Chapter Twenty-Seven
VANESSA
AGREEING TO SHARE an office with Chev is the worst decision I’ve ever made.
He doesn’t bother pretending he’s not staring at me, and he’s getting unnecessarily aggressive whenever somebody uses the portal outside his office. He can hear it, and he abruptly stands and stares every time somebody tries to use it. If he doesn’t stop, people will begin exclusively using the one outside Echo’s office, and she’ll sure make a fuss.
The loud squeak of Chev’s chair reaches my ears, causing me to lose focus.
“That’s enough!” I snap.
Chev spins toward me. “No.”
I don’t think Chev has ever told me no before, and I don’t know how to react. He doesn’t back down, either, and he ignores me entirely as he stalks toward the door to see who just entered.
I’m going to fucking scream.
When he sees that it’s just a random employee—as it is every single time—he relaxes and returns to his desk. I watch the entire thing, my anger continuing to build. I appreciate his concern and desire to protect me, but this is getting out of hand.
“I think it might be better for me to return to my office,” I say.
Chev doesn’t even look in my direction. “No.”
He’s on a roll with that word today.
“Excuse me?” I ask.
If I want to return to my office, I very well have the right to do so. Chev can’t force me to work out of his office, especially if he’s going to be this possessive. I’m busy trying to solve problems caused by the elven facility, and Chev is busy transitioning his work to Echo.
We have a responsibility to the females, and I take that seriously.
“You will work here,” Chev continues, doubling down.
I close my laptop screen and suck in a slow breath. Stay calm, Vanessa. Stay calm. We’ve never argued before, and I’m not mentally prepared for it. I knew better than to engage with an angry ogre, but I don’t want to cower from Chev. If this is going to work between us, I need to be his equal.
“I don’t think you’re in a place to decide that,” I say.
Chev huffs. “Yes, I am.”
I don’t know if he woke up on the wrong side of the bed, but Chev’s in a fucking mood today. We made plans to go to the shifter realm together over lunch, and maybe that’s making him antsy. I know he’s excited about it.
“No, you’re not,” I push.
My palms are sweating, and my heart is pounding, but I don’t back down. I’m standing my ground.
Chev shuts his laptop and turns entirely to face me. He cocks his head slightly to the side as he scans me, his angry expression not evoking any of the fear it once did. Despite how mad he gets, I know he won’t hurt me.
“You can’t carry your desk yourself,” he says. “And I’m not putting it back.”
I resist the urge to throw something at him. “There are plenty of other offices I can go to and plenty of strong men who I’m sure would be more than happy to carry my desk back for me.”
I know saying this will make Chev jealous. Maybe I’m in a bit of a mood today, too.
Chev’s eyes grow comically wide before narrowing. “I’ll crush any male you try to bring into our space.”
“Oh, I’ll crush you,” I threaten him.
There’s a moment of silence before Chev begins laughing. I take great offense to it and throw a pencil across the room. It bounces off his forehead. Violence is never the answer, but it admittedly makes me feel better. I don’t appreciate Chev’s attitude.
He plucks the pencil off his desk, his laughter quieting.
“Please don’t leave,” he says. “I’ll be calm.”
I press my lips together, thinking it over. I honestly don’t want to leave. As annoying as Chev is, I enjoy working with him. His presence is comforting, and I’m surprisingly productive. I don’t waste time worrying about what he’s doing or where he is, and my compulsive need to look him up and read through news articles or community posts isn’t nearly as strong.
I nod. “I’ll stay.”
His tense muscles relax, and I return to work. The calm only lasts a few minutes before I hear the portal whirring to life. I glance at Chev, but he’s already watching the door. The muscle in his jaw twitches, and I can tell it’s killing him to remain seated.
I can’t hide my smile, and after several seconds, Chev returns to work.
Several hours pass in comfortable silence. Chev manages to refrain from checking the portal a little more than half the time, but he’s careful not to be so distracting when he does get up. It only helps a little, but it’s more than I thought he’d be able to do, so I don’t complain.
I count down the minutes until our agreed-upon lunchtime, my nerves growing with every quiet tick of the clock above the door. I’m going to visit the shifter realm with Chev. I’m trusting him to take me to his domain. I’ve never been so nervous.
“Are you ready?” Chev asks as the time nears.
I hope he can’t see my fear. It will make him feel bad.
“Yes,” I say. “I am.”
I’m scared of his demeanor changing once I’m trapped in his lands, but I shove that fear aside. Chev has been good to me, and I know he won’t hurt me. I rise from my desk and follow him to the portal, and I wring my hands together as he turns it on and sets the destination.
It lights up, the blackness shifting into a blue haze.
“Are you sure about this?” Chev asks. He must sense my nerves. “We don’t have to go.”
