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“Yes,” I reply firmly, “But only if you trust me to be able to handle things on my own. I don’t need you hovering over me.”

Blaise exchanges a quick look with Xar, and then nods. “Alright. We’ll take you up on it. But you call us if anything goes wrong, understood? We’ll keep our promise and check in on you today via messages, but wewillbe back before the storm gets bad. That’s non-negotiable. We looked in your fridge. You need supplies. We’ll bring them.”

I hesitate for a moment, pissed that they’ve been snooping but also knowing that that’s not the main thing to be annoyed about out of everything that’s been said. So finally I nod, knowing it’s the best deal I’m going to get. “Fine. I’ll send you my number. And you can message me, but I’ll be fine. I’ll call if I need you.”

“Deal,” Blaise agrees, his voice softer now but still carrying that undeniable authority. “But we’re still coming back at some point.”

I can feel the tension slowly slipping away, though the unease still lingers. They’re going to leave, but they won’t stray far or stay away. I watch as they turn to leave, their footsteps heavy, and part of me wonders how long they’ll actually stay away.

For now, at least, I have my space.

But as a shiver wrecks my frozen, soaked through body, I wonder if that’s what I really want.

DANE

We return to the cottage, once again, the tension in the air thicker than I expected. No one speaks as we walk inside, the storm starting to roll in, making the windows tremble with each gust of wind.

I’m not happy about leaving Eviana behind. I’d wanted to stay, wanted to make sure she was okay, but she insisted she could handle it. And part of me – most of me – understands. She’s strong, independent, and she doesn’t want to be coddled.

Still, my instincts to protect her are hard to ignore.

Blaise and Xar are quieter than usual as they enter, the weight of the decision hanging over us. I can feel it, the unsaid words, the frustration that’s brewing beneath the surface. But at least we’re sticking to the plan – giving her space while stillbeing ready to check in, ready to jump into action if something goes wrong.

I rub my hand over my face, still feeling that knot in my chest as I make my way to the kitchen. I flick the kettle on, needing a distraction, but the storm outside is a constant reminder that we can’t really escape this situation.

No matter how far we go, we’ll still be tied to her, and that’s not something I mind.

The sudden beep of my phone breaks through my thoughts, and I pull it from my pocket, eyes scanning the screen.

It’s a message from Eviana. I didn’t really expect her to keep up her end of the deal – to message us if we left – but it’s not like we couldforceher to message us before we left.

I click on it, and my pulse picks up when I see the notification – a new group chat, titledThe Alpha Control Freaks. I feel a strange mixture of relief and amusement flood through me. She’s made it official.

I swipe to open it, already grinning before I even read the first message.

Eviana

Here’s my number. Now you don’t have an excuse to not check in on me via message instead of just turning up unannounced and unwelcome.

Blaise’s response comes almost immediately.

Blaise

We’re going to be back before the storm hits, like we said. That part was non-negotiable. You call if anything goes wrong before then.

Xar follows up next, and I can’t help but chuckle at his usual way of speaking.

Xar

Better be fine, Eviana. We’ll be keeping an eye on you.

I take a deep breath, shaking my head. She’s still trying to maintain that control, but I can tell she’s testing us – seeing if we’ll follow through, if we’ll respect her space. I get it. I do.

But damn if it doesn’t make me want to be around her even more, just to show her she doesn’t have to keep that wall up.

I type out my message, adding my own tone to the conversation.

Just make sure to let us know if you need anything. No excuses.