Chapter 22: Chapter 22

EVERLEE

I woke the next morning wrapped in warmth.

I arched my back and came in contact with something hard. Blinking the sleep away, I sat up in Rage’s bed. Memories from the night before flashed in my mind like a strobe light.

We’d stayed up way past my bedtime doing things I couldn’t think of without blushing. Rage stayed asleep as I slipped from the covers and tip-toed over to the adjoining room.

I slipped through the bathroom, catching sight of my face in the mirror. My hair was a wild mess, but my face was flush. I looked alive. I felt alive. My wolf was waking with a sense of feeling protected.

It was the perfect life.

The perfect feeling.

Yet, the guilt had a manipulative way of ruining all of my high.

I’d spent my night wrapped in Rage’s arm with our mouths exploring each other, while Harlan sat at campus longing for me.

Closing my eyes, I ran my palms down my face and made my way to the adjoining room. I opened the door and nearly jumped out of my skin.

Aunt Michelle sat on the bed, her legs crossed and a goofy smile on her face. “I’m so sorry,” she laughed. “I wasn’t sure you’d sleep in here or not.”

I shifted uncomfortably. “You scared me. Uh, do you need something?”

She slapped the bed with both palms and stood up. “Yes. Get dressed. I’m going to show you around today. You can help me get ready for the banquet too. I have some things I want to talk to you about. Meet me downstairs. Breakfast is almost ready.”

She walked out of the room leaving me alone. My heart pitter-pattered in my chest. I couldn’t imagine what his Aunt needed to talk to me about. I dressed in a pair of jeans and a college T-shirt.

I braided my hair in my signature braid and found Rage staring at me from the doorjamb. “Couldn’t wait to get out of there, could you? After last night I’m ashamed.”

I chuckled. “Your Aunt asked me to come downstairs. She’s going to show me around.”

Rage lifted an eyebrow. “You’re comfortable with that? I don’t want you to think I’m tossing you to the wolves.”

“Nice pun. I’m fine with that. I’d like to see how your pack is run since mine is so different.”

Rage shoved from the wall and walked over. Those too-blue eyes lingered on my mouth, and he smiled, as if he was replaying everything from the night before. Warmth crawled up my cheeks and rested there.

“Stop embarrassing me,” I said, reaching out and pinching his stomach.

“What? I’m not doing anything.”

“You’re staring and thinking about last night. Tell me you’re not.”

Rage snaked his arm around my waist. “I can’t because I’m not a liar.”

“Exactly,” I said, lifting up to my tiptoes to kiss him. “I’m going to catch breakfast downstairs and then get a tour. Come get me when you need me.”

He reached for me, but I slipped out of his grasp. “I need you now.”

“You can suffer for a bit. It’s good for your character.”

I left him laughing in the guestroom, while I walked downstairs. Aunt Michelle and Rage’s Mother stood at the kitchen island chatting.

Rage’s mother saw me first. She sat down her coffee, and immediately walked toward the cabinet. “Good morning, Everlee. Do you drink coffee? Would you like a cup?”

“Yes, thank you,” I said, stopping beside Michelle.

“I’m Dixie by the way. I didn’t even tell you my name yesterday,” Rage’s mother said. “I’m sorry. I was so excited to see you.”

She poured me a cup of coffee and pointed toward the creamer and sugar. “Make yourself at home. There is breakfast on the table.”

I silently made my coffee and took a seat at the table. Nerves were getting the best of me so I didn’t eat as much as I would usually.

Michelle plopped down beside me, and Dixie on the other side.

“So,” Dixie said. “I was so happy that Rage found his mate. I know you must be under a lot of pressure.”

I took a bite of bacon to give myself some time to think. “Yes,” I said. “I came to Werewolf U thinking I had my forever mate, and then Rage found me at the alpha party. It’s…a lot of pressure and guilt.”

Michelle reached over and placed her palm on top of mine. “I want you to know that this pack understands your dilemma, and of course we want you to choose Rage, but if you don’t, there will be no hard feelings.”

I smiled though it didn’t reach my eyes. “Thank you for understanding.”

I continued to eat while they chitchatted about the other pack and the banquet. Once I finished, Dixie snagged my plate before I could do it, and walked it to the sink. “You girls have a big day of touring the pack lands. Lunch will be ready at one, and then we’ll need to set up for the banquet. Everlee,” she said turning to face me. “I have a dress for you in your room.”

