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CHAPTER EIGHT

IVAN/ NATHAN

IVAN

I woke up to an empty apartment, the silence almost eerie in the early morning light.

My hand instinctively reached out to the other side of the bed, but all I found was cold sheets.

Nathan was already gone. I groaned, rubbing my eyes as the memories of last night filtered back to me.

He had mentioned he needed to leave early for his morning shift at the gas station, but it didn’t make the apartment feel any less empty without his cheerful presence.

The bed felt too big, too lonely, without Nathan beside me.

With a sigh, I dragged myself out of bed and shuffled into the living room. The stillness was disconcerting, like something vital was missing.

Flopping onto the couch, I stared at the ceiling, trying to will myself to move.

I had work to do today too, but the thought of getting up and starting the day without Nathan’s smile to greet me made me want to bury my face in the pillows and pretend the world outside didn’t exist.

After a few more minutes of wallowing in self-pity, I forced myself to my feet.

I couldn’t lounge around all day, no matter how tempting it was.

I made my way to the kitchen, intending to whip up something quick for breakfast, but stopped short when I saw a plate on the counter.

It was covered with cling wrap, and beside it was a note with my name scrawled on it in Nathan’s handwriting.

I picked up the note, a grin spreading across my face as I read it. Don’t forget to eat, and have a good day.

Simple, but it warmed me to the core.

Nathan had even made coffee. I poured myself a cup, the rich aroma filling the kitchen as I sat down to eat.

As I took a bite of the eggs, I couldn’t help but think about how much I appreciated having Nathan in my life.

It was funny. For the longest time, I was perfectly content being on my own. My life was orderly, predictable, just the way I liked it.

Then Draven and Doyle had to find their mates, making my dragon jealous and restless.

But now? Now I couldn’t imagine coming home to an empty apartment, couldn’t picture my days without Nathan’s laughter, his warmth, his everything.

Maybe fate really had sent me to that ravine for a reason.

I took my time with breakfast, savoring each bite as I let my thoughts drift. Nathan was unlike anyone I’d ever met.

He was kind, thoughtful, and somehow, despite everything he’d been through, he still had this incredible light in him.

I couldn’t help but admire that. And more than that—I couldn’t help but want to protect it, to protect him.

After finishing breakfast, I showered and dressed, feeling more awake and ready to face the day.

I headed out to my truck, driving through the familiar streets of town, the engine’s rumble a comforting background noise.

My first stop was one of the apartment buildings Zane and I owned. We had a few properties in town, our business built on renting them out.

It wasn’t glamorous, but it was steady, and we took pride in taking care of our tenants.

I parked in front of a brick building that had seen better days, but still had a certain charm to it.

The kind of place that attracted artists and creatives who saw the potential in its worn edges.

I walked up to the third floor and knocked on the door of one of our longtime tenants.

The door opened to reveal a man in his mid-thirties, his hair a wild mess of curls, a paint-smeared apron tied around his waist.

“Ivan, hey,” he greeted me with a smile, stepping aside to let me in.

“Hey, Matt,” I replied, stepping into the apartment.

The walls were covered in canvases, some finished, some still works in progress. The air smelled faintly of turpentine and coffee.

“How’s the painting going?” I asked.

Matt chuckled, scratching the back of his head.

“It’s going. Actually, I was hoping to talk to you about extending the lease. I know it’s up for renewal soon, and I really want to stay. This place...it’s got good energy, you know?”

I nodded, already knowing what my answer would be.

“We can definitely work something out. You’ve been here for five years now, right?” I asked him.

“Yeah, hard to believe it’s been that long,” Matt said, his eyes softening as he looked around the room. “This place has been good to me. I’m in the middle of a big project, and moving right now would be a nightmare.”

“No need to worry about that,” I assured him. “We’ll get the paperwork sorted, and you can stay as long as you need.”

Matt’s relief was palpable. “Thanks, Ivan. I really appreciate it.”

After discussing the lease details, I left the apartment, feeling good about helping someone out.

It was a small thing, but it reminded me why Zane and I got into this business in the first place.

It wasn’t just about making money; it was about building a community, about giving people a place to call home.

