Chapter 14: Chapter 14

NOAH

I was doing my utmost to keep my cool while Evie was on the phone. My wolf hearing allowed me to catch every word she and her brothers exchanged. I could deal with her talking to her brothers, even though they were guys, but the notion that they believed she wasn’t safe with me was hard to swallow.

It was an unfair assumption, I knew. They didn’t even know I existed.

“What’s eating you now?” Evie asked, exasperated, after she ended the call.

I grinned, taking her hand in mine.

“I’m just a little jealous when someone else has your attention,” I confessed.

“You’ll have to get used to it.” She chuckled.

“Not happening.”

I kissed the back of her hand and winked at her, causing a blush to spread up her neck. I couldn’t help but smile at her reaction.

“I should probably head out,” she sighed. “I have class tomorrow.”

For the first time since we met, she seemed genuinely sad to leave me. That gave me hope.

“That’s sexy,” I teased, earning a playful slap on the arm, which only made me grin wider.

“Think you can handle a well-educated, independent woman?” she shot back, heading toward the wall.

“Coming from the woman who can’t scale a five-foot wall on her own,” I retorted.

Her smile morphed into a glare, and I knew I’d crossed a line.

***

As we neared the wall, I could tell I was in for it. Her face took on a determined look. She positioned herself against the wall, hands braced on the edge.

I watched her, arms folded across my chest, admiring her tenacity. I suppressed a laugh as she tried to hoist herself onto the wall. She jumped up and down, trying to gain enough momentum.

I let her struggle for a bit before I intervened.

“All right, little mate, let’s go.”

She protested as I lifted her by the hips and set her down on top of the wall. Her legs swung back and forth over the edge.

“I could have done it myself.” She pouted.

“Maybe, but I didn’t want to stand here all day.” I shrugged, leaping over the wall myself.

“You’re mean.” She stuck her tongue out at me, and I laughed even harder.

I extended a hand to help her up, but she ignored it, standing up on her own.

“I’m sorry, love, don’t be upset.” I chased after her as she strode purposefully across the parking lot.

Suddenly, she stopped, almost causing me to bump into her.

“What’s the matter?” I asked, instantly on guard.

“Molly drove me here,” she grumbled.

I relaxed, realizing the only issue was her thinking she’d have to walk home.

“I can drive you home.” I pointed toward the car parked in the driveway of the guesthouse.

I always kept a car at all my residences and offices for this very reason. Often, I’d arrive on four legs and want to leave on two.

“I…” She fidgeted nervously, glancing across the deserted parking lot.

“Come on.” I chuckled, guiding her toward my car with a hand on her back.

I could sense her unease.

“How are your classes?” I asked as we drove toward the city.

She twisted her hands in her lap and glanced at me. “Okay.”

“Okay? That’s all you’re giving me?” I laughed.

She just shrugged, gazing out the window.

“You’ve gone quiet all of a sudden,” I noted.

“I guess I’ve hit my socializing limit for the day.” She tried to smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. Her smile didn’t light up her face like it usually did, and her eyes didn’t sparkle.

“I don’t want you to feel awkward around me,” I said, a hint of disappointment in my voice.

“I feel awkward around people in general.” She shrugged.

“Well, I’m making it my mission to ensure you always feel comfortable around me.” I waggled my eyebrows at her, and she looked down at her hands, hiding a smile.

“That’s more like it,” I said, smiling at her sweet face.

The remainder of our journey was filled with a comfortable silence.

As we arrived at her place, I swiftly moved to her side of the car, opening the door for her.

“Wow, you’re quick.” She glanced up at me, a hint of surprise in her eyes, her hand hesitantly reaching out for mine.

“Just a perk of being a wolf.” I shrugged nonchalantly, assisting her out of the vehicle.

Her eyes widened in amazement.

“Huh?” I chuckled at her reaction.

“I keep discovering new things about you,” she managed to say, regaining her composure.

“Is that a problem?” I questioned, my tone serious.

“No, not at all.” She shook her head, her fingers fumbling for her keys to unlock the door.

“Can we meet again later this week?” I asked, taking a deep breath, hoping for a positive response.

I noticed her shoulder twitch, as if she was trying to regain control. She struggled with the keys before finally managing to open the door.

I heard her sigh before she turned around.

“Sure.” Her response was brief, as if that was all she could muster.

“Do you have any free time during the week?” I probed further.

“Wednesday is usually a free day for me,” she murmured.

My spirits lifted. “Great! I’ll send you the details.”

She nodded slowly. “Thanks for your help today,” she said, stepping into her apartment.

“Anytime, that’s what I’m here for.” I flashed her a smile, leaning against the doorframe.

“Good night, Noah.” Her voice was soft.

“Good night, Everleigh. Sweet dreams.”

I turned away from the door, making my way down the sidewalk.

I paused when I heard the door close, waiting to ensure she locked it.

Once I heard the bolt slide into place, I hopped into my car and headed back to the pack house.