“You didn’t have to…”

She smiled. “I wanted to.”

Michelle led me toward the back door and down the porch. “We have over one hundred acres,” she said, pointing toward the woods. “There are cabins throughout the lands for families, and loners. Every pack has a loner.”

I chuckled, knowing Harlan was one of the loners in our pack. He was always welcomed but he seemed not to fit in at times. I nibbled on my bottom lip as she stopped by the woods. “You want to run? We’ll get through the tour quicker that way.”

My wolf stretched and came to life. She’d wanted to run for days, especially since she had so much fun with Harlan in the woods the other night. Part of me wished that Rage would come with me.

My wolf was dying to run with his.

“Sure.”

I began to strip out of my clothes when I felt an irritation hit my stomach. I stopped and looked around to see Rage standing on the back porch, leaned over the railing, staring at me.

“I don’t think he likes you naked out in the open,” Michelle laughed. “Come on into the woods.”

I gave him a look over my shoulder and followed her through the brush. We stripped and shifted quickly. Michelle pawed at the dirt, her gray fur lush and vibrant in the sun.

She led me around the pack lands for hours.

From one end to the other.

My wolf was worn out by the time we made it back to the tree line. She shifted first, and watched as I did the same.

She smiled from ear to ear. “Do you like the place?”

“I love the place,” I said, grabbing my clothes. “It’s huge, and beautiful. I loved the ponds throughout. It’s breathtaking.”

Michelle began to get dressed. “Do you think you’d like it here?”

“Of course I would,” I said softly.

~If I pick Rage.~

She slid into her blue jeans. “Rage is an amazing guy, Ever. I know you’re dealing with two amazing guys, and one you’ve known all of your life. One would bring you back to a pack that you already love and know, but sometimes change is good.”

“Thank you.”

We walked back to the house as the smell of lunch hung in the air. I felt nervous knowing these people were all waiting on my decision. What if it wasn’t the one that they wanted?

We stepped inside, and Alpha Hunt stood in the kitchen with Rage and Dixie. My spine stiffened. He’d never been rude to me, but I knew how hard he was on Rage.

“Something smells good,” Michelle said.

“Chicken parmesan,” Dixie said over her shoulder.

Alpha Hunt’s gaze followed me as I stopped next to Rage. Rage’s hand landed on my back and stroked my skin underneath the hem of my shirt. “How was it?”

“Great. The pack lands are beautiful,” I said.

“Michelle didn’t scare you away, did she?” Alpha Hunt asked.

Michelle pulled out a dining room chair and glared at him. “Now, why would I do that? I need Rage to mate with this girl because I need some pups to spoil. That’s what aunts do.”

Rage hissed under his breath. “Michelle, enough about the pups. I don’t want to hear it. Ever is a freshman in college.”

“Oh, calm your tits,” Michelle said. “I’m joking. I’m joking. Y’all come sit down before you have a heart attack.”

I gladly walked over to the table and sat down. I felt Alpha Hunt staring at the back of my head, and I began to grow nervous. Rage sat down beside me and slid his palm over my thigh.

“Calm down, I can feel your unease. What’s the matter?”

I leaned in and whispered, “Your dad is making me nervous.”

He laughed. “Join the club. Just ignore him. He’s intense.”

I did the best I could to settle down as we ate our food and chitchatted. Once we finished, Michelle excused herself to go help set up for the party, while Dixie ushered me upstairs.

“I’ve always wanted a daughter to dress up. I hope you like it. If it’s too big or too small let me know, but I think I got the measurements right.” She grabbed the door handle. “I’m really good at guessing.”

The crow’s feet on the side of her eyes made me smile.

She was beautiful without fillers or Botox.

I stepped into the guest room and looked at the bed. A purple dress sat in the middle. It was low-cut in the front, with lacy sleeves and a long silky skirt. The purple was light, and I knew without looking it would bring out my hazel eyes.

“This is beautiful,” I whispered, walking over and touching the silk. A pair of silver, strappy heels sat next to it. “I can’t take this.”

“Oh, yes ma’am you can,” she said, turning me to face her. “I want you to feel welcomed here. No matter what. You come to me if you need anything. If you have questions or concerns about becoming a luna. I’m here for you,” she said, palming my face. “Now, you can either come help set up for the banquet or take a quick nap before the banquet. There will be many people here to see you, and I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Dixie.”

She winked at me, much like the time Rage did at the alpha party, and shut the door.