I drove to the diner where Zane and I were meeting for lunch, the familiar neon sign flickering in the afternoon sun.

I parked and walked inside, spotting Zane at our usual booth near the back.

He was already there, a cup of coffee in hand as he scrolled through something on his phone.

“Hey,” I greeted him, sliding into the booth across from him.

Zane looked up with a smile.

“Hey yourself. How’s the morning been?” Zane asked.

“Busy,” I replied, waving at the waitress as she brought over a menu. “Just came from talking to Matt, the artist tenant. He’s asking for an extension on his rent. No problem there; he’s been with us for five years now.”

“Good,” Zane said, nodding in approval. “Things are going smoothly on my end too. Doyle and Michael just got back from their trip, and it’s been quiet on the black magic users front, thankfully.”

I raised an eyebrow, sipping my coffee as I studied my brother.

“You make it sound like you were expecting trouble,” I said.

Zane shrugged, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

“With our line of work, you never know. But enough about that. Draven mentioned you had company the other day. Said he saw you with a cute omega,” Zane pointed out.

I stiffened slightly, caught off guard. I should have known Draven would mention something.

There was no point in keeping Nathan a secret, and as the lead alpha of our pack, Zane needed to know about him anyway.

I set my coffee down, leaning back in the booth.

“Yeah, that’s Nathan,” I admitted. “I found him in the woods, being hunted by some alpha who thought he could claim him.”

Zane’s expression turned serious.

“That sounds like trouble,” Zane said.

“It was,” I said, my voice hardening at the memory. “But I took care of it. Warned the alpha to stay away from him, and if he doesn’t listen...well, I’ll make sure he won’t be a problem again,” I assured Zane.

Zane nodded, his gaze thoughtful.

“You’ve always been good at protecting what’s yours, Ivan. Just make sure this alpha knows that. We don’t need any more trouble than we already have,” Zane reminded me.

“I will,” I assured him, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on my shoulders. “I’m not letting anyone hurt Nathan. Not ever.”

The conversation shifted to lighter topics, Zane filling me in on the latest pack gossip, but then he dropped a comment that caught me off guard.

“You know, we missed you at the last family BBQ. You should come to the next one...and bring Nathan with you. Introduce him to everyone,” Zane suggested.

I hesitated, the thought of exposing Nathan to the whole pack making me uneasy.

“I don’t know if he’s ready for that yet,” I admitted.

“Maybe not,” Zane agreed, “but think about it. He’s part of your life now, and that means he’s part of the pack, too.”

I nodded slowly, mulling over Zane’s words. He was right, of course.

Nathan was becoming more than just someone I rescued; he was becoming someone I couldn’t imagine my life without.

“Alright,” I answered.

NATHAN

Working at the gas station wasn’t exactly my dream job, but for now, it was something.

It gave me a purpose, a routine to cling to while I figured out my next steps.

I didn’t want to rely on Ivan forever, even though he insisted that I didn’t need to worry about rent.

That was just who Ivan was—strong, dependable, the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back without a second thought.

But I wanted to be worthy of him... worthy of being Ivan’s... what exactly? Were we dating?

It seemed like it, since when we weren’t working, we spent almost all of our free time together.

Still, I needed to prove that I could stand on my own two feet.

I wanted to be someone Ivan could be proud of, not just someone he rescued and took care of.

That’s why I kept taking on these odd jobs, even though Ivan had told me over and over again that I didn’t need to push myself so hard.

As I leaned against the counter, glancing around the empty station, my mind drifted back to the trailer where I used to live with my father.

A wave of anxiety hit me, wondering if my dad had thrown out all my clothes and belongings after I left.

It was inconvenient having to buy new things, but I wasn’t really complaining.

I was still alive, and I found Ivan... but I did want my old stuff back, the things that were familiar and comforting, especially now.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I checked it, expecting some mundane notification, but my heart skipped when I saw Ivan’s name on the screen.

How’s your day going? he texted.

A smile tugged at my lips as I quickly typed a reply. It’s alright. Just waiting for my shift to end. How about you?

The rest of my shift passed more quickly after that, each minute ticking by as I anticipated seeing Ivan.

