12. Mika

MIKA

I'm not sure at what point I fell asleep, but when I wake up on the couch, I'm wrapped in my soft blanket and I'm alone. No Silas. Sitting up, I stretch my arms above my head, looking out the window at the fading light. Jeez, I've slept the day away. But I guess that's what happens when you finally feel safe—even if safety is with a biker who's also a wolf.

I pad over to the kitchen, eyes scanning for any sign of Silas. The place is eerily quiet, the kind that makes your skin prickle. On the counter, I spot a note scrawled in messy handwriting:

Had to deal with some club business. Food's on the stove. Be back soon. S

I can"t help but smile at the note, even though it"s a little cryptic. ‘Club business' probably means something straight out of a Sons of Anarchy episode. I shudder. I hope it doesn"t involve too much blood…

Lifting the lid of the pot, I peek inside and find an actual meal—stew, maybe? It smells heavenly, and my stomach growls in response.

I ladle myself a bowl, noting how domestic this all feels. It"s almost laughable. Me, playing house with a biker wolf. But damn, does it taste good. I sit back down at the table, savoring the warm broth as it slides down my throat.

As I eat, my mind wanders to Silas. The way he holds himself, that fierce protectiveness in his eyes whenever he looks at me. He's like a grizzled knight, minus the armor but with a roaring Harley instead. And those tattoos—geez, do they tell a story or what? The guy"s practically an anthology of badassery.

I'm midway through my bowl when the hair on the back of my neck prickles, and next thing I know, Silas is standing in the doorway. His boots are silent, but his presence? Not so much. It's like I can feel him whenever he's near. And I wonder if that's part of that bond he was talking about earlier.

"Hey," I mutter through a mouthful of stew.

He grins, a lopsided smirk that somehow makes him look even more rugged. "Hey yourself," he replies, striding into the kitchen with that effortless grace that comes from years of dodging trouble. He takes a moment to wash his hands at the sink, the sound of running water punctuating the silence between us.

"So…club business?" I raise an eyebrow, trying to read him.

"Yeah." He shrugs, drying his hands on a towel. "Just had to remind some folks about the importance of keeping their word." There"s a glint in his eyes—a mix of amusement and something darker.

I can"t help but laugh, though it comes out more like a snort. "You say that like it"s a walk in the park. What"d you do, bake them cookies?"

Silas chuckles, low and throaty. "Not quite. More like a friendly chat with some colorful language thrown in." He grabs a bowl from the cupboard and serves himself some of the stew. I watch him move around the kitchen like he owns the place. It"s oddly comforting, like he"s staking a claim on this domestic scene we've got going.

"So," he starts, spooning stew into his mouth with deliberate slowness. "I don't really know how to ask this without being blunt, so I'll just come out with it."

"Please do."

"How are you feeling about the fact you're a fated mate to a wolf shifter?"

"Wolf shifter. Is that what you prefer to be called?"

He nods. "It is."

I set down my spoon, feeling the weight of his question settling in the air between us. "Well," I begin, trying to keep my voice steady, "it"s not exactly something you prepare for, you know? They don"t teach "What To Do When You Find Out Your Soulmate"s a Wolf Shifter" in school."

Silas laughs, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. "Yeah, I imagine that's not in the curriculum."

"But seriously," I continue, "it's…a lot." I gesture vaguely, encompassing all the craziness of my life. "Stalker. On the run. And now this whole wolf shifter thing on top."

He nods, setting his bowl down and leaning against the counter, arms crossed. "Yeah, it's a lot. And I get it if you"re freaking out." His eyes soften, giving me a rare glimpse of the vulnerability he hides behind that tough exterior.

"I"d be lying if I said I wasn't," I admit. "But it"s more than just the wolf thing. It"s everything that my life has become. The constant running, looking over my shoulder every second. It's like—I don't know—living in a horror movie where I'm that character who's always falling down."

Silas steps closer, his presence filling the small room. "You're no damsel in distress, Mika. You've been handling all this on your own like a badass."

I snort, shaking my head. "Yeah, right. Badass Mika, always ready to trip over her own feet at the worst possible moment." I roll my eyes, but there"s a small smile tugging at my lips.

Silas reaches out, and for a moment I think he"s going to pull me into one of amazing hugs he gives. Instead, he gently lifts my chin with his fingers, forcing me to look him in the eye. His touch is warm and grounding, a stark contrast to the chaos swirling in my mind.

"You're stronger than you think," he says, his voice low but steady. "And you don't have to do this alone anymore."

I feel a strange mix of relief and uncertainty wash over me. "I know," I admit in a whisper. "And even though I'm still processing the fact you're a wolf shifter, I still want you to know that I've never felt as safe as I do when I'm with you. It's kind of why I haven't taken off yet. I trust you."

