Evaline:
I carefully opened the bag and found a sleek black box inside. It was looking elegant - unassuming at first glance, but the weight and finish told me it was something special. I popped the lid open, and my breath hitched.
Inside the box was a transparent package that held nearly two dozen pairs of earrings.
Golden.
Each pair was unique and breathtaking in its own way.
There were delicate hoops - small, medium, and large, each with a slightly different twist in design. A few round gold studs, a couple of heart-shaped ones, and even a pair shaped like tiny butterflies. There were pearls too - soft cream-colored ones in two different sizes. And one pair, a long, elegant drop earring with tiny red gemstones at the end, caught the light as I tilted the box.
They were all so beautiful.
"I... Draven..." I breathed, lifting the package to get a closer look at the beautiful pieces.
He was already watching me with a crooked smile tugging at his lips. "Do you like them?" he asked, his voice low and tender.
I nodded slowly as my heart swelled with warmth. "I love them."
His fingers brushed back my hair, and then his palm cupped the side of my face before he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss on my temple. My skin tingled instantly, warmth blooming under every inch he touched. His scent enveloped me and I leaned into him instinctively.
"You look beautiful when you wear earrings," he whispered, grazing his thumb over the little golden studs I was already wearing.
My body hummed.
That was the thing about being mates. Every kiss, every touch - no matter how innocent - ignited something deep inside me. The bond didn’t just link our souls. It connected our desires, our hearts, our emotions. Even the smallest caress felt like fire and silk.
I caught movement in the rearview mirror and glanced up to find Oscar smiling. And he wasn’t just smiling... he was smiling at us.
There was no jealousy or awkwardness in his eyes, but something warm... acceptance.
And I realized... this was really happening. They were truly okay with sharing me. That fear I had been carrying in the corners of my heart, the one that kept whispering it might eventually fall apart any moment, finally started to dissolve.
A few minutes later, we pulled up in front of a charming diner strung with fairy lights and dressed up in full Christmas cheer. A Santa Claus staue was standing at the entrance, and the glass windows were glowing with red and green ornaments and golden bells.
Inside, the atmosphere was cozy. The smell of warm food, cinnamon, and coffee hit me immediately. We were shown to a quiet table in the corner, right by the tall glass wall that gave us a full view of the twinkling street outside. Candles were flickering gently on every table, and soft music was playing in the background.
"Ladies first," Draven said once we were seated, handing me the menu.
But I wasn’t about to order blindly.
"What do you guys like?" I asked, looking between the two of them. "I want to make sure everyone’s happy."
Oscar gave me a warm smile as he answered first. "Anything spicy. And meat. Lots of meat."
Draven chimed in. "Same. Except maybe tone down the spice. My tongue still hasn’t forgiven you for that chili ramen you made me try two weeks ago." The last bit was directed at Oscar who just smirked.
I smiled, flipping through the menu. We ordered three hearty dishes - one spicy beef stew, creamy chicken pasta, and a vegetarian lasagna just for balance. Plus garlic bread, hot chocolate, and a strawberry cheesecake to finish off.
Dinner was... perfect.
We talked and laughed like old friends, though I couldn’t help but notice how both of them never let me go too long without brushing my hand, or sneaking a smile.
It felt normal. It felt like everything was finally clicking into place.
By the time we finished dinner, it was only half past nine.
I reached for my phone before either of them could move. "My treat," I announced proudly.
Draven was mid-reach but pulled back with a mock sigh. Oscar grumbled under his breath but let it go. He had made a deal. And he knew better than to argue when I was this determined.
We headed back to the car, stuffed and happy.
But I noticed something strange as soon as we started driving. Oscar wasn’t heading toward the Academy.
The lights of the city slowly faded behind us, replaced by quiet roads flanked with trees. The music in the car turned softer, more atmospheric, and after about fifteen minutes, we turned onto a narrow road that led to a cliff.
The moment I stepped out of the car, the world fell away.
The cliff opened into a breathtaking view of the ocean. Waves were crashing softly below. The city was sparkling in the distance like a sea of stars. Above us, the sky was clear, painted with a half moon and stars that were stretched for miles.
I stood there, stunned.
Cold wind blew around us, making me wrap my arms around myself. I turned to look at them and said, "This place is incredible. But seriously... are you two trying to freeze me to death?"
Oscar just chuckled, stepped behind me, and wrapped his arms around me from the back. He engulfed me in his long black coat, sealing me against his warmth.
"You’ll never be cold with me around," he murmured against my ear, his breath making me shiver in all the best ways.
And damn it, he was right. Being in his arms made me forget the cold completely.
Draven opened the trunk and pulled out a blanket, laying it flat on the ground. He gestured with a grin.
"Come on, your highness. You can’t see the stars properly while standing."
We all settled down - me in the middle, the men on either side. The blanket was thick, shielding us from the damp chill, and both of them tucked me close like I was their shared heartbeat.
The waves below sounded like whispers. The wind carried salt and magic. It felt like time had stopped.
Draven leaned closer, lips near my ear. "Okay... riddle time. What do you call a werewolf who gets cold every full moon?"
I blinked. "What?"
He grinned. "A chili dog."
"That’s terrible," I laughed.
But they both joined in, the sound of our laughter rising into the starry sky.
Then... silence. It was a warm, soft silence that wrapped around us like another blanket.
I turned to look at Draven, intending to tease him about the joke, but the words caught in my throat.
He was staring at me. Not with a smirk. Not with teasing. But with something far deeper. Something intimate.
"What?" I whispered.
He didn’t answer. At least not by words. He just leaned in and kissed me.
Slowly.
Deeply.
My heart thundered as I kissed him back, melting into him, until I forgot where I was, forgot who I was, forgot everything but the feeling of his lips on mine.