The familiar, worn binder marked “SableTech” in bold letters is in my lap, a relic of every late-night battle and hard-won victory. SableTech has been my lifeline, my heart, and now, sitting here on my sofa, I know it’s time to say goodbye to it.
My fingers trace the edges of the binder, and it feels almost surreal like I’m letting go of an old friend or a part of myself. But under the sadness, there’s a glimmer of relief—like shedding old skin for something new. Still, I’m a bit afraid. I think of Gunnolf, of what might come next, and of this loyal, frustrating, fierce man who’s snuck past every wall I’ve ever built.
What if he chooses to run? And, maybe worse, what if I let him?
A knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts. I open it to see Gunnolf, his smirk softened by the warmth in his eyes. “Hey, you,” he murmurs, stepping inside and pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead.
We settle onto the couch, and his gaze drops to the binder in my lap. “Planning a grand finale?” he teases, arching that infuriatingly charming brow of his.
“More like a quiet goodbye.” I take a breath, meeting his gaze. “I’m letting SableTech go. It’s time. Most clients have already moved on, and… so should I. I’ll be sure that my employees have a cushion for the transition, but I’m ready for something new.”
He looks at me. No teasing now, only a quiet understanding. “You’re letting go of the past,” he says, voice low, each word like a promise. “That’s brave, Val. But I never doubted you would find your way through this mess.”
A small smile tugs at my lips. I hesitate before telling him the next part. “Minna offered me a position as a consultant for the FBI and SPIU. I’d have more freedom, more time to explore… other possibilities.”
He grins, his thumb tracing small circles on my palm. “Sounds like a good fit to me. But just try not to make us look too bad, alright?”
I laugh, nudging him, but my humor fades when I catch the way he’s looking at me—intense, unguarded. He lifts my hand, pressing it to his lips, his breath steady.
“Val,” he says, his voice rougher than I’ve ever heard. “I’ve fought this bond, convinced myself that distance was safer for both of us. But the truth is, I don’t want to run. Not from you. I want everything—all the messy, terrifying, incredible things this bond could mean. Like I told you—I want us.” His eyes meet mine. “I love you, Val.”
I cup his face, brushing my thumb over his cheek. “I love you too, Gunnolf.”
He pulls me into a kiss, tender and lingering as if it holds every unsaid word. When we finally pull apart, he rests his forehead against mine, holding me close.
“So,” he murmurs with a grin, “what else do you have planned for this new chapter?”
I smile. “So, I’ve decided to officially join the SPIU as a consultant. Guess you’ll be seeing me around, Agent Wright.”
“Oh, I can handle that,” he says pulling me closer. “But don’t expect me to go easy on you.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I tease. “I’m already teaching Minna some tricks on firewall coding.”
He chuckles, pressing another kiss to my forehead, and I feel that flutter in my stomach, the sense of a new beginning.
Then Gunnolf’s phone buzzes, and he raises an eyebrow before answering and putting it on speaker. “Gunnolf, Val, you both there?” Minna’s voice sounds through the line, urgent but with a hint of relief.
“Yeah, we’re here,” Gunnolf replies. “What’s going on?”
“We’ve got something big,” Minna says. “Connelly dug deeper, and Crowe’s connections reached farther than we thought. It’s been confirmed he wasn’t just building a local cult—he has cells in several states, all primed for something bigger.”
Gunnolf’s jaw tightens. “So, he was planning to create a network far beyond Memphis. Was he trying to unify shifters against hunters or something else?”
“It’s more complex,” Minna responds. “Connelly found evidence of Crowe’s endgame—a downright absurd and obscene document. I mean, I feel for the guy. The loss of his family clearly made him lose his mind. Anyway, he positioned himself as a savior, aiming to pit supernatural against hunters and humans alike.”
I frown, “So he’s been feeding his followers promises of a new world order.”
“Exactly,” Minna replies. “Connelly and her team are mobilizing to take down the cells Crowe has set up across the states. They’ll handle dismantling the network, but they wanted you to know how extensive his plans really were. Crowe’s reach was… unsettling.”
Gunnolf’s hand tightens around mine, his voice steady. “Good. Let Connelly’s team finish what we started. Crowe’s followers might have looked to him for answers, but his ‘New Order’ ends here.”
Minna’s voice softens. “Get some rest, both of you. This is over. Connelly’s team has it from here.”
A few nights later, we gathered at a cozy bar downtown—the whole team, Connelly, and even a few agents from neighboring units pitched in. It’s not just another night. It’s a victory, and we’re soaking it in.
Gunnolf stays close, his hand in mine, and for once, I don’t feel the need to hide anything. I belong here—with the team, with him. As I glance around the table, I catch Callie and Bruce in a fierce debate over the best takedown techniques, Hati raising his glass to another round, and Minna laughing at something Connelly says. The weight of everything we’ve been through lifts, replaced by something warm, solid. This team isn’t just a job. It’s family.
Gunnolf clears his throat and raises his glass, catching everyone’s attention. “To peace and calm… until the next case.”
Everyone laughs, raising their glasses.
Gunnolf’s arm slips around my shoulders as the night winds down, and we head back to my place. There’s a new ease between us, a quiet understanding like we’ve finally found our way. When we settle onto the couch, I lean my head against his shoulder, and for the first time, I feel something more than just relief. I feel peace.
I look up, meeting his eyes. “So… what now, Agent Wright?”
He smiles, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “Now? Now we see what comes next, whatever that may be. And we face it together.”
He leans down, his lips meeting mine in a kiss that feels like a promise and a beginning. As we sit there, wrapped in each other’s arms, I know this is our next chapter, and whatever the future holds, we’ll be ready for it—together.