♦ ♦ ♦

There is a surreal feeling inside my chest when I gradually open my eyes, especially after having a dreamless, and nightmareless night's sleep. I can't remember the last time I slept throughout the night without waking up from intrusive thoughts and a racing mind.

But once my eyes are open I'm suddenly aware of my surroundings, and the fact I have my cheek on someone's bare chest.

That bare chest being Everett's.

Because this is Everett's room and I've somehow slept in his bed, snuggled into his side like we've known each other our whole lives.

Holy fuck.

I'm not in my bed, I'm not in my room and I'm certainly not alone.

I rip my head from his warm and smooth chest, a detail I didn't need to voice. My eyes are struck wide and I fumble backwards in the sheets. Everett stirs from his sleep at my awakening and stares back at me, clearly reading the expression on my face.

He's alarmed because he sits up and cups the side of my face, blue eyes dipped with concern and brows furrowed. I try to ignore the feeling of his skin on mine but I can't, there is nothing like it.

Those sparks can't be transcribed because you have to be the one experiencing them to understand how magical they feel. As cliche as that sounds, I was told this would happen but I was also told that my mate would be disappointed in me.

I will never be a good mate.

"What?" Everett's deep voice is sharp. "What's the matter?"

God, that voice. It shouldn't affect me this much but it does, it has since the second we met. But I tried to ignore the feeling, these voices in my head that remind me that no mate of mine would be happy with me.

They'd be disgusted.

My skin raises in goosebumps and Everett glances down at my arm, now cupping it with his vacant hand. I don't want to melt into his touch but I do, I physically can't fight it anymore because it feels so beautiful.

But I still have my doubts. I have my fears and I know that I can't let my guard down yet.

We barely know each other.

"Nothing," I swallow, shaking my head. "I just didn't know where I was."

Everett's perfectly defined lips twitch into a smile. He caresses my cheekbone with his thumb. "You're safe here with me, Reign."

Ugh, hearing my name fall from his lips is a thousand times better than Lily. I always hated it when he called me that, it was my choice but I did it to protect myself. The thought of anyone knowing who I truly am was terrifying but I guess opening up to Everett about my name proves that I'm trying.

He has been patient and severely understanding of my dysfunctional life and personality.

"I'm sorry I slept in your bed," I scratch the back of my head and Everett drops his hand from my cheek. "I don't remember falling asleep."

"Don't be sorry," he says softly. "I'm not."

When he flashes me a smile I'm sure I forget to breathe, that or the fact he's shirtless and I slept on his bare chest like it was nothing. I can't even look past his collarbones because I know my face will go up in flames and that's the last thing I need right now.

Just getting used to the mate bond has me shivering and whimpering.

I wanted to ignore it but I couldn't. It's far stronger than I anticipated. The more I choose to believe it doesn't exist, the more painful it becomes. Even though I'm not exactly in tune with my wolf, it still hurts her which inturn hurts me.

And spending a night in Everett's bed with his scent that covers every inch of this room has calmed all my inner panic. It makes my body tingle with involuntary pleasure but I know not to get used to it, this could be temporary.

Everett might decide that actually he's disappointed. I can't be too naive now. Not after everything I've been told.

"Did you sleep okay?"

I blink and refocus on Everett's face, he's still smiling and I decide to offer one back. "Yes, did you?"

Everett hums and moves his hand to brush my hair from my face, tucking it behind my shoulder. His gaze follows his actions as he nods. "Really well."

My stomach decides it's the perfect time to let off a loud rumble, alerting us both that I am rather hungry. Everett chuckles and glances down at my stomach. "I think we should fix you something to eat, hmm?"

I nod because being in here for another second is going to make my head combust. Everett's strong and manly scent has me struggling to breathe, being in his bed and this close to his partially naked body isn't helping my situation.

"Let's go," he gives my arm a squeeze before standing from the bed. "I don't want to keep you hungry."

My eyes float to his back, shamefully watching his muscles flex as he reaches to the floor to grab a t-shirt. I know he's ripped and has the body of an Olympian but seeing it this close really has me blushing like a love-struck teenager.

Once his chest is covered, he turns to me. Noticing that I'm still sitting here. He leans down to pull on a pair of shorts and I nod, I should move now before he thinks I want to stay here all day.

I follow him down to the kitchen where I'm pleased it's empty, for the time being. You rarely get a moment to yourself in this house, people are everywhere all the time.

"What would you like to eat?" Everett asks, opening the fridge and peering inside.

My butt slides onto one of the stools and I shrug. "I don't mind," I say quietly. "Whatever you want to make."

Everett smiles in my direction, sparkles in his eyes. "Whatever I want to make? I'd make a whole buffett for you if that's what you wanted."

