“Do you believe in fate?” I asked.
Riley was quiet for a long moment. “I used to think everything was just random chance and the choices we make. But lately…” She looked up at me, her eyes filled with something that made my heart clench. “Lately I’m not so sure.”
“Because of the mating mark?”
“Not just that.” She reached up to touch my face, her fingertips cool against my heated skin. “Because of how easily I fit here. With you. Like this is where I was always meant to end up, despite everything that happened to get me here.”
I captured her hand against my cheek, turning to kiss her palm.
“I’ve never believed in coincidence,” I said. “Everything happens according to patterns we may not immediately recognize. Meeting you wasn’t random chance, Riley. It was inevitable.”
Her eyes searched mine, looking for something Ihoped she’d find. Whatever she saw made her lips part, her pulse quickening at the base of her throat. “Dungar.”
The way she said my name unraveled something inside me that had been tightly wound for too long. I leaned down, giving her time to pull away if she wanted, but she rose to meet me halfway.
Our lips met in a kiss that started gentle but quickly deepened into something hungrier. Her hands slid up my chest to curl around my neck, and I gathered her closer, lifting her onto my lap. She made a small sound of approval against my mouth, her body fitting perfectly against mine.
I kissed her like I was starving, like I’d been wandering lost and had finally found home.
When we finally broke apart, both breathing hard, I rested my forehead against hers, unwilling to create more distance than was absolutely necessary.
“I could get used to this,” she whispered.
The words sent hope through me. I wanted to ask her to stay, to tell her that my home would never feel complete without her in it, that waking up beside her each morning had become as essential as breathing. But I swallowed the words, not wanting to pressure her when she was just beginning to feel safe.
Instead, I traced the line of her jaw with my thumb. “Me too.”
We remained on the log until the moon had climbed high overhead, talking about our favorite books, childhood mishaps, and dreams we’d once had. I memorized each new detail she shared, filing it awayin the special category my mind had created just for her.
When we finally returned to the house, Riley’s hand still in mine, I knew with absolute certainty that whatever happened with the luminook investigation, whatever dangers still lurked in her past, I would move mountains to keep her safe. To give her a place where she could finally stop running.
That night, with Riley curled against me in sleep, I allowed myself to imagine a future, one where she wore my mating mark proudly, where our younglings played in the fields behind our home, where she never again had to look over her shoulder.
I fell asleep holding that vision close, knowing that tomorrow would bring us back to the investigation, to the reality of the unknown. But for now, with Riley exactly where she belonged, everything felt right.
“Thankyou all for coming this morning.” My voice carried through the hall, where nearly every resident and employee of Lonesome Creek had gathered. I stood at the front, a prepared presentation displayed on the screen behind me. Riley sat on the stage to my right, her phone open to take notes, her eyes scanning the crowd with the same attention to detail I would’ve used.
“As you know, security is my highest priority here in Lonesome Creek.” I advanced to the first slide showing a map of the town with color-coded zones. “Recentevents have prompted us to implement enhanced security measures throughout the property.”
I didn’t mention the luminook thefts specifically. No need to cause panic or alert our suspects. Instead, I framed everything as preventative, proactive planning rather than a response to an active threat.
“The new patrol schedule will be implemented effective immediately.” I gestured to the chart showing rotation times and coverage areas. “Each area has been assigned a primary and secondary security contact. Please familiarize yourself with who covers your zone.”
Mary Bustier sat near the back, her hands folded neatly in her lap, nodding along with each point I made. Joyce Milburn chewed her bottom lip, her eyes darting to the exits. Ava watched, her camera bag propped beside her chair. As a tourist in town, she hadn’t been invited; but she’d arrived with the other two women.
Maybe they were just friends.
Or maybe they were allies in a plot to steal luminooks.
“Additionally, we’re implementing an enhanced check-in system for all staff and visitors.” I advanced to the next slide showing the new badges and verification process. “Each employee will receive an updated ID card with encoded security features. These must be worn at all times while on the property.”
As I continued outlining the new procedures, I found my gaze returning repeatedly to Riley. She fit so naturally into this setting, offering nods of encouragement when my gaze met hers, and asking insightful questions thathelped clarify points for others. The community had already begun to accept her as one of their own and as my mate, though we hadn’t made any public declarations.
Jessi had saved a seat beside Riley, and the two of them exchanged whispered comments. Holly had brought Riley coffee in one of the special mugs she used only for family members. Even Allie had greeted her with the traditional orc way, nudging her shoulder with her knuckles.
They recognized what I already knew with absolute certainty: Riley James belonged here.
After concluding the presentation and answering questions, I dismissed the gathering with instructions to collect new ID badges from Aunt Inla at the general store. As people filed out, Riley approached me.
