Page 24 of Bound By Song (Evie Quad Omegaverse #1)

DANE

W e 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 still being 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 could force her to message us before we left.

I click on it, and my pulse picks up when I see the notification – a new group chat, titled The 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.

I send it, then set the phone down, leaning against the counter.

I know the other two will have their own thoughts about this, but something about the way Eviana’s been handling things sits right with me.

She’s strong, but she’s still willing to give us a little – just a little – of what we need too.

Our phones beep and the other two immediately snigger.

“What?” I growl.

Xar smirks and flips his phone round so that I can read Eviana’s reply.

Eviana

Yes, Daddy.

A hit. Low and direct.

My breath catches, sharp and uninvited. Something primal stirs, curling deep in my gut. I should shake my head. I should let it slide.

Instead, I feel heat. A slow, deliberate burn in my chest that spreads like wildfire.

“Fucking hell,” I groan, dragging a hand down my face, trying to bite back the reaction even as the word echoes in my mind – Daddy . From her lips. Directed at me.

She was teasing. I know it. But fuck if it didn’t land anyway.

“You good?” Blaise smirks, too pleased with himself.

“I’m fine,” I mutter, even as a grin twitches at the edge of my mouth. Because I’m not fine, not when the thought of her saying it again – saying it for real – lodges itself in my head like a goddamn brand.

Doesn’t mean I’m not going to worry, though. It doesn’t mean I’ll stop checking the weather, even if she’s convinced she can handle it on her own. I can feel her shifting, the pull between her fear, her pride, and that unspoken need for us to be there.

She’s ours. Even if she doesn’t fully see it yet.

Blaise moves past me, heading upstairs, and I hear the door to his room click shut. Xar’s pacing, running his hand through his hair as he glances out the window at the growing storm.

We haven’t given her enough time. Still, I find myself wanting to see her words, wanting to see the thread between us grow.

Another beep. Eviana again.

Eviana

You all better keep your promises. I’m fine. Don’t come back unless it’s REALLY necessary. And text first!

I feel a grin tug at the corner of my mouth. Her stubbornness is one of the things I love most about her.

I type out my reply, that last spark still burning behind my ribs.

Don’t worry, Eviana. We’ll be back when we say we will. Just make sure you don’t do anything stupid. Or else Daddy will have something to say about it.

I hit send before I can second-guess myself.

She’s going to test us. I know that. But there’s no part of me that doesn’t think we can handle it. But still, it feels good to have a little banter between us. I want her to get to know us and maybe from a distance, from behind a screen can help with that.

Still...doesn’t mean I’m not already thinking about how she’ll look when she says it next time. When she means it.

“You should shower. Get warm and dry,” I tell Xar.

“Why? What are you doing?”

“I just want to double check that the property is secure if this storm is coming.” He nods and leaves me to it.

As soon as he’s disappeared upstairs, I get to work, pulling supplies out of the kitchen cupboards ready to pack in the car.

A short while later, I slam the boot shut, the satisfying thud echoing in the stillness of the yard.

The car’s packed – logs, clothes, guitars, water, snacks – everything we might need for the next few days.

The storm’s coming, and we might not be able to make it back once it hits.

Not that I plan on coming back here. I want to stay with Eviana, but I think having extra supplies on hand can’t hurt.

Her place didn’t look the most well stocked, and as much as I’d like to bundle her up and bring her back to the cottage where we’ll all be safer, I just know she wouldn’t be comfortable with that.

I feel Xar’s eyes on me as I wipe my hands on my jeans, still buzzing with the need to do something more. Anything. To not feel so useless, leaving her behind like this.

“What are you doing?” Xar asks, voice low, leaning against the front door frame with his arms crossed. I can see the uncertainty in his expression, the same hesitation he’s had ever since we left Eviana behind.

I don’t hesitate, meeting his gaze with purpose. “I’m not letting the storm keep us from her. We’re going back tomorrow, as soon as it’s safe.”

Blaise appears in the doorway of the cottage, his brow furrowed. “You really think it’s a good idea to go back in this weather?”

I let out a deep breath. “I’m not saying we’re going now. We’re staying here tonight, as promised. But tomorrow, we’ll go back. I’m not leaving her out there alone. I don’t care if the storm’s bad.”

Xar nods slowly, chewing on his lip. “Right. I get it. She’s our responsibility now.”

“Exactly.” I give the car one last glance. “I just loaded up some basic supplies in the car for when that happens.”

Blaise sighs but finally relents, letting the tension in his shoulders ease. “Alright. Maybe I’ll grab some stuff too.”

A heavy silence settles over the group, and for a moment, I let myself breathe. The decision has been made. Eviana’s not alone anymore, not if I have a say in it.

“So, what’s the plan for tonight?” Xar asks, sounding almost desperate for something to take his mind off everything.

I turn towards the door, stepping inside the warmth of the cottage.

The storm’s still brewing outside, but for now, we’re safe, at least. I shrug, glancing at Blaise, who’s already digging through the entertainment system.

“We’re stuck with each other. We could watch a film.

Or work on our music. Take our minds off everything before it all goes to shit. ”

Blaise lets out a short laugh. “I’m in. Something mindless. I need a distraction.”

Xar grins. “As long as there’s no rom-com crap, I’m fine.”

I chuckle, sinking into one of the chairs by the fireplace. “Agreed. No chick flicks. Light a fire and set it up, I’ll take a quick shower and then join you.”

With a final glance toward the window, I force myself to relax, trying to let the normality of the situation lull me into a sense of calm. But the truth is, nothing feels normal right now. Nothing will until I’m back with Eviana, making sure she’s safe, no matter the storm.