Chapter 33: Protecting Her From Myself - Riven's POV

We headed inside with Sabine trailing behind us with suspicious eyes. I led them upstairs, very conscious of her presence beside me and the way her hand held on to mine. The mate bond hummed contentedly now that she was close.

“This is my room,” I said, gesturing to the open door as we passed. “And this one is yours.”

I stepped inside, pulling her along with me. She took one step inside, her eyes widening slightly as she took it all in. “It’s beautiful.”

“Mom helped,” I admitted. “The flowers were from her garden. She let me pick the ones that made me think of you.”

“I like them,” she whispered, crossing to the window and looking out at the view. “The forest view is nice, too.”

"Yeah. There's a trail that runs right through those trees. It’s good for running when you need to clear your head." I set her bag down on the bed. "You have your own bathroom through that door. The closet is pretty big. And—" I pointed to the wall our rooms shared, "—I'm right next door if you need anything."

Sabine scoffed. “Next door?”

“Yes,” I said, turning my gaze toward her. “Next door. It’ll be fine.”

Sabine rolled her eyes just as Callista turned toward me. Something unsaid passed between us, an acknowledgement of it meant that we’d be sleeping with just a wall between us.

“Thank you,” she said quietly. “For doing this and making a space for me.”

"Are you kidding? I've been waiting for this since—" I cut myself off before I could finish with since I first saw you. "Since I knew I’d get a mate one day.”

Sabine cleared her throat from the doorway. "Where do you want me to start?"

We both glanced at her at the same time.

The next hour was a blur. Callista’s parents brought in suitcases and boxes. My parents hovered nearby and offered to help. Sabine directed everything like a general commanding warriors. I mostly stayed out of the way, carrying whatever needed carrying and trying not to stare at Callista too obviously.

She was here, living in my house, and I had all the time in the world to stare at her until my heart’s content.

The demon stirred, pleased by her proximity but also wary. Too close. She'll see us. Know what we are.

She already knows, I reminded him. And she chose to come anyway.

That silenced it, at least temporarily.

By the time everything was in her room and mostly unpacked, it was mid-afternoon. Callista’s parents were leaving, which meant another round of goodbyes and probably several warnings.

“You can call us anytime,” her mother said, hugging Callista tightly. “Day or night. If you need anything, I’ll—”

“I know, Mom,” Callista said, though her voice cracked with emotion. “I’ll call if I need you.”

Her father pulled her aside, his expression serious. "Do you remember what we discussed?"

"Yes, Dad." She glanced at me. "Separate rooms, focus on school, and come home whenever I want.”

“And if anything, and I mean anything, makes you uncomfortable, tell us immediately.” He wasn’t even trying to be subtle about who he meant.”

"I will," she promised. “Though I’m sure everything will be fine.”

He studied her for a long moment, then nodded. "Okay. I love you, sweetheart."

"Love you too."

Sabine was last, throwing her arms around Callista with tears in her eyes. "Text me every day. I mean it. Every single day. It’s going to be weird not having you in the room next to mine.”

"I promise," Callista said, her own eyes glistening. “Change can be good.”

And then they were gone, driving away down the long driveway until they disappeared from sight. Callista stood on the front porch, watching them go, and I could feel the homesickness radiating off her through the bond.

"Are you okay?" I asked softly.

"Yeah." She wiped at her eyes quickly. "Just... it's real now, you know?"

"Yeah, I know." I wanted to touch her, to offer comfort, but wasn't sure if that would help or make it worse.

She made the decision for me, stepping closer and leaning against my side. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, and the bond settled.

“Do you want to see the rest of the territory?” I asked after a moment. “I could show you around and introduce you to some of the pack. There are plenty our age here too, just most go to the other academy.”

She took a breath and straightened, visibly pulling herself together. "Yeah. That sounds good."

"We can shift and run if you want or just walk."

"Walk," she whispered. "I'm not ready to shift yet."

"Walk it is."

We started down the path that led through the heart of Nightshade Territory. My parents had disappeared inside, giving us space, as soon as her parents were out of sight.

“So, this is my home now,” she said, looking around the houses scattered through the trees. “It’s bigger…than I thought.”

“We’re a pretty big pack,” I said, then pointed ahead. “That’s the pack house, where we have meetings and all the gatherings. The training grounds are through the trees to the right.” I gestured to a building on our left as we passed. “That’s the school for the younger wolves before they go to the academy.”

"It's cute and big.”

“We have tons of kids,” I said, keeping my voice low. “There are about three hundred here. Most families live in the houses you’ve seen, but there are apartments for those who don’t want to live in the pack house.”

We walked in comfortable silence for a while, the bond humming between us. Other pack members we passed did double-takes when they saw us together, probably having already heard about the mate bond.

"That's Korey," I said, nodding to my Beta who was talking with some other wolves near the training grounds. "Which you have met.”

"Your Beta," Callista noted. "Right. I remember him. Does your pack find it weird that you have one already since you’re still…young?”

I hesitated. My pack didn’t typically say anything. They knew my wolf was powerful and didn’t question it. “They are used to it at this point.”

We circled back toward the house as the sun started to sink lower. The evening air was cool, carrying the scent of pine and earth.

"Thank you," Callista said suddenly. "For making me feel welcome. I know this is weird for everyone."

"Not weird," I corrected. "Just... new. It’s a good kind of new," I added quickly when she looked uncertain. "I'm glad you're here, Callista.”

She smiled, and it reached her eyes this time. "Me too. I think."

"You think?"

"Ask me again in a week when the reality of living with you sets in," she teased. “And hopefully, we stick to our room assignments at all times.”

"Hey," I protested. "I'm a delight to live with. You’ll find out that you love being in the room next to mine.”

"Uh-huh. We'll see about that."

We reached the front porch, and I realized I didn't want this moment to end. I didn't want her to go inside to her separate room and close the door between us.

"Dinner's probably almost ready," I said reluctantly. "Mom's been cooking all day and I know you have to be hungry.”

"I should probably clean up first." She glanced down at her clothes, which were dusty from moving boxes. "I'll meet you downstairs once I’m ready?”

"Yeah. Sounds good."

We both entered the house, but she headed for the stairs. I stood at the bottom, watching her go. The mate bond ached from the distance.

She's here, I reminded myself. She’s just going to clean up.

The demon stirred. For now. But how long before she sees what we really are? Before she realizes she made a mistake?

I didn't have an answer for that.

All I knew was that for the first time in my life, I had something worth fighting for beyond just survival.

I had her. And I'd do whatever it took to keep her safe.

Even if that meant protecting her from myself.