When it was finally time to clock out, I grabbed my things and headed toward the door, only to stop in surprise when I saw Ivan’s truck parked outside.

He came to pick me up?

The thought cheered me more than I expected, and I felt a rush of warmth spread through my chest as I walked over to the truck and climbed into the passenger seat.

“Hey,” Ivan greeted me with a smile, his eyes softening as he looked at me.

“Hey back,” I replied, unable to keep the grin off my face. I didn’t even try.

“I thought we could grab some dinner before heading home. What do you think?” he asked, his voice as casual as if we did this every day, but there was a certain tension in his gaze, like he was hoping I’d say yes.

“That sounds great,” I agreed, feeling that warmth spread deeper.

We drove in comfortable silence, the kind that didn’t need to be filled with words. It felt so natural, just being with him.

As we pulled up to the diner, a waitress greeted us with a knowing smile.

“Well, if it isn’t Mr. Two Meals a Day,” she teased Ivan, her eyes twinkling with humor.

Ivan chuckled, glancing at me. “I met my brother here for lunch earlier,” he explained.

“Zane, right? The lead alpha?” I recalled the stories Ivan had told me about Zane.

He sounded like an intimidating guy, strong and commanding, the kind of alpha who had everyone’s respect.

“That’s the one,” Ivan confirmed as we slid into a booth. “He’s... intense, but a good guy. He cares about the pack more than anything.”

I nodded, trying to imagine what it must be like to be part of something so structured, so protective.

My mind wandered back to the gas station, and I started telling Ivan about a customer who came in today—a man who insisted on paying with quarters he’d been saving in an old coffee can.

It was a simple story, but Ivan listened with a smile, as if every detail mattered.

When our food arrived, I found myself savoring the moment, the easy conversation, the warmth of Ivan’s presence across the table.

But then, as I took a bite of my burger, something shifted inside me.

I couldn’t stop thinking about my old things, about the trailer, about my dad.

“Ivan,” I said hesitantly, unsure if I should even bring it up.

He looked up, sensing the change in my tone. “Yeah?”

“What do you think about going on a road trip?” I asked, trying to keep my voice light, but I knew he could hear the strain in it.

His brow furrowed slightly. “A road trip?”

“I... I’ve been thinking about my stuff,” I admitted, my fingers playing with the edge of the napkin. “The things I left behind when I... when I left home. I know it’s not much, but some of it... some of it is important to me.”

Ivan nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful.

“You want to go back and get your things,” Ivan said.

“Yeah,” I said, swallowing hard. “But that means facing my dad, and I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”

There it was, the truth that had been gnawing at me since I first thought about going back.

I didn’t just want my stuff. I needed closure.

I needed to face my father, to confront the man who had betrayed me in the worst possible way.

But the idea of seeing him again filled me with dread.

Ivan reached across the table, covering my hand with his. His touch was warm, grounding me, reminding me that I wasn’t alone in this.

“We can go together,” he said, his voice steady and reassuring.

His words sent a wave of relief through me, easing some of the tension that had been building up inside.

But at the same time, I felt a pang of guilt. Ivan had already done so much for me. How could I ask him to do this too?

“You’ve already done so much,” I said quietly, looking down at our joined hands. “I don’t want to be a burden.”

Ivan squeezed my hand, drawing my gaze back to him.

“You’re not a burden, Nathan. I care about you. If this is something you need to do, then I want to be there with you,” Ivan insisted.

Hearing those words, something inside me softened.

The walls I had built around my heart, the ones that had kept me safe for so long, started to crack.

I realized then how much I had come to rely on Ivan, not just for his strength, but for his understanding, his kindness, his unwavering support.

And maybe, just maybe, I was ready to let those walls come down completely.

“Okay,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “Let’s do it. Let’s go back and get my stuff.”

Ivan smiled, a soft, reassuring smile that made my heart skip a beat.

“We’ll do it together,” he promised. “And when we’re done, we’ll leave it all behind. You won’t have to look back ever again.”

I nodded, feeling a sense of determination build within me.

This was the closure I needed, the final step in moving forward with my life.