The beast who protected, who always stayed on the edges, who never interfered unless it would kill me, sacrificed himself for me. That wasSeti’sultimate goal—and the task given to the Hadeon when he met me at the shifter village. He knew what would happen—he knew the choice I’d make. And gave me a second chance.
The Hadeon was my second chance. I saved his life in the hollow all those months ago, and now, he gave me his.
Fresh tears drip from my chin, but I turn, holding Kaden’s face. The scar over his brow, the high cheekbones, the pure, pale skin, I drink down every detail, committing it to memory. Everything about him I check and double check.
“Is it you?”
His forehead drops to mine, crushing me to his body. An ache I’ve been feeling for days melts away at his closeness.
“You saved me,” he breathes. “Again. I’ll never be able to repay you for what you sacrificed.”
Shaking my head, I rub my nose against his. “I was ready to follow you anywhere. I didn’t want to save a world that didn’t have you in it.”
He steals a kiss, rough and demanding. I sink into it, curling close. This is my mate—his fire, his passion, his ruthlessness. His tongue plunges into my mouth, stealing every essence I have. This isn’t just a simple kiss but a reaffirmation of who we are—of our love.
He holds my neck softly, pulling back. “We still have one more thing to handle.”
I bite my lip, breaths coming out in short pants. Losing the Hadeon, dying and being brought back hasn’t dimmed what still needs to happen. Who is the reason behind all of this.
“Aoife.”
