Chapter 21 - Evan

Mia is working herself into the ground, and she needs a break. I've spent the past few weeks watching her run from one place to another, and even though I appreciate her enthusiasm and her hard work, there's no way she can keep this pace up. She needs a night off. A night to relax and enjoy herself.

The first step is convincing her.

"Absolutely not," she says. "I've got too much to do. The orphanage needs a good scrub down, and the warehouse has a new order that just came in. Plus, we need to start preparing for the winter months. There's so much work to do, and if we don't get a head start now, then everything will fall apart."

"It'll all fall apart if you take one night off? One single night?"

She sighs, her shoulders sagging. "Maybe."

"Come on," I chuckle. "All I'm asking is one night out on the town. Dinner, maybe a movie and some drinks. Not a big deal."

"Are you asking me on a date, Evan?" The corner of her mouth quirks, and she arches a brow.

"Well, technically, we're already mated, so a date is a bit redundant. But yeah, that's what I'm asking."

"I'd love to go on a date with you, but—"

"No buts." I hold up a hand. "We'll go, we'll have fun, and we'll relax. We can't help anyone if we're dead on our feet."

She gives me a look, and I can see the war going on in her mind. She wants to say yes, but she also doesn't want to let me win.

"If you don't come with me willingly, I'll have no choice but to toss you over my shoulder and drag you out of here."

"You wouldn't."

"I would."

"Okay." She rolls her eyes. "Fine. I'll go, but can I get changed first? I've got paint all over my jeans, and my hair's a mess."

"Of course. Meet me in the truck in thirty."

She nods, then turns and walks back toward the house. I can't help but stare at her ass as she goes. God, that woman is sexy.

In truth, this isn't just for her. I can't remember the last time I went out for a night of fun. I've been so busy, so wrapped up in the day-to-day stuff that I've hardly had time to think, much less do something fun.

I walk back to the house, catching a glimpse of Mia through the window. She's changing her clothes, exposed to the night in nothing but her bra and underwear, showing a strip of her smooth stomach. Her breasts are full and heavy, and her nipples are hard, poking through her bra. I can feel the heat rushing through me, the desire, and it's all I can do not to burst through the door and rip her clothes off.

Instead, I turn and walk to the truck, forcing myself not to think about her half-naked body. Inside, I wait.

When she comes out, I can't help but stare. Her hair is down and loose, falling over her shoulders, and she's wearing a sundress that accentuates her curves. Her legs are bare, the hem falling just above her knees. Her feet are in a pair of sandals, and she has a purse slung over her shoulder.

"Sorry it took me so long," she says.

"No problem. You look gorgeous."

"Thanks." She smiles, and it lights up her entire face.

She climbs into the truck, and I drive us into town. It's a clear night, and the stars are out. I roll the windows down, letting the summer evening breeze blow through the cab. Mia's hair is flying around her face. She laughs as she tries to brush it out of the way.

We drive into town, find a parking spot, and then get out and walk down the street. The sidewalks are crowded, and there's a buzz of energy in the air. There are people everywhere, forcing us to push our way through the throngs of bodies. We stop at a few shops, browsing the wares and checking out the latest fashions. We pass a few bars, and I can hear the music thumping inside. Green Lake is a party town at night. There's always something going on.

"This is nice," Mia says, taking my hand. "I don't think I've ever seen Green Lake so lively."

"It's always like this when the sun goes down."

"Do you come here a lot?"

"Not really," I admit. "I used to, but lately, I've been so focused on keeping everyone fed and sheltered that I've hardly had time for anything else."

"It must be hard, being the alpha."

"It can be," I say. "But it's also a privilege. Being able to protect and provide for my pack is a responsibility I take seriously."

"You're a good leader." She squeezes my hand as we walk a little farther, and then we see the line outside the steakhouse. It's a popular place, and it's packed on the weekends. I know it's not fancy, but the food is amazing. I want to treat Mia to a nice dinner.

For anyone else, that would mean at least a forty-five minute wait, but I'm the alpha. That means I don't wait.

I flash my teeth at the hostess, and she practically trips over herself, trying to find us a table. After we're shown to a booth in the back, our server appears a moment later, dropping off menus and taking our drink orders.

