His lips twitch into the faintest smile. “You did better than that.”
Before I can say anything, Axel’s voice cuts through the room, loud, and commanding. “Alright, everyone, let’s get this show on the road!”
The laughter dies down, chairs scrape, and conversations fade. All eyes turn towards the front, where Axel’s standing with a beer in hand.
Shadow doesn’t move, but his hand slides down my arm, finding my fingers. He grips them tight, grounding me.
Axel’s gaze flicks between us, a faint smirk playing on his lips. “Tonight’s about respect,” he begins, voice carrying easily through the room. “Brotherhood and loyalty.” He looks directly at me. “And it’s about knowing who stands where.”
My pulse pounds in my ears.
Shadow steps forward, still holding my hand. I glance up at him, heart racing so hard, it hurts. He gives a small nod, a silenttrust me.
Axel grins. “You got something to say, brother?”
Shadow takes a slow breath, his grip on me firm but not possessive. Just solid, steady. He turns to face the crowd, all of them watching, waiting.
“Yeah,” he says, voice low but clear. “I do.” Then he lifts our joined hands, the gesture simple but powerful. “Most of you know Remi. You know what she’s been through. You know what she’s done. But none of that matters because from this moment on, she’smine.”
The word echoes, rolling through the room like thunder.Mine.
His eyes find mine and don’t waver. “I’m claiming her. Remi belongs under this patch. Under this roof. Under my protection.”
My breath catches. My throat burns.
He takes a step closer, his voice lower but still carrying. “And anyone who’s got a problem with that can take it up with me.”
For a heartbeat, no one moves, then Axel raises his beer. “To our new old lady.”
The room erupts with cheers, whistles and laughter. Luna whoops from behind me, Xanthe grinning wide. Someone yells, “About bloody time!”
Shadow doesn’t take his eyes off me. Not once. He leans in, his breath brushing my ear. “Say something, Rem.”
I blink up at him, chest tight, voice trembling. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes,” he murmurs, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “Say you’re mine.”
I swallow hard. My heart is hammering so hard, I can barely breathe, but I manage to whisper it anyway. “Yes.”
His smile breaks slow, small but real. “Good girl.”
He cups my face with both hands and kisses me. Right there, in front of everyone. It’s not a soft kiss. It’s rough and full and desperate. It’s a claim and a promise and an apology all at once.
The crowd roars again, banging on tables and yelling their approval.
But for me, the world goes quiet.
All I can feel is him, the warmth of his hands, the press of his lips, the steady beat of his heart against mine.
I’ve found what I’ve been craving all along.
When he pulls back, his forehead rests against mine. “You okay?” he murmurs.
I nod, tears spilling despite my best effort. “Yeah,” I whisper. “I’m okay now.”
He smiles faintly. “Good, because this is just the beginning.”
He keeps his arm around me as Axel calls for drinks and the music kicks back in, but I don’t hear any of it.
