Page 34

Ever

A s ridiculous as it sounds, despite being wildly out of my element in this McMansion, I’m finally able to breathe for the first time in over a week.

The wards around Dane’s property were already on par with Myles's, and once he gave them a boost, are now damn near impenetrable. If Myles was impressed with them? That’s the only seal of approval I really need.

Being away from the scathing looks and rising tension in Mercy Ridge that was choking me is already doing wonders to settle my anxiety.

It’s like a working vacation. Still have shit to do, but enough of a change of pace that I don’t even care about pulling twelve hour days for a bit.

Deep breaths. One step at a time. Even if I have to move again, it isn't the end of the world; I've done it dozens of times before.

It would just... hurt more this time. Because I finally found what I’ve always wanted. A life that would absolutely wreck me to leave behind.

If this mimic debacle doesn't blow over, we'll need to have the talk we've all been avoiding; moving and starting over somewhere nobody hates me. That I’ve spent my life trying to make something of myself, but now that I’m on my way to a successful career, that brings more exposure and danger.

Forcing myself to shake off the depressing thoughts for now, I shove them away to stress over later. Right now? I really should be drawing a map.

“Your workshop,” Dane says with excitement, pushing open the fifteenth door in as many minutes.

“I know it’s barebones for now, but it’s stocked with all of the basics, and the custom piece you requested should be delivered either late tonight or early tomorrow morning.

Anything else, simply give Bennett here a list, and he’ll take care of everything. ”

Dane’s creepy butler doesn’t say shit on our tour of the mansion, simply guiding us to a room, standing there silently as his boss prattles on about the history and features, then leads our group onto the next.

I gave up after the second try to engage him in conversation.

For all I know, he’s paid to be seen and not heard.

Rich people are like that with staff sometimes, right?

Expecting them to anticipate their employer’s needs and ensure the house is perfectly functioning from the shadows where they can pretend they don’t exist and aren’t people?

Super shitty in my opinion, but to be fair, if I was getting paid an obscene amount of money, I’d bite my tongue too. Maybe.

Ledger pulls a package of beef jerky from his backpack, ripping it open and hand-feeding me pieces as we explore the halls.

As far as pushy shifter behavior goes, this doesn’t even rank on the weirdness scale anymore.

You’d think cementing the bond and officially claiming me would make him chill out, but if anything, it’s been the opposite.

He’s worse than a mother hen, constantly feeding and scent marking me.

And knotting me hard enough I’m too boneless to even consider walking away.

Dane glances over his shoulder just as Ledger feeds me another snack and frowns. “If you’re hungry, my chef will be more than happy to prepare a meal. Simply take a seat in the dining room, and someone will appear to take your order.”

Are there pressure sensors when you walk into the dining room to alert the staff? Or is there a professional peeping tom that stands at the door between the kitchen and dining room to ensure prompt service? Is this seriously how the upper class lives?

Am I a terrible person if I admit I’m kind of into it?

Ledger uncaps a bottle of water, passing it to me.

“That'll be great, thank you. It still takes time to cook, though, and blood sugar crashes are no joke. There’s a small window before hangry turns into nauseous, and Ever won't eat for hours and feel awful the rest of the day, so she needs frequent, small snacks.”

He stuffs another piece in my mouth, and I’m not stupid enough to let him know I’m not actually hungry.

Growing up, I would've killed for someone to care whether I ate or not. And Ledger’s so observant, he has it down to a science.

I wouldn't be surprised if he has a feeding schedule for me and Myles on his phone.

I’ve been looking for red flags since day one. Nobody as perfect as Ledger could possibly be single. But… I’m starting to realize that he’s not perfect. He’s just perfect for me .

Dane leads us through seventeen twists and turns in the world's most luxurious labyrinth before he comes to a stop at the end of a hallway and gestures for his butler to open the set of double doors.

“Make yourselves at home, all I ask is that you please avoid the west wing. My mate needs her rest.”

“Speaking of, will she be joining us for dinner? We don’t have to give away exactly what we’re working on and get her hopes up, but I really need to ask her a few questions so we can calibrate the device.”

He pauses, a muscle twitching in his clenched jaw. “As soon as she’s feeling up to company, you’ll be the first to know.”

And I thought Ledger was super overprotective, sheesh.

Can’t fault him though. I can only imagine the stress having a medically fragile mate would do to a person.

As he leaves, our bags slip from our shoulders and hit the ground, mouths hanging open in awe. The bed is big enough for all of us and still has room to spare, the headboard partially tucked beneath a glass archway. The entire back wall is an aquarium, illuminated by a soft glow.

We’re going to have to flip the pillows to the other side. I can’t sleep with my head under that, imagining it breaking the moment I close my eyes.

Arson doesn’t bother putting his things away, flopping on the couch near the foot of the bed and snagging a remote off the end table, pressing every single one of the buttons.

A panel slides out of one wall to reveal a TV, the colors change in the aquarium, and an air conditioner kicks on in the room.

“Fucking rich people,” Bellamy breathes, shaking his head in disbelief and aiming for the closet while Myles opts to explore the side door leading to an ensuite bathroom.

As I grab my bag to follow them, my heart feels lighter for the first time in weeks.

My life may be a bit rocky right now, but I’m used to rolling with the punches in way worse conditions than this.