Page 63 of For the First Time
A few moments later, Everett’s heavy footsteps made their way into the house, the front door finally closing.I was pretty sure he was aware of Oaks and I bonding, most likely from a quick text from Oaks, but that didn’t stop the nerves, like worms, wiggling around in my stomach.
It was different between Atlas and Oaks than between Oaks and Everett.The latter two were alphas.And Everett was technically the de-facto leader of this pack, even if the pack didn’t really follow traditional societal rules.Would Everett be upset that the other alpha had claimed me first?
“I can feel your tension,” Oaks whispered.“Or, make that, your anxiety.It’ll all be fine, darlin.I promise.”
Even so, he clung to me tighter, offering his strength around me like a shield I was happy enough to surround myself in.
Everett didn’t hesitate, seeming to know already that we were in the living room without having to call out for us.His gaze found mine the moment he rounded the foyer.He seemed to take in the way I was leaning against Oaks, the fact that I wasn’t up and cooking, all with an intelligent flick of his gaze.
Unlike Atlas, he didn’t waste time walking around the couch.Everett came to the back, leaning over the cushions to press his forehead against mine, his hand coming to pet the Wilder necklace.“How are you feeling, Babygirl?”
I couldn’t help chuckling at the question.It was apparently the first thing everyone wanted to know about me.“I’m good.”
Everett’s fingers gently traced over the bandage on my thigh before sliding higher, just barely cupping my core.“And here?Any soreness?”
My cheeks heated even as my lower abdomen clenched, a spark of pain making me flinch.
“Yes, I can see you are.You should have an icepack.Have you taken anything to help with the pain?”
“I’m not that bad.”
He gave me a look that blatantly said he didn’t believe me.“I’ll get you something.Want water to swallow it down?”
“Sure, thank you.”
He kissed my forehead and then disappeared into the kitchen.I let out a breath, relaxing even more into Oaks.
Just like I told Atlas it would, it only took a few minutes for the steaks to be ready.Everett helped to pull out all the other dishes but rather than set up in the dining space, Everett and Atlas made their way to the living room where Oaks and I were, setting everything on the half-table.
“What are you doing?”My question was for either Everett or Atlas.It didn’t matter since they both seemed to be on the same page.I just didn’t know which book they were in.
“We’re going to eat in here tonight,” Everett said.
“I can—”
Oaks cut me off.“Sh, darlin.No back talk.”
“I’m not back talking.Steak is just hard to eat on the couch.”
Everyone seemed to pause for a moment to consider my words.
“I’ll cut all the strips into bite sizes.”Atlas took the plate of steak back into the kitchen.
Oaks and I did have to separate since he would not be able to eat if I was leaning back against him, but he just moved so he was sitting beside me on the couch, our bodies so close that our thighs were touching.Everett chose to sit on the ground, one of my legs draped over his shoulder as he used the half table.My plate was balancing on a pillow in my lap while Oaks was content to put his food in a bowl and eat it like that.When Atlas came back with the steak bites, dishing out portions for everyone, he sat on my other side, completely unbothered by the struggle of not eating at a table.
We had barely started eating when a phone began ringing.
Everett pulled out his.“Not mine.”
“Not mine,” Oaks echoed.
Atlas got up, easily unfolding himself from the couch.“Where’s your phone, pet?”
“Uh, kitchen, I think.”
It was indeed my phone.And it was Hannah.“Hey—”
“Eve, are you seeing this?”
