Chapter 32: Move In Day - Riven's POV

I had been awake since dawn, which was ridiculous considering how exhausted I should have been after the ceremony. But sleep was impossible when I knew Callista was moving into my home today.

Moving in.

The words felt unreal, even though I’d been the one to push for it. My mate was coming to live under the same roof, sleeping in the room next to mine. She’d be close enough that the mate bond wouldn’t constantly ache with her absence.

The demon, of course, had opinions about this.

She'll see us every day, it purred. See what we really are. Watch us struggle. It's only a matter of time before she realizes she made a mistake.

“Shut up, demon,” I muttered, shoving clothes into my closet that I had left scattered around my room.

My mother had already lectured me twice about making sure that everything was clean and presentable, but looking at my disaster of a bedroom, I realized I should have started cleaning before I even told her.

“Riven!” My mother’s voice carried up the stairs, sounding rushed. “Is her room ready?”

"Almost!" I called back, which was mostly true.

I had spent most of yesterday preparing the guest room next to mine, the one that would be hers as soon as she got here. Her father had been very clear about having separate rooms until the bond was properly sealed. My father had given me an even longer lecture about how I was going to do this the right way and that if dared think that I would get to seal this before I was eighteen, then I had better think again.

I didn't blame either of them. The mate bond was already demanding more intimacy, more contact, and more of everything. Having Callista so close but in a separate room was going to be torture. But it was better than having her miles away.

I walked out of my room and checked hers one more time. It was cleaned thoroughly, and there was fresh bedding I thought she would like on it. The closet had been completely cleaned out, so she’d have room for all her things. I even added a vase and some flowers I found out in my mother’s garden to her dresser, though I didn’t even know what they were.

It was probably overkill.

I stepped inside, glancing at the ceiling. The room was nice and slightly bigger than mine, with large windows that overlooked the forest. The same forest I looked at every night. The walls were pale blue which made the dark wood furniture stand out. There was an attached bathroom for added privacy that she wouldn’t have to share with me.

That was probably good for both our sanity.

My phone buzzed. Callista had texted me.

“Leaving now. See you in about twenty minutes.”

My heart kicked up a notch. She’d be here in twenty minutes.

I typed a message out quickly. “Can’t wait to see you.”

"She's on her way," I announced, heading downstairs where my parents were waiting in the living room.

My father looked up from his newspaper. "Nervous?"

"No," I lied.

Of course I was nervous. I had been nervous since I told her she had three days to make her voice, though I was sure she probably thought I looked confident in what I said.

He smiled knowingly. "It's a big change, having your mate move in, especially at your age."

"We'll be fine," I said, hoping I sounded more confident than I felt.

“Yes, you will,” my mother said, smoothing down the front of her dress. She had gotten dressed up for her arrival like this was some sort of formal occasion instead of a sixteen year old moving into our guest room. “But remember, there—”

“Separate rooms, no funny business, respect her space, and make her feel at home,” I said, reciting the rules perfectly. It wasn’t as if I hadn’t heard them enough. “I know, Mom. It’ll be fine and I’ll follow the rules just to have her close.”

“It’s important that you wait,” she said, moving to the window and looking out toward the driveway. “This will be her first time living away from her home and family. She might get scared or homesick. I wouldn’t doubt her second guessing her decision. We need to make sure she feels safe here.”

“She will feel safe. I’ll make sure of it,” I said firmly.

Will you? the demon whispered. Or will you scare her away like you scare everyone else?

I shoved him down again, locking him behind mental walls that felt thinner every day. A car pulled up in the driveway, distracting me from my thoughts. It was Alpha Monroe’s vehicle. My stomach did an uncomfortable flip.

This was it. The moment I had been waiting for.

“They’re here,” I whispered before moving toward the front door.

My parents followed me outside as the car parked. Alpha Monroe stepped out first, glancing in my direction with a look that could kill. He looked up at our house, then the ones surrounding it. Callista’s mother emerged from the passenger side with the same look.

They were examining the territory to see what their daughter had gotten into.

Callista stepped out next. She looked nervous as she clutched a bag to her chest. Her eyes found mine immediately, and the mate bond flared with recognition and relief.

She's here. She's really here.

"Welcome," my father said, stepping forward with his Alpha authority on full display, but his tone was warm. "Thank you for trusting us with your daughter."

"Take care of her," Alpha Monroe said simply, though the underlying threat was clear. Or else.

"We will," my mother promised, moving forward to embrace Callista. "Welcome to Nightshade territory, sweetheart. We're so happy to have you."

Callista returned the hug, though I could see uncertainty flash in her gaze. This was a huge step for her. She had left everything she knew to move in with people who were essentially strangers, just to be with me.

"Sabine's in the car," Callista said, gesturing back. "She wanted to help me unpack."

Sure enough, Sabine climbed out with a protective expression that clearly said she was here to make sure her sister was treated right…or to threaten me to ensure compliance.

“Of course,” my mother said warmly. “The more help, the better. Riven, why don’t you show them where Callista’s room is? We’ll start bringing up her things.”

I nodded, finally allowing myself to cross to Callista. Up close, I could see the exhaustion under her eyes. She probably hadn't slept much either.

"Hey," I said softly.

"Hey," she replied, a small smile breaking through her nervousness.

The urge to pull her into my arms was overwhelming, but I was very aware of her father watching us like a hawk. Instead, I took the bag from her hands.

"Come on," I said. "Let me show you your room."

I outstretched my hand, and she took it without hesitating.