♦ ♦ ♦

Everett makes me dinner, watches me eat to make sure that I've eaten enough. I know he's been worried about me. I've been worried about myself. I can't remember the last time I had a meal that consisted of more than stale bread and mouldy vegetables.

I don't tell him the extent of my hungry days away from the pack house. He'll only kick himself more. But I could barely think about food whilst I was gone, I had to focus on my broken heart or that might have killed me first.

Currently Everett has me wrapped up in a blanket in his arms as we watch a movie. He knows it's been a hard day for me, especially after admitting what happened in my past. I find myself closing my eyes and cringing internally at knowing I've spoken it outloud.

He says that it changes nothing but for me it changes everything. He knows the deepest and darkest secrets, things that made me not want to live anymore and now when I think about it, adjusting is a difficult part of healing.

"Angel," Everett whispers and kisses my temple. "Are you okay?"

I tear my eyes away from the wall and realise that I haven't been watching for the last ten minutes. Far too distracted with my thoughts. It's obvious it's going to be like this for a while.

Everett loves me. I love him back. Things won't be the same when our hearts are completely involved. Especially now the bond is glowing and connecting us in ways that I never knew I could experience before. Even the way he touches my skin, it's electrifying and we're not even fully mated yet.

"Reign," he positions me better on his lap, eyes searching mine. "You're worrying me."

I shake my head and pull the blanket away from my hands. His hand slides in against my palm instantly and I close my eyes at the feeling of his skin on mine. "I'm just—" I pause briefly. "Feeling a little overwhelmed."

Everett frowns. "Is it me? Do you want space?"

"No," the word sounds strangled. "Please. No."

His other hand cups the edge of my cheek softly. "Then I'm not going anywhere, angel. Tell me what I can do to make you feel better."

I bite down on my lip and sigh. "I don't know."

Everett looks defeated, even his shoulders slump gently. "I wish I could make everything better."

"I know," I whisper.

He holds my stare for a few moments and I hate that broken look in his eye. If I didn't leave things might have been different, maybe I should have given him a piece of my mind rather than running away like I usually do.

I throw back the blanket and climb onto Everett's lap completely, his eyes watching me carefully. His hands rest on my hips as I lower myself down and grip onto his shoulders, pressing our chests against one another. At this angle, I almost forget how big he is compared to me.

"Angel," he murmurs as I move my face closer to his.

My eyes glance down at his lips. I need a taste. I need to feel close to him.

After admitting our feelings, I need it all. I need to feel his fingers on my bare skin as we kiss, words that he might whisper across my neck, my heart that will thump against my ribcage because I'm back with my soulmate. My protector.

Back where I have needed to be this whole time.

I lean in and press my lips to his, he catches the back of my head with his large hand. Then I sigh, God I've been waiting for this moment for weeks. Desperate. I sink lower into his lap and wrap my arms around the back of his neck, burying my fingers into his hair.

Everett twists his angle and widens the kiss, his tongue grazes my bottom lip and I open my mouth. I'm sighing with pleasure. There is a fire inside my heart and it spreads throughout my body, he slips his fingers under my t-shirt and traces shapes across my bare skin.

I hiss at the action but Everett grips the back of my neck even tighter, our lips dancing and sliding across one another. My hand slips down his torso and I take a fist full of his shirt, pulling him impossibly closer.

His tongue brushes against mine sensually and I exhale a soft whine. "Reign," he growls against my lips but I don't care. I need him. I want all of him. This time I kiss him deeper, taking control of the kiss, tilting his head back so that I can tease his tongue with mine. He exhales a strained grunt as I clutch the side of his jaw tightly. "Fuck."

Everett grips my waist and pulls me up with his strength, I weigh a feather compared to him. Then my back slams against the sofa and he slides between my legs, not once breaking the kiss. My hands explore his back and his shoulders, moving under his shirt like he did to me so I can feel his muscles beneath that sun-kissed skin.

I hum in pleasure, my fingers tingling at the sensation of his body. "I missed you," I whimper into his mouth.

He grunts and pins me down with his weight, making me comfortable and wanted. "I missed you so much, angel," he whispers before pecking my jaw, giving me a chance to open my eyes, finding them blurred with pleasurable tears. "So fucking much. I was in despair without you."

His lips find their way back onto mine but not before the door to the living room flies open, Everett releases a low growl at the intrusion but I flick my eyes across the room to find Milo standing in the doorway.

I press a hand to Everett's shoulder and he sits up, giving me enough time to stand from the sofa. Oh man, I've missed him. "Reign," his eyes light up and then his face crumbles. He takes two large steps into the room and I meet him halfway. He wraps his large arms around my body and tugs me into him, burying my head into his chest. "Oh my God. I am so glad you're home."

"Yeah..." Everett grumbles from behind me. "Thank you so much for interrupting us."

Milo doesn't respond but I turn my head to Everett who is staring at me with pitch black eyes.

This is far from over, angel. I promise you that.

My stomach clenches at his words and I shudder at our ability to mindlink, I almost forgot what it felt like. I had my walls up for so long but fuck, I will never take the feeling of pure peace for granted again. Not when Everett's voice can make goosebumps raise on my skin like that.

