even glance at him, Xander muttered darkly that their rivalry had officially begun.

Ivy and I walked together toward our first class, the morning sunlight warm across campus, students hurrying past with the usual academy noise and gossip filling the air around us.

"So tell me everything," Ivy said. "What did you actually do last night?"

I told her all of it, the private dinner, the market under the Night of the Moon, the flower clip, the necklace, the fireworks spelling out words across the sky.

"You had a private dinner, a moonlit walk, matching gifts, and fireworks spelling out that they love you?" Ivy said, disbelief written across her face.

"When you say it like that, it sounds excessive."

"It was excessive."

"They wanted to make it special."

She nudged my shoulder. "It must be nice having two mates who are completely obsessed with you."

My smile softened. "It is."

I didn’t pretend everything was perfect, but I admitted, quietly, that I felt loved, more than I knew how to explain after everything Elaris had taken from me. "Besides," I said, bumping her shoulder back, "you’ll find your mate someday."

Ivy rolled her eyes, but I caught something flicker across her expression before she could hide it, something I didn’t get the chance to investigate before a familiar voice cut in.

"There you are, little birdie."

I turned to find Roshan walking toward us, his attention going straight to Ivy, barely sparing me a glance. He held out a drink toward her.

"Thanks for yesterday, little birdie."

His voice was quieter than I expected, none of his usual exaggerated charm, no performance for anyone watching. He spoke like it was just the two of them standing there, the rest of us having simply disappeared.

Ivy accepted the drink. "You’re welcome."

He gave her one brief look, then walked away without further explanation.

I watched him go, then slowly turned back to Ivy, my eyebrows already climbing. "Little birdie?"

Ivy said nothing.

"Thanks for yesterday?"

Still nothing.

I grabbed her gently by the shoulders and turned her to face me fully. "What exactly happened between you two?"

Ivy tried to look annoyed, but her cheeks were already turning pink, and my grin widened at the sight of it.

Ivy’s cheeks blushed red.