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As he stripped her of her clothes and tenderly made love to her, his words echoed in her mind even as they filled the quiet room. “My mate. My heart. My everything.”

* * *

T he dim glow of the fae lamps cast soft, golden light across the room, but Decebel barely noticed. His focus was razor-sharp, fixed on the door, on the faint rhythm of Jen’s footsteps as she moved through the home toward their space. His space. His sanctuary. His mate.

His wolf prowled just beneath the surface, restless and clawing for dominance.

It wasn’t anger driving the beast tonight but something deeper, something raw and consuming.

Desire. Need. Decebel’s jaw flexed as he clenched his teeth, his hands curling into fists at his sides.

The man struggled to maintain control, but the wolf was relentless.

She’s ours. Claim her. Remind her whom she belongs to.

The door creaked open, and Jen stepped inside. Joy filled her, but underneath it was a layer of grief. For Jewel, for Dalton.

Jen was barefoot. Her blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders in unruly waves, and her soft smile was tinged with exhaustion. She closed the door quietly behind her, then leaned back against it as she let out a long breath.

“She’s finally asleep,” Jen said, relieved.

“You’d think after adventuring through the draheim realm, Thia would be too tired to talk, but no.

That kid has stories for days.” Decebel could tell Jen was trying to not think about the horrible events of the day.

She needed a distraction. She needed him.

Decebel didn’t respond. His amber eyes locked on hers, and the moment her gaze met his, Jen froze. Her lips parted slightly as she took in the expression on his face.

“Dec.” Her tone shifted to one of cautious curiosity.

She didn’t need to ask. She knew. She always knew.

H er mate was close to the edge, his wolf prowling, pacing, pushing against the fragile barrier between them.

The intensity in his eyes was almost overwhelming, a mix of feral hunger and unyielding possession.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she swallowed hard as the air between them seemed to thicken, charged with electricity.

Decebel’s voice, low and commanding, cut through the silence. “Strip.”

The single word hit her like a physical force, and her pulse quickened as the weight of his command settled over her.

There was no gentleness in his tone, no room for negotiation.

This wasn’t the tender lover who whispered sweet nothings in the dark.

This was her mate, her alpha, a man driven by instinct and need.

Jen’s heart raced, her body responding to him before her mind could catch up.

She reached for the hem of her shirt, and her fingers trembled slightly as she pulled it over her head and let it fall to the floor.

Her jeans followed, and she stood before him in nothing but her undergarments, the air cool against her skin.

Decebel’s gaze raked over her, his wolf flashing in the golden glow of his eyes. He took a single step toward her, and the ground shifted beneath Jen’s feet, as though the sheer force of his presence was enough to unbalance her.

“Everything,” he growled, the word laced with a dark promise.

Jen didn’t hesitate this time. She slid the straps of her bra off her shoulders, letting the fabric fall away, followed by the last barrier between them.

She stood bare before him, her chin lifted, her eyes locked on his.

She wasn’t afraid—she never was with Decebel—but the intensity of his gaze made her breath catch.

He closed the distance between them in a heartbeat, his hands gripping her hips with a possessive strength that sent a shiver down her spine. His touch wasn’t gentle. Instead, it was firm, demanding, as though he needed to feel every inch of her to ground himself.

“You’re mine.” His voice was a low growl that reverberated through her. His head dipped, and his lips found the mark on her neck, the scar that bound them together in a way no force could break.

Jen gasped as his teeth grazed her skin, the sharp edge of his canines igniting a fire that spread through her veins.

His bite firm, deliberate—not tentative—a reminder of who she was and whom she belonged to.

The bond between them flared to life, flooding her with his emotions: possessiveness, longing, and a depth of love so fierce it left her breathless.

She opened her mouth to speak—to say something, anything—but Decebel growled low in his throat, a warning that sent a thrill through her.

“Don’t. No words. Not tonight.”

Jen closed her mouth, her breath coming in shallow gasps as the tension radiated off him. His hands roamed over her body, rough and reverent all at once, as though he was trying to memorize every curve, every inch of her.

“This.” His lips moved against her skin. “This is what I need. Not words. Not promises. Just you, Jen. Your light. Your fire. Your everything.”

She felt his desperation, his need to hold onto her, to lose himself in her. It wasn’t just about desire. It was about survival. The darkness in him, the chaos that threatened to consume him, could only be tamed by her. She was his anchor, his salvation, and he needed her like he needed air.

Decebel lifted her effortlessly, carried her to the bed, and laid her down with a care that belied the urgency in his movements.

His body covered hers, his warmth pressing against her as his lips claimed hers in a kiss that was anything but gentle.

It was fierce, consuming, a battle of wills, and a surrender all at once.

Jen’s hands slid over his shoulders, and her nails grazed his skin as she pulled him closer.

She could feel the tension in his muscles, the barely contained power that thrummed beneath the surface.

He was a storm, wild and untamed, but she was the calm that steadied him, the light that guided him through the darkness.

As the hours stretched on, the world outside their room ceased to exist. There was no war, no danger, no looming threat. There was only Decebel and Jen, two halves of a whole, bound together by a love that burned brighter than any shadow.

Decebel’s growl softened into a low rumble as he pressed his forehead against hers, his breath warm against her lips. “My female, my mate, my love,” he murmured. “And I’ll never let you forget it.”

