Chapter 3 - Evie

I stood in the doorway of my apartment, my heart pounding so loudly that I was sure Sophie could hear it. The overhead lamp cast a warm light across the living room, illuminating the scattered evidence of my messy lifestyle—music sheets, guitar cables, and a precariously tilted cello case. She and I had come all this way—quite literally, on her part—and the reality that she was truly here, in my space, felt surreal.

Sophie’s breath fanned across my cheek as she leaned in, and the tension in the air crackled with electric anticipation. My pulse raced, every inch of me straining toward her. The fresh scent of her skin—warm and a little sweet—curled around my senses, chasing away the lingering chill from outside. Her gray-blue eyes searched my face, and I realized she was waiting for me to close the final gap between us.

I whispered her name, unable to control the tremor in my voice. The corner of her mouth quirked with the slightest hint of a smile, and I felt a surge of daring race through me. Gathering my courage, I slid my hands around her waist, tugging her gently forward. The soft fabric of her sweater bunched beneath my fingers, and she inhaled sharply at the contact.

For a second, we both hesitated, suspended in a breathless hush. My wolf, Noria, practically purred inside my chest, urging me to press my mouth to Sophie’s. That single point of contact would mark a beginning we’d both wanted—even if we never realized it until now.

I tilted my head, and our lips finally met. Sparks erupted in my veins, a rush of warmth so intense I nearly forgot to breathe. Sophie’s hands rose to cradle my jaw, her fingertips soft against my skin. A quiet sigh escaped her, melting something deep inside me. All those years of distant daydreams condensed into this dizzying moment of contact. My heart felt ready to burst with an emotion too big for words.

A hum of pleasure swept through me, and I tightened my hold on Sophie, my heartbeat tumbling over itself in frantic excitement. The taste of her, the rhythm of our mouths moving so naturally, sent shivers skittering down my spine. Every sense sharpened—her silky hair under my palms, the faint scent of vanilla, the whisper of her breath when we paused for just a beat.

Then, I shifted my foot and banged my ankle against my cello case, perched precariously near the coffee table. Before I could catch myself, I stumbled sideways, dragging Sophie with me in an attempt to stay upright. A startled yelp broke our kiss, and we toppled onto the sofa with a thump.

For a moment, we just lay there in a tangle of limbs and breathless laughter, staring at each other in wide-eyed astonishment. My cheeks burned, but I couldn’t hold back a grin. Sophie giggled, tucking her long hair behind her ear.

“Well,” she said, a sparkle in her eyes, “if that’s how our first kiss goes, I can’t wait to see what happens next.”

I untangled my limbs from Sophie’s, giggling at the tangle of arms and legs we had become. My heart still thudded from the delicious rush of our kiss—and the near-disaster of toppling over my cello case. Her cheeks were tinted pink, and I doubted mine looked any cooler. We took a moment to steady ourselves, perched on the edge of my sofa, catching our breath in fits of shy laughter.

A random chord sheet slid off the cushions, flopping onto the floor. “Sorry,” I muttered, bending to pick it up. “This place is kind of a mess.” I tossed the papers onto a side table, still feeling a faint tremor in my hands.

Sophie shook her head, a small smile curving her lips. “It feels cozy,” she said, glancing around at the well-worn furniture and the collage of photos pinned to a corkboard near the kitchenette.

The remainder of real-life nudged at me—travel likely made her hungry, and it occurred to me I hadn’t offered her anything. I stood quickly, brushing invisible dust from my jeans. “Let me get us something to eat,” I offered, my voice still slightly breathless. “I’ve got sandwich fixings… or maybe soup?”

She nodded, expression warm. “Whatever’s easiest. Don’t go to any trouble.”

The tension between us crackled like a faint electric current, still present even though we’d shifted from stumbling kisses to domestic tasks. I entered my cramped kitchenette, opening cabinets to find a halfway-decent snack. My thoughts were a chaotic swirl: the delight of finally holding Sophie, the shock of discovering our mate bond, the yearning for more.

While I fussed over a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches on my tiny stove, Sophie wandered around, glancing at the framed pictures on my wall. My throat felt tight, and I was aware of her in every sense. Her footsteps paused at one corner of the room, and I heard a soft intake of breath.

I was about to ask if she saw something interesting when warmth enveloped me from behind. Sophie’s arms slid around my waist, pulling me close, and I let out a startled gasp. Her breath brushed the side of my neck. “I just…” she whispered, “I needed to be closer to you.”

My heart jolted. I let myself melt back against Sophie, turning off the stove so I wouldn’t burn anything. That feeling of her body pressed to mine sent molten sparks through my veins, the bond thrumming in my chest. I let out a shaky exhale. “I’m not going anywhere,” I murmured, covering her hands with mine.

Reluctantly, we separated long enough for me to plate the sandwiches and pour two glasses of water. We returned to the sofa—an old, lumpy thing that creaked alarmingly if you sat on one side. I flicked on a small speaker, letting a quiet jazz tune drift through the apartment.

We ate side by side, knees brushing, and every casual touch felt charged. Sophie’s fingers grazed mine when she reached for her water, and a shiver of awareness skated through me. We talked in hushed voices, catching up on mundane details about our lives, but the tension never vanished. My wolf hummed, impatient, and the slightest shift of Sophie’s weight sent my senses spinning. She glowed even in the soft lamplight—a magnet I couldn’t resist.

