Despite everything, Ali knelt beside Cottonmouth, her magic already assessing the break in his wrist.She couldn't heal it completely.That was beyond her training, but she could ease the pain.“You tried to kill me,” she said, “but I'm not you.”
Cottonmouth looked away, unable to meet her eyes.
The sound of approaching sirens filled the parking garage, and through the entrance Tim had demolished came Sheriff Grizzley T.Lawman, Deputy Smokie, and what looked like half the state police force.
"Well, I'll be damned six ways from Sunday," Grizz boomed, his voice echoing off the concrete walls."Sheriff Cottonmouth, you miserable son of a bitch, you're under arrest for attempted murder, corruption, and generally being a disgrace to every badge that's ever been worn."
"Grizz," Cottonmouth pulled away from Ali."they're criminals.They're all criminals.The convoy, the truckers, that photographer—"
"The only criminal I see is a corrupt sheriff who tried to murder his own stepdaughter to cover up his crimes," Grizz said, nodding to the state police officers who moved in to arrest Cottonmouth."And son, after thirty years of wearing a badge, I can tell you that calling a lady names while you're being arrested for trying to kill her shows a serious lack of situational awareness."
As the officers hauled Cottonmouth away, still protesting his innocence and ranting about supernatural conspiracies, Ali realized she was shaking.Not from fear—the immediate danger was over—but from the aftermath of adrenaline and the mate bond's desperate relief at being reunited.
"Ali."Tim's voice was gentle now, all the terrifying fury drained away, replaced by deep concern."Are you hurt?Did he touch you?"
"I'm okay," she said, though her voice came out shakier than she wanted."Tim, I need you to know I'm sorry.I'm sorry I left, I'm sorry I didn't trust you."
"Don't."Tim moved toward her, his massive hands hovering near her face like he was afraid she might disappear if he touched her."Don't apologize.I'm the one who should be sorry.I tried to make decisions for you instead of with you.I tried to protect you by pushing you away instead of trusting you to make your own choices."
"You were trying to save me."
"I was trying to save myself from watching you choose your career over me," Tim admitted, his voice rough with honesty that cut straight through her defenses."I was a coward, Ali.I've been alone for so long that when I finally had you, I was too scared to trust that you'd stay."
Ali looked up into his eyes and saw the vulnerability he'd been hiding, the fear that had driven all his controlling behavior.Not fear for her safety, fear of his own heartbreak.
"Tim," she said, reaching up to cup his face in her hands, marveling at how her palms barely covered his cheekbones."I walked away because I was scared too.Scared that you saw me as someone who needed protection instead of someone who could stand beside you as an equal.But I should have stayed and fought for us instead of running."
"We both made mistakes," Tim said, leaning into her touch like a starving man offered sustenance."But Ali, if you'll have me, if you'll trust me to do better, I want to spend the rest of my life proving that you're my partner, not my responsibility."
"What about the federal deal?The platform to help supernatural communities?"
"What about it?"
"You said I could do more good in Washington than hiding in a truck with you."
Tim settled his hands on her waist with reverent care."You could.You probably should.You're brilliant, Ali, and you have a gift for showing people truths they need to see.If that's what you want, if that's the path that calls to you, then I'll support you however I can."
"Even if it means being separated?"
"Even if it kills me."Tim's voice was steady, but Ali could feel the cost of those words through their bond."Because loving you means wanting what's best for you, even when it's not what's best for me."
Ali stared up at him, seeing not the controlling male who'd tried to make decisions for her, but the man who was now offering to sacrifice his own happiness for her dreams.The man who'd finally learned the difference between protection and partnership.
"What if what's best for me is being with you?"she asked."What if I want to help supernatural communities from the road, documenting stories that need to be told, fighting for justice one delivery at a time?"
"Then we do it together," Tim said, his voice carrying the weight of a sacred vow."As partners.Equal partners."
"Equal partners who happen to be biologically destined mates?"
"Equal partners who choose each other every day, mate bond or no mate bond."
The last piece of herself clicked into place, like a dislocated joint finally sliding home."I choose you," she said, going up on her toes to kiss him."I choose us.I choose the road, and the convoy, and fighting for communities that need advocates.But most of all, I choose doing it all with you."
Tim's control shattered completely, but this time it wasn't fury driving him—it was joy, relief, love so overwhelming it made Ali’s magic turn the parking garage into a cathedral of golden light.His mouth crashed down on hers with twenty years of loneliness and the desperate relief of finally coming home.
The kiss was claiming, possessive, full of promises that she rejoiced in receiving.Tim's hands spanned her back, his fingers tangling in her hair as he held her like she was the only thing keeping him tethered to sanity.Ali melted into him, her magic singing in harmony with the mate bond as it knitted itself back together stronger than before.
When they broke apart, both breathing hard, Ali realized that the constant ache in her chest was gone.The mate bond had healed itself, whole and unbreakable.
