Chapter 50
Evie
I can’t get Zane’s words out of my mind later as I stare up at the ceiling.
Zane didn’t fight me as much this time when I said I’d take the couch.
Honestly, it’s really comfortable. But now, everything he and Slate said tonight runs through my mind on repeat, and I have a hard time trying to sleep.
Eventually, though, my tired mind forces me to shut it down.
I wake to my alarm and turn it off quickly, so I don’t wake any of the guys.
I sit up in the dark, so I don’t risk falling back to sleep.
I hear movement in the dark. “You’re up,” a deep voice says, and I instantly recognize it.
“I am.”
Zane sits next to me on the couch a moment later. “Did you sleep well?” His hand reaches out, and he tucks a hair behind my ear.
“I did. I told you; this couch is comfy.”
I don’t think he really believes me, but he lets it go. “Ready to go for our run?”
I yawn and nod. “Let me just get changed.” He stands up. “You can use my room if you want.”
I grab my bag and head into his room. A few minutes later, I’m back in the living room, wearing my workout clothes with one of Zane’s sweatshirts over the top. “You’re never getting this one back either.”
“I don’t want it back.” I can hear the affection in his voice. “Ready?”
Somehow, I’m not surprised when Slate follows us out of the house.
He stays a distance behind us, but he tracks with us the whole time.
It feels good to move. The sun starts to rise while we’re out, and it’s beautiful.
I follow Zane’s lead, and we end up back at the house.
I tug my ear buds from my ears. “That was good; thank you.” He follows me inside and lets me take a shower before him.
When he gets in the shower, I head to the kitchen and start making omelets.
I add some chopped veggies and spinach. I find the chicken sausage and make a bunch of that.
After a quick search on my phone, I find a healthy energy ball recipe.
A search through all their cabinets shows they have everything I need.
I’m really glad Zane’s mom keeps this kitchen stocked.
Quint’s the first one in the kitchen. “When are you moving in full time, Evie? This smells amazing.”
I shrug, not telling him that that very question stayed with me last night until this morning. “Here, try one of these,” I tell him, handing him one of my energy balls.
He looks at it. “What is it?”
Zane comes into the kitchen, freshly showered and looking amazing in his black t-shirt and black athletic pants. He snatches one off the pan and pops it in his mouth. His eyes meet mine, and he nods in approval. “These are great.” He picks up another one and eats that one too.
“They’re supposed to be healthy and are packed with protein for you.”
Quint finally eats his. “These are really good.” I beam under the praise.
Reid and Slate join us in the kitchen a moment later, and the noise level picks up.
We don’t linger long over breakfast as we all have classes to get to.
Every single one of the guys thanks me for breakfast and helps me pick up.
A few minutes later, Zane and I are in his truck, driving to school.
I gather my thoughts while he drives. His hand finds mine, and he wraps his strong fingers around mine.
“Thanks for breakfast.”
“You’re welcome.”
“You’re quiet over there.”
“Just thinking,” I tell him.
“About?” he pushes.
I turn my shoulders, so I’m facing him. “Would it be easier for you if I stayed at your house? On the couch of course.”
“At risk of saying yes too quickly and showing you just how much I want you close, why do you ask?”
“I just didn’t know if it would make it easier. You wouldn’t have to sit outside my dorm at night.”
He squeezes my hand. “I will sit out there every night if you want to stay in your dorm.”
I know he would too. “But I don’t want you to have to. Would the other guys mind?”
“No, they wouldn’t.”
“Are you sure?”
He squeezes my hand again gently. “You’ll be surprised how easy-going they are about mate stuff?”
“Why?”
He smirks. “Because when they find their mates, they’ll want them nearby too.” His words make me think of Riley and Reid, but I don’t say anything. I wonder if Riley is Reid’s mate, but wouldn’t they say that if it were true? Unless...
“Zane, when do you know who your mate is? I mean, do you have to be a certain age?”
“We don’t find our mates until we turn eighteen. Obviously, sometimes it’s much later than that. But the earliest we can sense a bond is at eighteen.”
“What if one of them is older?”
He shrugs. “The older one would know as soon as they turn eighteen, and the younger one not until they come of age.” My heart squeezes. Poor Reid. I’m convinced Riley’s his mate, and she has no clue. Zane glances over at me. “Why?”
I try to play it off. “I was just curious.” I redirect the conversation back to the original topic. “If the guys don’t mind and if it would be easier, I’ll move in with you. I’ll have to check in with the school, of course. And probably my mom.”
“Don’t worry about the school at least. My dad will get it cleared with the authorities.” He glances at me again. “There are a few higher ups that know about our pack; it helps in situations like these. But Evie, I only want you to move in with us if that’s what you want.”