I have to swallow because I might choke. Why is he so unbearably kind and generous to someone like me? I don't get it. I will never get it.

"That's a little extreme," I comment, gripping onto the edge of the counter.

A small chuckle passes the air and I hate how I have to shut my eyes to experience the sound. Goddamn his laughs. "Might be a bit extreme," he shrugs before pulling out the milk. "So how about pancakes?"

My tongue extends to lick my lips involuntary, Everett's gaze follows the action and he sucks in a breath. We both look away because even the really innocent act of my tongue moving against my lip can be registered as something else, very clearly.

"Yeah," I rasp and lean on my elbows, burying my face into my hands. "Pancakes sound good."

As soon as Everett starts making the mixture, the sounds of footsteps erupt from behind me. At first it's Milo and then a couple seconds later Fran and Jesse are joining us for breakfast. See what I mean about no personal space?

I keep my head down and listen to their conversations, they greet me with morning welcomes and Everett places my pancakes in front of me. Then he somehow gets roped into making pancakes for everyone else.

Milo blabs on about some guy he's seeing today and it provides excellent entertainment for eating breakfast. I have to say Everett makes rather good pancakes, especially when he gave me the option for toppings.

Syrup, mixed berries or chocolate.

I wish I could take all of them but I know to have better manners. No matter how hungry I am.

Soon Everett sits down beside me with his own breakfast and munches down the pancakes, everyone is satisfied. Especially Jesse, it seems he's never experienced Everett's cooking and by the look on his face, he wants seconds.

When I notice that he's done I take the plate from the counter and place it on top of mine. I stand from the stool and collect everyone else's plates and cutlery. "Hey," Everett takes my wrist. "You don't need to do that."

"I want to," I say quietly. "Thank you for the breakfast."

Everett's light eyes flick between mine for a second and he reluctantly lets go of my arm. "Okay," he nods. "Thank you."

"I'll help," Fran declares and I notice Everett shoot her a look.

A look of what, I don't know.

Milo rushes Everett and Jesse with questions about his date tonight, filling the room with loud conversation. I begin to rinse off the batter from the bowl and the whisk, Fran is placing the cutlery into the dishwasher.

Her throat clears and I glance up at her. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry for accusing you of stealing Jesse's watch. It went missing and it means a lot to Jesse, if he ever lost it I would be heartbroken for him. But he just knocked it into his sock drawer by accident and I'm sorry."

Sometimes I can tell when people are trying to be sincere for the sake of it but I cannot read Fran. I cannot tell if her words are genuine but I swallow and nod at her. "It's okay," I mumble because there isn't much else I can say.

I get it, they don't trust me. I'm a stranger living in their home who happens to be a kleptomaniac. Of course I knew how this would all end, I wouldn't be able to form genuine connections with people because they would always be weary of my intentions.

So, in a way I don't blame them. I wouldn't want to be me either.

Is she bothering you?

Everett's voice invades my mind and I whip my head over my shoulder, our eyes find each other like magnets. Why does mindlink have to feel like pure heaven?

No. She's apologising.

Really? I'm pleased. You deserve an apology.

"Good night with Everett, huh?" Fran's voice drags me back to the sink.

I blink back in shock and rinse the bowl. "Erm... what?"

The corners of her mouth increase. "Your scents are all over each other, well I can definitely smell my brother on you."

"Oh," I lose sense of my voice. "I fell asleep in his bed."

Fran's smile stretches. "That's sweet."

I nod because I'm not sure how to keep this conversation going. Talking about Everett has my heart rate increasing and I know he can probably sense that my chest is having a fucking fiesta.

"Hey, look," Fran leans on the counter and presses a hand to the counter. "I know we haven't really spoken much, I guess I haven't really put in the effort to get to know you. You're probably sick of this house, of Milo's rambling, probably Everett too."

A small snort escapes my nose and Fran laughs after me. "Milo's not so bad."

"Just you wait," she says under a hushed breath. "But anyway, maybe we should go out this afternoon. Just us? I could take you into town, we can grab Everett's credit card and we could buy you some new clothes."

My eyes blink rapidly in her direction. She wants alone time with me?

"Really?" There is a lot of surprise in my tone.

"Sure but promise me one thing," she tilts her head, meaning she's becoming serious. "You can have whatever you want, as long as we pay for it."

I straighten my spine and wrap my arms across my chest. "I promise."

"I might have been a bit judgemental at the start but I want to get to know you," she flashes me a soft smile. "Girls time is highly valued considering I've been stuck to Jesse's side these last couple of weeks."

My hands fall in front of me and I pick at the skin around my nails. "Okay, if you're sure."

