Chapter 34
THIRTY-FOUR
WYATT
He drove home through empty streets, the town quiet around him. The cabin’s lights were on when he pulled into the driveway. Narla’s silhouette moved past the window—pacing, probably. Waiting for him the way she’d promised.
Warmth unfurled in his chest. He found her in the kitchen, tea in hand, Ember perched on the windowsill watching the tree line. She turned when he entered, and the relief in her expression hit him like a physical blow.
“How’d it go?”
“Defenses are ready.” He crossed to her, took the tea from her hands, and set it on the counter. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. “Wolves on perimeter. Lions on flanks. Bears protecting civilians. Dragons ready to burn.”
“And you?”
“I’ll be with you.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “Every step. Every moment. Wherever Derren is, that’s where we’ll be. Facing him down.”
Her breath caught. “Wyatt—”
“Beck sends his regards.” The words came out quieter than he intended. His hands found her waist, pulling her close.
“I’m standing in our kitchen.” The correction slipped out before he could stop it. “This stopped being just mine the moment you started sleeping here.”
Her smile was slow. Radiant. Something bright and fierce that made his chest ache.
She kissed him. Deep and slow and thorough, her body pressing into his, her fingers threading through his hair.
“Take me to bed.” The words were murmured against his mouth. “Show me what that means. All of it.”
He lifted her. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and he carried her toward the bedroom.
Derren could strike at any moment. They’d face a monster that had stolen everything from her. One way or another, this would end.
But tonight, he had her in his arms and hope blazing behind his ribs. It was enough.
They lay in sheets that smelled like both of them, her head on his chest, his fingers tracing idle patterns on her shoulder.
“The pack.” Her voice was sleepy. Satisfied. “They’re really fighting for us.”
“For Haven Shores. For the community Derren thought he could threaten.” His arms tightened around her. “You’ve come so far past where you started, Narla. You’re part of something now. We both are.”
She tilted her face up, let her lips graze his jaw.
“I never thought I’d have this again.” Her hand spread flat over his heart. “After Niccolas. After Clara. I convinced myself that caring about anyone was painting a target on their back.”
“And now?”
“Now I’m lying in bed with a man who loves me, and I’m not running.” Her voice carried a new awareness—something that sounded almost like wonder. “I’m staying. Finally, I’m choosing to stay.”
The words settled into his chest, warm and true.
She was staying.
For him. With him.
He pressed his lips to her hair. “I love you.” The words came out honest, unguarded—stripped of the careful distance he’d spent decades constructing. “It’s been true for a long time. I should have said it sooner.”
She turned her face into his chest. She didn’t answer with words. She didn’t need to.
They’d face a monster soon. When Derren made his move, they’d be ready. But tonight, wrapped around each other, they chose to believe they could win.