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We both froze as the car drew closer, but then I saw who was driving: Brennan. His eyes were searching the trees, and his jaw was set in determination. He'd come for me.

He brought the car to a stop in front of us, before jumping out and rushing over to me.

Before I could even say anything, he had pulled me into a passionate embrace and kissed me fiercely. The tears that had been streaming down my face stopped abruptly as I melted into his kiss. This was what I had longed for since he left.

I felt myself being lifted up off the ground as Brennan continued to kiss me with intensity and longing that mirrored my own. Finally he broke away from our embrace, but kept his arms around me protectively.

"You're safe," he said gruffly, brushing away the wetness on my cheeks with his thumbs before kissing them gently.

Lawson cleared his throat awkwardly and stepped back as Brennan continued to cradle me against his chest. “Goodbye, Amelia. Have a good life.”

My eyes welled with tears. Maybe this was the last time I would ever see him.

"I'll miss you," I started, but he turned and vanished into the forest without another word. My heart ached at the thought of leaving Aiden, Rose and Lawson behind.

Brennan's eyes were shining with relief as he looked down at me.

"You’re never going to be afraid again," he murmured in my ear, before he kissed my cheek again. "Especially with an alpha to protect you."

"I can protect myself," I said, but I was smiling as I said it. "Don't think I won't be fighting beside you during a battle."

He chuckled softly. "I believe you. You can do anything you put your mind to, Amelia-who-can-fly.”

I looked back up at the stars, feeling more myself than I ever had in my life. "Time to go."

Time to start a new life.

As he started toward the car, I turned to look back at the forest, the place I had spent my entire life. I took a deep breath of the calming night air, and then walked into the future.

* * *

Brennan dumped the car in the next town over, and I grinned at the sight of our two motorcycles waiting in a parking garage.

“I was worried we’d need a car to escape them,” he said, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. “But now… we can travel in your preferred style.”

We drove for hours until we reached a small town and arrived at the hotel. I was relieved to finally get off the motorcycle and stretch my legs.

The room, though small, was comfortable and inviting; we had a king-sized bed in the center of the room, along with a few pieces of furniture. Brennan lit some candles, filling the room with a soft glow.

We slowly began to undress each other as our desire took over, no longer scared of being discovered or judged.

Brennan's hands explored my body tenderly as we kissed; he seemed to know exactly what would make me moan or gasp with pleasure. His body pressed against mine felt like it was meant to be this way forever.

When we were completely spent, we lay together in a sweaty, blissful tangle of limbs. I rested my head against Brennan's chest, trying to catch my breath. I wanted to tell him something true, even if the words were hard and strange for me. “Brennan… I love you.”

I could feel him smiling. "I love you too."

As we fell asleep together in each other's arms, I felt deeply safe in a way I never had before.

I thought that I would be happy forever.

I didn’t know then that Nathan would hunt me to the ends of the earth.