Page 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

IVAN/ NATHAN

IVAN

The next morning, I woke up to the smell of coffee and the sound of Nathan moving around in the kitchen.

The soft clatter of dishes and the faint sizzle of something cooking reached my ears as I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

I blinked, momentarily disoriented, before realizing where I was—and who I was with.

Nathan was standing by the counter, a mug in hand, and the sight of him made my chest tighten.

He looked better than he had last night, more rested.

His shoulders were relaxed, and his posture seemed lighter, as if the weight of his recent troubles had lifted, if only slightly.

When he saw me, he smiled, a genuine, warm smile that made the room feel brighter.

“Morning,” he said, his voice still a little rough from sleep.

“Morning,” I replied, getting up and stretching. “You’re up early.”

“I couldn’t sleep much after a certain point,” he admitted, his smile turning a bit sheepish. “I hope you don’t mind me making coffee. And, well… I decided to make breakfast too. Figured I’d repay you for letting me crash here.”

“Not at all,” I said, walking over to join him. “You’re a guest. Make yourself at home.”

Nathan handed me a mug, and our fingers brushed briefly.

The contact sent a spark of heat through me, and I saw him react too, his eyes darkening slightly.

The air between us seemed to thrum with a tension that was both electrifying and unnerving.

I took a sip of the coffee, trying to steady myself, but my gaze kept drifting back to him.

Nathan had turned his attention back to the stove, flipping what looked like pancakes in a pan.

The simple act of him cooking in my kitchen, looking so at ease, stirred something deep inside me.

It was like seeing a glimpse of a future I hadn’t dared to imagine—one where someone like Nathan could be a part of my everyday life.

“What are you making?” I asked, my voice coming out a little huskier than I intended.

“Pancakes,” he said, glancing over his shoulder at me. “I found some mix in your pantry. Hope that’s okay.”

“More than okay,” I replied, leaning against the counter as I watched him work. “I didn’t even know I had pancake mix.”

Nathan chuckled softly, the sound warm and inviting.

“You’ve got a pretty well-stocked pantry for someone who lives alone,” he said.

“I guess I like to be prepared,” I said with a shrug.

But as I watched him move around my kitchen with such ease, I couldn’t help but think that this moment—this domestic simplicity—was something I could get used to.

He plated the pancakes and brought them over to the small table by the window.

The morning light streamed in, casting a soft glow over everything.

I followed him, feeling an odd sense of anticipation building in my chest.

We sat down, and for a few minutes, the only sounds were the clinking of forks against plates and the occasional murmur of appreciation as we ate.

The pancakes were good—light and fluffy, with just the right amount of sweetness. But it wasn’t just the food that made the moment feel special.

It was the company, the way Nathan’s presence seemed to fill the room with warmth and comfort.

“Ivan,” Nathan started after a while, his voice soft, almost hesitant. “About last night…”

I waited, wondering what he was going to say, but he seemed to change his mind.

Instead of finishing his sentence, he put down his fork and looked at me, his eyes searching mine.

There was something vulnerable in his gaze, something that made my heart ache in a way I wasn’t prepared for.

He took a step closer, closing the distance between us.

My heart pounded in my chest as I felt his warmth, his presence filling the space around me.

The tension between us crackled, alive and palpable, and I found myself holding my breath, waiting for what would happen next.

“I just wanted to thank you,” he said finally, his eyes never leaving mine. “For everything.”

The words were simple, but the way he said them made my heart twist.

I wanted to tell him it was nothing, that I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat, but the look in his eyes stopped me.

There was something there, something unspoken and powerful, that neither of us seemed ready to fully acknowledge.

And then, before I could stop myself, I leaned in and kissed him.

The moment our lips met, it was like a spark igniting a fire. The kiss was soft at first, tentative, as if we were both testing the waters.

But the desire that had been simmering beneath the surface quickly surged to the forefront, and the kiss deepened, becoming more urgent, more consuming.

Nathan responded with equal fervor, his hands finding their way to my shoulders, pulling me closer.

I could feel the rapid beat of his heart against my chest, matching the wild rhythm of my own.

The world around us seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of us, wrapped in the intensity of the moment.

I slid my hands around his waist, pulling him even closer as I angled my head to deepen the kiss further.

His lips were warm and soft, and the taste of him was intoxicating, a heady mix of coffee and something uniquely Nathan.

It wasn’t just the physical sensation that made the kiss so electrifying—it was the emotion behind it, the unspoken connection that seemed to bind us together.

When we finally broke apart, both of us were breathless, our foreheads resting against each other.

