Chapter 32
Bran dropped onto the couch next to Evangeline. They were camping out at Savon’s, making sure Nate woke up every few hours. Bastard was more of an ass every time they woke him up.
Yeah, Bran worried about his sister, but he started to worry about his closest friend.
Nate came down the stairs and went to the fridge. “I hate myself,” he muttered.
“Why?” Bran asked.
“Fuck, she keeps asking questions, and I’m answering, but I’m waiting for her to shut me out.”
“She’s not going to. You’ve broken into her shell and are pulling her out bit by bit. She’ll remember that.”
“And what if she remembers why she ran for so damned long?” Nate pulled out a beer and drank half of it. “I fucked up so many times I can’t count.”
Evangeline followed Nate. “Hey, relax. Every time I’ve had to come in for you, you’re closer. Just have to make it until tomorrow. I’ll follow you in when I go to bed and make sure you don’t stay too long.”
“I can’t stay until they get here tomorrow?”
“No. Nate, I know it’s tempting, but you need to be healthy when she comes out. She may need your help at first. All of our help. As a wolf, you were weak when you first woke.”
“Only difference, I was out two months. It’s only been a day.”
“It will nearly be two days by the time she’s here, and it might not be as simple as pulling her the rest of the way. She’s still deep.”
“I’m not rushing. I had to go through so damned many memories, I’m worried she’s going to stumble on someone she really cares about and I won’t be able to convince her it’s over with them.” He rubbed at his face.
Bran moved to the kitchen. “Never happening. She’s mated to you. So stop that shit. Evangeline said Savon should still feel the bond while sleeping.”
“Fine, sorry. Just hate coming down here when I know she can’t.”
“She will,” Bran promised. “Now eat something, while I go sit with my sister for a few. Without you. You’ve had far more time with her than I have.”
He looked up the stairs. “As soon as I’m done stuffing my face, I’ll be back there.”
“I know.” Bran squeezed his shoulder, then pulled him into a hug. “I trust you with her. But I need a little time with Savon.”
He nodded, understanding passing over his features.
Turning, Bran started for the stairs. Evangeline smiled, her expression soft. He hoped that was a good sign. He didn’t want to do anything to push a relationship forward in the midst of chaos, but hope would take him a long way.
Bran sat down beside Savon and took her hand. “Look, we haven’t gotten a chance to just hang out, and I’m sorry. Shit, I was a fool and I thought this road would be easier. But damn it, Sis, I miss you.”
Nothing, and he didn’t really expect any response.
He sighed. “Nate’s going to come back up here and take up the rest of the night at any minute. I just wanted to steal a few moments to say I love you, and I’d do anything to have you back. I miss you. Really, I do.”
Her fingers flexed slightly, squeezing.
He leaned down to kiss her forehead. “Come back to us. I know, tomorrow when they break the curse, but it’s not just Nate who wants you to come back. I do too.”
Nate stepped into the room. He wore a sad smile. “I hate this.”
“Yeah. I can imagine. I’ll be downstairs. I’ll let Evangeline have my old bed.”
“She’ll fall for you, sooner or later. I see the way she’s softening toward you.”
“Not concerned with that right now. Let’s get our pack on track, then I can worry about whether or not Evangeline and I can have a future.” Bran hopped up. “I’ll get her settled, then make up the couch.”
“Want me to tell Savon anything?”
He shook his head. “Nope, I think she heard. She’s there. Just not able to surface. Love her, that’s all I ask.”
“Got that covered,” Nate promised.
* * * *
Evangeline stared at a book, trying to read, but her attention kept swaying to Bran.
He stopped at her side. “Why don’t I show you the bed you’ll be sleeping in.”
She glanced away. Was that a rejection?
Bran perched on the arm of her chair. “Hey, what’s going through your head? Is it because I’m putting you in another room?”
“Maybe,” she admitted.
His brown eyes delved into hers. “Figured that was a big enough game changer. I’d rather wait until I have your full trust. We waited this long, a little longer won’t kill me. Besides, I grew up in this home, and with my sister in her situation, I don’t want to cheapen what we have by rushing it.”
Evangeline melted. “When this is over, you and I are going on a real date. Somewhere far from here.”
“Tell me when. I’ll be there.” He offered his hand, and she took it, loving the warmth that traveled up her arm.
She stood and leaned closer. “I need a taste to tide me over until then.”
Bran let out a low rumble as he dipped his head and captured her lips in an agonizingly tender kiss that ignited a slow burn. He stepped back with a twinkle in his eye. “Let me take you to your room. I mean what I said. I want this to be about us when I claim you. I won’t want any possible interruptions.”
Her heart fluttered. “I like this side of you.”
“There’s not a side of you I don’t like. Now come on. Hopefully, Savon’s friend will be here early.”
* * * *
Nate walked back to her. She’d been going through her warehouse of paintings in her memory since he’d woken up. She’d painted a little of everything throughout the years, but there were so many of Nate.
She stood at one she’d done in kindergarten. At least that was what Nate told her. She still couldn’t remember anything. Seeing the places in her memory didn’t bring them back. Not really.
But that painting told her everything she needed to know. Little girl with messy red curls, a boy with shaggy hair that fell in his face. White and lavender surrounded them, shining from them.
A bond, from when they were young. She knew it was her and Nate. He seemed worried she would push him away, but she wanted to pull him closer.
Hands wrapped around her waist, his breath fanned across her cheek. “Hey, Sav. Missed you.”
“Missed you more.” She turned in his arms. “I loved you then. Think you loved me too.”
“You remember?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Not exactly, but I see it in the paintings. In all of them.” Motioning around the warehouse, she laughed softly. “Somewhere inside I knew it then. I had to. I kept painting it. I must be a serious pain in the ass. Why do you put up with me?”
He laughed, pulling her tighter. “God, I love you, Savon. And you aren’t a pain. Yes, you’re stubborn, and you get an idea in your head and rarely budge, but that’s part of what I love.”
“What do you love about me?”
“Everything.” He took her hand and pulled her toward a couch near the corner. Once seated, he turned to her. “You see the world in beautiful shades. You share your vision with us. You love deeply and completely. And you stand by what you believe. You’re free in a way I never felt. You inspire me constantly. And being with you makes life worthwhile, even when everything is falling apart around me.”
“But you were so far away,” she whispered.
“Yeah, but finding you always set me at ease. Even when I saw you with someone else.”
She stilled, her eyes wide. “You watched me with other people?”
“Didn’t stay when you were with someone, but knowing you were okay always set me at ease.”
“Was I always okay?”
Nate shook his head. “You were sad a lot, lonely. Even when you were surrounded by people.”
That first painting entered her mind. “Must have missed you terribly. I wish I could remember.”
“Hope you feel the same when you do.”
“We share a bond. I know you being a werewolf makes it more, but, Nate, this feeling isn’t new. It’s the only thing I remember. This constant longing to be with you.” She moved closer, and he accepted her into his arms. He’d stay a few hours, be gone fifteen minutes, and come back to her.
The corners of his mouth twitched, his expression softened. “You do?”
“Mmhmm, which is why I don’t know why I pushed you away so long.”
“Told you why. All I can do is make up for it for the rest of my life.”
“How about just love me. That’s all I want.”
He leaned toward her and kissed her slowly. He wanted her awake, in his arms, wanted to worship her in reality, not just a dream.
She reached for his pants. He didn’t have the willpower to deny her. Anything she wanted, he would give.