I don’t even have to think about it. My lonely room by myself or staying with Zane and the guys. “It’s kind of a no-brainer for me. I’ll miss Tessa, but I can still meet up with her on campus. We honestly don’t see each other much in the dorm anyway.”
“She’s welcome to come over anytime.”
I laugh. “You will probably regret that offer. She is seriously in love with like every single guy in your house, except you,” I hurry to add. “She knows you’re mine.” I don’t even think about the words as they spill out. It gets quiet in the truck, but I can’t find it in me to regret my words.
“You mean that?” he asks in a low voice.
It’s my turn to squeeze his hand. “Absolutely.” I don’t have an ounce of doubt when I say it, and it hits me hard.
I consider Zane mine. He’s been so good to me.
He always protects me, takes care of me, and makes sure I’m safe.
But he also laughs with me, teases me, buys me food, jogs with me every morning, and treats me like I’m valuable to him.
I think it’s that last thing that makes me love him.
He treats me like an equal. My thoughts slam to a halt, and it hits me.
I love Zane. Suddenly, I feel something overcome me.
It's this flood of warmth and connection; I don’t even know what it is.
And then I feel Zane’s love. I feel it. It washes over me.
I feel it like a living, moving thing. “Zane,” I say in a shaky voice. “What’s going on?”
He glances over at me. Whatever he sees on my face must concern him because he pulls into campus and takes the nearest parking spot. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
I stare at him, completely overwhelmed. I feel like I’m drowning in...feelings. Suddenly, that warm flow of love turns, and I feel worry and concern wash over me. “How are you doing that?” I demand.
He stares at me with concern in his eyes. “Doing what?”
“That,” I say and stop. I put my hands out in front of me. “I feel...that.” I point at his face, and he frowns. I feel his concern deepen, and it suddenly all becomes too much. I pull my hand away from his and open the door and jump down. I stride away from the truck, needing a moment.
“Evie, what’s wrong?”
I whirl around and put my hand up. “Stop. Don't come any closer.”
He freezes. “Sweetheart, I’m not going to hurt you. Ever.” I can feel his feelings shift from worry to something deeper. Fear? The fear combines with the concern and the love and it’s all just too much. I let out a sound and put my hands over my ears, trying to find a way to make sense of all this.
“Evie.” I hear his deep voice even through my hands over my ears.
When he touches me, I flinch away. I close my eyes and try to find my equilibrium.
I feel so overcome with emotion, I want to scream.
I need it to turn off. I feel like crying in anguish, while also screaming in frustration.
All I know is that this tidal wave of emotion is going to carry me away with it.
I sink to the ground with my hands over my ears.
I’m not sure how long I sit there. It may be a minute or two, or it may be an hour.
Finally, blessedly, the rush stops. It takes me a moment to realize the flood of emotion has faded.
But it’s not only faded, it’s gone. Completely gone.
I feel like I can take a deep breath for the first time in a while.
I finally get my breathing under control, and then I lift my head and freeze.
Zane’s dad stands a few feet away from me.
Next to him is a rough-looking guy I’ve seen before with Zane’s dad.
My eyes fall on Zane next. His eyes are on me, but they’re not normal.
They’re much brighter than usual, and there’s an eeriness to them.
I can only surmise that it’s his wolf’s presence I’m seeing.
Add to that, Zane is standing unnaturally still, his eyes trained on me.
“Evie,” Zane’s father’s deep voice fills the air. “Are you okay?” He doesn’t move any closer to me, and I find myself grateful for that. I nod, unsure what to say. “Can you tell me what happened?” he asks in such a gentle voice, my eyes tear up.
I glance at Zane, who still hasn’t moved...not even to blink. “Is he okay?” I whisper.
Zane’s father nods definitively. “He is. I’m keeping him under my control right now, so he doesn’t come to you.” I watch as Zane flinches and takes a small step forward.
“Are you sure?” I can’t help but ask.
Zane’s father nods. “Well, he’s a little strong.” I only then notice the drop of sweat that drips down his face, and I wonder at how much work it takes to contain Zane.
My voice is soft when I respond. “You don’t have to keep him away from me.”
“Are you sure?” he asks. I’m certain he would keep Zane that way all day if he had to, and that means the world to me.
“Yes. I’m not afraid of him; Zane would never hurt me.”
Zane’s father’s face softens. “No, he wouldn’t, Honey. He would rather die first; his wolf too.”
I know the exact moment Zane’s dad releases his hold on him.
Zane jerks and glares at his father before his eyes snap to mine.
He takes a step forward but doesn’t come any closer.
I want him to hold me, but I’m also scared what happened earlier will happen again.
I meet Zane’s intense green eyes. “What happened?”