Chapter 21: Chapter 21

EVIE

The Wolf’s Den was buzzing with life after another hour. I was getting the hang of distinguishing the wolves from the humans, and Noah was right; my presence on his arm was a surprise to most.

Eventually, Sawyer, Molly, and Greyson joined us, and we all settled at a high-top table.

Molly was on the dance floor within forty-five minutes. Sawyer shook his head at his sister’s antics while Noah and Greyson shared a laugh.

Sawyer sighed, taking a long gulp of his beer. “That girl is a handful.”

Noah finished his drink and stood up, extending his hand to me. “Care to dance?” he asked.

I shook my head emphatically. “No, not really.”

“No need to be shy.” Noah chuckled.

I groaned but took his hand. “I thought you didn’t like dancing,” I protested as he led me to the dance floor.

“I don’t. But look at Molly,” he said, nodding toward her. “She’s having a blast. It can’t be all bad.”

“I beg to differ,” I grumbled.

Once we reached the dance floor, Noah pulled me close to him. “Trust me?” he asked, his voice deep and husky.

“Always,” I replied, mesmerized by his olive eyes.

Noah’s hands found my hips as mine rested on his chest, and we swayed to the music. I glanced around the room nervously, trying to mimic the other couples.

I took a deep breath, releasing the tension in my shoulders, and decided to just go with the flow. I began to sway slowly in Noah’s arms, and he grinned, matching my movements.

After a few hours and a few more drinks, I was completely relaxed and enjoying myself on the dance floor with Noah and some of his packmates. It was nice to get to know them without the pressure of being their luna or any other official title.

However, Noah growling at every guy who glanced my way made getting to know the male members a bit challenging.

“How do you expect me to get to know anyone if you’re always growling at them?” I rolled my eyes at Noah as he growled “mine” for the fifteenth time.

“Don’t worry about it, Luna. He’ll calm down once he marks you.” One of the guys chuckled before disappearing into the crowd.

“Once you ~what~?” I asked Noah, my eyes wide.

Noah shook his head, glaring at the spot where the wolf had stood. “We’ll talk about it later,” he whispered in my ear.

He was right. The bar was too noisy and crowded for a serious conversation. I nodded, giving him a look that said I wouldn’t forget.

He smirked at me and spun me around so my back was against his chest. I moved to the beat of the music.

“Alpha.”

Sawyer and Greyson appeared at our side, their faces serious. I felt Noah’s arms tighten around my waist as we stopped dancing.

“What is it?” he asked, his voice stern.

“There’s someone at the pack house who wants to see you,” Greyson said.

“Who?” Noah asked, a crease of worry forming on his forehead.

“I don’t know, Alpha. Lucas and Jack mind-linked me. There’s a stranger at the border. He wouldn’t give his name, just said he’s an alpha. They’ve taken him to your office and are guarding the room,” Greyson explained.

Noah glanced at me, then back at his second and third-in-command. “Go get the car,” he ordered.

Greyson and Sawyer nodded and disappeared. Noah led me away from the crowd and back to our table. He picked up my jacket and helped me put it on.

“I’m sorry, Everleigh, but I have to deal with this,” Noah said, his voice filled with concern.

“It’s okay, I understand. I can find someone else to take me home.” I shrugged.

Noah quickly shook his head. “I need you to come with me,” he said, surprising me. “I don’t know who this intruder is or if it’s safe. I won’t be able to focus if I don’t know you’re safe and sound.” His voice was filled with fear, and I couldn’t help but agree.

“All right.” I gave in, my voice heavy with resignation.

“Thank you, Everleigh.” Noah’s relief was palpable as he guided me outdoors.

Greyson and Sawyer were already waiting in the car. I slid into the back seat, joining Noah.

“Evie’s tagging along?” Sawyer’s question came from the front passenger seat as he swiveled to face us.

A broad grin spread across his face.

“Sawyer, you’re on Evie duty,” Noah responded, sidestepping Sawyer’s question.

Sawyer’s expression sobered as he nodded in understanding.

“Why do I always get stuck with Sawyer?” I grumbled.

The car erupted with the guys’ laughter.

“He’s your guardian, Evie. It’s his job,” Noah explained. I caught Sawyer’s gaze in the rearview mirror.

“What do you mean?” I asked, feigning ignorance.

“The beta of the pack guards the alpha,” Noah began.

Greyson chimed in from the front seat, “That’s me!” he declared with pride.

Noah rolled his eyes before continuing. “And the gamma safeguards the luna.”

“That’s outdated,” I muttered.

