Zoya’s P.O.V
A blush crept up my cheeks at his teasing.
Of course I’ll be staying with him! There was no doubt about it!
Because ever since we slept together two months ago…we have never been apart a single night. So it was only natural that I would end up in his bed here as well.
Ezra came forward to press a kiss to my forehead. “We can choose a room for the nursery soon, and when we find out the baby’s gender, you can decorate it however you want.”
I nodded, but our conversation was cut short when Cam and her mate returned with my boxes and asked us where to put them.
Together, we arranged my belongings with care, finding the perfect spots for everything. Cam's attentiveness to detail and her thoughtful suggestions made the task feel like a delightful bonding experience.
"I hope this room feels like home to you," Cam said, adjusting the curtains to let in just the right amount of sunlight. "If Ezra had told me about you arriving here today, then I would’ve made even better preparations."
"It already does, Cam." I replied with a grateful smile, looking around the cozy bedroom that I was going to share with Ezra. The wooden furniture and soft, earth-toned decor created an inviting ambiance that immediately made me feel comfortable. “This is already perfect!”
At some point, as we finished setting up the last few items, Ezra's voice interrupted our reverie. He had received an urgent phone call, and duty called him, and of course, Gustav, back to the office.
"I won't be long, Zoya," Ezra said, pressing a tender kiss on my forehead. "Cam will take care of you, and I'll be back as soon as I can."
"I'll be fine," I replied. "I love you."
"I love you too."
Once Ezra and Gustav left, Cam and I continued to arrange my things into my new room, and as we did so, I couldn't help but feel curious about the absence of any pictures of Lily around the house.
It seemed strange that there were no visible reminders of Ezra's first mate, considering the significant impact she must have had on his life.
I approached Cam, hoping she could shed some light on the matter.
"Cam, can I ask you something?" I hesitated, unsure if I should pry into such a sensitive topic. Cam and I had spoken about Lily before, but not too deep since I understood that it could get awkward.
"Of course, Zoya. What's on your mind?" Cam replied, her reassuring smile encouraging me to share my thoughts.
"I noticed that there are no pictures of Lily in the house," I said, trying to be delicate with my words. "I was just wondering…" I trailed off.
Cam's expression softened, understanding the weight of my question. "You're right. Ezra doesn't have any pictures of Lily displayed. It's not because he's forgotten her, though. Lily will always hold a special place in his heart."
"But then, why?" I inquired, genuinely curious about Ezra's decision.
Cam took a moment to collect her thoughts before explaining, "After Lily passed away, Ezra went through a difficult phase, as you may have noticed when you first arrived.” Cam gave a light shrug. “He blamed himself for not being able to protect her, even though it wasn't his fault. Having pictures of her around the house reminded him of his perceived failure. He didn't want to be constantly reminded of that pain and loss."
I nodded, trying to grasp the complexity of Ezra's emotions. Losing someone you love deeply could be devastating, and I understood why he might want to shield himself from the constant reminder of that loss.
"I see," I replied, offering a small smile of understanding. "I'm glad to know that Lily's memory lives on in his heart, even if it's not visible around the house."
Cam returned the smile, appreciating my understanding. "Yes, that’s true…and besides, most of the pictures that he still kept were in his other house, the one that he shared with Lily," Cam continued.”And he hasn’t been there after Lily’s death, so-”
My eyes widened in surprise. I had no idea that Ezra owned such a humongous house in the first place and now I find out he has another?
"Another house? I had no clue he had another one," I admitted, cutting Cam off.
Cam chuckled warmly, understanding my reaction. "Ezra has always been a bit private about certain aspects of his life. He didn't want his personal space to be overwhelmed by pack business or outside influences."
"That makes sense," I replied, realizing that Ezra must have wanted a place where he could retreat and have some semblance of a normal life away from the pack's responsibilities.
"Did he inherit the house from his dad?" I asked. And yes, I did get that I was being a bit nosey…but he was my mate!
"No, actually, both of Ezra's houses are a result of his own hard work and success," Cam explained. "He's not just a powerful Alpha; he's also a successful businessman and the Sheriff of the town. He's amassed considerable wealth over the years. He's just as rich as Silas, if not more."
I was taken aback by this revelation. Not only was Ezra a strong and respected Alpha, and the Sherriff of the Sapphire Mountain PD, but he was also a successful businessman? It seemed like there was so much more to him than I had initially known.
As the newfound information sank in, I felt a surge of curiosity and a desire to explore this other side of Ezra. "I'd love to see his old house and learn more about Lily," I said. "Can you take me to his house? If that's okay with you."
Cam smiled, happy to see my enthusiasm. "Of course, I can take you there first thing in the morning."