He blinks, surprise flickering across his face before it settles into something softer, almost tender. "Trust me, huh? That"s a big deal coming from you," he murmurs, his thumb brushing my cheek lightly before he pulls back.

I clear my throat, desperate to break the tension that's suddenly thickening the air. "Don"t get a big head about it," I quip, standing up and bumping the table with my hip. Classy.

Silas chuckles. "Wouldn"t dream of it."

He collects our finished bowls and starts rinsing them off in the sink. The mundane action, so ordinary in its simplicity, feels surreal amid the storm of my life. I watch him for a moment, appreciating the way his shoulders move under his shirt and the flex of his muscular arms. It's oddly comforting, like watching calm waves on a turbulent sea.

When he finishes, he dries off his hands again and starts for the door.

"Wait. You're leaving again?"

"I'm just stepping outside for a bit," he says, voice soft. "You look like you could use some space to think without my big head crowding the room." He winks, and I can't help but scoff.

"I'll be here if you need me," he adds, opening the door and giving me one last reassuring look before he steps out onto the porch. The door creaks as it swings shut behind him, leaving me alone in the living area.

I take a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. The small space suddenly feels enormous and empty without Silas"s presence. My mind is a whirlpool of emotions, each one pulling me in a different direction. Part of me wants to scream, to tear down these walls and run until my legs give out. Another part longs for the safety that Silas seems to embody, even if his world is just as chaotic as mine.

The quiet of the room presses in, and it"s almost stifling. I pace for a bit, my feet beating out a restless rhythm on the worn wooden floor. Every creak underfoot seems amplified in the silence, each sound an echo of my own fragmented thoughts.

I edge toward the window, peeking through the thin curtains to catch a glimpse of Silas. The porch light casts a warm glow, illuminating his silhouette as he settles onto the wooden steps. He's got something in his hands—looks like a piece of wood and a small knife. Whittling? Seriously? Who even does that anymore?

Apparently, Silas O"Hagan does. And damn if it isn"t kind of... charming.

Unable to stay still any longer, I make my way to the door, the ancient hinges groaning in protest as I push it open.

Silas looks up, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Couldn"t stay away from my big head, huh?"

I roll my eyes but can"t help the small smile that sneaks its way onto my face. "Don"t flatter yourself. The silence in there was just unnerving."

He nods and pats the step next to him. "Come on, sit. There"s plenty of space out here for two big heads."

I sit beside him, keeping a respectable distance, but close enough to feel his presence.

The quiet hum of the crickets fills the gaps between our breaths. For a moment, it"s peaceful—like the eye of a storm. Silas works his knife through the wood with a practiced ease, small curls falling to the ground between his boots.

"What are you making?" I ask, genuinely curious. It"s not every day you see a biker whittling on a porch.

He glances at me, a flicker of amusement in those piercing blue eyes. "Just a little project. Keeps my hands busy, my mind focused."

"Can I see?" Silas holds up the piece of wood, revealing an almost complete carving of a wolf. It's detailed and intricate, the lines smooth and precise. "Wow," I breathe, reaching out to take it. "That's actually really good."

He chuckles, setting the knife aside and turning his attention to me. "Glad you approve."

I look up from studying the tiny wolf and meet his gaze. "Last night, when you were a wolf and I spoke to you…what was going through your head?"

Silas leans back, his gaze distant. "Mostly trying to figure out if you were crazy or just brave as hell," he says with a half-smile. "Talking to a giant wolf like it"s no big deal."

I laugh, a short burst of sound that feels honest. "I guess a little of both. You weren"t exactly the scariest thing I"ve had to face."

He raises an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? What"s scarier than the big bad wolf?"

I bite my lip, hesitating. The truth is too raw, too real for this fleeting moment of calm, but I say it anyway. "Spending the rest of my life scared and alone."

Silas"s eyes soften, the playful edge fading. "Yeah, I get that," he says quietly. "Fear"s a hell of a thing to live with."

For a beat, we just sit there, the weight of shared understanding hanging between us. It"s funny—I"ve spent so long running from people, but here I am, finding solace with a man who morphs into a creature most would flee from. Life is ironic like that.

"So, that's what you've been doing that every night?" I ask after a while, my voice soft. "Turning into a wolf and sleeping in the forest to watch over me?"

He nods, his expression serious. "I didn't really sleep much, but yes. I was watching over you."

"Why?" I ask, even though I already know the answer.

"Because you're my mate," he says simply, his eyes locking onto mine.

I swallow hard, my heart pounding in my chest. "How did you know? Did you dream about me the way I did you? Did you just feel it?"

He shakes his head. "I knew by your scent. It's unique, intoxicating. It drew me to you."

I frown, processing his words. "So what, you were just riding along and you caught my scent and followed it?"

He hesitates, then takes a deep breath. "Not exactly." He clears his throat, looking away for a second before locking eyes with me again. "Henry hired me to find you."

