Page 71 of Fated Alpha Baby

“Conan!”

His laughter echoes across the clearing as he runs forward, and I retaliate immediately.

A stream of fire races toward him, and he tries to dodge, but it hits him, giving me enough time to pass him nimbly and reach the tree first.

Clarissa erupts into delighted giggles as Conan does the walk of shame back to the start.

“Again,” he says, and I nod.

The next hour passes far too quickly as we practice control and combination attacks. Every time our powers connect, they become stronger. Cleaner. More instinctive. As though they’ve always belonged together.

Eventually, I collapse onto the grass, breathing heavily.

Conan drops down beside me. Sweaty. Grinning. Annoyingly handsome.

I roll my eyes, irritated with how hot and bothered I am by him even after all that training.

“Don’t look so pleased with yourself,” I grunt.

“I won.”

“You cheated.”

“I did not. I used my powers for good.”

I roll my eyes again. “Is it only about winning for you?”

Conan rolls onto his side, his charming smile beaming. “It’s always about winning. And I am always a winner.” He winks. “I won you over, didn’t I?”

I giggle nervously as my cheeks erupt with heat. “Maybe…”

Conan’s smile softens, and for a moment, the world seems to fade away as we stare into each other’s eyes.

The warriors.

The clearing.

Everything around us seems to fade, and there’s only him.

The man I loved eight years ago.

The man I’m beginning to fall for all over again.

Only this time, I’m seeing him clearly. Not through fear. Not through hurt. Just truth. And the truth is that every day I spend with him makes it harder to imagine a future without him.

My gaze drifts toward Clarissa.

She’s gathering wildflowers near the edge of the clearing, long since bored by our training and antics. But what matters is that she’s safe. Happy. Laughing. With both parents in her life now.

My heart squeezes painfully because no matter how much happiness I allow myself to feel, fear still lingers beneath it.

The demons are still out there. The portal still exists. And Clarissa remains one of the children they’re hunting.

Conan notices immediately, and his hand finds mine.

“She’ll be okay.”

I nod slowly, but the knot in my chest doesn’t disappear. Before I can respond, a familiar scent reaches us.