Milo pulls back and grips my shoulders, analysing me. "I tried to give you guys as much time as possible but I had to see you," he mumbles. "I missed you."

"I missed you too, Milo," I offer him a smile behind watery eyes.

He cups my head and then tugs me back towards him. "I'm so pleased you're okay and safe. Please never leave us like that again," his voice is gentle and I squeeze him tighter. "No matter who or what has upset you. I'm always here to talk. Don't put yourself in danger again. It's not worth it. Not when you're so damn amazing."

Tears roll down my cheeks at his words. Pride burning in my chest. "I'm sorry," I whisper. "I didn't want to worry you."

"Don't apologise," he pulls back slowly and grips my shoulder. "I understand that it's hard to grasp your emotions. I just don't want you to feel alone like that. We're all here for you, even if we make mistakes."

Milo's eyes flick over to Everett behind me but he doesn't respond. "Thank you," I whisper.

He offers me a tight smile and then presses a kiss to the top of my head. "I'll leave you guys to it before he tears my head off for interrupting your time," he chuckles gently.

"Wait," I lean forward to grip his wrist. "We have so much to catch up on. You need to tell me all about Nate and everything that has happened with him. If you want to."

Milo's expression softens. "I'll tell you all, Reign," he nods and I release his wrist. "But first you need your mate, he needs you too. We can talk tomorrow. You're too sweet for this world, and I am so grateful you're my brother's mate."

My lips curl into a smile and I nod. "Okay. Of course."

"Sleep well," he says before turning to Everett. "See you tomorrow, bro."

When he leaves us alone I walk back to the sofa and sit down beside Everett, his hand slides across my leg. "I love that you guys care about each other so much," he murmurs gently.

"Me too," I admit.

"He gave me a good asswhooping for what I said, what I did," he lowers his head with guilt and my wolf whines at his sadness. "I deserved it."

I clear my throat and his blue eyes fixate on mine. "Maybe you need to work on thinking about things before you say them if you don't mean them."

Everett offers me a smile. "Yes," he nods. "I do. I'm never going to hurt you again. And God, if I ever do then I know I don't deserve you. You deserve someone so much better than me."

I slide up onto my knees and take his face between my hands. "You've given me everything I've ever wanted," I whisper and force his eyes to mine. "You've given me a chance to live life again, you've allowed me to be myself, you want me to get better. You didn't judge me for my past."

"I'd never judge you for your past, Reign."

"I know," I press my forehead against his. "Because you love me."

Everett nods. "So much," his voice is gravelly.

I climb onto his lap once more and snuggle myself into his neck, his strong arms wrapping around my back. "I was so scared I was unlovable," I admit and Everett stiffens and then hugs me close. "That no one could love me for being so irrational and unwell."

He places a hand against the crevice of my neck and tilts my head towards him. "I've loved you for a while, Reign," he tells me honestly. His eyes sparkle and I know he feels the emotion so deeply that it's leaking through his expression. It makes me take a breath. "But I held off on telling you because I didn't want to push you away, I didn't want to scare you."

My lips wobble but Everett kisses me to stop the action. "It wouldn't have scared me," I whisper, pushing back tears. "I've only ever wanted to be loved."

"Angel," his eyes flick between mine frantically. "You are going to be loved and cherished by me forever. No matter what happens, you hold a piece of my heart and I will never want it back because it's yours and only yours. Because loving you is the easiest thing I've ever done."

A single tear slips down my cheek, Everett wipes it away and I close my eyes. "This all feels so surreal."

"I understand it's a lot to grasp," he admits. "But we have all the time in the world to figure it out."

I nod at his words. "I know."

"Let's go to bed," he whispers into my ear before placing a kiss below my lobe. "It's been a long day for you and I know you need some rest."

"Okay," I agree.

I didn't even realise how heavy my eyes had become in the last thirty minutes. Everett scoops me into my arms and carries me away, my head falling onto his shoulder as he takes us up into our room.

He kicks the door open with his foot and sucks in a breath, then he lowers me to the bed. "I haven't been in here since you left," he admits.

"Why?" I frown.

"Because I couldn't be in here without you. Your scent is everywhere and it was too painful."

I lean forward to take his hand and pull him to the bed. He strips himself down to just his boxers and my eyes shamelessly roam his broad chest and ripped abs, he's got bigger. My mouth turns bone dry and I rip my eyes away from him before I start creeping him out.

He slides into the bed beside me and turns off the light, cradling my body into his as I listen to his soft heartbeat. "Goodnight, angel. I hope you sleep well. I know I will."

I snuggle my head further into his chest. "I will too."

A featherlight kiss is pressed to the top of my head. "I'm going to be right here when you wake up."

I fall asleep with a smile on my lips. Content. So content.

♦ ♦ ♦

Read the rest of the book and bonus chapters over on Patreon!

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Author's Note

BRB sobbing my eyes out over this chapter😭😭😭😭😭

Because loving you is the easiest thing I've ever done. No I'm sorry I can't deal with him🥹💘🫶🥰

Do you guys forgive Everett yetttt? He might have been an asshole in that moment but he'll live with that guilt forever

I love their little kiss too, man they needed that so bad!!!

What did you guys think?👉🏼👉🏼👉🏼

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Love Savanna x

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