Chapter Twenty Two.

The next morning, I wake to the sound of my alarm blaring and sunlight streaming through the blinds. As I stretch, I catch the faintest trace of Theo's scent lingering on my pillow-salted caramel and warmth. It soothes me as I get up and ready myself for the day ahead. Today is another workday, and tonight... tonight is my date with Elias.

I take extra care picking out my outfit for work, opting for a soft lavender blouse and jeans that fit just right. The necklace Theo gave me rests comfortably against my collarbone, its presence grounding me.

By the time I walk into the café, the warm, sugary scent of Clara hits me like a hug. She's bustling behind the counter, her powdered sugar sweetness blending perfectly with the rich aroma of coffee and pastries.

"There she is," Clara calls, grinning as she catches sight of me. "Ivy, you're glowing. Spill."

I laugh, hanging up my bag and tying on my apron. "Good morning to you, too."

Clara narrows her brown eyes at me, leaning against the counter. "Don't try to distract me. Did Theo whisk you off to some castle? Sweep you off your feet? Declare his eternal love?"

I roll my eyes, though I can't suppress my smile. "Not quite. But it was... perfect. He's incredible, Clara. And tonight is my date with Elias."

She bites her lip,

"Tell me. Everything." She demands.

We giggle as we get to work.

~~~

The day passed in a blur, and by the time the clock struck 6:30 PM, I was freshly showered and dressed in a soft burgundy sweater and dark jeans, my necklace from Theo still resting against my collarbone. As I slipped on my boots, my phone buzzed.

Elias 💕: Downstairs. Take your time.

I couldn't help but smile. Elias had this calm, unhurried energy that seemed to settle everything around him. Grabbing my bag, I stepped outside to meet him.

The moment I opened the apartment building's front door, his whisky and cedar scent hit me-a rich, smoky warmth that made my knees weak. He was leaning casually against his car, his hands tucked into his pockets. When he saw me, his lips curved into a slow smile.

"You look stunning," he said, his voice low and warm.

"Thank you," I murmured, my cheeks heating.

He opened the passenger door for me, his hand lightly brushing my lower back as I slid inside. His touch was brief, but it left a trail of warmth in its wake.

The drive was peaceful, the faint hum of the car blending with the low music he had playing. I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, taking in the strong line of his jaw and the way his hands rested confidently on the steering wheel.

"You're quiet," I said, breaking the silence.

He glanced at me, his lips twitching into a small smile. "I'm thinking."

"About what?"

"You," he said simply, his gaze flicking back to the road.

I swallowed, my fingers playing with the hem of my sweater. "What about me?"

"I'm trying to figure you out," he admitted. "You're... layered. There's a lot more to you than you let on."

I laughed softly, shaking my head. "What do you want to know?"

His smile deepened,"Everything."

We arrived at a secluded lakeside restaurant just as the sun was setting. The wooden lodge was warm and inviting, with soft golden lights strung across the porch. Elias held the door open for me, his hand briefly brushing my back again as we stepped inside.

After we ordered, he leaned back in his chair, studying me with those piercing eyes of his.

"So, tell me about you," he said, his voice steady and calm. "What's something you've never told anyone before?"

I blinked, startled by the question. "That's a pretty big ask."

He smirked, his cedar scent growing richer with his amusement. "Take your time. I'll go first, if it helps."

"Deal," I said, leaning forward slightly. "You go first."

He tilted his head, thinking for a moment. "When I was a kid, I wanted to be a carpenter. My dad had this old woodworking shop in the back of the house. It was nothing fancy, but I used to spend hours there just watching him work."

I smiled, picturing a younger Elias, focused and determined. "Do you still do any woodworking?"

"Sometimes," he admitted. "It's therapeutic. But it's not my passion anymore."

"What is your passion?" I asked.

He hesitated, his whisky scent deepening with something I couldn't quite place. "I think I'm still figuring that out. But right now, my focus is on the pack. On all of you."

The intensity in his gaze made my heart skip a beat. I looked down, fiddling with the edge of my napkin. "Your turn," he said gently, drawing my attention back to him.

"Okay," I said, taking a deep breath. "When I was little, I wanted to be a singer. I used to put on these elaborate performances for my stuffed animals, complete with costumes and everything."

Elias chuckled, his eyes lighting up. "Why didn't you pursue it?"