Yes, we do. I agreed to it, and behind all my anxiety is excitement. I want to see Chev’s lands and his home. I want to see how my mate lives.
“I’m sure,” I say.
I squeeze my eyes shut and step through the portal, and Chev quickly follows. It makes me dizzy—it always does—but the slight discomfort is quickly overshadowed by the feel of the forest. The energy that seeps from the trees is more than I’ve ever encountered, and I find myself holding my breath as I walk out of the cabin where the shifter portal is located.
Chev wasn’t lying about his lands having giant trees. They tower above me, casting a large shadow that blocks out the sun’s heat. It’s warm here, but not nearly as sweltering as Wrath. I quite enjoy it.
The nearest tree calls to me, and I press my forehead against the bark before sliding my hands down the trunk. This is overwhelming, and I let myself fill up on the energy surrounding me as I try to settle my feelings.
Chev follows me out of the cabin, his bear already making its low, rumbling noises. The bear and I have become quite acquainted with one another, especially now that he brings me a dead animal almost every morning. It’s as endearing as it is gross.
At least he skins them for me.
I pull away from the tree and turn toward Chev, unable to stop smiling as I look around. I didn’t expect to have this strong of a reaction to his home. The area resembles the faint memories I have of the nymph lands.
Chev takes my hands. “Let me show you around.”
He leads me through the trees and onto a small, worn path. Everything here is so green and lush, and I can already feel myself getting attached to it. I assumed I would like Chev’s lands, but I didn’t imagine my feelings would be so immediate or intense. It’s probably the bond.
“It’s beautiful here,” I say.
Chev looks down, hiding a smile. “Thank you.”
He holds my hand tightly, not letting go. We walk along the small path for several minutes, which I find curious. I thought the portal would be closer to his home.
“Why did the portal lead to that cabin?” I ask.
“The portal was originally installed so Charlie could come back and forth,” Chev admits. “That was the cabin she lived in during her time here.”
Oh, interesting.I faintly remember hearing that Charlie lived in the shifter lands before mating with her males. She’d gotten into some trouble with Mammon, and Chev and his father took her in and offered protection.
We walk for another few minutes before finally reaching a building. It’s nestled within the trees, and my mind races with questions as we approach. Is this Chev’s home? The wooden house is larger than I expected, and hundreds of tiny flowers bloom along the walkway leading to the small porch.
They’re colorful and delicate. This is Chev’s home.
It’s a cumulation of things that give it away, ranging from how he quickens his steps to the odd feeling of comfort that pulsates through our bond. Plus, I haven’t read a thing about shifters enjoying flowers. They leave their land as it is, and while it isn’t unheard of, it’s not typical for them to decorate their lawns.
Chev did this for me.
“It’s beautiful,” I say. My voice is barely above a whisper.
Chev squeezes my hand. “Would you like to see inside?”
My cheeks turn red. Would I like that? I’m desperate to know what the rest of his home looks like, but I’m afraid I won’t want to leave if I see what’s inside. I’m already feeling a stronger connection to this place than I should. I’m fantasizing about a life here, which is dangerous.
Plus, I know Chev hopes this visit will lead to my agreeing to move in with him, even if he hasn’t said it outright. He can’t live in Wrath forever, and he needs to move back to the shifter lands eventually.
“We can eat outside,” Chev suggests, noticing my hesitance.
I shake my head. “I want to see it.”
I know I’ve made the right decision when Chev’s lips curl into a giddy smile. He’s so excited, and I can’t bring it within myself to ruin that. I want to see his pride. I want to love his home.
Chev leads me up the two steps of his porch before pushing open his front door. I notice it’s unlocked, and when I eye the wooden door, I realize there’s no lock installed. Does Chev not fear intruders? Especially during his extended absence?
A small entryway leads almost immediately into the living room, and I hesitate before stepping inside and kicking off my shoes. Chev copies me, and he shuts the door before placing a hand on the small of my back and urging me to enter further.
“I originally built this when I was seventeen, but I’ve made several changes over the years,” he says. “The living room is the one room I haven’t updated.”
The floors are made of cherry-colored hardwood, and it’s surprisingly smooth under my feet. They lead to intricate baseboards, which I assume were crafted by Chev. I look around. Everything I see is detailed and quality, showcasing just how much time, energy, and pride Chev put into his home.
This must have taken him years to build.
I step into the living room. A leather couch is pushed up against the far wall, and across from it is probably the largest fireplace and chimney I’ve ever seen. Two floor-to-ceiling bookcases surround it, both of which are already filled.
“I’m not much of a reader,” Chev admits, noticing my gaze. “These are generational books. We’ll add a few to the collection over the years, and then it will be passed to our eldest once they’ve completed their home.”