When our plates were empty, I dared another glance at her, pulse-pounding. The look in her eyes mirrored my longing. We might have been sitting quietly, but the pull of that bond was an unspoken promise that soon, we’d close the gap again.

When I set our plates on the coffee table, I realized neither cared about the food anymore. We had been trying for politeness, nibbling at grilled cheese as if we weren’t both charged with a current of unspoken longing. I caught Sophie’s gaze and saw the same breathless anticipation reflected there that vibrated through my body. My chest felt tight with longing and relief as if an entire avalanche of need was about to break loose.

I swallowed, my wolf, Noria, urging me forward. Slowly, I rose from my seat and moved closer, my knees brushing Sophie’s. Her eyes flicked to my mouth, then back up, and heat flared in my core. I instinctively swung one leg over her lap, settling in a tentative straddle. The cushion gave slightly under us, and a new wave of tension sizzled through the air. She inhaled sharply. Her hands moved to rest lightly on my hips, fingers flexing.

My voice came out in a husky whisper. “I can’t pretend I don’t want this. I always have,” I admitted, pulse thundering. “Even when you first left… I never stopped thinking about you. About us, or at least what we could be. I guess I convinced myself it was impossible… but now you’re here. We’re here.”

Sophie’s breath caught. Her cheeks were tinted with that appealing blush I’d come to adore. “Evie…” she began softly, something vulnerable in her expression.

I felt my heart flutter. “You have no idea how many nights I fell asleep wishing you’d walk through my door. I wanted you for so long. When I saw you at the airport… I thought I was dreaming.” I let out a shaky laugh, my eyes flicking to the curve of her lips. “I can’t believe you’re mine. My mate.”

She let out a soft, breathy sound and cupped my cheek. “I admit, I thought of you more often than I’d like to admit. Little memories of you would randomly pop up, and I always brushed them aside. I never considered… that it could lead us here.”

A tender smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “But I’m so happy it did.”

Something in my chest soared at her words. I let out a trembling breath, leaning forward. Our noses grazed, and warm breaths mingled. I drank in the sight of her half-lidded eyes, her parted lips, and my wolf clamoring for more contact. “Me too,” I whisper, closing the distance.

The kiss was urgent and soft, a clash of pent-up longing and gentle exploration. Sophie’s hands slid up my back, pulling me closer, while mine pressed to the sides of her face, framing her features as though I were afraid she’d disappear. Each brush of her lips, every soft sound she made, fed the fire inside me.

We poured years of unspoken yearning into that embrace, and it felt like the most natural thing in the world—two halves finally meeting in a tender and electric moment.

Sophie’s fingers curled in the fabric of my shirt, deepening our kiss until I almost forgot everything—where we were, what time it was, and that our half-eaten dinner lay abandoned on the table. Her lips were warm and sure, igniting little sparks wherever they met mine. I found myself clinging to her shoulders, pressing closer as heat pooled low in my belly.

When we finally paused, breathing hard, her eyes flicked around the cramped living room. Our legs bumped the coffee table, half a foot from my precariously balanced cello case. She laughed softly. “Maybe we need somewhere less… crowded,” she suggested, her voice thick with desire.

I swallowed, glancing toward the short hallway that led to my bedroom. Nervous excitement flared in my chest. I’d never brought anyone back here to my private space. Not because I hadn’t been with other women—I had, in moments of fleeting experimentation—but I had always kept things casual, letting desire burn hot for a night and then slip away. Bringing someone into my bedroom felt like a confession, an offering of trust that lasted longer than a single fling.

And Sophie wasn’t just anyone. She was my mate, the one I’d dreamed of without even realizing it. The weight of that truth made my pulse pound.

I exhaled a trembling breath, my nose still brushing hers. “Yeah,” I managed, “let’s… let’s move somewhere… bigger.”

She stood with me, our hands linked, as I guided her through the dim hallway. My heart raced at the thought of what lay ahead. With each step, I glanced at the scuffed floor and photos by the door—memories of my pack friends and my first cello recital. I had always wished for someone special to share these memories with, and now Sophie was here, making the moment feel surreal.

In my softly lit bedroom, a gentle glow cast over the rumpled sheets and my cluttered desk filled with notes and music books. I felt embarrassed for the mess, but the eager look in Sophie’s eyes quickly eased it.

Her arm slid around my waist. “Hey,” she murmured, sensing my hesitation. “It’s just us. This is perfect.”

Emboldened, I nodded, stepping into the room and pulling her closer. My pulse throbbed, a wild drumbeat inside my ribcage. “I… never brought anyone here,” I admitted quietly. “I’ve messed around, but it never meant enough to risk—” My cheeks warmed. “This is different.”

Sophie lifted her free hand to cup my cheek, her thumb stroking softly. “We’ll figure it out together,” she promised, voice steady despite the glimmer of anticipation in her gaze.

My wolf pulsed with agreement, yearning for whatever was to come. And as I reached behind Sophie to push the door shut, I knew we stood on the precipice of something that would change our lives forever.