A strange calm washed over me. “Then he’ll come.”
“Yes,” Wolf said. “But not how he wants.”
I nodded. “Good.”
I was surprised even by myself.
He studied me. “You’re steadier.”
“I’m done being hunted,” I replied. “If they come for me again, it’s not because I’m weak.”
I stepped closer to him.
“It’s because I'm worth the risk.”
Something broke in Wolf’s expression.
Before he could stop himself — before either of us could — he reached for me.
His hands framed my face, warm, rough, reverent.
“Nora,” he murmured, forehead resting against mine, “when this is over…”
“When,” I echoed.
He exhaled slowly. “I don’t know how to exist where you’re not part of my life.”
My chest tightened. “Good. Because I don’t want to either.”
For a moment, the war faded.
No Keller.
No hunters.
No shadows in the trees.
Just us.
Wolf leaned in — slow, deliberate — giving me time.
I didn’t pull away.
His lips brushed my temple… my cheek… barely grazing the corner of my mouth.
Promise.
Not possession.
Not yet.
Trigger cleared his throat loudly from the back door. “Uh. Hate to ruin the vibe, but…”
Wolf straightened immediately.
Saint’s laptop chimed.
Then chimed again.
