Chapter Twenty-Four #2
“I was never truly alone in the true sense of the word. I came from a very close pack, and I never forgot that. My packmates would be here in an instant if I called, as I would be for them,” Lamont said softly.
“And as I’ve told you before, my work, the purpose Lord Hades gave us, and the pack bonds I share…
I thought it was enough. But in this moment, this point in time with you, I realized I’ve never truly lived.
I’ve done a lot of things, but I’ve never just sat in a moment and thought, ‘yes, this is what living is all about.’ Until tonight. Until my first sunset with you.”
Ewen turned in his arms, shifting so they were face to face despite the awkwardness of the position, the blanket slipping off one shoulder. His blue eyes shone with tears that hadn’t quite fallen.
“The Fates knew what they were doing when they paired us with each other. I was the same,” Ewen whispered.
“Before you. I thought being alone was just who I was, especially after my mom died. I was the journalist who kept everyone at arm’s length - my colleagues used to joke about it.
I truly believed I didn’t need family or friends or anything except the next story.
I told myself it was enough. That I was fine.
” He reached up, his hands softly stroking down Lamont’s face.
“But I wasn’t fine. I was just... waiting. I was waiting for you.”
The last sliver of sun vanished beneath the sea, and the sky erupted in a final blaze of color - crimson bleeding into purple bleeding into the deep blue of approaching night.
The moment felt suspended, as if the universe itself was highlighting one particular sunset shared between two loving souls.
“I’m going to watch every sunset with you from now on,” Lamont promised, pulling Ewen closer until there was no space between them at all.
“Every single one, for as long as we both shall live. And no matter how many we see, I am always going to remember this one - our first of many in Santorini - as the moment I truly understood what it means to be loved.”
Ewen kissed him then, his lips soft and sweet, lingering on Lamont’s as if just needing that connection. Their bond flowed with Ewen’s promise, which was a reflection of his own - every sunset, every sunrise, and every moment in between.
When they finally pulled apart, the sky had darkened to twilight, and the first evening stars were bright enough to cast faint reflections on the calm sea below.
Ewen turned and settled back against Lamont’s chest, and they sat in comfortable silence, wrapped in the blanket and each other, watching the night claim the sky.
“What do you want to do tomorrow?” Ewen asked eventually, his voice drowsy and content.
Lamont thought about it. “Well, there’s that museum in Akrotiri I’ve been meaning to visit. I mean, it might not be your thing, but you have to admit being able to walk through streets that haven’t changed in three thousand years is an experience.”
“We haven’t even been here a day.” Ewen chuckled. “Ancient history it is, then. As long as we come back here for another sunset.”
“Deal.” Lamont pressed a kiss to the top of his mate’s head. “We could make that our routine - history and exploring during the day, sunsets in the evening. Maybe some beach time in between, if I can convince you to swim.”
“I can swim,” Ewen protested. “I was going to go swimming this afternoon until I got interrupted. When did I ever suggest I couldn’t swim?”
“I’ve never actually seen evidence of this.”
“I didn’t know you could swim either. Besides, we were busy with other things.” Ewen shifted, tilting his head back to look up at Lamont with a grin that was pure mischief. “But I’ll prove it tomorrow, how well I can swim. I’ll swim circles around you.”
“Really? Remember, I’ve had a long, long time to perfect my form.”
“A long time to perfect showing off.” Ewen was still laughing as he shifted back around again to look out to sea.
Eventually, the night grew cool enough that even the blanket wasn’t quite enough, and Lamont stood, lifting Ewen with him despite his mate’s sleepy protests.
He carried him back inside to the bedroom where the curtains still billowed in the sea breeze, and they fell into bed together, tangled up in each other and soft linens.
“Lamont?” Ewen’s voice was barely a whisper in the darkness.
“Mm?”
“Thank you. For everything. For choosing me, for finding me, for not giving up even when I’d disappeared.” Ewen’s hand found his beneath the sheets, their fingers linking together. “For making me believe I could find that special person who accepted me the way I am.”
Lamont tucked Ewen’s head beneath his chin so he could press a kiss to his hair. “You don’t have to thank me for loving you. It’s not even a choice, not really. It’s just who we are together. You’re my mate, my heart, and the other half of my soul.”
“You took the words right out of my mouth, because that’s how I feel about you.”
The last thing Lamont thought before sleep claimed him was how he would never again watch a sunset alone, never again face the night without his mate beside him.
His long and lonely life on Earth had all led to a villa on a cliff in Santorini, and to a fox shifter with sparkling eyes and a fierce heart. More importantly, to a love that felt as eternal as the sea itself.
It was, Lamont decided, absolutely worth it.
Every single moment.