Chapter 35: Chapter 35

RAGE

I smoothed lotion over Everlee’s back and stared at the progress. The wounds had mostly healed, though it took a long time, it was nice to see her body feeling better.

Everlee looked at me over her shoulder and smiled. “Better?”

I smoothed the rest of the lotion onto her back. “Much better. How are you feeling?”

Ever stood up and grabbed her T-shirt from the back of my desk chair. “So good. I’m excited to get out of the room and go on the luna tour.”

I stood with her, watching her pull on her T-shirt and then grab her shoes. It was the first time in days that she seemed herself.

Though I saw her frustration at the circumstances.

When she looked back at me, she smiled, and those sweet hazel eyes did too. “Are you ready?”

“I’m ready.”

I grabbed my keys and escorted her out into the hallway. One of the alphas tossed his hand up at Everlee, and she returned it. Brett had been accepting to let her stay over with me due to the circumstances.

We hadn’t heard from her parents or Harlan since they took him back to the kingdom. There was a gnawing feeling that something was going to go wrong, but I was attempting to be optimistic.

Everlee hurried down the stairs and I bit my lip.

She must have sensed my unease and looked back at me. “I’m fine, Dad. My wounds are healed and I’m not going to break. You can remember that tonight when I’m in your bed and you’re too scared to touch me.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

I had been a touch overbearing these last few days. I rushed back to my room after each class and made sure she ate and rested. I was definitely acting like her father.

She breathed in deeply once we made it outside. “God, the sunlight feels amazing.”

“Oh, stop it,” I said, wrapping my arm around her shoulders and drawing her near me. “You’ve been out of the sunlight for like, three days.”

She turned her face up toward mine, and the sunlight brightened her face. “But it feels like forever. And to think we didn’t even get to finish our run the other day.”

I stiffened at the mention of it. My wolf had, on numerous occasions, threatened to shift and go on a blood hunt for him.

But I talked him down. We weren’t going to do that. Alpha Allaire and Luna Savannah were taking care of it. I was more than curious to know what was happening, but I refused to call before they did.

It was a sensitive situation.

I was sure they were struggling between protecting their daughter and taking care of their son.

Everlee pointed toward the two-story luna house sitting on the opposite end of campus. Their building was prestige. The lunas were meant to keep things in order and know how to present a pack house.

They were taught everything from A to Z.

My mother had attended, and so did Luna Savannah. It was debutants for werewolves and much, much more. Heather stood on the steps of the house waiting for us. Everlee straightened when she noticed her and tucked her hair behind her ear.

“Maybe I should have worn something else besides jeans…”

“You look amazing,” I leaned in and whispered. “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure if they have a preference, they will tell you.”

Heather stepped down and offered her hands to Everlee. She took them and smiled down at Everlee. “I’m so happy you’re feeling better, and you made it, darlin’. I had your room made for you in case…you do decide to stay. Hey, Rage. I see you’ve been taking great care of our girl.”

I stepped up with Everlee and rubbed my palm against her back to settle her nerves. “It’s easy taking care of her.”

Heather grinned and turned to open the huge doors. It smelled way better than the alpha house inside. Flowers. Perfumes. There were heels and tennis shoes kicked off beside the door, but Heather guided us toward the stairs without asking us to take our off.

Everlee became quiet, looking over the banisters and waving at a she-wolf that watched her from the hallway. “There are many rooms here. We mostly have openings when someone graduates, which is most semesters. We’re sisters here. We take care of one another. I teach luna lessons once a week according to your year. You’d be with the freshman, of course. I take into consideration your classes, time with your mate, and personal time. We’re not hecklers, but strict. This was your mother’s room. I’m sure her and Alpha Allaire had plenty of time in here.”

She stopped at a door toward the end of the hallway, pulled out a key, and opened it. The door swung inward and natural light spilled over Ever as she stepped into the room. Heather stood by the doorway and gestured me inside. “I’ll be around when you’re finished looking.”

“Thank you,” I said, dipping into the room.

The four-post bed was beautiful. A nice downy comforter in a teal covered was tucked nicely around the mattress. A hope chest sat at the end of the bed with a thick white blanket folded on the end.

