When we returned back to Xavier's home after our short trip to check out the apartment, everyone's mood had shifted incredibly. I was feeling giddy, and Ariel was so excited she was constantly hopping on her feet. Vincent and Scarlett were also happy that we had liked the place, because that meant we would return after our flight, to stay.

The apartment truly lived up to its expectations. It was close to the city, and had an entire wall of windows that overlooked the best buildings. Ariel and I had instantly felt at home, and considering it was close to both Seth's and Xavier's places and came at a very affordable price, Ariel was quick to seal the deal with the owner, disregarding my nagging about how we should at least take a few days to think it through.

"Think what through?" She had said. "I'm ready to move in. You can take your time to think your life through; and once you do, the place will be ready to move into."

Back at Xavier's, we each went to our rooms to pack up the rest of our belongings. I didn't have much that needed to be packed, so I settled for my backpack only which I carried in some of my travel necessities. I was quick to change into a more comfortable attire as we were nearing our flight time and everyone was already by the door.

As I was hurrying down the grand staircase, I balanced my backpack on my arm as I was simultaneously shoving my other arm into the sleeve of a light jacket. When I neared the end, I stumbled over my feet and dropped the bag from my grip, hearing it tumble down the next few steps and fall to the bottom of the steps with a disapproving thud.

I hunched over to grab it but was surprised to see another arm extending towards it at the same time.

"I've got it."

I frowned as I came up straight, staring into Noah's jade orbs. He lifted the bag up, swinging it over his shoulder and offering me a tight smile.

Not that easily, buddy.

"No, it's fine." I reached out to grab the bag from his shoulder, but was surprised to see him lean back with a look of determination. I raised a brow in question.

"Let me help."

"I don't need your help," I seethed. This time, I reached out and yanked my bag off Noah's shoulder rather forcefully, watching as his eyes widened at my sudden show of aggressiveness. "I can take responsibility of my own bag."

When I turned to walk the other way, I did a double take as I came to notice that both Xavier and Ariel were standing by watching our interaction with questioning gazes. Forcing on a tight smile, I left through the door and made my way to the car, all the while thinking this will be one hell of a flight back.

*

The familiar scent of my home hit me right in the deepest part of my heart and clenched tightly around the bundle of muscle as soon as we walked through the wooden door. I twisted the key in the lock and pulled it out, stepping further inside as Ariel walked in behind me and then Xavier shut the door.

We had taken the flight back to our hometown in Illinois, Xavier joining along to help me pack and keep me company, and although a part of me was very ecstatic to go back to my apartment and home, another part of me was dreading the moment I'd have to walk away.

I had an odd habit of forming unbreakable bonds with routines; once I'd gotten used to something, it's very difficult to let go. Even though it's only been a couple years since I'd moved to this part of town and the apartment I was currently staying in, I held the place so close to my heart that it instantly became my home - a place I could never imagine walking away from.

"Nora?" Xavier called out to me, snapping me out of the jumble of doubts my thoughts had created in my mind. I looked over at him to see him standing beside the bookshelves set by the TV in my living-room, his eyes watching me expectantly as if waiting for a reply to an unheard question.

"Sorry, what?"

"I asked if you'd like me to pack up these framed pictures?"

"Oh- yes, please." I raised a finger to ask for a moment then rushed over to my bedroom down the hall, reaching my closet and rummaging through the back for any bags I had left. I re-entered the living-room with a gym bag which I offered to Xavier. "If it's important, it'll stand out." I informed him as his eyes searched among the room for anything to pack up; I gave him a small smile in appreciation before turning back to my bedroom.

I searched once more in the back of my closet and returned with a bunch of old back-packs, then I began with the basic necessities that I hadn't already packed up the last time I fled to Indiana; some clothes, skin-care products and make-up. I only grabbed my favorites, knowing I'd be able to make up for the rest once we settle at our new place; no doubt a day in and Ariel would already be dragging us to the city for some major shopping.

As I rummaged through my closet I came across an old shoe-box hidden in the corner, packed with faded Polaroids, torn tickets, and random notes from some of my favorite times in high school and college. I smiled involuntarily as I went through some of the pictures, seeing the smiling faces of people I'd nearly forgotten existed.

The sudden knocking on my wooden door snapped me out of my haze, and I looked over across my bed to see Ariel popping her head through the door.

"Hey, you. I'm done packing up. Would you like some help?" She exclaimed cheerfully.

I frowned, "huh? How?" I stuttered confusedly. "Ariel, we literally arrived not fifteen minutes ago."

"Yeah, and?" She questioned, equally as confused.

"Did you seriously manage to pack up all of your last couple of years within fifteen minutes, only?" I asked in disbelief.

