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Footsteps storm into the room, but I barely register them, my focus locked on the woman in my arms. The woman who is my entire fucking world.

She exhales a shaky breath, tilting her forehead against mine, fingers tracing absently along my jawline. “I missed you, V.”

My throat tightens painfully. She has no fucking idea.

I press a kiss to her temple, murmuring hoarsely, “Never again. Never leaving my sight.”

Movement in my periphery finally drags my attention back to the others.

Kingston. Romano. Jace.

They don’t hesitate.

In an instant, they’re surrounding her, wrapping her in fierce, desperate embraces. Romano murmurs rapid, sweet reassurances against her hair, his usual brightness tinged with raw relief. Jace takes her hands, pressing reverent kisses to her bruised knuckles like he’s silently making a promise. Kingston cups her face, his lips brushing across her forehead, his usual restraint cracked wide open, emotions laid bare.

She laughs softly, swallowed up by them, us, and everything.

Violet stands frozen, her wide eyes bouncing between Fallon and the four of us as if she’s witnessing something sacred. Then, before anyone can react, three more figures enter the room.

Fox, Dare, and Jex.

They pause mid-step, their postures stiffening slightly as their gazes land on Violet. Her stunned expression mirrors theirs.

I don’t have time to think about it because Jex moves instinctively, positioning himself slightly in front of her, his body language screaming protectiveness.

I arch a brow. Interesting.

Fox, ever efficient, shakes off the moment and starts ushering the terrified omegas toward the exit, his sharp, commanding voice cutting through the chaos. Dare quickly follows suit, his usual smirk replaced by quiet determination as he guides the trembling group into motion.

Jex lingers, his broad frame towering near Violet. His voice is gruff but gentle when he asks, “You okay?”

Violet blinks at him, clearly rattled, but slowly, she nods. Then, quieter, she murmurs, “I am now.”

I’ll unpack that later.

Right now, Fallon is turning back to me.

Her fingers graze my cheek, smudging away the blood staining my skin. Her gaze flickers over my face, searching, reassuring herself that I’m okay, too.

A slow smirk curves her lips. “Nice entrance.”

I lean in, letting my lips ghost over hers, the rawness between us still burning hot.

“Only for you, Princess.”

Chapter Fifteen

Fallon

April 17th

5:07 A.M

“God, I’d marry that shower if I could,” I mumble, stepping into the living room, still scrubbing at my damp hair with a towel. My body feels lighter and cleaner, but I can’t seem to wash away the tension still coiled deep inside me, not after everything.

Romano’s oversized shirt drapes over my frame, but it doesn’t quite cover as much as I’d like, leaving my tiny sleep shorts peeking out beneath. I’m hyper-aware of how exposed I am, but before I can adjust, strong hands grip my waist, sweeping me off my feet.

A startled gasp escapes me, but the moment I land, Kingston’s solid warmth envelops me. He pulls me into his lap, arms locking around me like a cage—like he’s afraid I might slip away again. His grip is firm, but not suffocating, his fingers pressing into my skin just enough to remind himself that I’m real.