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Her simple faith in me, in us, makes my chest tight with emotion. Belle is brave in ways she doesn't even realize, willing to trust that we won't hurt her even when she can sense something big is coming.

When I pull into our driveway, I can see Marcus's truck and Theo's SUV already there, which means they're both home from work. Belle looks up at the house, and I can see genuine surprise cross her features.

"This is beautiful," Belle says, staring up at the house in amazement. "It's so... elegant. Modern. I wasn't expecting..."

"What were you thinking our home would be like?” I ask, genuinely curious about what image she'd formed of the notorious "Beasty Pack's" living situation.

Belle has the grace to look slightly embarrassed. "Honestly? Something more like a rustic cabin. Maybe a bit run-down, definitely more... rough around the edges."

I can't help but laugh. "What did you think we were, Belle? Wild animals living in a cave?"

"Pretty much," she admits with a sheepish smile. "The way people talk about you all in town, I imagined something very different from this architectural masterpiece."

"I designed it," I tell her. "For myself and my pack."

When I pull into our driveway, I can see Marcus's truck and Theo's SUV already there, which means they're both home fromwork. Belle looks up at the house, and I can see genuine surprise cross her features.

"This is beautiful," Belle says, staring up at the house in amazement. "It's so... elegant. Modern. I wasn't expecting..."

"What were you expecting?" I ask, genuinely curious about what kind of home she expected us to live in.

Belle has the grace to look slightly embarrassed. "Honestly? Something more like a rustic cabin. Maybe a bit run-down, definitely more... rough around the edges."

I can't help but laugh. "What did you think we were, Belle? Wild animals living in a cave?"

"Pretty much," she admits with a sheepish smile. "The way people talk about you alphas in town, I imagined something very different from this architectural masterpiece."

"I designed it," I tell her with obvious pride. "For myself and my pack."

Belle nods, still looking impressed as she takes in the clean lines and warm materials. We sit in comfortable silence for a moment, the weight of the evening settling between us.

"Felix," she says finally, "I don't think I'm ready to go inside tonight."

I feel a flicker of disappointment, but I understand. "Too much too soon?"

"Not too much," she says quickly. "Tonight was perfect. The chocolate making, getting to know you better, seeing this side of you. But tonight was about us - you and me. I'm not ready to complicate that yet."

"I understand," I say, and I do. "Can I take you home?"

"I'd like that."

The drive back to her apartment building is quiet but not uncomfortable. Belle seems lost in thought, processing everything from our chocolate-making adventure to seeing where I live.

When I pull up to her building, she turns to face me with a soft smile.

"Thank you for tonight, Felix. For sharing something you love with me, for being patient with all my questions."

"Thank you for being brave enough to try something new," I reply. "And for giving me a chance."

She leans across the center console, and I meet her halfway. What starts as a gentle brush of lips quickly becomes something deeper, hungrier. Her hand slides to the back of my neck, fingers tangling in my hair as I pull her closer despite the awkward angle. She tastes like chocolate and desire, sweet with hints of vanilla that make my head spin. When her tongue traces my lower lip, I can't suppress a low growl.

"Are you sure about this?" I murmur against her mouth, even as my thumb traces the curve of her jaw.

"Very sure," she breathes, and the certainty in her voice undoes me completely.

I capture her lips again, deeper this time, drinking in the soft sounds she makes against my mouth. Her skin is impossibly soft under my fingertips, warm and inviting, and when she shifts closer, her scent of vanilla and honey intensifies with something purely Belle that makes every nerve ending come alive. The center console digs into my ribs, but I don't care because she's kissing me like she's been thinking about this all evening, like she wants to memorize the taste of me. When we finally break apart, we're both breathing hard, her lips swollen and her scent thick with arousal that makes my alpha instincts sing with satisfaction.

"Goodnight, Felix," she says, her hand on the door handle.