She scoffed. "I'm starting fresh, Nora. I don't need to carry my past into my future."

I rolled my eyes. "Deep, Ariel. Deep." I sighed, looking around at the slight mess I've created on my bedroom floor. "I actually don't have much left to pack - so I'm good, thanks."

I was met with a wide smile in return. "Then I'll go downtown to grab us some coffee. The usual?" I hummed in response, and she left to go ask Xavier for his order.

Once I heard the front door be slammed shut as Ariel left, I stuffed all my memories back into the box and gently placed it inside a wide bag, packing it up along with the rest of my necessities. Unlike Ariel, I could never leave my past behind. I should always carry it into my future, it's a part of who I am.

My bedroom door creaked as it was gently pushed open, Xavier stepping inside and his eyes falling to my cross-legged seating on the carpeted floor. He gave me a warm smile, pointing over at my bed with a questioning gaze. "May I?"

I staggered at his question, not expecting the politeness. "Of course."

Upon my permission, he walked in and sat at the edge of my bed, his gaze falling to me on the floor.

"I finished packing up the living-room; but you should take another look around in case I missed anything important."

I shifted in my seat to face him, smiling appreciatively. "Thank you."

His silver gaze shimmered under my bedroom's fluorescent lights, his eyes studying mine for a few seconds too long. "Always," he replied sincerely, and my heart fluttered.

I felt a warm blush creeping up my cheeks, and I broke contact with his intense gaze as I went back to the mission at hand. "I'm only packing up the irreplaceable; pictures and memories and all." I informed him.

He hummed in response, his eyes studying my motions as I shifted on my seat and began standing up. I moved towards my dresser, pulling the drawers and sneaking quick glances inside.

"Will you keep your apartment?" Xavier asked me after a few moments of comfortable silence.

I exhaled a breath, thinking over the decision I'd made earlier during our flight. If I were to pay rent for the new place Ariel and I are thinking of moving to, there's no way I could also keep this one; I'm already running on a tight budget. "No, I can't afford to pay two rents."

I glanced over to gauge his reaction, and I found a slight frown creeping up his features. Xavier's confused silver gaze stared at me, as the wheels continued to turn in the back of his mind.

"I thought you were moving into our home."

I took a sharp intake of breath, his words tightening my stomach. I shouldn't have been surprised that Xavier expected me to move in, after everything that's happened between us; but for some reason the thought hadn't crossed my mind.

When I couldn't form any proper response to his invitation, Xavier spoke up once again, the words rolling off his tongue slowly as he emphasized every word. "You're our-" he hesitated for a second, then continued, "my Luna, Nora. I want you to move in to our home, and be beside me."

My heart clenched and unclenched tightly in my chest, I feared I might have a heart attack. Was I ready to do that?

I had come to accept, and even believe, that Xavier and I might actually be soulmates. The stories he spoke to me of went hand-in-hand with the indescribable feelings that were harbored in my chest; and I couldn't make any other sense of it. And after everything that we had gone through, a voice deep within my heart spoke in loud volumes that I would, in fact, go above and beyond for him and his pack.

His pack, our pack, fought to come and rescue me when I needed them the most. They didn't hesitate one second when they had to risk their own lives in order to save mine, in order to avenge me and the pain and suffering that was induced by Darius and his men.

All while I was still a stranger to them.

If that didn't speak volumes of the length they were willing to go to in order to protect me, and how much they cared for me, I don't know what will. And even though I still felt like a stranger to them, somehow, they had already found a place in the deepest parts of my heart. They are my new family, and I know that I would fight for them with just the same amount of ferocity as their undying loyalty to their home, Alpha, and now - their Luna.

My thoughts were interrupted when loud, impatient knocks came from down the hall. Eyes shifting to the front door, I excused myself from Xavier's watchful gaze and headed down the hall towards the front door.

Ariel stood on the other side of the door with a frown on her face, balancing a tray with two drinks in one hand while sipping from her own drink in her other. "Where have you been? I've been knocking for nearly an hour."

I rolled my eyes at her exaggeration and stepped to the side to allow her in.

"How far in are you? With the packing and all?" She spoke in rushed sentences. Once inside my apartment, Ariel twirled to look at me with gleaming eyes. Her excitement was so prominent on her features that it could be noted from a block away.

"I'd say halfway," I shrugged, not entirely sure with my answer.

If I accepted Xavier's offer of moving into his family home, and was free of paying rent for the new place I'll be staying at, I might actually keep this apartment. And if so, then I wouldn't really need to pack everything up.

But that's only if...

