Evander didn’t rush me; he never did. He just waited until I’d pulled it on, letting it swallow me hole and settle around me like a shield. Then he nodded towards the back door. “Ready?”
I wasn’t sure if I was. But I nodded, a small unsure type of nod with wide eyes.
He pressed a small kiss on my forehead before stepping away and lightly grabbing my hand.
Evander opened the door, stepping out onto the porch. He let me linger there in the doorway, letting me have time to change my mind.
Finally, I took that step over the threshold, my heart hammering in my chest as I did so.
“Good. You got this, Honeybee.”
And maybe, I did.
The evening air was cooler now, the sun dipping behind the trees. The smell of smoke drifted across the yard.
Evander led me down the steps slowly, matching my pace like he’d practiced it.
“You can stay for a minute, or ten, or none. If you want to go back inside, just tell me. Or don’t. You can just walk away and I’ll follow.”
“Okay.” I had a feeling he’d follow me wherever I went, but I’d do the same to him.
“You’re not trapped here, just as you’re not inside, either. You get to choose.”
The words settled into me like warmth from the fire ahead.
We reached the edge of the yard, the glow of the flames flickering across the grass. Maren spotted us first, her smilegentle. Grant gave me a small nod, like he was acknowledging me without pulling me into anything.
Evander stopped just slightly in front of me. “You’re doing great.”
When I stepped close enough, he slid an arm around my waist and guided me gently into his lap, setting me sideways against his chest like it was the most natural thing in the world. The chair dipped under our combined weight, creaking softly, but Evander didn’t seem to care.
The sweater bunched around me, trapping his warmth, his scent, the steady rise and fall of his breathing.
“You good?” He asked quietly, and lips brushed the side of my hair.
I nodded, leaning into him before I second guessed it.
The firelight flickered across the yard, painting everything in a soft glow.
Evander’s thumb brushed slow circles against my hip, grounding me with every pass.
Everyone made small talk, their voices calm and words went over my head. I kept my focus on Evander. Only him. Only his heat warmed me up. His arms held me. His voice vibrated from his chest. His heart with its calm, easy thumps under my ear.
Nothing else mattered.
“So, are you going to introduce you us to your friend?” A man’s voice asked.
Everything in me went still. Not tense; not bracing. Just…frozen.
Iknewothers would be here. He’s most likely been talking off and on the entire time. But the words were directed at me, at Evander.
Evander’s hand paused where it rested on my leg. I felt the subtle tightening of his fingers, the way his whole body shifted beneath me.
I didn’t look up right away, keeping my face tucked against my Alpha’s neck, breathing in his calming scent.
The voice was familiar in a way I couldn’t explain. Logically, I knew who it was, or at least who it was supposed to be a long time ago.
“My friend. He’s staying with me for…well he’s staying with me now.”
