Chapter 38: Chapter 38

EVIE

Elijah’s voice echoed with a tone of exhaustion. “What did you say?”

Noah and Molly chose that moment to stroll across the patio.

Noah greeted Elijah. “How’s it going, Elijah?”

He handed Molly over to her brother for support.

Elijah just stared at Noah, his lips sealed.

Noah laughed lightly. “That good, huh?”

He moved to stand next to me.

He planted a soft kiss on my cheek and held me close.

“Are you all right?” Noah whispered into my neck.

“I’m perfectly fine,” I reassured him with a smile.

Elijah was observing us, his gaze scrutinizing our every move.

“You two behave as if you’ve been apart for ages,” Elijah grumbled.

“It feels like ages,” Noah admitted, his arm tightening around my waist.

Elijah turned to me. “Doesn’t that scare you?”

“I thought it would, but it doesn’t. I feel the same pull toward him. It’s like there’s this fire in my chest that only dies down when I see him,” I confessed.

Elijah sighed. “Those are some serious warning signs, Ev.”

“Maybe for humans,” I reminded him that we were far from being ordinary humans at the moment. “Elijah, meet Molly.”

I shifted the focus away from Noah and me.

Molly stepped forward, with Sawyer close by her side.

“Hello,” Molly greeted him shyly.

Elijah stuffed his hands into his pockets and lowered his gaze, clearly uncomfortable.

“Hey,” he muttered.

I nudged him forward. “Where are your manners, Elijah Bellamy?”

Elijah grumbled again and extended his hand.

Molly shook it eagerly, reluctant to let go.

The scene reminded me of my initial encounters with Noah, and I felt a pang of guilt for the distress I had caused him.

“I apologize if I frightened you earlier,” Molly said, her eyes fixed on Elijah.

“I was more concerned about how he was dealing with you,” Elijah replied, nodding toward Noah.

Molly brightened up at the thought of Elijah worrying about her.

“He was just ensuring that I didn’t assault you.” She giggled.

“You wanted to assault me?” Elijah looked alarmed.

“No! I didn’t mean assault. I just wanted to…hug you,” Molly clarified.

I glanced at Noah, my eyebrow raised. This is excruciating to watch.

“Elijah, how long are you planning to stay?” I asked, noticing Molly’s face fill with dread.

“I was thinking of staying for the weekend, but I have plenty of vacation days saved up. I can extend my stay,” he replied.

“Great! Would you prefer to stay here or at my place?” I asked.

I knew Molly would be thrilled if he stayed here, but I wanted him to feel comfortable before we pushed the mate bond too hard.

I remembered needing my own space initially to adjust to everything, so I wanted to ensure my brother had the same options.

“You’re staying here?” he asked.

“Yes.”

Noah chimed in, “You’re welcome to stay in one of our guest rooms.”

“All right, I’ll do that,” he agreed, nodding slowly.

I could almost feel Molly’s struggle to maintain her composure next to me.

“Why don’t I show you to your room? You can settle in and we can catch up tomorrow,” I suggested, detaching myself from Noah and taking my brother’s arm.

“Okay,” he agreed.

“Sawyer, could you show Evie and Elijah to one of the guest rooms?” Noah requested.

Sawyer nodded in agreement, and we followed him back through the pack house.

I helped Elijah settle into the guest room and ordered him some dinner.

He expressed a desire to spend the evening alone—to gather his thoughts.

“If you need anything, you know where to find me,” I assured him, giving him a quick hug before leaving his room and heading up to the top floor where I hoped Noah was waiting for me.

As expected, Noah was in his room, waiting for me.

He jumped off the bed as I entered and enveloped me in his arms.

“Are you okay, love?” he asked, his face buried in my neck.

I nodded and nestled into his chest. “Yes, I just hope Elijah will be all right.”

“Everleigh, he’s as tough as his sister, right? He’ll pull through.”

I sought reassurance from Noah, who gently pulled me into his arms, sealing his promise with a lingering kiss.

“Sawyer mentioned you handled the situation pretty well,” Noah said, his voice a soothing balm.

“I surprised myself, to be honest,” I confessed, resting my head on his shoulder, unwilling to break the comforting contact.

“You’re incredible. I’ve always said that.” Noah’s words were wrapped in a smug grin.

I chuckled at his remark.

“How’s Molly doing?” I asked, shifting the focus.

“She’s holding up. It’s easier for her since she just helped you through a similar situation. She gets it from both perspectives,” Noah explained.

“It’s strange. It’s like I’m observing our own relationship unfold—like I’m an outsider looking in,” I mused, glancing up at Noah.

Noah planted a soft kiss on my crown as we settled down on the bed.

“It’s helping me understand us a bit more,” I added.

“How so?” Noah queried.

I shrugged, searching for the right words.

“I’m not sure, but having to justify our bond and explain it to someone else—it’s helping me grasp it better,” I confessed.

Noah tightened his hold on me.

“I love you so much, you know that, right?”

“I love you too, Noah,” I whispered, my eyes fluttering shut as I nestled into his chest.

Noah gently guided us down onto his bed, our bodies entwining.

The thought of sleeping in my own room was completely abandoned.