My heart stops beating and I feel a cold chill run down my spine. "What?" I'm instantly on my feet, trying to put distance in between us.

"Mika, listen to me," he says quickly, reaching out to take my hand, but I flinch away.

"No," I snap, stepping back further. "You've got to be kidding me. Henry? The psychopath who's been ruining my life? You were working for him this whole time?"

Silas stands too, his hands up in a gesture of surrender. "It's not like that. He didn't tell me everything. Just gave me some bullshit story about a missing person."

I bark out a humorless laugh. "Of course he did. And you believed him?"

"No. Not for a second."

His words hang in the air, and I try to wrap my head around them. "So why take the job, then? Why even come looking for me?"

He sighs, running a hand through his tousled hair. "Because I wanted to find out the truth. And when I did, I switched sides. You don't know this, but I've been protecting you from the moment that guy showed me your photos."

I narrow my eyes. "Protecting me?" I stare at him, my mind racing. "Silas, you knew who I was. What I was running from. And you lied about it!"

His jaw clenches, and he steps closer, his blue eyes boring into mine. "I had to. If you knew who sent me here, you'd have bolted. And if I wasn't the one who took the job, Henry would've just gone and hired someone else. Then you"d be in more danger than you already were. But the truth is, Mika, whether you were my mate or not, I was never going to hand you over to him. Devil's Pack doesn't abide by the mistreatment of women or children—which is probably why Henry made up that bullshit story about you being his missing wife when he met with me and another member. And you can ask Kade if you need to. He'll tell you that the plan was always to find and help you. It was just a bonus that it turned out you're my mate."

I blink, trying to process his words. My head is a mess of confusion, anger, and something else I don't want to name. "Your mate?" The sarcasm drips from my voice. "How convenient."

Silas shakes his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Convenient? More like a cosmic complication, if you ask me," he says. "But yeah, my mate. The one person the universe decided I should protect and cherish. And as messy as it makes this, I can"t ignore it. You're stuck with me now, Mika. You can hate me, you can yell at me, you can run from me, but I"ll always find you. I'll always protect you. Because that's what mates do."

I cross my arms, trying to mask the shiver that runs through me. "Sounds more like a stalker"s anthem than a romantic declaration."

He chuckles softly, the sound almost comforting if I wasn't so damn angry. "Maybe it is," he admits, his posture relaxing. "But it"s the truth. Look, I get that trust isn"t exactly high on your list right now. You"ve been burned, chased, and lied to. Hell, I'm not exactly scoring points here myself. But, like it or not, I"ve got your back. Always."

I bite my lip, feeling the war inside me. Part of me wants to throw myself into his arms and believe every word he says. Another part wants to punch him in the face and run far, far away.

"I just…I don't know what to think anymore," I whisper, my voice trembling. "This is all just…It's too much."

Silas steps closer, and I don"t back away this time. It"s like he"s a magnet, and I"m the idiot piece of metal who"s forgotten how to resist. "I know it"s a lot. You"re dealing with more than anyone should have to. But you don"t have to do it alone anymore. I'm here for you, Mika. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. To make sure Henry never gets near you again." He reaches out, his fingers brushing against my arm, and a jolt of electricity shoots through me. Damn it. Why does his touch make me feel things I can"t afford to feel?

I try to ignore the warmth spreading from where he touched me. Focus, Mika. There's no room for distractions. "And what if you can"t?" I challenge, my voice sharper than intended. "What if Henry"s smarter, faster? What if he gets to me while you're taking care of club business, or whatever it is you do?"

Silas"s eyes darken, and a fierceness ignites in them that sends a shiver down my spine. "Then I"ll hunt him down and make him pay for every second of hell he's put you through."

His words hang in the air like a promise carved in stone. I can't help but stare at him, this rugged knight on a steel horse vowing to defend my fractured honor. It's almost laughable if it didn't make my heart flutter in a way that feels dangerously close to hope.

I take a deep, shuddering breath. "I want to believe you, Silas. I really do. But trust doesn't come easy for me anymore."

He nods, his eyes softening. "I know. And I'm willing to earn it, one step at a time."

We stand there in silence for a moment, the night air cool against my skin. Despite everything, there's a strange sense of peace between us. Maybe it"s the bond he talked about, or maybe it"s just the fact that for the first time in a long while, I feel like I'm not facing this alone.

"I need some time," I say finally, my voice barely above a whisper.

Silas steps back, giving me the space I need. "I understand. I'll be close by if you need me."

With that, he turns and heads into the woods. I watch him go, his silhouette blending into the shadows until I can no longer see him. A moment later, a large black wolf emerges from the trees, his eyes glowing in the moonlight. He looks at me for a long moment before turning and disappearing into the forest.

I stumble back into the cabin, my mind reeling. Why does everything about him make me feel like I'm teetering on the edge of something I can't quite grasp? I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. But it's no use. I'm a mess.