Page 89 of His Claim

When I lifted her into my lap, she didn’t hesitate. Her fingers trailed down my chest, memorizing old scars like she was mapping a story only she was allowed to read. My hand tangled in her hair as her breath hitched, our bodies fitting together in the half-light.

The storm of what waited outside faded. There was only her, her warmth, her scent, and the way her pulse fluttered against my lips when I kissed her throat.

My hands traced the curve of her spine, feeling the way she arched into me, a silent invitation. The world outside the tent could burn, but here, in this moment, we were untouchable.

Her voice was soft when she spoke again, the words almost lost in the rustle of the wind. “Promise me something.”

“Anything.”

“When it’s over,” she pulled back just enough to meet my eyes, “when it’s all done, you and me… We come out of this. Together. Just like this.”

I held her gaze, and I felt my heart thump. “Just like this,” I promised.

Her smile was small but real. “Good.”

CHAPTER 23

Mariah

The morning came in shades of steel and mist. The camp was alive before the sun, a quiet, disciplined chaos of last-minute preparations. Wolves checked their gear, their breath clouding in the cold air. Humans and wolves alike sharpened blades and loaded guns and ammunition.

I stood at the edge of camp, watching the ridge where the first patrols had already disappeared into the trees. The weight of Varek’s jacket was heavy over my shoulders, his scent still clinging to the fabric—a comfort I was desperate to cling to.

He stood beside me, quiet, his hand resting on the small of my back. We didn’t speak. There wasn’t anything left to say that hadn’t already been said. The silence was enough.

Elsie approached first, her rifle slung over her shoulder, her eyes already rapt with the focus of the coming fight. “Ready, sweetheart?” she asked, though her tone was less of a question and more of a command.

I took a breath and nodded. “Ready.”

“We move ahead of the rest,” she said, glancing over her shoulder at me. “You and me. We’ll make better time on our own. Once we’re in the tunnels, we’ll link up with the Watch scouts. From there, we move straight for the lab.”

I nodded, adjusting the straps on my pack. “Got it.”

She glanced at Varek. “I’ll keep my end of the bargain, alpha. If any of my peopleget trigger-happy with the serum, I’ll deal with it.”

Varek’s jaw clamped and he answered through gritted teeth. “See that you do.”

Elsie smirked, then turned to me. “Stick close to me. And for God’s sake, don’t stop moving once we’re inside. Hesitation gets people killed.”

“I know,” I said, my voice steadier than I would have expected.

Her eyes softened, just for a second. “Good.Then let’s do this.”She gave a curt nod to Varek. “We’ll see you on the other side.”

I turned to Varek then, and the gravity of what was to come settled between us. “Be careful,” I whispered, my hand resting on his chest.

“You too,” he said. He leaned down, his forehead pressing against mine, his breath warm in the cold air. “Come back to me.”

“I will.”

We kissed, quick and desperate, the taste of ash and promises. His hands lingered on my face for a moment longer than necessary, and then he stepped back.

“You get her there and you get her back,” he said evenly. “If anything feels wrong or even a little off, you pull out. You don’t wait for shit to go sideways.”

Elsie grinned, snapping the safety on her rifle. “Relax, Commander. I’m not in the business of dying stupid.” She tilted her head, keen gray eyes glinting.

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “You’ve got one job out there. Keep her alive.”

Elsie’s grin faded, replaced by a more serious frown. “Don’t worry, alpha. I know exactly how valuable she is.” She adjusted her rifle and added, more quietly, “To all of us.”