It wasn’t a request.
It was the voice of a man fighting every instinct not to wrap me up and never let go.
I walked to him.
His hands came up slowly, giving me space to pull away if I wanted—
I didn’t—
and he settled them on my upper arms, palms warm, firm, steady.
“You okay?” he murmured.
“Yes.”
A beat.
“No.”
Another beat.
“I don’t know.”
Wolf’s jaw flexed. “That’s honest. And it’s okay.”
I let out a shaky breath. “He was watching. He was right there.”
Wolf stepped closer, closing the space until the heat of his body softened the chill under my skin. “And he didn’t get to you. He didn’t touch you. He didn’t even get close.”
“He will try,” I whispered.
A fire flickered in Wolf’s eyes—quiet, lethal. “Then he’ll fail.”
I swallowed. “How can you be sure?”
“Because I’m here.” The words came low, rough. “And I don’t fail.”
Something in my chest loosened.
Not safety.
Not comfort.
Something deeper.
My hand lifted before I could think, resting gently against his chest. His heartbeat thudded under my palm—strong, angry, protective.
Wolf inhaled sharply… like my touch hit him harder than the threat outside.
“Nora,” he murmured, voice roughened with something I couldn’t name.
I should’ve stepped back.
But instead—I leaned in.
Just a fraction.
Barely a breath.
