Chapter 0142

Grant came back a week before Evelyn's birthday. The timing couldn't have been worse. We'd just shifted back from our run, both completely bare, when we walked into the house. I was holding her against me, her legs locked around my waist as we kissed, already moving toward her bedroom. That's why I didn't sense his presence until it was too late.

"Alpha Adrian, perhaps you could release my daughter long enough for her to greet her father."

Nothing kills the mood faster than hearing your mate's father's voice when you're seconds away from taking his daughter to bed.

Evelyn immediately untangled herself from me. I shifted to shield her from view. "Hi Dad. When did you get back?" She peeked around my shoulder at Grant.

"A few hours ago." His gaze flicked between us as Evelyn edged toward the staircase. "I'll be right back," she called, darting upstairs to dress.

Grant turned his full attention to me. "I thought we agreed you'd respect my daughter's boundaries."

"I have." I wasn't about to justify our relationship to him. What Evelyn and I shared was private—father or not, it wasn't his concern.

"Judging by the scent, you've been living here."

Evelyn returned, handing me a pair of shorts from her room. Yes, I kept clothes here, just as she had things at my place in the packhouse. "Yes, Dad, he has. Is that an issue?" She answered before I could.

"Evelyn, I'm not comfortable with a man sharing your bed when you haven't even confirmed he's your mate."

She nodded once, then looked at me. "Give me five minutes to pack, then we'll go to the packhouse."

Damn. Part of me wanted to cheer for her boldness. The other part cringed at the impending confrontation.

"Excuse me?" Grant's eyebrow arched.

"I respect your choices, Father. But you'll respect mine too. I'm old enough to decide who I sleep with. Adrian and I have grown closer while you were away. I love him. I want to be with him. If that means leaving, so be it. But we're not separating."

I turned to her. "You love me?"

Her lips curved. "Surprised?"

This incredible, breathtaking woman—my mate—had fallen for me before even realizing our bond. I cradled her face. "I'm hopelessly in love with you, Evelyn Sinclair."

We were seconds from kissing when Grant cleared his throat, reminding us he was still there.

Without looking away from Evelyn, I addressed him. "What's it going to be, Grant? Are we staying, or heading to the packhouse?"

He grumbled but finally relented.

After showering, Grant shared stories from his time with Oberon and Finnian. They'd documented his history with Ivy, as well as Evander and Valeria's tale. Reliving those memories clearly brought him both joy and sorrow.

I knew once Evelyn and I mated, we'd move permanently into the packhouse, leaving Grant alone. I hoped he'd adjust—maybe Dad could persuade him to return to pack grounds or take on extra training sessions to stay close to Evelyn.

In the week leading up to her birthday, I stole moments away to arrange her gift. I'd had the idea for weeks but hadn't found time to execute it. Between our constant togetherness, training, school, graduation prep, birthday plans, and my upcoming Alpha ceremony, life had been chaos.