46. Calder #2
"I'm sorry," he sobbed against my chest, his hands fisting my ratty t-shirt. "I'm so sorry for what I said. I should have listened, should have trusted you. I was just so scared and confused and—"
"Shh," I murmured, running my hands through his hair, down his back, needing to touch him everywhere to convince myself this was real. "It's okay. None of that matters now."
"But it does." He pulled back just enough to look up at me, his green eyes red-rimmed and desperate.
"I called you a monster, Calder. I ran from you when you were only trying to protect me.
And then Jake—" His voice broke. "He told me everything.
What he did to my father, how he'd been stalking me for years.
And all that time, you were really trying to save me. "
I cupped his face in my hands, my thumbs brushing away his tears. "I should have told you the truth from the beginning. I was trying to protect you from this world, but I only ended up hurting you worse."
"You saved my life," Ethan whispered. "Multiple times. I watched you fight Jake, watched you nearly die trying to get me out of that barn." His fingers traced the healing wounds on my shoulder where Jake's teeth had torn deep. "You could have died because of me."
"I would die for you," I said simply, because it was the truth. "A thousand times over if it meant keeping you safe."
His lips found mine then, desperate and hungry and filled with everything we'd almost lost. I kissed him back just as fiercely, tasting salt from our combined tears, feeling his heartbeat against my chest where it belonged. My wolf finally settled, content now that our mate was in my arms again.
A pointed cough from behind us reminded me we weren't alone. I reluctantly pulled back from the kiss but kept Ethan tucked against my side, unwilling to let even an inch of space come between us.
"As touching as this reunion is," the icy female dragon said, though her tone had softened slightly, "we still have matters to settle."
I straightened, keeping one arm firmly around Ethan's waist. "I'm ready to hear your judgment."
The ancient elder leaned forward in his throne, and for the first time I caught a glimpse of silver scales beneath his hood.
"You have admitted to breaking our laws, Alpha Thorne.
Normally, such transgressions would result in severe punishment for both you and the human. Exile at minimum. Execution at worst."
I felt Ethan tense against me, but I squeezed his waist reassuringly.
"However," the elder continued, "circumstances have proven...
unusual. The human's research, while dangerous, was instrumental in tracking a rogue that had eluded us for over a decade.
His discretion during his time in our care has been exemplary.
And the mate bond between you appears to be genuine and powerful. "
I held my breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
"Therefore," the dragon female spoke, her voice still carrying frost but less hostile now, "we are willing to make a rare exception. But there are conditions."
"Name them," I said immediately. I'd agree to almost anything if it meant keeping Ethan alive and by my side.
"First, the human's memories must be examined by our witches," the raspy voice stated. "Not to erase them, but to ensure he carries no physical evidence that could be discovered by other humans. Documents, photographs, anything that could expose our world must be accounted for and destroyed."
I felt Ethan's hand grip my shirt tighter, but he nodded against my chest. "I understand," he said, his voice hoarse but steady. “Most of it is gone, but I'll help you find the rest."
"Second," the ancient elder continued, "you will both submit to a formal bonding ceremony overseen by the Secret Mate Society. This will legitimize your connection in the eyes of our world and bind you both to our laws."
"Agreed," I said without hesitation. I'd wanted to complete the bond properly anyway, to give Ethan the recognition and protection he deserved as my mate.
"And third," the dragon leaned forward, her turquoise eyes gleaming, "Alpha Thorne, you will accept a seat on our enforcement council. Your experience with this rogue has proven invaluable, and we need those who understand the threats we face."
I blinked, surprised. That wasn't a punishment at all. It was an honor, one that many Alphas would kill for. "You want me on the Council?"
"Consider it both reward and consequence," the ancient elder said, and I could hear amusement in his tone.
"You will serve our world directly, using your skills to prevent situations like this from happening again.
But it will also mean less time for your pack and mate, more responsibilities, more danger. "
I looked down at Ethan, searching his face for any sign of what he wanted me to do. He gave me a small smile, his hand coming up to rest over my heart.
"It's your choice," he whispered. "But I think you'd be amazing at it. And I'm not going anywhere. We'll figure it out together."
Together. The word settled something deep inside me. Whatever came next, we'd face it side by side. No more secrets, no more running.
I turned back to the Council and straightened my shoulders. "I accept all three conditions. When do we start?"
The hooded figures exchanged glances once more, and I caught what might have been approval in their postures.
“We’ll be in touch.”
The ancient elder waved his hand and there was another sudden rush as Ethan and I fell through the floor. In a blink I found myself standing in my doorway once more, both Trevor and Patrick standing in my living room looking terrified.
“What the hell?” Trevor barked. “Where did you go?”
But I ignored him and gathered Ethan up in my arms, lifting him clean off the floor. I pressed my lips against his, savoring the taste of him that I’d missed so desperately.
“I love you so much, Ethan,” I said between kisses. “So fucking much.”
“I love you too, Calder,” he replied, tears still streaming down his face. “Always.”