Our eldest. We’re going to have children someday, and we’ll raise them in this home. I wrap my arms around myself, trying to imagine myself living here with a family. Little feet will be loud against the hardwood, and so much of Chev’s hard craftsmanship will be destroyed over the years.
I think the house will look better with the inevitable scuff marks and holes children always leave scattered about.
The living room opens on the right, leading to a kitchen and dining area. The kitchen is spacious, and I feel my chest warming as I notice all the tiny seedlings he’s decorated the rooms with. He listens.
The dining room is smaller. There’s a rectangular, wooden table in the center and a cabinet built into the far wall. I can’t see what’s inside, but I assume it’s full of dishes.
Chev walks into the kitchen and stands a few feet in front of the stove. “The island is going to go here.” He gestures around. “And then I’ll paint and decorate.”
I follow him into the room, a cheesy smile working its way to my lips as I take everything in. The kitchen is large, and on the ground sits about fifteen different paint swatches and a small handful of backsplash tiles. Chev rocks back on his heels as he watches my reaction.
“I love it,” I admit.
His shoulders soften, and with a happy nod, he leads me down the small hallway connected to the living room. His steps slow as we pass the first closed door, but he ignores it and continues forward.
I pause, curious about his reaction.
I turn and open the door before I overthink and change my mind. It leads to a bedroom, and I peer inside to discover why he was weird about it. A neatly made bed is in the center of the room, the dark-green sheets matching the earthy feel of the rest of the home. Across from the bed is a dresser and two double doors that I assume lead to a closet.
“This is my room,” Chev says, walking up behind me.
His chest presses against my back and his hands land on my hips, and I lean against him with a content sigh. Our bond hums, always happy when my mate is holding me.
“You weren’t going to show me?” I ask.
I feel him shrug. “I didn’t want you to think I was putting the moves on you.”
My face warms. That’s considerate of him, even if it’s unnecessary. Chev isn’t exactly sneaky when trying to be intimate. Even when he tries to be sly, his intentions are transparent.
“I want to show you the bathroom,” he continues. “I’ve filled it with everything you could possibly need.”
He’s filled it? With what? My excitement grows, and I hurry down the hallway to where I’m guessing the bathroom is. The door is open, and I’m faintly aware of Chev’s laughter as I step inside. To the left is a walk-in shower, and I stare in awe at the glass doors as Chev pulls open the floor-to-ceiling shelving on the right.
I stare for a long moment before gulping.
That’s a lot of items.
The entire cabinet is full, with products covering every shelf inside. It’s more than I could ever use, and I flush as I realize Chev has even organized them. There are several cute bins below the shelves of containers, and upon closer inspection, I realize they’re filled with different types of hair accessories.
Chev happily walks me through everything he’s bought, clearly proud of his collection.
I can’t bring myself to do anything more than stare, and once he’s finished, I rush forward and wrap my arms around his waist. He quickly returns the hug, his lips grazing my forehead before I tilt my chin and kiss him properly.
What have I done to deserve this man? I never imagined this was how my life would turn out. I never thought a relationship and love were on the table.
My heart pounds as I grab Chev’s biceps and lightly push him against the doorway. He grunts, but he doesn’t try to stop me. I know shifters like to be dominant, but Chev happily lets me take charge.
It’s what I need to feel comfortable.
A low moan pours from his throat when I slide my fingers down his torso, but he keeps his arms pressed firmly against his sides. I appreciate it, and I take my time feeling the muscles lining his torso. They flex underneath my hands, and his leathers shift as his body reacts to my touch.
“Would you like to put your mouth on me?” I ask.
Chev nods and reaches for my neck. I move away.
“Not on my neck.” I clarify. I clear my throat before continuing. “I mean, on me.”
It’s not something the ogres did. They didn’t care about female pleasure, and I want to try with Chev.
“I can’t promise I’ll like it, but I want to try,” I say.
I stare at Chev’s chest, too embarrassed to make eye contact, but I don’t fight him when he places a finger under my chin and tilts my head back. He runs his thumb over my lip, his touch light, before urging me to look him in the eye.
I do, and I chew at my bottom lip as I take in his soft expression. His eyes dart all along my face as he searches for some sign of hesitance from me, but I don’t give one. I want to enjoy the closeness of physical intimacy with him, and I want to try. Besides, I trust that if I don’t like it, Chev will stop.
He won’t make me feel guilty or bad, and he won’t push me to do more than I’ve already agreed to.
Chev gulps. “I would be honored, my mate.”
He holds eye contact with me as he picks me up, and I wrap my legs around his waist as he carries me into his bedroom. He sets me on the bed, his movements slow, before he abruptly throws himself onto his back on the mattress.
“You’ll be in charge,” he explains. “I’ll lie on my back and keep my hands to myself, and you’ll sit on top and use my mouth.”