Ariel let out a annoyed groan. "I thought you'd be done by now. We need to take the earliest flight back so we can go furniture shopping!" My eyes widened. "I had sick visions while waiting in line. I'm thinking contemporary; maybe even try out the minimalist lifestyle." Her eyes gazed far off into the distance as she got lost in her own fantasy, imagining all the different ways she could start off her new life.

I snorted. "You? A minimalist?"

The noise snapped her back to reality, and her eyes found mine before narrowing dangerously into tight slits.

"Ariel," Xavier's voice came from down the hall, greeting her in surprise. "You're back early."

Ariel flicked her wrist nonchalantly. "Short line. Anyway, we need to help this-" she pointed at me, "finish packing up or else she'll take forever." She went over to give him his drink, mumbling something about an energy boost.

Xavier frowned as he came to a stop beside us, watching her curiously. "And you've finished your own packing, already?"

"Apparently," I spoke up before Ariel could. "She's all about that fresh start."

"I only packed what I needed; everything else is replaceable." She shrugged.

Xavier hummed in response. Then his vision shifted to me. "How about a lunch break? We can go to one of your favorite restaurants in the city, one last time before the big move."

Ariel gasped, her hand coming up to clutch my upper arm in excitement. I glanced at her to see her beaming, bearing a wide smile, and instantly I knew what she was thinking of.

"Yeah," I agreed, "we can go to our favorite place; it's a small diner a few blocks away." I glanced over at Xavier and he offered me a warm smile, nodding in approval. I turned to head back to my room. "I'll just grab my purse," I announced.

When I walked back out, Xavier stood alone in my living room, waiting patiently as he leaned back against the kitchen counter. He stood upright and gave me a small smile.

"Where's Ariel?"

"She stepped outside for a phone call."

I nodded, continuing my steps towards the front door. I was surprised when Xavier suddenly reached out and gently got a hold of my hand, halting me in my tracks.

I shifted and my confused eyes found his. He slowly began inching closer to me until he stood a mere foot away, the heat radiating off his chest spreading a comforting warmth down the lengths of my arms. My senses were overtaken by his close proximity, his addictive aroma, and the millions of sparks that traveled from his fingertips up my own hand, igniting a sensation that only he could ever make me feel.

My heart began to beat loudly in my chest.

"You never gave me an answer." A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips, his hypnotizing silver eyes glinting. His long fingers continued to gently rub soothing circles on the back of my hand as my mind raced with questions.

I could only whisper back dumbly, "hmm?"

Xavier's smile widened, flashing me his white pearls.

I blinked and was suddenly pulled out of whatever trance his intimate actions had pulled me into. I forced my feet one step away from his close proximity, letting the air wash the tension growing between us.

His question finally made sense. He was referring to our earlier conversation in the room, where he asked me to move into his family home.

"Umm, I-I don't know," I stuttered a response, unable to hide my doubts and hesitation.

A brief flash of disappointment washed through Xavier's eyes, his eyebrows slightly coming down into a small frown.

He inhaled deeply, fixing his grip on my hand. "I realize things might be moving a little too fast," he began to say, "but as I've told you before, Nora, you are my soulmate, and my Luna. From the moment I laid eyes upon you, I was ready to start my life with you." My heart sunk deep into my stomach. "But if you need time, then you can have as much as you want." His lips curved up into a promising smile. "I'm not going anywhere unless you order me to."

My eyes had begun to sting by the time Xavier finished speaking, his kind words stirring deep emotions within my heart. I couldn't believe that I had been blessed with a man like him.

Involuntarily, my hand pulled away from his, only to slowly curl around his wide torso. I only saw a second of the surprise that flashed through Xavier's eyes, before my feet inched closer to him and my face came flat against his chest. I embraced him with a newfound confidence, my entire body engulfed with warmth and his addictive mahogany and teak-wood scent that traveled to my stomach and clenched the muscles tightly.

His chest had suddenly stopped moving as his breathing halted, taken over by surprise from my unexpected response to his considerate words.

His arms then moved from being still by his sides to slowly wrap around my shoulders, his fingertips leaving trails of sparks over my skin as he wrapped me in his arms.

For the first time in what seemed like forever, I felt complete.

Within Xavier's arms, engulfed by his familiar scent and warmth, I felt right at home.

Beside my soulmate...

And suddenly I was struck by the fact that it no longer mattered to me where in the world I was, how far I had to travel and what I had to leave behind, as long as I'd be with the person who made me feel whole.

"Is that a yes?" His amused voice whispered lowly, his lips moving against my hair.

I shook my head at his persistence while letting out a heartfelt chuckle, my arms tightening around his torso as I found comfort in the arms of my mate. And all the while, an inner voice chanted one word in the back of my mind -

Maybe.