Nathan’s eyes were half-lidded, his lips slightly parted, and the sight of him—so vulnerable, so open—made my chest tighten with an emotion I couldn’t quite name.

“Ivan…” he whispered, his voice shaky, but there was no fear in his eyes, only a mixture of longing and uncertainty.

“Nathan,” I murmured back, my thumb brushing lightly against his cheek. “I…”

I trailed off, not knowing what to say. Words felt inadequate in the face of what I was feeling.

I wanted to protect him, to hold him close and never let go, but I also wanted to let him choose what he wanted, without pressure.

“I don’t want to rush this,” I finally said, my voice low and earnest. “Whatever this is, I want it to be right. For both of us.”

Nathan nodded, his eyes softening as he leaned into my touch.

“I feel the same way,” he said quietly. “But I don’t want to let fear hold me back anymore. I don’t want to lose this chance…with you.”

His words sent a warm rush through me, and I couldn’t help but smile, a genuine, unguarded smile that I hadn’t realized I was capable of.

I cupped his face in my hands, my thumbs tracing the curve of his jaw as I looked into his eyes.

“You won’t lose me,” I promised, my voice steady. “I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

Nathan’s smile in response was small, but it was full of hope, and that was enough for me.

We didn’t need to have all the answers right now. What mattered was that we were here, together, and that was a start.

“Come on,” I said, stepping back slightly but keeping one hand on his. “Let’s finish breakfast before it gets cold.”

Nathan laughed softly, the sound light and genuine.

“Yeah, we wouldn’t want to waste those pancakes,” Nathan said.

We sat back down at the table, but the atmosphere between us had shifted.

There was a new sense of ease, a quiet understanding that didn’t need to be put into words.

As we ate, our conversation flowed naturally, punctuated by smiles and the occasional brush of fingers.

When we finished, Nathan stood to clear the dishes, but I stopped him with a gentle touch on his arm.

“I’ll take care of it,” I said. “You’re my guest, remember?”

Nathan looked like he was going to argue, but then he smiled and nodded. “Okay, if you insist,” he said.

NATHAN

Ivan and I had been walking around Sky Stead for hours, visiting different landmarks, exploring the small town that had become my temporary haven.

It had been three days since Ivan rescued me, and the initial fear and anxiety were beginning to fade.

I still felt a pang of uncertainty now and then, but Ivan’s presence soothed my frayed nerves.

His patience with me, his quiet strength, made it easier to breathe, to think clearly.

But even though I felt safer, I couldn’t shake the nagging thought that I was a burden, relying on his generosity without any way to repay him.

As we reached the last stop on our little tour, a nice park nestled in the heart of Sky Stead, Ivan looked at me with a smile that made my heart flutter.

“And we’ve officially seen everything,” he declared with a hint of pride in his voice.

I returned his smile, feeling a warmth spread through me.

“It’s a nice place,” I admitted.

I took in the lush greenery, the children playing in the distance, the serene atmosphere that seemed a world away from the nightmare I’d escaped.

Ivan’s hand brushed against mine as we stood there, a brief contact that sent a spark of electricity up my arm.

“You hungry?” he asked, his voice deep and warm. “I know a good sandwich place nearby.”

“Starving,” I replied, realizing that I hadn’t eaten much all day.

My stomach growled in agreement, and Ivan chuckled, the sound low and rumbling, making me blush.

He led me to a small, cozy sandwich shop tucked away on a quiet street.

The smell of freshly baked bread and roasted meats greeted us as we walked inside, and my mouth watered instantly.

Ivan guided me to the counter, and I glanced up at the menu, feeling a little overwhelmed by the choices.

“What’s good here?” I asked, trusting his judgment.

“The pastrami sandwich is my favorite,” Ivan said without hesitation. “And they make a mean cup of coffee.”

“Pastrami and coffee it is,” I decided, not wanting to overthink it.

I followed his lead, and soon we were seated at a small, unoccupied table near the window, our sandwiches and steaming cups of coffee in front of us.

As we began to eat, Ivan’s gaze lingered on me, his eyes filled with a concern that made my chest tighten.

“How are you really?” he asked, his voice gentle but probing.

I hesitated for a moment, taking a sip of my coffee to buy myself some time.

“Much better,” I admitted finally. “You’ve been really kind, Ivan. I don’t know how to thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me,” he said softly. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat.

He had been patient, never pushing me to talk about what had happened or where I’d come from.

But I knew I couldn’t keep my secrets forever. He deserved the truth, and I owed it to myself to stop running from it.

