And that started with the fact that my partner was right.
I loved Valens. There it was, in the cold light of day. Vulnerable, raw, honest.
Ilovedhim.
And no fucking way did he get to decide to just end this relationship between us. Not without a conversation.
“I’ve got to go.”
“Yeah, you do. Give him hell, girl.”
“I’ll bring you my uniforms and my sword tomorrow morning.”
“We’ll get you another one.” I smiled at her easy comeback, no pressure, no resentment. Just acceptance.
I hugged her before I left to go choose my own damn destiny for the first time.
Chapter 54
Valens
Iwas nearly back to the castle when I saw her. She was striding across the yard with purpose, head held high and a fire in her eyes I could spot from a hundred yards away. She was every Valkyrie from the old stories, dark hair streaming and a presence that was undeniable.
She was radiant.
I hoped and prayed she was still mine.
“Valens!” she hollered, demanding my attention as if I could have missed her on any plane of existence.
I shifted back, not caring if any of the milling wolves saw my bare ass, just wanting to hold her, talk to her again.
Thankfully, a random beta passing by snorted and shoved a pair of sweats at me. Nudity was a ubiquitous problem among shifters. I yanked them on midstride, anxious to get to her after running for hours.
The sun was nearly gone, the air crisp and sweet as we met in the middle, the scent of trampled grass burning into my memory along with the sight of her.
“You left. You don’t get to do that when things get hard. Noteveragain. Tell me you understand.”
“I understand,” I said, hesitant to interrupt what felt like a tirade building.
“Good. You know what else? I love you. I’ve been lying to myself. About a lot of things, not just that. But that’s over. You and me? We’re mates now. That’s not going to go away, and it’s not changing. So we have to learn how to communicate like adults, not just… Where have you even been? You look like you’ve been beaten by the backside of a thousand branches.”
She shook her head, then continued. “Never mind, I don’t care. I don’t! Honestly. But if youeverrun off like that again, I’m going to—” She screwed up her lips, trying to think of a sufficiently awful threat. But she didn’t have to.
I caught her around the waist, cutting her lecture off. “You love me?”
“Obviously.”
“I fucking love you too, Firecracker.” I reached up, tucking a strand of silky raven hair behind her ear. “So much. More than anything. And I won’t leave, not ever, if you’ll have me.”
“Well, good, then. It’s decided.”
I snorted. “Just like that, huh?”
“Just like that. So, I guess we’re doing this thing.” She lifted her chin, daring me to argue with her proclamation.As if.
“Oh, there’s no guessing. You told me no more running off. That means you’re spending every day at my side and every night in my bed. I can follow instructions.” I lowered my voice suggestively, leaning in to try to steal a kiss.
“We still need to talk about why you left,” she blurted before I could kiss her.