She nods eagerly. "I'm definitely sure, I'm in need of some retail therapy myself."

The sound of a stool scraping across the floor alerts me, Everett is making his way over to us and I stare up at his tall body. "Did I hear that right? You're going to take Reign out for the afternoon?"

Fran's face balls into confusion. "Reign? And why are you eavesdropping into our conversation?"

Everett's gaze turns to me, realising that he's used my real name instead of my decoy. "It's not my fault you speak so damn loud," he rolls his eyes.

I clear my throat and Fran's attention is back on mine. "Guess I have some things to clear up."

"Okay," she shrugs off. "Shall we go out at like one?"

"Sure," I nod in agreement.

"Great," she grins and steps away from the kitchen.

Everett watches her walk away and I can tell he's slightly concerned. "Do you want to go out with her?" His large arms fold across his chest and I choose to ignore his muscular biceps.

"Might be good for me to get out of the house," I admit.

Those blue eyes trap me in a stare, like he's analysing my brain. "Okay, you can always mindlink me if something is wrong."

"I know."

"I'm proud of you," he says suddenly and my mouth strips dry.

I don't think anyone has ever been proud of me in their life. Warmth invades my body and I force myself to push it away. I cannot get used to that feeling or I'll be devastated when it's gone.

If I get used to it I won't be able to live without it.

At one o'clock I meet Fran downstairs and she directs us to town.

"So, Reign. Is that your name?"

"Yes."

She hums as we walk into a shop. "Lily was just a fake name?"

"Everett asked my name when we first met, there were lilies in a vase so I just said my name was Lily," I mumble quietly.

Fran frowns deeply. "Why did you lie about it?"

"I guess I was just scared, trying to protect myself."

"You don't need to be scared of Everett, he's the most gentle giant. I hope you know that."

He's definitely been giving me those vibes, I have to admit. But trusting someone doesn't happen overnight, sometimes it takes weeks, months if not years. I can't say that I fully trust him, I'm still trying to adjust to the matebond.

"I'm still learning," I hug my arms to my chest.

"It will come with time," she says confidently. "You have no idea how long Everett has waited for you. He's dreamt of you since we were little kids, he was very sweet at that age. I suppose he's still kind of sweet now."

He's dreamt of me for the majority of his life? My stomach twists in knots because I must be such a disappointment to what he's been hoping for.

Preferably a wolf who has their mind in check, no history of mental illness and a family who despises them. I could never be a Luna. I could guarantee I have none of the traits Everett wished for.

I'm probably the complete opposite.

"Ooooh, these are cute!" Fran grins clinging onto a floral dress.

I nod in agreement but I don't really think I have a fashion sense. We bung some items in the basket, essentials like leggings and t-shirts, underwear and socks. Anything that can make me feel more at home than using other people's second hand clothes.

At some point I find myself wandering down the jewellery aisle.

My eyes gravitate to a gold necklace, one with soft jewels and a delicate pendant. I chew on my lip as my fingers begin to twitch, anxiety bubbling inside my stomach like a cauldron.

No Reign. You promised you wouldn't. I tell myself.

I glance over my shoulder, Fran is halfway across the store looking at a range of bags. My head whips back to the necklace and I play with it in my hands, stroking the chains with my fingers.

But something inside is telling me to. To ignore the uncomfortableness inside my chest, the feeling that is weighing me down because I will never be good enough.

My heart beats so quickly that I think I might go into cardiac rest. I screw my eyes shut ignoring the impulse to pocket it, it might make me feel temporarily better but in the long run it's going to make me feel guilty.

The rush inside my veins increase and I cannot ignore it, I cannot turn it off. My fingers vibrate so painfully that I almost release a strained grunt.

Without realising, it's off the holder and deep inside my pocket. I take one large step away from the stand and walk back towards Fran, she's trying to locate me. My lungs inhale a deep breath and I push any evidence of what I've just done from my face.

"Shall we pay?" Her eyes are bright as she approaches me.

"Sure," my throat bobs.

Fran turns and walks straight to the checkout.

My head hangs low with the heaviness of the gold necklace in my pocket.

♦ ♦ ♦

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Author's Note

Hello my loves. What did we think of this chapter?👉🏼👉🏼👉🏼

Did you guys enjoy Reign's POV? This book will now switch between their POV's as dual, but you probably understand the reasons why we didn't see her POV before this!

She's trying so hard and I love how comforting Everett is with her. Despite the fact she promised Fran she wouldn't steal, I feel so awful for her😖

WHO WANTS ANOTHER UPDATE TODAY? Let's get this chapter to 80 votes and I'll post a new chapter once we've hit it!💘💘💘

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