Chapter 101 - Nice and Cosy

A few days later, Evan was lying in Ryan's bed, snuggling up to his mate, who had his arm draped over his shoulders, holding his hand. He was caressing his hand with his thumb in circular motions, and they were both looking thoughtfully at the ceiling, enjoying the peace that had developed between them.

Evan was the first to break the silence and turn to face the black-haired boy. "I was thinking..." he started and after hearing his voice, Ryan turned to him as well. "You met my little pack..." He left his statement unfinished, biting his lip nervously, hoping that Ryan would understand where he was going with this.

And of course, the other boy wasn't his other half for nothing.

A broad smile appeared on his face, and he reached his other hand up to Evan's face to gently stroke his jaw. "Are you serious?" he asked with undisguised enthusiasm.

Evan's face mirrored his smile, and he nodded just as energetically, his nervousness completely gone.

"My parents are going to love you," Ryan said with confidence in his voice and immediately closed the gap between them, bringing their lips together in an intimate kiss.

"I hope so because I love their son," Evan whispered first when their lips moved even a few fragments apart. His lips brushed against Ryan's with every sound he made, and he knew he would never be this close to anyone else.

"I love you too," Ryan said in return. His words earned him another sweet kiss from his soulmate, and Ryan quickly moved on top of him in one graceful motion, his hands resting next to his head. Naturally, Evan didn't protest at the change and quickly wrapped one hand around his upper body and ran the other through his hair.

Passion quickly poured into the soft kisses and as Ryan's tongue slipped into Evan's mouth, Evan's hand slipped under his shirt, lifting it higher and exposing his skin.

Their breathing quickened and they both knew what that meant. Although they had promised Mama Olivia that they would behave behind closed doors, that promise was momentarily forgotten and replaced by desire.

"Do you think we have enough time?" Evan asked as they ran out of breath and had to separate. He opened his eyes cautiously and their gazes met. Looking into his lover's eyes, Evan could only hope that the same feelings he could clearly read in Ryan's were reflected in his own.

Ryan looked thoughtful and tilted his head for a moment before saying, "If we don't remove our clothes completely and lock the door..."

"With half our clothes. How smart, Pachycephalosaurus," Evan's tone was playful and he dramatically dropped the hem of Ryan's shirt from his hand along with his words. Then, still staring into his eyes, he moved both hands to the hem of his jeans and tugged on them.

"I'm not just handsome," Ryan repeated the words Evan loved to say to him, and he chuckled at them instantly.

"Go and lock the door, handsome," Evan whispered to him, patting his chest with his hands, and signalling him to get up. Ryan obeyed at once and jumped out of bed, more than a little enthusiastic.

And as soon as he had silently locked the door, he turned around and the first thing he did was unzip his jeans, which made Evan burst out laughing. The black-haired boy's face reflected satisfaction, though he briefly covered his smile with a pointed finger to signal his boyfriend to be quiet.

Evan sat up and held out his hands, beckoning him over, and again Ryan obeyed without a second thought. He straddled him and this time it was Ryan who slipped his hands into his lover's hair.

Evan didn't hesitate and returned his touches with his own, placing his hands gently yet sensually on his thighs and gradually moving them higher.

Soon after, they both leaned towards each other at the same time and their lips met somewhere in the middle. Their movements synchronised almost instantly, and little kisses turned into a battle of tongues. Ryan's hands slipped to the front of Evan's pants and in a second their situations were equalised.

"Just don't cum on my T-shirt again," Evan said between kisses, not giving Ryan a chance to respond as he bit his lips and then immediately attacked his neck with his own. Things then took a fast pace and their pants quickly slipped down to their ankles.

"This is going to be a new record," Evan said breathlessly, but it was the last thing he said as Ryan silenced him with his mouth.

...

"I was right," Evan said as they lay back on the bed in their original position, lying next to each other on their backs. They were trying to calm their breathing and their racing hearts, but still enjoying each other's closeness at the same time.

"Mhmmm," Ryan let out a sound of agreement.

His eyes were still half closed with pleasure and his hand was on his chest as if trying to calm himself.

"I know I've said it before today, but I really do love you," Evan spoke again, turning his head to his mate for a moment, but then his eyes went back to the ceiling.

Ryan chuckled but still didn't speak.

"Do you think it will always be this amazing?" Evan asked, his tone indicating exactly what he meant.

"God, I hope so," Ryan finally spoke, his voice sounding more than a little strong, making Evan laugh at his determination.

Then there was silence again and Ryan's hand moved to the centre, seeking Evan's to interlock their fingers. Now they lay holding hands, their souls almost singing, enjoying the harmony between them. Their wolves were also more than calm, their chests heaving with pride in their heads.

