Something unexpected happened. The warriors bowed not just to Caelan, but to Alara and me as well. Their heads dipped low in silent acknowledgment of Alara’s courage and quiet acceptance of my place as her mate.
My wolf settled so suddenly it almost knocked me sideways. For the first time since setting foot on this mountain, the pressure under my skin eased. He approved of the acceptance and how Alara instinctively reached for me even now, her fingers trembling against my arm.
When Caelan turned away to speak to his warriors, I didn’t hesitate another second. I wrapped my mate up against me, hauling her tight to my chest. My arms locked around her as though my body needed to confirm that she was safe.
She sagged into me instantly, trembling from the adrenaline crash. Her breath hitched against my throat. “How did you know I was in trouble?”
I dipped my head, brushing my lips to her hair. “I felt your fear through the bond. I’ll always come for you.”
Her fingers gripped my shoulders like she needed the anchor. When she lifted her face to me, relief and trust shone so fiercely in her gray eyes that something inside my chest cracked wide open. “I love you.”
“Good,” she sniffled, her voice breaking. “Because I love you too.”
My wolf pressed up through me with a deep certainty. She was mine, and I was hers. There was no universe where I would ever let anything separate us again.
Alara was still tucked against my chest when she tilted her head back, her breath warm against my throat. “I don’t want to wait to solidify our bond.”
My wolf lifted his head, ears pricking, a low hum of anticipation vibrating through my ribs.
I brought a hand up to her cheek, brushing my thumb along the soft curve beneath her eye. “If we do this now, there’s no going back. Once the bond is sealed, you’re fully and irrevocably mine. Just as I’ll be yours.”
Her pulse fluttered beneath my fingers, but her gaze didn’t waver. “We already belong to each other. There was no going back from the moment we met.”
I leaned my forehead to hers, exhaling slowly. “We just need somewhere secluded to go.”
She grinned up at me. “There’s a hunting cabin tucked into the pines not too far from here. It belongs to my family, but Caelan rarely goes there, so there will be no interruptions.”
“Sounds perfect.” I swallowed hard, trying to keep myself grounded. She’d been through hell today. She deserved tenderness, but every part of me was already imagining her beneath me, wrapped in my scent, with my mark on her soft skin.
Then she stepped back, reached for the hem of her sweater, and lifted it right over her head. Underneath, she wore a fitted, short-sleeved shirt that hugged every curve. I didn’t understand what she intended until she stepped close again and looped the fabric around my waist, tying it with a stubborn little tug.
“No one else needs to see what’s mine,” she muttered.
My wolf preened at her territorial streak. And I nearly dragged her straight into the closest shadow and sealed the bond right there.
Instead, I bit back a laugh and tipped her chin up with two fingers. “I love that you did that.”
She huffed, her cheeks pink. “Good.”
Before I could lead her to the cabin, Keane and Kace approached in their human forms. I curved an arm around Alara’s waist, already planning how quickly I could get her alone again when they finished whatever they needed to say.
I stepped forward with Alara at my side. “Thank you. Both of you.”
Keane snorted. “Didn’t really do much.”
“I’m glad we came. Would’ve hated missing all this. We hope to see you both soon.” Kace grinned as he added, “But not too soon.”
Alara flushed, and my wolf let out a low, warning thrum. Kace laughed under his breath and clapped my shoulder before turning away.
Keane followed him with a grunt, and I exhaled slowly. I trusted them with my life, but I was still grateful when they finally disappeared into the trees. The last thing I wanted right now were naked men anywhere near my mate.
I altered my stance to face Alara again, brushing my thumb along the inside of her wrist just because I could. Her pulse fluttered beneath my touch.
Then Caelan approached, a gleam of approval in his eyes. “I trust you with my sister.”
The words hit harder than any blow I’d taken today. I dipped my head. “I won’t fail her.”
For the first time since meeting him, Caelan’s shoulders eased. His gaze softened when he looked at Alara, then he stepped aside, granting us the unspoken permission to go.
