CHAPTER 204: BUYING PRESENTS

Evaline:

The brass bell above the store door tinkled softly as I stepped into the cozy gift store with Draven. His fingers were twined around mine, and my heart was fluttering with that familiar warmth that comes from being with your mate

We moved down the aisles as bright lights danced off colorful packages. Everyone around us seemed happy, festive... even the shopkeeper, a kindly older woman humming holiday tunes. It struck me how different this was from the world of shifters, packs, politics, and secret tunnels. Right now, it felt like a haven.

It was Sunday evening and we were back in the human city we visited previous weekend with Oscar.

When Draven called me earlier this morning to discuss our plan for the evening, I told him about my plan of buying Christmas presents for my friends.

Since holidays were starting from coming weekend, today was perfect for buying the presents. And fortunately, Draven was more than happy to accompany me spend our date night shopping for presents.

Since River was at the headquarters, we met at Ravenden Town instead of him coming to pick me from HQ as we didn’t want his brother to notice him. Also, Ravenden was quite far from the Academy unlike Lakeshire and Willowcross towns, so the probability of us coming across students from the Academy there was also very low.

And now, we were finally here - in the bustling human city that was covered in snow, christmas vibes, and festive mood.

As walking around for a while, I pulled Draven toward the first display shelf that was overflowing with cute and quirky items. "Let’s start with Mallory," I murmured as my eye caught a pristine white ceramic mug, engraved with a dainty flower wreath and in its centre was etched "I’m My Best Version" in soft rose gold.

I turned it over, realizing just how well it suited Mallory’s personality. "This."

Draven smiled and held the mug along with the other present I had already purchased from a store at the starting of the street. "Why two gifts for her though?" He asked, sounding curious.

"It’s her birthday on the 30th," I said while I weaved through the aisles, "This mug is her Christmas present and the set from earlier is her birthday present."

I had bought a set of three newly launched lip tints of Mallory’s favorite makeup brand, knowing that she’s gonna love them.

Moments later, my eyes caught the sight of a beautiful friend‑charms bracelet. It had tiny silver moons and stars dangling from a leather band. But what really made it special was the words carved on the only full moon dangling from it - "Best Brother".

It immediately reminded me of Rowan. If there was one person who had always watched over me, it was him. I imagined him wearing it and it made me smile, a reaction Draven caught immediately.

"He does seem like a great big brother," he said while brushing his fingers over the bracelet, "I’m sure he will love it."

Next, I picked a sleek oil diffuser in soft grey, plus a trio of calming scents - lavender, eucalyptus, and forest pine. This one was for Kyros as he once mentioned about his interest into aromatherapy. This could help him relax during stressful days or nights that the coming Academy months were about to bring.

Noah’s gift was practical but thoughtful - a waterproof portable speaker. He always had music playing, but his old one nearly drowned during shower last week. Now he could safely bring his soundtrack everywhere.

For Selene, whose dorm soaked in herbal scents and tended pots, I picked a rare potted plant - an airy string-of-pearls succulent in a charming white pot inscribed with a beautiful quote. I knew she would adore it.

Ria’s gift was on the creative side - a personalized notebook, leather-bound. To make it more personal, I got her initials embossed in gold on it at the payment counter. That girl was into DIY stuff and she had a couple of diaries filled with those.

Each item felt like a piece of me, tied to something I had noticed or learned about them.

I also grabbed chocolate and cookie gift sets for everyone, including Kyros and Noah’s other two dormmates.

After paying for everything, we returned to Draven’s car and loaded everything in the trunk. Then, I turned to him.

"Please wait here, I’ll be back in a while," I said, leaning close and pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. He gave me a teasing bow and said, "Princess."

I made my way to a certain store I noticed before. It was a boutique that carried luxurious knits and cool accessories. I found an impossibly soft cashmere scarf in dark chocolate brown. It felt like silk to the touch, and the rich color made it stand out in the best way possible.

It smelled faintly of cocoa. Maybe it was from the dye or some hidden ingredient, but I inhaled deeply and knew... this was it. My mind pictured Oscar wearing it and immediately bought it.

But I wasn’t done. That cocoa smell made me come up with another idea. So, I entered a perfume store next. It took me a while but I finally found that mini perfume bottle - the exact version of my mom’s treasured scent. If there was one scent I was attached to in my whole life, one that made me feel grounded, it was this one.

I smiled as I got the scarf and the perfume packed together as a gift set.

Next, I stumbled on pairs of baby-blue couple sweaters embroidered with "My Love." One for me, one for Draven - they fit our shared warmth and gentle teasing. I imagined us lounging together in these.

At another store, I bought really cute looking soft star-shaped fairy lights, and finally a leather keychain shaped like a wolf’s paw.

Finally, my gaze landed on a sleek pen set in the stationer’s corner. It had deep blue lacquer with silver accents. This felt just right for Kieran, who brought discipline and calm. I could picture him holding it thoughtfully during council meetings.

With everything tucked in bags, I made for the door, my heart feeling full. But before I could have stepped out, a flash of something on the side shelf caught my eye and I paused.

I picked it up to get a proper look and felt thrilled when a certain person’s image flashed across my eyes.

I wasn’t planning to get him anything, but this was too good to be missed. So I grabbed it with a sinister smile playing on my lips and returned to the payment counter.