Chapter 34: Chapter 34

EVIE

Molly and I had a routine of driving to campus together every morning. It was a comforting ritual, a chance to bond and share the start of our day. When we returned home each afternoon, Noah would be waiting at the door to welcome us.

He’d plant a kiss on my lips, ask about my day, and then disappear into his office to wrap up his work. I’d then find a new spot to settle down with my schoolwork. Some days it was the library, other days the parlor or the dining room, but my favorite spot was the kitchen.

There was something about the kitchen that I found comforting. The constant hum of activity from the kitchen staff, the comings and goings of hungry pack members—it all felt so alive.

It was in the kitchen that I officially met Noah’s other brother, Jack. He seemed to have taken a liking to my study sessions, often joining me in the kitchen, like he did this Friday afternoon.

“Evie, you’re always so engrossed in your work. Don’t you ever take a break?” Jack teased, grabbing an apple from the fridge and joining me at the table.

“I’ll take a break when all the work is done,” I retorted, just as my phone rang.

I shot Jack a warning look, signaling him to keep quiet as my mother’s name flashed on the screen.

“Hi, Mama,” I greeted her.

“Evie! We haven’t heard from you all week,” Mom exclaimed.

“Sorry, Mom, I’ve just been swamped,” I sighed.

I hadn’t yet told them about Noah, and lying to her over the phone was too difficult, so I’d been avoiding her calls.

“Too busy for your Mama?” she sniffed, and I rolled my eyes, recognizing her faux crying.

“Never, Mom.”

“What’s been keeping you so busy, little fish?” My father’s voice echoed from the background.

“I’ve made some friends,” I teased, mimicking my mother’s tone.

I could hear my father’s laughter in the background as my mom tried to shush him.

“I knew that party would be a good idea, Evie!” Mom chirped.

“You were right, Ma, as always.” I chuckled.

“Well, it’s Friday. Do you have any plans tonight?” Mom asked, not-so-subtly prying into my social life.

“I’m not sure yet. I’m having a late lunch with my friends right now.”

~That’s not entirely untrue,~ I thought, glancing at Jack.

He grinned at me, his mouth full of apple. I shook my head at him.

“Oh, well, I’ll let you go then, dear,” Mom said, her voice filled with pride.

“Love you, little fish!” Dad shouted from somewhere in the background.

“Love you both.” I laughed, ending the call.

“Your folks seem nice,” Jack commented.

I stared at him for a moment, forgetting that his wolf hearing allowed him to eavesdrop on my conversations.

“They’re the best,” I agreed.

“A lot different from mine,” he muttered.

“Do you see your mom often?” I asked him, treading lightly.

I felt a pang of sympathy for Noah, Jack, Greyson, and Lucy. Their father was a jerk, and their mother might as well be on another planet.

“Greyson, Lucy, and I visit her once a month. We meet halfway between our two packs. We also talk on the phone a lot.” Jack shrugged.

“I hope I get to meet her someday,” I said.

Jack grinned at me. “You will, and she’s going to love you.”

I returned his smile and dove back into my work, eager to finish my last paper and free up my weekend. Noah had promised me a shopping trip tomorrow.

“There’s my beautiful mate,” Noah cooed, entering the kitchen an hour or so later.

I looked up at him and greeted him with a kiss. Jack made gagging noises and quickly exited the kitchen.

“I love you,” Noah said, gently pinching my chin.

“Love you back,” I grinned, scrunching up my face at him.

“All finished?” he asked, eyeing the mess of papers on the table.

“Just finished up, actually,” I replied, packing up my things and taking Noah’s hand.

“Any thoughts on tonight?” he asked.

I shrugged. “Whatever you want to do,” I grinned at him. “As long as I get to go shopping for the art studio tomorrow!”

Noah laughed. “That’s a promise, little mate.”

“Yippee!” I chirped, breaking into a little jig as we waited for the elevator.

“You’re adorable,” he noted, his eyes twinkling as he smiled at me.

“I’m aware,” I replied with a cocky shrug. He burst into laughter.

“Do you feel like staying in, or maybe heading to the Den?” Noah was trying to gauge my mood for the day.

“Is the whole gang going to the Den?” I inquired.

“I’m not concerned about the others.” Noah guided me out of the elevator.

“Noah,” I protested, “if you want to chill with your buddies, we can.”

“I want to chill with you, sweetheart,” Noah murmured in his deep, husky voice, twirling me around to cup my face in his hands. “That’s all I ever want.”

I caught Noah off guard by grabbing his shirt and yanking him toward me, our lips colliding. I let my hands wander over his body as his did the same.

Slipping my hand under his shirt, I traced a path of goosebumps across his bare skin. Noah growled against me.

“Everleigh.” He rested his forehead against mine, his grip on my arms tightening as he trembled. “I can only control myself so much.”

“Noah, look at me,” I commanded, pulling one hand from his back to force his gaze to meet mine. “No more self-control.” My voice was smooth and filled with longing.

I watched as Noah’s eyes darkened, Remi pushing against his restraint. Noah studied my face and must have found the consent he was seeking because he scooped me up and carried me into his bedroom.

