Chapter 19: Chapter 19

NOAH

“Noah?” Evie’s voice was soft and sweet.

She was nestled against my chest, her head resting comfortably as we lay in the dark, engrossed in a Disney movie she had chosen.

“Yes, sweetheart?”

“I don’t want you to go to Massachusetts and do something reckless,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

I shifted her in my arms, tilting her face up so I could look into her wide, innocent blue eyes.

“Who said anything about me going to Massachusetts?” I questioned.

She shot me a ~don’t play dumb~ look, calling my bluff.

“All right, all right, you got me. I did consider it,” I confessed.

“I don’t want you to go,” she repeated.

“He hurt you, Everleigh. He needs to understand that there are severe consequences for that. ~Everyone~ should know that,” I said, gently stroking her cheek with my fingers.

“I don’t want you getting into a fight because of me,” she protested, her lips forming a pout.

I chuckled at her.

“Darling, I’d wage a war for you,” I said.

She shot me a disapproving glare.

“You can’t argue with that, Evie. It’s pointless. I ~will~ stand up for you. I’ll take on anyone, anytime, anywhere. There’s nothing more worth fighting for than you,” I declared.

Her lower lip jutted out in a cute pout.

“All right. But I still don’t want you going to Massachusetts. If you really want to make me happy, you won’t go,” she stated defiantly.

“That’s a low blow, little mate,” I warned her, but she just shrugged smugly.

“Fine, I won’t go to Massachusetts. But if he shows up here, or if I have to go there to clean up his mess, I’m going to beat him to a pulp,” I stated matter-of-factly.

Evie looked like she wanted to argue, but she bit her lip and remained silent.

“Compromise?” I suggested, raising an eyebrow.

She rolled her eyes.

“Fine.”

She resettled herself against my chest, turning her attention back to the movie.

I rested my cheek on her head, inhaling her scent.

As the movie played, I savored every moment I got to hold my mate in my arms. Her laughter as she hummed along to the songs and giggled at the movie was infectious.

I found myself getting lost in the sound.

As the credits rolled, I felt her stretch against me. She sat up, her eyes heavy with sleep.

I brushed her hair back from her face. “You look exhausted,” I noted.

She nodded, her movements sluggish.

“Let me take you home,” I offered, starting to stand.

But Evie stopped me, grabbing my hand and pulling me back down. “Hold on,” she said.

I raised my eyebrows at her expression—one I didn’t recognize.

She placed her hand on my face, her thumb tracing my cheekbone.

I hummed in approval as she bit her lower lip. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Everleigh,” I warned, my voice growing huskier.

Her eyes were filled with anticipation.

I could smell her desire, and something told me she was enjoying this game.

I grabbed her arms and pulled her onto my lap. “What do you want, love?” I asked, my hands running up her back.

“Kiss me,” she said, her voice steady and sure.

Remi howled in my head as I pressed my lips to hers.

Her arms wrapped around my neck as my hands explored her body.

I moved my hands down her back to her hips, pulling her as close as possible.

Her hands clutched my shirt as she tried to get even closer.

She broke the kiss, panting, as my lips trailed down her neck.

I paused at her marking spot at the base of her ear.

Remi urged me to bite into her soft skin, but I shook my head at him internally—not until she was ready, not until she asked for it.

I kissed her shoulder, taking pleasure in the feel of her body trembling against mine.

I traced my lips over the scars marring her otherwise perfect skin, trying to heal them and the emotional wounds they represented.

A soft sigh escaped her lips, and I purred in response. “Your presence is unraveling me,” I murmured, my breath warm against her neck as I nuzzled her.

She seized my face, pulling it toward her.

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, and I knew she was feeling the same pull.

She flashed me a mischievous grin, winking before she pressed a swift kiss to my lips and rose to her feet.

She sauntered out of the teepee, pausing to extend her hand to me.

I sighed, a smile playing on my lips as I accepted her hand and let her guide me back to the car.

The drive home was filled with a comfortable silence, a stark contrast to the first time she rode in my car.

“I had a wonderful time tonight, Noah,” she confessed as we lingered at her doorstep.

“Me too,” I echoed, holding onto her hand, desperate to keep the connection alive for as long as possible.

“When can I see you again?”

Her response took me by surprise.

“Whenever you want,” she replied nonchalantly.

She seemed so much more at ease and self-assured than the last time we said goodbye.

I couldn’t help but beam, thrilled to see her nerves melting away.

“I never want to leave,” I admitted with a chuckle.

She rolled her eyes at me, but a smile stubbornly clung to her lips.

“How about Friday evening?” I proposed.

“Isn’t that when you usually hang out at the bar with Sawyer and Greyson?”

She tilted her head, reminding me of the time I crashed her girls’ night with Molly.

“That’s true. Would you like to join us?” I suggested.

My invitation caught her off guard, leaving her without a witty retort.

I brought her hand to my lips. “Please?” I pleaded, my gaze locked with hers.

“Okay,” she agreed, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I’ll pick you up after school,” I promised.

I wasn’t sure if she was even paying attention anymore as I toyed with her fingers.

“Good night, my sweet little mate,” I whispered, brushing my nose against her cheek before sealing my words with a deep, passionate kiss.

“Good night, Noah,” she murmured before disappearing into her apartment, leaving me on the outside.

I couldn’t suppress the goofy grin that spread across my face during the entire drive home. My mate was finally opening up to me. She was enjoying our time together and growing more comfortable in my presence.

I had to calm Remi down in my mind. We were moving at a pace that was comfortable for Evie, and we couldn’t risk messing that up by getting too eager and rushing things.

I pulled into the parking garage at the pack house. The pack house resembled an old Louisiana mansion, towering four stories high and nestled in the heart of the bayou. It was painted a dark salmon color with black accents.

Once a vibrant red, the same shade as our pack emblem, the color had faded over the years. Each floor of the mansion was distinct, adorned with intricately designed black railings and large floor-to-ceiling windows framed by impressive black shutters. The grand entrance was marked by a bold archway and a black door that opened onto a wide front porch.

I ascended the large concrete stairs and pushed open the heavy door. It was around ten o’clock at night, but the ground floor of the house was still buzzing with activity. This was the communal level, home to a large game room, kitchen, dining hall, movie theater, gym, library, hospital, wellness center, and indoor swimming pool.

Any member of our pack was welcome to use these facilities at any time, day or night. There was also a bunkhouse for anyone needing a place to crash, usually guys in the proverbial doghouse or pups having sleepovers with their friends.

I exchanged pleasantries with my pack members as I navigated my way toward the stairs. The pack house had a newly installed elevator, a feature I added during the smart home upgrades two years ago, but I still preferred the stairs.

I resided on the fourth floor, which was reserved exclusively for the alpha and luna family. The third floor housed the gamma, beta, and their families, while the second floor was for the past alpha and luna, and guests to the pack.

I climbed the three flights of stairs to the top floor. A long hallway greeted me at the top. To the left were several doors leading to two master bedrooms and a few smaller bedrooms with connecting bathrooms for the pups.

There was a separate bedroom for both the luna and the alpha. It was a relic from a time when men and women didn’t share a room. At the end of the hallway, on the right, was a spacious living room area and two additional rooms that served as offices.

The offices of the luna and the alpha were tucked away on the first floor of the pack house. It was a quiet sanctuary amidst the constant hum of activity.

As I pushed open the door to my room, I let myself fall onto the bed. The thought of a shower crossed my mind, but the idea of washing away the lingering scent of my mate didn’t sit well with me.

My eyes scanned the room. I pictured Evie here, sharing this space with me. With that image in my mind, I let sleep take over.