“Have you figured out what you want to do next?” Ivan asked, his tone careful, as if he didn’t want to pressure me.

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the past few days settle on my shoulders.

“I need to get back on my feet,” I said slowly, choosing my words with care. “Find a job, somewhere to stay… I can’t keep relying on you, Ivan.”

His brow furrowed, and he leaned forward, his hand reaching across the table to rest on mine.

The warmth of his touch sent a jolt through me, and I felt my heart skip a beat.

“Nathan, you don’t have to do this alone,” he said firmly. “You’re not a burden.”

I squeezed his hand, feeling the sincerity in his words.

“I know, but… I don’t want to go back to my hometown,” I confessed, the words spilling out before I could stop them.

Ivan’s eyes narrowed slightly, his grip on my hand tightening. “Why not?”

The question hung in the air, and I knew it was time. I couldn’t keep hiding from the truth, not anymore.

“I’m from a small town called Blackwood,” I began, my voice trembling slightly. “My omega dad died when I was young, so I’ve been living with my alpha dad in this tiny trailer. He’s… not a good man, Ivan.”

Ivan’s expression darkened, and I could see the tension in his jaw, the way his eyes hardened with a protective anger.

“Go on,” he urged, his voice low and dangerous.

I swallowed hard, the memories flooding back, sharp and painful.

“He’s a drunk, a gambler. I’ve been working at the town diner to make ends meet, to keep us afloat. But it was never enough. One day, I came home from work, and… and he was there. Trevor.”

Ivan’s eyes flashed with fury at the mention of Trevor’s name, but he stayed silent, waiting for me to continue.

I’d mentioned bits and pieces of what happened to him but never told him the full story until now.

“My dad… he sold me off to Trevor and his pack,” I said, my voice breaking. “I didn’t realize what was happening at first, but then I saw the money exchange hands, the look on Trevor’s face, and I knew. I knew my own father had betrayed me, had handed me over like I was nothing.”

Ivan’s hand clenched around mine, and I could feel the anger radiating off him in waves.

“That bastard,” he growled, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down my spine. “I swear, Nathan, if I ever get my hands on him…”

I shook my head, tears stinging my eyes.

“I just… I felt so worthless, Ivan. Like I didn’t matter to anyone. Trevor treated me like property, like I was something to be owned.”

Ivan’s grip on my hand was almost painful now, but I didn’t pull away. I needed to feel his strength, his anger on my behalf.

“You’re not property, Nathan,” he said fiercely. “You’re worth more than Trevor or your father.”

I looked into his eyes, seeing the fire there, the raw, protective instinct that made my heart ache with something I couldn’t quite name.

“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice trembling.

Ivan didn’t say anything, but the way he looked at me, the intensity in his gaze, said more than words ever could.

He stood up suddenly, pulling me to my feet with him.

“Come here,” he said, his voice rough with emotion.

He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close, and I melted into his embrace, feeling the safety and warmth of his body against mine.

My hands fisted in his shirt as I buried my face in his chest, letting the tears fall.

Ivan’s hand came up to cradle the back of my head, and he held me like that, strong and steady, until the storm of emotions passed.

When I finally pulled back, my eyes red and swollen, Ivan cupped my face in his hands, his thumb brushing away the last of my tears.

“You’re safe now, Nathan,” he murmured, his voice low and soothing. “I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, and before I could stop myself, I leaned in and kissed him.

It was a tentative kiss at first, a soft brush of lips, but the moment Ivan responded, everything changed.

His hand slid to the back of my neck, holding me in place as he deepened the kiss, his mouth hot and demanding against mine.

A fire ignited in my veins, and I pressed closer to him, needing more, craving the heat and passion that only he could give me.

Ivan growled low in his throat, and the sound sent a thrill through me, making me gasp against his mouth.

He took advantage of the opening, his tongue sweeping inside to taste me, to claim me in a way that made my knees weak.

I clung to him, my hands sliding up his chest to wrap around his neck, pulling him closer, deeper.

When we finally broke apart, both of us were breathing hard, our foreheads pressed together as we tried to catch our breath.

Ivan’s eyes were dark with desire, his pupils blown wide as he looked at me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered.

“God, Nathan,” he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. “You have no idea what you do to me.”

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. “Ivan, I…”

He silenced me with another kiss, softer this time, but no less intense.

“You don’t have to say anything,” he whispered against my lips. “Just let me take care of you.”

And in that moment, I knew I could trust him.

I could let go of the past, of the pain and the fear, and let Ivan into my heart. Because with him, I was safe.