"Life happened," I said with a shrug. "Dreams change. But sometimes, I still sing when no one's around."

His expression softened, his whisky and cedar scent wrapping around me like a hug. "I'd like to hear you sing someday."

"Maybe," I said, my cheeks heating under his steady gaze.

After dinner, we walked along the lake, the cool night air mixing with the earthy scent of pine. Elias stayed close, his presence steady and grounding.

"What about your family?" I asked, breaking the comfortable silence.

He glanced at me, his expression thoughtful. "They weren't bad people. Just... traditional. They didn't understand what it meant for me to want something different."

"Different how?" I prompted gently.

He sighed, his whisky scent taking on a bittersweet edge. "They had this image of what an Alpha should be. Strong. Dominant. Unquestioned. And I was all those things, but not in the way they wanted."

I frowned, my chest tightening at the vulnerability in his voice. "That sounds... lonely."

"It was," he admitted. "Until I found the pack. They accepted me for who I am. And now, I have you."

His words made my breath hitch, and I looked away, my cheeks burning.

"What about you?" he asked, stopping to face me. "What do you want, Ivy? Not just from us, but from life?"

I hesitated, the question feeling heavier than I expected. "I want to belong. To feel like I'm enough, just as I am."

Elias stepped closer, his cedar scent enveloping me. "You are enough, Ivy. More than enough."

Before I could respond, he leaned down, his lips brushing mine in a soft, tentative kiss. The warmth of his scent wrapped around me, grounding me as I melted into him.

The kiss deepened, his hands settling on my waist as a low growl rumbled in his chest. I felt my own Omega instincts respond, a soft whine escaping me as I clung to him.

When we finally broke apart, he rested his forehead against mine, his voice low and rough. "You have no idea what you do to me."

I smiled, my hands still resting on his chest. "I think I'm starting to."

Elias pulled back slightly, his hands still resting on my waist, his cedar and whisky scent lingering in the air around us. His dark eyes searched mine, something unreadable flickering in their depths.

"Ivy," he murmured, his voice husky and low, "I have something for you."

My heart skipped a beat. "You didn't have to-"

"I wanted to," he interrupted gently. "It's important to me."

He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. The sight of it made my breath catch.

"Elias," I whispered, feeling a rush of warmth in my chest.

He smiled, the corner of his lips quirking up as he opened the box to reveal a delicate tennis bracelet adorned with emeralds that glinted faintly in the moonlight.

"I thought this would suit you," he said softly.

"My favourite color." I whisper, my eyes shining.

He just smiles and nods

My breath hitched as I stared at the bracelet, the meaning behind his words settling in my chest. I reached out to touch it, my fingers trembling slightly.

"It's beautiful," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "Thank you."

He gently took the bracelet out of the box and clasped it around my wrist, his fingers brushing against my skin. The cool metal warmed almost immediately, the weight of it feeling both grounding and comforting.

"There," he said, his voice laced with satisfaction as he stepped back to admire it on my wrist. "Perfect."

I held my wrist up to the moonlight, the emeralds catching the faint glow. "Elias, this is... it's too much."

"It's not enough," he countered, his cedar scent deepening as he stepped closer again. "You deserve everything, Ivy. And I'll make sure you have it."

I looked up at him, my heart swelling at the intensity in his gaze. "You don't have to do all this to prove yourself to me. I already... I already feel it."

A flicker of surprise crossed his face, followed by a soft smile. "I know I don't have to. But I want to. It's my way of showing you how much you mean to me."

I felt tears prickling at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them away. "You're going to spoil me, you know."

"Good," he said, his lips curving into a grin as he leaned down to kiss me again.

This kiss was different-slower, softer, and filled with a quiet promise. His hands rested lightly on my hips, pulling me closer as I melted into him. A soft growl rumbled in his chest rolling down my throat. I moan and shiver, memories of the same sensation and sound from previous experiences with this particular Alpha.

It goes straight to my core, and I moan deeper into his kiss.

He groans.

And when he finally pulled back, he pressed his forehead against mine, his breath warm against my skin. "You're ours, Ivy. And we're yours. Always."

I smiled, my fingers brushing against the bracelet on my wrist. "Always."