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Iwoke up in the dimly lit motel room, and the first thing I saw was Dylan lying peacefully next to me, his features softened in slumber.

A warm smile crept onto my face as I took in the sight of him, his steady breathing and the way his hair fell gently over his forehead.

It was a wonderful sight and it filled me with a sense of contentment.

As I lay there, I couldn”t help but picture more mornings like this, waking up beside Dylan, sharing tender moments together.

Sure, yesterday had been a terrifying ordeal when someone had tried to take Dylan away, but it had also brought us closer.

In a way, it had made me realize just how much I enjoyed spending time with him, getting to know him better during this trip.

I didn”t want this journey to end and yet my beeping phone reminded me of my duties back in Moon Burrow.

Sighing, I grabbed my phone from under the pillow and saw multiple emails and texts from some of my MC brothers and Venom.

Deciding I would take care of them later, I put my phone on silent mode again.

None of the messages needed my immediate attention.

”Good morning, Whizz,” Dylan”s soft voice greeted me.

The morning light streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow on his face.

He looked gorgeous, his eyes still sleepy but filled with a hint of mischief. Hints of his skin peeked at me from the comforter.

I couldn”t resist the temptation. Leaning in, I sneaked a quick kiss, feeling his lips against mine.

I remembered how amazing it felt when I claimed him the night before. Dylan”s cheeks flushed a delightful shade of pink as he pulled back, looking a bit surprised.

”Is something wrong?” he asked.

I shook my head, a smile playing on my lips.

”Nothing”s wrong, Dylan. Everything”s perfect,” I told him.

It seemed he didn”t want this mini holiday to end either.

I knew we had to return to Moon Burrow today, but I was determined to make the most of our time together.

”Hey, how about breakfast at that diner we spotted yesterday?” I suggested.

”Sounds great, Whizz,” Dylan answered. He cleared his throat and shyly asked me. “Do you want to shower together?”

I grinned. “How could I say no?”

After a long, refreshing shower, Dylan and I and checked out of the motel. We then made our way to the diner we”d seen the day before.

The place had that comforting smell of breakfast foods and coffee that made me feel right at home.

We managed to snag a cozy booth by the window.

Dylan looked at me with a smile that lit up the room, and I couldn”t help but smile back.

There was something about this breakfast that felt special.

We glanced at the menu, but our eyes kept finding each other, like we had a secret between us.

When the waiter came to take our orders, our hands brushed under the table, and it sent a little jolt of excitement through me.

Dylan and I both ordered coffee and waffles. Our conversation felt effortless, which surprised me.

Normally, I was awkward around most people but with Dylan I felt right at home.

I took a sip of my coffee, then turned to Dylan and asked, ”So, what are your plans next?”

Dylan paused for a moment, his brow furrowed in thought.

Finally, he looked up and said, ”I think I”d like to stay at the MC clubhouse for a few more days, at least until I can find a job.”

I nodded, understanding. “What kind of job? Teaching again?”

Dylan”s eyes brightened as he replied, “Yes. I’ve always had a passion for working with kids.”

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips. With his warm personality, I could imagine Dylan was great with kids.

”That”s great to hear. Moon Burrow has a few kindergartens, and even though it”s the middle of the school year, there might be some job openings.”

Dylan”s face lit up with hope

”That sounds perfect. I”d love to give it a shot.” Dylan fidgeted with his napkin, then said, “Whizz, I just wanted to let you know that once I manage to secure a job, I”ll be moving out of the MC clubhouse. I plan to look for an apartment in town.”

I looked at him and nodded. I could understand his need to have a place he could call his own.

“Dylan, you know you can count on me for help with moving anytime, right? I”ll be there,” I said.

A warm smile across his face.

”Oh, I know you will. You”re handy when it comes to carrying and moving heavy boxes and furniture, aren”t you?” Dylan asked in a teasing voice.

I chuckled at his words, the banter between us lightening the mood. ”You got that right. I”ve got muscles to spare,” I said.

I was genuinely happy for Dylan, knowing that he was taking steps toward a future that he wanted.

Sure, I’d miss having Dylan nearby but he probably didn’t want to live at the MC clubhouse forever.

As we sat at the diner, our conversation had been relatively light and easygoing until Dylan”s question changed the mood entirely.

”What about you?” he asked, his tone sober.

I grew silent for a few moments, my gaze dropping to my coffee cup.

Memories of Jake’s disappeared swirled in my mind as I contemplated how to respond.

Finally, I took a deep breath and said, ”Remember the bones we found in your cell? I asked a friend of mine who works in forensics to help me identify them.”

Dylan reached across the table and gently took my hand in a gesture of comfort, his touch grounding me.

I cracked a pained smile, grateful for his support.

”Honestly,” I admitted, ”a part of me hopes those bones belong to Jake. I”ve been looking for him for so long, it”s terrible, wondering and worrying all this time.”

I paused, my thoughts heavy with guilt. ”I know that makes me sound selfish,” I said.

Dylan shook his head, his eyes filled with understanding.

”Whizz, I”ve overheard Piston and Venom’s conversation once. It sounds like you”ve been doing this for a long time, investigating disappearances. You”ve helped so many people,” he said.

His words touched me deeply, and I couldn”t help but smile.

It was reassuring to know that even though my quest to find Jake had consumed me, Dylan saw the bigger picture and appreciated the impact I”d had on others.

I couldn”t help but reflect on the special connection I shared with Dylan. I had always struggled with opening up and confiding in others, but with him, it felt different.

Was it because Dylan was special? The word ”mate” came to mind, and it sent a shiver down my spine.

It was a word filled with weight and commitment, one that had frightened me for a long time.

Yet, the chemistry between Dylan and me was undeniable, and I couldn”t ignore it.

Dylan had just gone through hell, and I knew I wasn”t in any fit state to become anyone”s anything.

My life was a mess, filled with unfinished business.

Yet, despite all my flaws and insecurities, I could imagine if Jake were still alive, he would tell me not to let Dylan go.

The thought of losing Dylan was terrifying.

As I looked into his eyes, I realized that maybe, just maybe, it was worth confronting my fears and embracing this connection between us.

Dylan deserved nothing less.

”If the bones do belong to Jake, what will you do next?” he asked, his voice hesitant.

Dylan”s question hung in the air. I leaned back against the booth, taking a moment to gather my thoughts.

”You know,” I began, ”I”ve thought of this moment a lot. I always pictured the best-case scenario, that I”d find him alive somehow, and we”d have a happy reunion. But deep down, I knew that was just a fantasy of mine.”

A heavy silence settled between us, and I stared down at the coffee in my cup, as if it held the answers to all the questions I had carried for so long.

Finally, I broke the silence.

”I”ll burn his bones and take his ashes back to our old cabin. I”ll bury him next to Wade, our dad,” I said.

Tears welled up in Dylan”s eyes, and it was clear he was sad for my sake. I hadn”t meant to make him sad.

”I”ll come with you, if that helps,” Dylan offered.

My throat tightened, and I replied hoarsely, ”I would like that.”

Dylan”s offer was a comforting gesture, a reminder that I wasn”t alone. I met his gaze and managed a small, grateful smile.

”Thank you for the kind offer, Dylan. It would mean a lot to me,” I admitted.