"When they text me back about the Shadow Wolf, we can stop by my house for a visit," Ryan broke the silence later.

"Maybe we could drop by sooner. Like for your birthday," Evan suggested. He was still nervous about meeting Ryan's parents, but he also knew how important it was for him. At the same time, it was important for Rory too as he wanted their souls to be connected, so the visit to Manvale was a must-do.

Rory had plenty of time to think it over and was more than confident when he told Evan his decision. Obviously, he was tired of being an outcast, and at the same time, he was getting restless because he had to pretend all the time. The only time he was himself was with his friends from North Hallson and Marwell, and that wasn't often. Evan felt sorry for him and couldn't even imagine being in his place.

"That would be great," Ryan confirmed, snapping Evan out of his thoughts. Evan turned his face to find Ryan already looking at him, and the moment their eyes met, Ryan added, "I'm going to miss you when you're in New York."

"I wish you could come with me," Evan admitted.

"Me too," Ryan admitted, but then he added with a smile, "Someday we can go there together."

Evan smiled back at him, but it didn't last long as after a while his face changed, as if he wasn't sure about something. But he knew he could talk to Ryan about anything and that gave him courage. "Have you ever thought about what you want to do after high school?"

Ryan thought for a moment and his eyes drifted back to the ceiling. "I don't know," he admitted honestly, "I was always waiting for my mate and didn't make much of a plan for the future. When I found out you weren't in the same pack as me, I knew there was a chance I might have to move, but I never gave it much thought."

"So you wouldn't mind if I applied to NYU?" Evan asked, pulling his arm slightly to catch his eye. Ryan turned his head and with the same movement raised his hand to place it on Evan's cheek as before.

"If you don't mind if I do the same," he replied with a grin.

"Do you mean it?" Evan's eyebrows twitched in surprise before his incredulous smile broadened.

Ryan tightened his grip on their joined hands in an encouraging gesture before telling him, "Of course I do. My plan right now is to go into teaching, and I can do that pretty much anywhere. To be at the same university as you is a dream come true."

"You're my dream come true," Evan declared, unable to hide his excitement, and lifted himself to lie partially on top of his lover and kiss him.

Ryan didn't hesitate and immediately wrapped his arms around him so he could have him all over him. Using his knees to make sure he couldn't get away, he began to kiss him with the same passion as his mate.

"Oh fuck no." Michael's voice came muffled from behind the door, causing them to pull away from each other. But not before they shared one last passionate kiss.

Evan giggled and Ryan gave him a goofy eye roll before carefully removing him from himself and getting up from the bed to unlock the door.

The moment he turned the key in the lock, Michael spoke again. "Please tell me I can open my eyes and not be traumatised."

"Not so sure about that," Ryan teased, but apparently Michael was still cautious because the moment the door opened, Evan saw him with his hands over his eyes.

"Hi, Michael," Evan greeted him with an undisguised smile. His voice finally made Michael open his eyes, and after letting his gaze settle on him and making sure he was fully dressed, he entered the room.

"You know, the fact that you're wearing clothes definitely doesn't hide the smell," Michael said, wrinkling his nose before going straight to the window and opening it.

"But you will be a good cousin and not tell on us?" Ryan guessed with hope in his voice, and Michael turned to him with an expression that said it was a stupid question. No matter what he told them, Michael was always on his friends' side.

"Just avoid my bed," he said, then walked over to it and threw himself on top.

"Rough day at work?" Ryan asked him, a slight worry in his voice, and sat on the edge of his bed so he could see him. Evan sat up too, resting his chin on Ryan's shoulder.

"Nah, just a long one," Michael replied, looking up at him through the gap between his arms, folded over his head.

"Do you want to clear your head later?" Ryan continued with his questions.

This question, however, caught Michael's attention and he uncovered his face completely. "Sure."

"I don't have to come, do I?" Evan joined the conversation. Not that he didn't want to go for a run with them, but at the same time he didn't want to deprive his cousins of their time together. He knew that Michael didn't mind spending time with him, but at the same time, he was sure that he was grateful for the moments when he had his favourite cousin all to himself.

"Nah, you're too pretty to get sweaty." Ryan planted a grateful kiss on his temple, knowing his intentions as he had come to know him all too well in that short time.

"You didn't think so before," Evan teased him with a smile, and Michael made a sound like he was about to throw up, making both boys laugh.

Evan didn't stay at their house long after that and decided it was time to go home. His parents were sitting on the couch watching a film, and Evan decided to join them, still in a good mood thanks to his mate. It was quite ironic - the very mate that Evan was afraid to introduce at home was the same mate that helped him have a better relationship with his parents.

Thankfully, he didn't have to think about it for long, as he wasn't planning on telling them the truth anytime soon.