Chapter Thirteen.

The sun was setting as I made my way back to the pack house with Theo. Despite the sleek black car he’d insisted on driving, he had taken the scenic route. Rolling hills and quiet woods blurred by the window, and I let the soothing rhythm of the drive calm my nerves.

Theo was quiet for the most part, one hand on the steering wheel and the other resting casually on the armrest. His presence, though silent, felt overwhelming in the best way—like the low hum of electricity just before a storm.

“You’re awfully quiet,” he said finally, breaking the tension with his gravely soft voice.

I glanced at him, flustered. “Just... thinking about everything.”

His eyes golden, relecting in light of the sunset flicked toward me briefly, a hint of a smile on his lips. “Ivy, you think too much.”

The words came with an easy confidence, as though he wasn’t fazed by anything. But I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks at his gaze. There was something in the air between us, something unspoken yet palpable.

When we pulled up to the pack house, Theo shut off the engine and leaned back in his seat, his sharp features highlighted by the dim glow of the dashboard. “You’re going to drive yourself crazy if you keep overanalyzing everything,” he said softly.

I opened my mouth to reply, but before I could, he leaned over, his hand brushing against mine. My breath hitched as he tilted his head slightly, his sharp nose brushing along the curve of my neck.

“The scenting...” I whispered, realizing what he was doing.

“It helps,” Theo murmured, his voice low and soothing. “You’ve been surrounded by so much stress lately, and the others—especially Micah—won’t say it, but they’re worried about you.”

I nodded slowly, my heart pounding as he continued. Theo’s presence was grounding, yet his actions felt intimate in a way that made my skin tingle. His hand lightly brushed against my jaw, tilting my head slightly to give him better access.

“Relax,” he said softly, the warmth of his breath against my neck sending a shiver down my spine.

As Theo’s scent began to mingle with mine, I felt the tension in my body start to ease. The deep, sugary notes of his pheromones wrapped around me, soothing and protective. But there was something else too—something primal that stirred a longing I hadn’t been prepared for.

“Better?” he asked, pulling back slightly to meet my gaze.

I nodded, my voice caught in my throat. “Y-yeah, better.”

“Good,” Theo said, his lips quirking into a small, satisfied smile. But as he moved back to his side of the car, I noticed something in his eyes—a flicker of something deeper, something unspoken.

When we stepped inside, Micah was waiting for us in the living room, his curls still damp from a shower. He looked up, his face lighting up when he saw me. But then his nose twitched, and his expression shifted slightly.

“You let Theo scent you?” Micah asked, his tone light but curious.

I hesitated, glancing at Theo, who simply shrugged.

“She needed it,” Theo said simply, as if that explained everything.

Micah’s gaze softened as he approached me, his hand brushing against my arm. “It’s okay,” he said, his voice gentle. “You smell... calmer now.”

As Micah leaned in, his own scent—sweet and calming, with a hint of lavender—began to mix with Theo’s. The combination was dizzying, yet it made me feel oddly complete.

He nuzzled his nose against mine, making me giggle.

From the corner of my eye, I caught Theo watching us with a quiet intensity. He didn’t say anything, but the look in his eyes said enough—this was only the beginning.

Gulp.

~~~~

The rest of the evening passed in a blur. Micah coaxed me into staying in the living room with the rest of the pack, curling up on the oversized couch as Callum flipped through the channels, looking for something “mildly entertaining and not completely brain-dead.” Theo, as usual, remained quiet but attentive, Pottering around the house beer in hand, while Elias, freshly returned from work, sat at the table with his laptop, still immersed in spreadsheets.

Despite the normalcy of it all, there was a strange energy in the room—a shift that I couldn’t quite place. It wasn’t uncomfortable, exactly. Just... new.

Micah was tucked under Callum’s arm, sipping tea and scrolling through his phone when a soft trill broke the calm. My phone.

I grabbed it from the coffee table, my heart fluttering slightly when I saw the name on the screen: Mom.

I hesitated, my thumb hovering over the screen.

“You don’t have to answer,” Micah said softly, his doe eyes full of understanding.

“No, it’s fine,” I said, swiping to accept the call. “Hi, Mom.”

“Ivy!” Her voice was warm and full of relief. “I’ve been wondering how you’re settling in. Are you okay? You sound tired, sweetheart.”

I couldn’t help but smile. That was just her way—always worrying, always gentle. “I’m fine, Mom. I’ve just been busy. Work’s been good, though, and I’m settling in well.”

“Good.” I could hear the smile in her voice. “Your dad says hi, by the way. He wanted to call you himself, but I told him you’d probably pick up faster for me.”

I laughed softly. “You’re not wrong.”

"You know we only want the best for you.." she started.

"I know mom, and I know you trust me." I stated pointedly. Mentally begging her not to start again.

"Yes..well..that is true. Please don't forget to call or text and remember we are an hours drive. We'd be there for you in a heart beat sweetheart."

My attitude softens "I know, I love you both so much, after all this is over i'll have to come home for a visit."

We share more pleasantries, catching up on the goings on in their life a bit longer until and hour had passed and they had to go.

Later, after everyone had gone to bed, I stayed up for a while, scrolling through my phone. The house was quiet, save for the faint creak of settling wood and the soft hum of the heater.

A new message popped up on my screen. It was from Morgan.

Morgan: You’re alive? Haven’t heard from you in forever. Xx

Ivy: Yeah, sorry babe, I’m good. Just... busy. 💗

Morgan: Busy with that pack, maybe? 😏

Ivy: Don’t start.🫠

Morgan: I’m just saying, Theo seems... intense. Be careful, okay?❤️

Me: Always am. Don't worry your still my fave. 💗💗

Morgan: If you say so. 😒 😆 Just don’t disappear on me. Love you xx

Ivy: Girl, never. Love you more 💗

I sighed, setting the phone down on my nightstand. Morgan meant well, but she didn’t get it. I hope one day she does though, cause this pack, overwhelming as it could be, felt more like a home than I’d ever expected.