#2 When the Moon Turns Red

Evie

“Excuse me?” Elijah’s voice sounded like he was over this entire conversation. Just then, Noah and Molly came walking across the patio.

“How are you doing, Elijah?” Noah asked, passing Molly over to her brother for support. Elijah just stared at Noah, saying nothing.

“That well, huh?” Noah chuckled, walking over to my side. He pressed his lips against my cheek and clung to me.

“You okay?” Noah asked, nuzzling my neck.

“I’m fine.” I smiled at him. Elijah was watching us closely, observing our actions.

“You act like you haven’t seen each other for days.” Elijah groaned.

“It feels like that.” Noah said, wrapping his arm tightly around my waist.

“And that doesn’t freak you out?” Elijah asked me.

“I thought it would, but it really doesn’t. I feel the same draw to be with him, it’s like I have this burning feeling inside my chest until I see him again.” I shrugged.

“Those are some pretty big red flags, Ev.” Elijah sighed.

“For humans, yes.” I reminded Elijah that we weren’t living in the realm of humans right now.

“Elijah, I want you to meet Molly.” I turned the attention away from Noah and I. Molly stumbled forward with Sawyer close to her side.

“Hi.” Molly replied sheepishly. Elijah shoved his hands in his pockets and ducked his head, clearly feeling very uncomfortable.

“Hi.” He grumbled. I rolled my eyes at him and shoved him forward,

“Where are you manners, Elijah Bellamy?” I chastised him. Elijah grumbled again and reached out his hand. Molly eagerly shook it, reluctant to let it go. I was having flashbacks to Noah and I’s first meetings, and I began to feel bad for the pain I now realize I put Noah through.

“I’m sorry if I scared you before.” Molly said as she watched Elijah closely.

“I was more worried about how he was handling you.” Elijah said, nodding towards Noah. Molly perked up at the idea that Elijah was worried about her.

“Oh, he was just making sure that I didn’t attack you.” She giggled.

“You wanted to attack me?” Elijah looked concerned.

“No! Not actually attack you. I just wanted to….hug you.” Molly said quickly. I looked up at Noah with a raised eyebrow. This was painful to watch.

“Elijah, how long can you stay in town?” I asked him and watched as Molly’s face suddenly filled with horror.

“I was planning on staying for the weekend, but I have a bunch of vacation saved up so I can stay longer.” He said.

“Great! Do you want to stay here or at my place?” I asked. I know Molly would love for him to stay here, but I wanted him to feel safe before we pushed the mate bond too hard. I know that I needed my space at first to adjust to everything, so I wanted to make sure that my brother had the same options.

“You’re staying here?” He asked.

“Yes.”

“You’re more than welcome to stay in one of our guest rooms.” Noah spoke up.

“Okay, I guess I’ll do that.” He nodded slowly. I could practically feel Molly trying to keep it together next to me.

“Why don’t I show you to the guest room and you can get settled in. We can talk more tomorrow.” I stepped away from Noah and grabbed my brother’s arm.

“Okay.” He said again.

“Sawyer, take Evie and Elijah to one of the guest rooms.” Noah said. Sawyer nodded and we followed him back through the packhouse. I set Elijah up in the guest room and ordered him some dinner. He said he wanted to spend the evening alone, gathering his thoughts.

“If you need anything, you know where to find me.” I told him, giving him a quick hug before leaving his room and heading up to the top floor where I hoped Noah was waiting for me.

As usual, my instincts were right. Noah was in his room, waiting on me. He jumped off the bed when I walked in and wrapped me up in his arms.

“You okay, love?” He asked, bury his face in my neck. I nodded and snuggled into his chest,

“Yeah, I just hope Elijah is going to be okay.” I said.

“He’s strong like his sister, he’ll be fine.” Noah assured me, pulling me just far enough away to give me a long lasting kiss.

“Sawyer said you handled everything really well.” Noah said.

“I surprised myself, honestly.” I admitted, laying my head on his shoulder, not wanting to break contact.

“I keep telling you that you’re amazing.” Noah shrugged smugly. I laughed at him,

“How’s Molly?” I asked.

“She’s hanging in there. It helps that she just helped you through this same thing so she understands it from both sides.” Noah said.

“It’s weird, I feel like I’m watching our own relationship play out; like I get to watch it from an outsider’s point of view.” I said, looking up at Noah. Noah kissed the top of my head as we sat down on the bed together,

“It helps me understand us a little better.” I added.

“How’s that?” Noah asked. I shrugged,

“I don’t know, I just feel like by being forced to justify our connection and explain it to someone else I’m able to get a better handle on it myself.” I admitted. Noah held me tightly,

“I love you so much, you know that?”

“I love you, too, Noah.” I sighed, closing my eyes as I leaned into his chest. Noah carefully laid us back on his bed and we snuggled into each other, the idea of me sleeping in my own room completely forgotten.