Chapter 45
EVAN
Waking up in Caleb’s strong arms is a surreal feeling, especially when I convinced myself long ago that I’d never experience this sort of affection. Our fingers are interlocked and held to my chest with his lips pressed to the back of my neck.
I inhale silently, trying to stay in this moment for as long as I possibly can.
The sun starts to shine through Caleb’s blinds and hits me directly in the eyes. I quietly wriggle my way out of his hold without waking him up. I stand from the bed, grab the nearest T-shirt and bottoms, and throw them on.
Caleb’s eyes are still closed as he grips onto the pillow instead of me. I smile at the sight of him, bare-chested and sprawled out across his bed.
After a few moments of admiring him in his peaceful state, I make my way downstairs. Thankfully, Caleb’s room is tucked away where no one will see me leave unless they have access to this side of the house.
There is a quiet hum of music playing in the kitchen, and I pause when I find Felix and Zara standing together. His arms are around her as he whispers something in her ear, and she giggles. I’m surprised they’re up, given how early it is.
They don’t notice me at first, but I enjoy watching them together. I always felt immense jealousy when someone showed their partner affection.
But somehow, I’ve ended up with a man I wouldn’t trade for the world.
Zara twists her head and nearly jumps out of her skin as she watches me step further into the kitchen. “Oh, Evan,” she says as she swats Felix’s hands away. “Good morning. I didn’t see you there.”
“Morning,” I say, unable to hide my smile. “Don’t mind me.”
“You’re up early,” she murmurs as she brushes back her curly hair.
“Yeah, I've been struggling to sleep in recently.”
Another side effect of my medication—but I try not to moan too much. I know it’s helping me in the long run, and I need it to get myself back on my feet.
“How are you settling in, Evan?” Felix asks.
He’s been busy with Caleb and the pack over the past few weeks. I often ask Caleb what’s going on, but he doesn’t want to worry me by overloading me with information about his father. Maybe ignorance is bliss.
“I’m doing…better,” I confess. “I’m very grateful to be here.”
Zara blows out a breath. “Like Caleb would let you be anywhere else. That guy is very protective, but you probably already know that.”
My cheeks heat at her words. “He’s taking good care of me.”
“I bet.” She smirks.
Felix kisses Zara on the cheek, and says that he’s going to check on the guards to make sure rotation is in order before training this morning.
“Caleb sleeping in?”
“Yeah,” I say as I approach the counter. “Do you know what he likes for breakfast? He’s been working really hard recently. I think he needs the rest.”
Zara’s face lights up. “You’re lucky we just did a big shop.”
“What do you suggest I make?”
“Caleb is a sucker for waffles. He doesn’t have them often because I know he’s always trying to keep himself fit and healthy, but a one-off won’t hurt. Right?”
I grin. “Right.”
Zara grabs the waffle maker and starts to remove ingredients from the cupboards. I listen as she tells me all the measurements before preparing the batter.
“What kind of toppings does he like?” I ask.
“Banana and honey are his favourites,” she says confidently. “We always used to make them years ago, until we started with the health kick.”
“That’s a choice. I prefer chocolate.”
She laughs. “Agreed.”
Once we pour the mixture into the preheated waffle maker, it sizzles immediately. I press down the lid and start cutting up the bananas. When the waffles are nice and golden, I start to plate up, my stomach growling from how delicious they smell.
“Thanks for letting me cook and bake with you,” I say softly.
Zara shakes her head. “Cooking is my love language, and if I get to share it with you, then I’m more than grateful for your company.”
My heart swells in my chest.
We use the rest of the batter to make ourselves breakfast and go a little crazy on the toppings that don’t make sense. Our laughter lingers in the air, and it fills me with joy to feel this free.
The hairs on my arms begin to stand as I sense a presence in the room behind us. I whip my head over my shoulder and find Caleb’s bright green eyes staring back at me.
“Morning, Caleb,” Zara says chirpily.
“Hey,” he says gruffly with his sleepy voice.
“I’ll go see if Felix is done with the rotation check and give him his,” Zara says before dismissing herself.
Caleb glances around the kitchen at the mess we’ve made. “What’s all this?”
“I made you breakfast.” I smile innocently before intertwining my fingers together.
He quirks a brow at me. “You made me breakfast?”
“Well…” I clear my throat. “Zara helped.”
His eyes flick to the plate closest to him that’s stacked with waffles, bananas, and too much honey.
“Waffles are my favourite.”
I bite my lip to stop my grin from peeking through like a goofy idiot. “So I’ve heard.”
“Come here,” he states slowly.
The blood inside my veins begins to slow as I drink in his deep tone.
“What?”
“I said, ‘Come here.’”
My bare feet glide across the kitchen floor until I’m at arm's length from him. He stalks my every move with his greedy eyes that make me lose my breath. His hand reaches out before he pulls me into him, my face falling into his warm chest.
“Thank you for making me breakfast,” he murmurs against my pulse, and I quiver. “But I don’t appreciate waking up to an empty bed. Don’t do that again. I didn’t know where you were.”
I shudder at the subtle fear in his words. “I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I couldn’t sleep, and I wanted to do something nice for you.”
“Wake me up next time,” he says before pulling back and stroking his fingers through my curls.
It’s an action that will always make butterflies erupt in my stomach as he stares at me with admiration in his eyes.
“Sorry, I didn’t know you were so obsessed with me,” I say playfully.
Caleb’s green eyes zero on mine. “Only you. Everyone else can fuck off.”
A laugh escapes my lips, and he flashes off his perfectly white teeth in return. “Your waffles are going to be cold,” I say as I pull myself away from his embrace.
He shrugs and walks towards the plate. “I like them cold.”
“Caveman.” I laugh.
“One hundred percent.”
We sit around the kitchen counter and dig into our breakfast. I watch him not so subtly as he takes his first bite. His eyes dart to mine, and I hold my breath with sudden fear that I used salt instead of sugar.
“What?” I exhale shakily.
“They’re so fucking good, pups,” he groans.
I take a breath of relief. “Oh, thank the Goddess. I thought you were going to say you hated them.”
Caleb frowns. “Anything that you make? I’ll love it regardless.”
“Biased,” I snort.
“So, what?”
Before I can say anything more, he dives in for seconds like a starved man, and I can’t help but laugh softly. Okay, maybe they weren’t so bad after all.
When we finish eating, we clean up together.
“Do you usually keep your kitchen so quiet?” I ask.
It’s different compared to Jaxon’s. It’s always chaotic with two babies, three couples, and Phia and Grace coming in when they please.
“I like keeping my quarters of the house quiet so I can focus, but I also made sure it was extra quiet for when you moved in,” he admits. “The more people there are around, the more likely that someone is going to talk.”
I purse my lips. “Right.”
“I know I keep saying it, but it’s what’s best for us.”
“I believe you,” I whisper. “I’d rather stay under the radar anyway with my recovery. It’s nice not to be in the limelight, you know?”
Caleb hums. “How have you been feeling?”
“Okay.” I nod.
“Dark thoughts?”
“No…” I trail off. “The medication helps regulate my emotions, and with all the therapy and stuff, it’s given me a clearer head. Just taking everything bit by bit.”
“It’s not a race,” he says soothingly. “And I know you’re gonna get there.”
My chest vibrates with sudden warmth from our bond. “Me, too.”