"The food is great here," I tell Mia once we're alone again. "This is about as fancy as it gets in Green Lake. If you're looking for gourmet food, we'll have to drive an hour."

"No, this is perfect. I'm not much of a fancy person, anyway."

"Good. Neither am I."

Our drinks arrive, and we place our food orders. The restaurant is loud, and we have to lean in to hear each other.

"So, tell me something about yourself," I say after I take a drink of my whiskey.

"What do you want to know?"

"Everything. Tell me about your life, about your childhood. Your world back in Stardust Hollow." I wince as the words come out of my mouth.

I've been trying hard to not think about the circumstances of how she came to Green Lake, but it's always in the back of my mind. There's not a day that goes by that I don't wonder when they're going to come looking for her. There's no way they haven't noticed she's missing, and it's only a matter of time before they find out where she is.

"Stardust Hollow was..." She pauses and then shakes her head. "Stardust Hollow is a good place. A great place, really. Our pack is large and strong, and Ram and Daniel are good leaders. They're fair, and they take care of everyone."

"How did you end up with them? Did you grow up in the pack?"

"I did, but I can't say I ever really felt like I fit in. I don't know, it's hard to explain. Like I've always been searching for something, and I never quite found it." Mia takes a sip of her wine, her eyes going distant.

"Whatever that is, I hope you can find it here," I say, and I mean it. It's difficult for me to imagine her having difficulty finding her place, but maybe it's because she has fit in so well here. She's been an invaluable asset, and not a day goes by that I don't appreciate her skills and her company. The idea that others would have difficulty accepting her or would make her feel like an outsider is unfathomable.

"I think I'm starting to," she admits. "I just wish I could see my brother or my sister. I bet my sister has had her baby by now. It's hard not knowing."

"We can't risk sending a letter," I remind her. "They would know exactly where you are, and they'd come for you. That could start a war, Mia. A war that would put a lot of lives in danger. A war I can't guarantee we would win."

"I know. I understand the risks, but it doesn't make it any easier. I just want to talk to my family. I miss them so much."

The look on her face nearly breaks me, and I know I can't keep her locked away. I can't keep her a secret from the world or from her family. She's too good, too kind, and too strong. I don't want to be the one who takes those things away from her forever.

"I'll figure something out," I promise. Though I have no idea what.

When our food comes, the conversation changes, and we talk about lighter topics. She tells me about her brother, and I tell her about growing up in Green Lake. We laugh, and we have a good time. By the time the check comes, I'm feeling like a new man. A happy man.

We pay the bill and leave. As we're walking out of the restaurant, I reach for her hand, and she lets me hold onto it as we stroll down the sidewalk. Things between us feel more natural, more intimate, and I can't believe how fast she's been able to get under my skin. It's not just her looks, though she's gorgeous, and not just her body, though it's damn near perfect. It's the little things, the things I can't name or define. The way her laugh sounds like music, the way her smile can light up a room. The way she works harder than anyone else I've ever met.

"Thank you," she says as we walk.

"For what?"

"Tonight. It was just what I needed. A night to forget about everything. It was nice to pretend the world wasn't going crazy for a while."

"Well, the night's not over yet. I have one more surprise for you."

"Evan..." she starts, but I hold up a hand, stopping her.

"I know, I know. But this is a good surprise, I promise."

After I lead her back to the truck, she hops in, and I start driving off the beaten path. It's a ten-minute drive, but the location is worth the trip.

When we get there, I park and get out, opening her door and helping her down before dropping the tailgate and lifting her into the bed of the truck.

"Where are we?" she asks. But then she sees the view, and her mouth falls open.

The stars are out, the moon is full, and the sky is alive with light. From this angle, the entire town is below us. It's a sea of twinkling lights, stretching out as far as the eye can see. As she takes in the sight, I pull a blanket out from inside the cab and lay it out, then climb into the bed of the truck and join her.

"Wow," she breathes. "It's beautiful."

"I've always loved this place," I tell her. "It's been my refuge for years. I come here when I need to clear my head or just have some time to myself."

"I can see why."

She scoots closer, and we lie back on the blanket, watching the stars. I've spent a lot of time out here, and it's the first time I've had company. There's something different about having Mia with me. Something exciting.