I let out a squeal as he tossed me onto the bed and crawled over me. I tugged his shirt off, and he did the same with mine.

Noah’s eyes devoured me, his hands exploring the newly exposed skin. My body ignited as his fingers danced under my bra, which he quickly discarded.

I squirmed under his gaze as his fingers lightly traced my scars. He followed the claw marks from my shoulder, across my chest, and down my stomach, leaving a tingling sensation in their wake.

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured, his words soothing my nerves as he took me in.

I was doing the same, admiring his bronzed skin, sculpted abs, and intricate tattoos.

“Like what you see, little mate?” Noah teased.

I bit my lower lip. “Absolutely, and it’s all mine,” I declared, wrapping my legs around his waist and pulling him closer.

“All yours, sweetheart,” he agreed, capturing my lips and gently biting my lower lip. “I love you.”

“I love you, Noah,” I managed to say, breathless from the sensation of his bare skin against mine.

He began to kiss the skin his fingers had just caressed, his eyes never leaving mine as his lips explored my scars.

“Every inch of you is unbelievably beautiful,” he whispered against my skin, his kisses trailing down to my lower stomach and hip, where the claw marks disappeared behind my back.

His thumb slipped under the waistband of my jeans, and in an instant, they were on the floor. Noah’s pants quickly followed.

Our bodies moved together as if we’d been doing this our whole lives, fitting together like two pieces of a puzzle. Noah already had my heart and soul, but today, I gave him everything else.

“You’re perfect, sweetheart,” Noah murmured, running his fingers through my hair as I lay on his chest.

We were both cocooned in Noah’s blankets, holding each other close.

“Noah?” I asked, craning my neck to get a better look at his face.

“Yes, darling?”

“Last week at the bar, that guy mentioned something about marking, and you said you’d explain it to me later,” I reminded him.

“I remember.” Noah nodded, seemingly lost in thought.

“Well, it’s later,” I grumbled.

Noah chuckled.

“So it is, sweetheart.” He shifted on the bed, propping himself up on his elbow to look me in the eyes.

“Marking is something that werewolf mates do to each other,” Noah began. “You would bear my mark right here.” He traced a circle just below my ear and above my jawline.

“Like a tattoo?” I asked.

Noah chuckled. “No, not like a tattoo. I mark you by biting you.”

I gasped, pulling away from his touch. “You want to ~bite~ me?”

“Noah, it’s not going to hurt, right? It’s supposed to feel good, right? It’s something that happens during…you know…sex.” He gestured vaguely around the bed, indicating our recent activities.

“I need more information, Noah,” I said, my face reflecting my growing unease.

“It’s all about strengthening our bond, our connection. It’s a signal to other werewolves that you’re taken, and so am I. Our scents would merge, creating a unique one that’s just ours. I won’t lie, it’s a bit possessive, but it feels amazing, sweetheart, I promise,” Noah reassured me, his hand gently caressing my cheek.

“But how would I mark you? I’m not a werewolf,” I stated matter-of-factly.

“Really? I hadn’t noticed?” Noah teased.

I playfully pushed him, causing him to lose his balance and fall off his elbow.

“We could ask a witch for help. She could give you a way to mark me,” Noah suggested casually.

I stared at him, my mouth hanging open in shock.

“What?” Noah asked, confused.

“A ~witch~?” I exclaimed.

Noah’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Shit.”

“Noah!” I scolded, slapping his arm. “Is everything real?” I asked, my voice filled with disbelief.

“Pretty much,” Noah replied, trying to downplay it.

“Vampires? Fairies? Mermaids?” I continued, hoping to say something so absurd that Noah would finally say no. But he didn’t. “Dwarfs? Trolls? Cyclopes?”

I kept listing mythical creatures until Noah started laughing.

“Now you’re just being ridiculous.”

I threw my hands up in exasperation.

“Oh, so Cyclopes is where you draw the line? Good to know,” I grumbled.

Noah snuggled into my neck, planting a soft kiss.

“I love you.” He chuckled. “Does the idea of marking scare you, my little mate?” he asked.

“A bit,” I confessed.

“We don’t have to do it until you’re ready,” he reassured me, cupping my face in his hands.

“But we will have to eventually?” I asked timidly.

“Well…” Noah seemed taken aback.

That’s when I realized how significant this marking thing was.

“It’s really important to you, isn’t it?” I asked.

“It is, Everleigh. It’s not just about me marking you, but also about me wearing your mark. It signifies that our souls are connected. It’s… it’s like a wolf’s version of marriage.”

My eyes widened as I began to grasp the concept.

“So, wolves don’t get married?”

“If that’s what you want, love, I’ll marry you. I want to be connected to you in every possible way,” Noah murmured, pressing his forehead against mine.

“Okay.” I sighed, closing my eyes.

“Okay?” Noah’s breath tickled my nose.

“I’ll get used to the idea of you biting my neck and let you mark me.” I giggled, feeling Noah’s chuckle against my forehead.

“Thank you, sweetheart.” He kissed me lightly before flopping back onto the bed.

After a few moments of comfortable silence, Noah rolled over on top of me.

“Ready for round two?” he asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

I threw my head back in laughter, squealing when Noah started showering my neck with kisses.