There was mahogany furniture: a desk, a table for her makeup, and a balcony that overlooked the campus. Her closet was bigger than my bedroom, and the bathroom shined like a commercial.

Everlee walked around running her fingertips against the surfaces, her wolf’s excitement clear to me. She stopped in the middle of the room and looked over at me. “This is beautiful. It’s elegant. I’m too afraid to lay on that bed over there.”

I eyed it, grabbed her wrist, and hauled her over. She laughed and pulled away but fell onto the feathery bed with me. Her dark hair haloed around her head, and she touched my face with her fingertips.

“I feel like a princess.”

“It’s a place built for future queens, Ever. It built to make a luna out of she-wolves. Just like the alpha house. Lunas have to learn how to become a luna, and living in an approved environment is how it’s done. You learn from show. I’m sure your mother brought over a lot of qualities she learned at the luna house.”

She chuckled. “She learned everything here. She thought she was human before this.”

“I forget about that sometimes,” I whispered, curling my palm around her hip, I dragged her toward me until she was sitting on top. “I can imagine staying here with you. The privacy. The comfort. Pinning you against the wall…”

I stopped, knowing I wouldn’t be able to keep my wolf in check for too much longer. He was antsy, wanting her to choose, and no matter how many times I told him to chill out, he didn’t.

Everlee’s hazel gaze slid over me, and she rested her palms against my chest. “You’re perfect, you know that. I’m sure when you smelled me at the alpha party that you didn’t think you’d have to endure all of this for a mate.”

“No, you’re right,” I said, rolling her to her back. “I didn’t. You’re much more than I ever bargained for, and I’ve loved every minute.”

She smirked. “You’re just saying that. I’ve put you through hell.”

“Apparently, I like it.”

Ever chuckled and pulled me down by my T-shirt for a kiss. “I need to talk to you about something tonight,” she whispered against my mouth. “Maybe I can ask Heather if I can test the room for tonight.”

My wolf growled mercilessly. “Perhaps she’d allow it, and we can break it in.”

Everlee sank her fingers into my hair and pressed her forehead against mine. A deep ache of need swarmed me. I wanted her to say the words so badly.

I wanted to pry her thoughts from her head. What did she need to speak to me about? Was it containing to the mate bond? I prayed it had everything to do with the mate bond. Ever pushed against my chest and I helped her to her feet.

She looked around the room with a hopeful stare. “Let’s go.”

I followed her and took my time down the hallway. I imaged her father and my own wooing their mates here. Part of me was jealous that it wasn’t as simple for me.

I couldn’t just whisk her away, mark her and spend the rest of my life with her. But I was always told that the things you have to wait for are the best.

She was speaking with Heather when I made it to the lobby. Heather was smiling ear-to-ear, and nodding. It looked like we’d be spending the night in her luna room after all.

That twin-sized bed of mine was cozy, but the extra space would be nice.

Ever turned to look at me with smiling eyes. “Looks like we’ll be spending the night in the luna house tonight.”

I stopped next to her, keeping my gaze on her mischievous face. “Yeah?” I asked. “I like the sound of that.” I turned to Heather. “I absolutely love the room. You girls keep it in tip-top shape around here. You should go have a chat with Brett one day.”

A blush covered her cheeks. “Thank you, Rage. That means the world to me.”

“I need to pack my bags this afternoon after dinner. Is it okay to come around 7-ish?” Everlee looked over at me. “Is seven okay?”

“Your plans are my plans,” I replied.

“That’s perfect, we’ll see you then.”

Heather nodded her head and dismissed herself. Everlee walked toward the front doors, and once we were on the porch, I swung her into my arms. She laughed and let her head hang back off my shoulder. “It feels so good to feel good.”

“I was scared,” I whispered, looking at her face. “If you hadn’t been hurt, and he threatened us, I’m sure I would have hurt him worse. I was so terrified that you were hurt, and he got away.”

Everlee’s face turned serious, and she swung her feet toward the ground. She looked up at me and cupped my face. “I had no idea you’ve been sitting with this guilt, Alpha. What happened isn’t your fault.”

“My wolf was so enthralled with you that he didn’t smell Harlan coming. It is my fault, and I’m sorry. I’ll never let it happen again.”

Ever smiled and lifted onto her tiptoes to kiss me. “I hope we’ll never have to worry about it again.”