She rests her head on my shoulder, and I wrap an arm around her, pulling her close. Her scent fills the air. I take a deep breath, breathing her in. My body reacts, and I feel myself stiffen. I want her, and I can't keep it a secret. Not from her, and not from myself.

I turn to face her, and she looks up at me. Her eyes are shining in the moonlight, and I can't hold myself back any longer. I press my lips to hers. She kisses me back, her tongue parting my lips and searching for mine. Her hands slide over my chest, and she pushes me onto my back before climbing on top of me, straddling my waist. When she kisses me again, I feel her hands fumbling with the button of my jeans.

She frees my cock, and I groan as her hand closes around my shaft. Mia strokes me, her thumb swiping over the tip, spreading the pre-cum over the head. I'm aching for her. I grab her ass, squeezing her cheeks. When she leans down, her lips finding mine, I can feel the heat between her legs pressing against me.

She rocks her hips, rubbing her clit on the shaft of my cock through the fabric of her panties, and I grip her tighter, guiding her. She moans, the sound going right to my dick, making it even harder.

I reach down, pushing her panties aside and sliding two fingers into her pussy. She's wet and tight. When she arches her back and grinds her hips, her ass presses against my cock.

I pull my fingers out, grab her waist, and flip her over so that she's on her back. Climbing on top of her, I pin her to the bed of the truck. I push her dress up, exposing her panties, and then I slide a finger into her, watching her face. She's got her eyes closed, her mouth falling open, and she's biting her lip. Her breasts are heaving with her hard breaths. I add a second finger, fucking her with my hand.

"Evan," she groans, and the sound of my name on her lips is the sweetest thing I've ever heard.

Her dress is bunched up around her waist. I pull my fingers out of her and grab her panties, pulling them off and tossing them aside. I slide her dress up even further, exposing her breasts, and I cup them, kissing the sensitive flesh. When I suck one nipple into my mouth, she arches her back, pushing her hips up and pressing against me.

My pants are still unbuttoned, and she slides her hands into them, pushing them down my thighs and freeing my cock. I kick them off, and I'm so hard it hurts. When she reaches down and wraps her hand around my cock again, I growl, my body tense with need. I want her, and I can't wait any longer.

I position the tip of my cock at her entrance, and she grabs my waist, urging me forward. When I sink into her, we both moan, and I pause, enjoying the sensation of her wrapped around me. She's wet and tight, and so fucking warm. I thrust forward, and her muscles contract, squeezing me. I start to move, fucking her hard and fast, and she digs her nails into my back, pulling me closer. She lifts her hips, meeting my thrusts as we move together, our bodies in perfect rhythm.

The sounds of her moans fill the air, my grunts echoing in the darkness. We're surrounded by nature, and we're alone, so there's nothing but the sound of our bodies moving together and the scent of our arousal. She's so fucking hot, her skin slick with sweat, and as I drive into her, her cries become louder and louder.

She's close, and so am I. I thrust deeper, hitting her g-spot. Her breathing grows ragged, and she throws her head back, her entire body shuddering as she comes. When her orgasm hits, it's all I can do to stay inside her; it feels like her pussy is trying to milk my cock.

I hold out, waiting for her to ride out the waves, and when she's done, I let myself go. I fuck her hard and fast, and when my orgasm explodes through my body, I lose control, my movements jerky and wild. My seed spills into her, and we come together, our bodies and souls melded as one.

We lie there for a moment, and then she rolls off of me. I pull her into my arms, holding her. Neither of us speaks, but we don't have to. The connection between us is palpable, and it's so intense, so powerful, that I can't believe I've been able to ignore it for this long. She's my mate, and not just in name. I know it with every fiber of my being.

Mia snuggles into me, her face pressed against my chest. I run a hand through her hair, savoring the moment. If I lost her, if Stardust Hollow came and took her away, I'm not sure what I'd do. My body and my soul crave her, and the thought of being without her is too much to bear.

I'm just going to have to make sure that doesn't happen.

I'm not stupid enough to believe Ram will just let this rest. He's going to come for his packmate. It's only a matter of time.

When we get home, I'm going to call Rafe and tell him to increase security around the area. If Stardust Hollow manages to trace her to me and find her here, I need to be ready. Ready to fight for my right to keep my wife and my mate.