Noah shook his head at me. “I won’t risk your safety, Everleigh,” he stated firmly.

I sulked in silence, but my mood quickly shifted as we neared a stunning, salmon-colored mansion.

“Welcome to the Blood Moon Pack House, Luna,” Greyson announced from the driver’s seat.

“It’s breathtaking,” I gasped, sitting up to get a better view.

Scattered around the mansion were quaint cottages, surrounded by clearings that looked like sports fields.

“I’d like you to wait on the alpha floor,” Noah instructed as we got out of the car.

“I thought I was staying with you,” I protested, clutching Noah’s hand.

“I know, sweetheart, but I need to handle this alone. I’m not sure it’s safe for you, and you’re not ready to step into the luna role yet,” Noah sighed, cupping my cheek briefly before we entered the pack house.

As soon as we stepped into the mansion, a strange sensation washed over me. It was a hot, unbearable feeling that made my stomach churn.

“Are you all right?” Noah’s eyes were filled with worry.

I met his gaze and just like that, the discomfort vanished. I attributed it to the mysterious mate bond and let it go.

“I’ll go wherever you need me to,” I conceded.

Noah leaned in, pressing a warm kiss to my lips before handing me off to Sawyer. He shot me one last glance before heading toward the back of the house, while Sawyer led me in the opposite direction.

“There’s an elevator?” I exclaimed as Sawyer pressed the up button.

He chuckled at my reaction. We stepped inside and my eyes widened at the sight of the elevator’s control panel.

“There are four floors?” I exclaimed, even louder this time.

“You’re easily amazed, aren’t you?” Sawyer teased, laughing at my reaction.

The elevator doors slid open with a soft ~ding~ and we stepped out.

“This is the alpha and luna floor,” Sawyer informed me.

“Is this where I would live?” I asked, taken aback.

Sawyer nodded. “Yep. There are two master bedrooms, so if you’re not comfortable sharing with Noah right away, you have plenty of options,” he explained, gesturing toward the first door on our left.

He pushed the door open and I peered inside.

“This is the vacant room,” he said.

The room was enormous, easily large enough to fit my entire apartment. A four-poster bed took center stage, flanked by end tables topped with golden lamps. A sitting area and TV were situated on the far side of the room.

On the opposite side of the bed were two doors, presumably leading to the closet and bathroom. The room was decorated in a rich palette of reds and blacks, a recurring theme I’d noticed throughout the mansion.

“You can wait in here, or I can show you the rest of the floor…whatever you prefer. There’s also a sitting area in the hallway if you’re not comfortable in the bedroom.” Sawyer’s voice broke through my thoughts.

I turned away from the room and followed him back into the hallway.

He showed me four guest rooms, each a smaller version of the master. A Jack-and-Jill style bathroom connected each pair of rooms. The last room was Noah’s.

“Hold on, we shouldn’t go in there,” I protested as Sawyer reached for the door handle.

“Why not?” he asked.

“That’s Noah’s private space,” I stated, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“Evie,” Sawyer’s laughter echoed in the room, “you’ve got no secrets from Noah.”

I shot him a glare, my hand gripping the door handle and slamming it shut with a loud thud. Sawyer just shook his head, a smirk playing on his lips.

Ignoring him, I made my way to the living room he’d mentioned earlier. It was a cozy space, with a large, plush couch facing a TV that was even larger. Flanking the TV were bookshelves, filled to the brim with movies, games, books, and video games.

A basket, brimming with soft blankets, sat next to the couch, and a pair of bean bags were scattered on the floor.

“Noah and his siblings used to lounge on these when they were kids,” Sawyer commented, nudging one of the bean bags with his foot.

I sank into the couch, a chuckle escaping my lips as I pictured a younger Noah squished into a bean bag. I was about to invite Sawyer to join me when a searing pain ripped through my stomach. I doubled over, a groan slipping past my lips.

“Sawyer, is it normal to feel like my stomach’s on fire?” I managed to grit out.

He was by my side in an instant.

“Why would you think that’s normal?” His voice was laced with worry.

“Have you not noticed? None of this is normal to me. I have no idea what this mate bond ~thing~ is supposed to feel like!” I snapped, frustration seeping into my voice. I felt like I was teetering on the edge of sanity.

“I’m sorry, Evie. No, this level of pain isn’t normal. It’s normal to feel a bit uneasy and anxious when you’re away from him, but not this,” Sawyer tried to soothe me, his hand rubbing circles on my back.

“Then something’s wrong with Noah,” I stated, my voice icy.

Sawyer’s eyes widened in shock. Before we knew it, we were both sprinting back toward the elevator.