Jen smiled, her hands cupping his face as she whispered, “I never will.”

And as the night wore on, they lost themselves in each other, finding solace and strength in the bond that would always hold them together.

* * *

I t was quiet in the dimly lit room. A single bedside lamp cast a soft, warm glow over the space.

The Colorado pack mansion had always felt grand and imposing, with its sprawling rooms and heavy wooden furniture, but tonight, to Sally, it felt hollow.

The silence wasn’t peaceful. No, it was heavy, pressing down on her like a weight she couldn’t shake.

She sat on the edge of the bed, her hands resting on her swollen stomach, her thumb absently brushing over the fabric of her shirt. The baby shifted slightly, a flutter of movement that brought a faint smile to her lips despite the ache in her chest.

Jewel was gone.

The words echoed in Sally’s mind, over and over, a painful reminder of the healer who had been a source of strength and knowledge.

Sally had looked up to Jewel, had learned from her, had shared the healer bond with her that went beyond words.

And now, that bond felt severed, leaving behind a hollow space.

The sound of the door clicking shut drew Sally’s attention, and she looked up to see Costin stepping into the room. His hazel eyes locked on hers immediately, and the warmth of his presence flowed through their bond—a steady hum of love and reassurance that wrapped around her like a blanket.

“Hey,” he said softly.

Sally managed a small smile. “Hey.”

Costin crossed the room in a few long strides, his movements fluid and graceful, and knelt in front of her.

He placed his hands on her knees, his touch grounding her as he looked up at her with a playful glint in his eyes.

“You appear to be carrying the weight of the world, Sally-mine. Which means it’s my job to lighten it. ”

Despite herself, Sally let out a small, shaky laugh. “How do you always make me laugh?”

Costin grinned, his boyish charm shining through. “It’s my superpower. That, among other things.” He bounced his eyebrows at her as he gave her a heated look. He leaned forward, resting his chin on her knees as he stared up at her. “And right now, perhaps you need me to do both.”

Sally’s smile faltered, and she let out a shaky breath as she gazed down at him.

“I don’t know if I can laugh tonight, Costin.

I just… I can’t stop thinking about her.

About Jewel. About everything she gave for her pack, for all of us.

” Her voice broke, and she covered her face with her hands as a sob escaped her.

Costin immediately stood and pulled her into his arms. He sat down on the bed, cradling her against his chest as she let herself cry. His hands stroked her back, his touch gentle and soothing, and he pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

“Let it out,” he murmured. “Tell me everything, Sally. I’m here. Always.”

The bond between them flared with his emotions—love, concern, and a fierce protectiveness that made her heart ache. She clung to him, her fingers tangling in the fabric of his shirt as she let the words spill out.

“I just keep thinking about how much she meant to everyone and wondering if she knew.” Sally’s voice trembled.

“She sacrificed so much when she was under Volcan’s power.

It tore her apart. And her mother’s death ripped a hole inside of her.

She gave and gave, and even with her mistakes, she cared so much for all of us.

She was smart, unique, and hilarious without meaning to be.

And now she’s… She’s gone. I don’t know how to be okay with it.

She shouldn’t have had to die, not like that, not now. ”

Costin listened silently, his arms tightening around Sally as she spoke. She felt his steady presence through their bond, his unwavering support as he absorbed her pain, her sadness, her guilt.

When she finally fell silent, her body trembling from the release of her emotions, Costin pulled back just enough to cup her face in his hands. His thumbs brushed away the tears on her cheeks, and his golden-brown eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made her breath catch.

“You don’t have to be okay with it,” he said firmly. “Not tonight. Not tomorrow. Not ever, if you don’t want to be. You grieve how you need to, Sally. And I’ll be right here with you every step of the way.”

Her lips trembled, and she nodded, leaning into his touch. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Costin’s lips curved into a small smile. “You’ll never have to find out.”

He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. It was gentle at first, a whisper of reassurance, but as the kiss deepened, his emotions shifted. The sadness and concern were still there, but another need rose to the surface—his need to comfort her, to make her feel loved, cherished, safe.

When he pulled back, a playful glint returned to his eyes, and he placed a hand on her growing stomach. “Now, before we move on to my distraction plan, let me say hi to my little bean.”

Sally laughed softly, her tears forgotten for the moment as she watched him lean down to press his cheek against her belly.

“Hey, baby-mine. It’s your dad. Just reminding you that I’m the fun parent, okay? And that I love you already.”

Sally couldn’t help but smile, her heart swelling at the sight of him. “You’re ridiculous.”

“And you love it.” Costin straightened, and his expression softened as he looked at her. “Now let me take care of you tonight. Let me make you forget, if only for a little while.”

Sally swallowed hard, her chest tightening as she nodded. “Okay.”

Costin’s smile turned into a smirk, and he leaned in close. His lips brushed against her ear as he whispered, “Good. Because I’m not taking no for an answer.”

And as he kissed her again, his hands sliding over her arms, her back, and her growing stomach, Sally began to relax. Costin’s love, his touch, and his presence wrapped around her like a cocoon. For the first time that night, she felt like she could breathe again.

As the hours stretched on, the weight of the world outside their room faded away, leaving only the two of them. Sally let herself be surrounded by him, by his love and strength, and for one precious night, she felt safe. She felt whole.