“And now,” she whispers, “it feels like I found an extension of myself instead. Like I’ve been missing half my senses, and they’ve finally switched on.”
I close my eyes for a beat, because her trust—hercertainty—hits me harder than any punch could. “Rowan, you have no idea what it means to hear you say that.”
She lifts one hand and lays it gently over my heart. “I think I do.”
The bond thrums between us, deep and steady, something ancient and instinctive threading through our veins. Strength I didn’t know I had settles inside my chest.
She leans closer, voice a soft whisper in the space between her lips and mine. “Thank you for making me feel safe here.”
“Always.” My thumb strokes along her jaw. “If you have doubts or you’re scared or just confused—I’ll be right there with you. Every step. You only need to say the word.”
Her smile is small but bright. “Good. Because I have a lot of questions.”
“And I have all night,” I murmur.
Her smile softens, eyes warm. “So do I.”
We keep talkinglong after we should. Her questions come slowly at first, then quicker, curiosity blooming where fear used to live. I answer everything—patiently and honestly—watching the last shadows of doubt slip from her eyes one by one.
Until eventually, exhaustion wins.
Rowan fights it at first, but her blinks grow longer, her body heavier against mine. When she finally surrenders, her head tucked beneath my chin, it feels like the earth settles back into alignment.
I should sleep too, but I can’t. Because she wasn’t the only one to ask questions. Now, my mind reels with everything she’s shared about her time with Malrik, what he put her through, and all that she’s learned.
But mostly, with her resilience. It’s a force all its own.
I hadn’t known about the intruder she killed that night before she left. I hadn’t known half of what she’d survived alone. But that ends now.
I promised her that she has no reason to be scared—something she assured me that she nowknows without a doubt—and that I would do whatever it takes to keep her safe.
She laughed at that.
Actually laughed.
Told me she didn’t need a knight in shining armor.
My wolf and I both growled at that, but deep down, I also appreciate her strength and determination to become the version of herself that she chooses. Not what everyone has been fearing.
Even more, I know she can do it.
I’ve sensed her capacity to do so ever since she first transformed into a wolf.
It’s been hours since she finally closed her eyes, and the sun is almost up now. Iris arrived late in the evening, insisting on the dinner she was promised, but Rowan slept through her name being yelled twice, and the death glare I leveled at Iris had her backing out of the doorway before she could launch into one of her speeches. She left with a mutter about “rude young people” and an agreement that we’d eat breakfast instead, but that time hasn’t come yet.
Right now, I’m content just holding Rowan, her breath warm against my chest, her heartbeat steady and safe.
Interesting how the tables have turned,my wolf murmurs lazily.You were dead set on killing her a few weeks ago. Now you can’t even pretend to live without her.
I didn’t know she was my mate then.
But you had the prejudice anyway, he pushes.
Are you trying to make a point here?
Always, he says.Talk to the pack betas. Get their new alphas in line and reform that council, Cade. But moreimportantly, we need to be on it. Don’t let the past keep you from your future.
A low growl grows within my mind as he continues. You said earlier that fixing the council was nearly as important as protecting Rowan, but it’s the same thing. To keep her safe, we need the wolves on our side. Malrik is already going to be enough, and he brought some of those vampires to the fight before. If even a fraction of the covens join him…
