CHAPTER 202: PLANS FOR HOLIDAYS

Evaline:

Wrapped in Oscar’s arms, I felt the quiet pulse of our shared heartbeat. His fingertips were gently tracing circles on my back as he whispered, "Are you okay, love? Any pain or discomfort?"

I shook my head, settling deeper into the warmth of his embrace. "Honestly... I feel... incredible. I’m perfectly fine, so stop worrying."

Though my body was aching a little, it was in the best way. And somehow, I knew the baby was perfectly fine just like me.

A soft, relieved exhale of air escaped him at my words. Once I felt him truly convinced, I whispered, "I think I need to freshen up."

He nodded and pointed toward the bathroom. "Take your time. I can help if-"

I smiled softly, earning a playful smirk from him. "I’m good."

No sooner had I closed the door behind me than I heard the faint rustle of sheets being replaced. I took my time washing up and cleaning myself. When I emerged moments later, I found hi. back on the newly made bed, clad only in pants and still shirtless.

He smiled up at me and patted the mattress beside him. I stepped forward, pulling on his bathrobe I had found in the bathroom - it smelled faintly of him, and the soft fabric felt comforting against my warm, slightly-sore skin.

"Why did you ruin the bed again?" I teased, sitting beside him. "Shouldn’t we go back out to the living room?"

He slid an arm around me and pulled me close. "Because when I lie down here later tonight, I want these sheets... this room... to smell like you. I want every breath to remind me of you." His voice was a hushed promise, filling me with emotion.

I curled into him as he draped the blanket over both of us. Around us, the warmth from the heater was gentle against the biting cold outside. A lavender-scented candle was flickering on the small bedside table, casting a soft glow. In the background, I recognized the low, rhythmic patter of rain – a carefully chosen ambient track Oscar had set up to calm our senses. Everything was serene, intimate, perfect.

We lay there, and for the next forty minutes, time seemed to slow.

He pressed soft kisses to my hairline. We spoke quietly about nothing and everything – about my classes and his, my day at work, and our plans for upcoming holidays.

His schedule for the rest of the month was packed. He had another set of trials for coming week, then he had to attend the Winter Solistice Ball, then the Christmas, and finally the Nightshade Pack’s Alpha selection ceremony before he would be returning to the Academy as the holidays would come to an end.

Me, on the other hand, barely had much planned. I had my classes before holidays began coming weekend. Winter Solistice Ball was out of the option. Since I had no family to return to during holidays, I would be staying at the Academy. But before the end of holidays, I had to important events to attend - first, Nightshade Pack’s Alpha selection ceremony on the 28th, and second, Mallory’s birthday on the 30th.

When I revealed my plan of staying at the Academy during holidays, I noticed the way his smile disappeared and his eyes darkened. But he quickly schooled his expression and leaned in for a kiss.

Our lips met, soft at first, then deeper, more certain. There was a sweetness to it that had me moaning into it. I felt every brush of his fingertips across my skin, every brush of his breath. This time together was like a lullaby, like catching our breath in a chaotic world. With him here, I felt calm, cherished, safe.

When we finally ended the kiss, we both broke out into big smiles.

I opened my mouth to ask him about his tattoo that was covering most of his left chest and shoulder, when my phone buzzed suddenly.

The soft vibration from the bedside table made me realize just how thoughtful my mate was that he grabbed my phone from living room and placed it on the bedside table.

I reached for the phone and unlocked it, finding a message from Mallory.

Mallory: Hey, we are leaving the cafe - arriving at the Academy in 15. Where are you?

I turned my attention to my mate, suppressing a contented sigh. "My friends are on their way back. I told them I would meet at the dining hall."

He brushed a strand of hair from my face. "Take your time getting ready. I’ll guide you through the tunnels."

A pang of reluctance tugged at me - the urge to stay, to breathe in this moment forever - but I knew I needed to return to my friends.

"We still have couple of minutes though," I said softly and leaned forward to place my lips against his. And he welcomed me eagerly.

Ten minutes later, Oscar climbed out of the bed and held out a hand. I took it and stood too, pressing a final kiss to his shirtless chest.

I got dressed and combed my hair. Once I was ready, he guided me out of the apartment and down the hallway before we slipped inside the secret passageway.

"This tunnel opens up in the library building, right behind that big witch portrait up by the far north corner." He explained as he guided me through the darkness.

Once we arrived there, he immediately pulled me into his arms and pressed a light kiss to my cheek. "Stay safe, Love."

A smile bloomed across my lips. "Always."

We shared a lingering kiss before I pushed the portrait open, stepping out of the secret passage and into the dark corner of the library where everything was covered in dust and cobwebs.

I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and made my way out of the library and toward the dining hall to find my friends to have a nice dinner with them.

My heart was full with love and warmth, and I had a feeling that I was radiating from head to toe. I just hoped I wouldn’t make my friends suspicious. But I should have known better.