Chapter 34
RONAN
“Do you think they heard us?”
I let out a satisfied grin as I tug my joggers back into place, eyes landing on Cherry by the window. She’s fully dressed now—one of my shirts hanging off her shoulder, paired with leggings that somehow make her look even softer. Comfy. Safe. Mine.
I lean against the wall, arms crossed, just watching her. She’s stunning without even trying, and she doesn’t have a clue. That’s probably my favourite part.
A lot of women throw themselves at the Veilguard members. Some want power, others just want the thrill of screwing someone who hunts monsters for a living. Can’t blame them—dangers apparently sexy. And sure, I’ve dipped a toe in that pool once or twice. I felt good at the time.
But here’s the thing—quick fucks and fake moans get real old, real fast. I figured out pretty early I’m not built for meaningless flings. I like connection. Fire. Someone who’ll argue with me, then steal my shirt and eat the last cupcake just to prove a point. Someone who sees the mess and stays.
And I found her.
Her hair was a wild mess of white curls, the red-tipped ends catching the light like embers. And those eyes—silver, streaked with violet—like the stars had finally figured out how to look back at me.
“Do you want me to lie?”
“Ronan,” She warned, voice laced with that familiar mix of exasperation and affection. “I’m being serious.”
I smirked, crossing the room in a few strides and wrapping her up in my arms. “So am I,” I said, voice husky as I looked down. “You’re pretty damn loud when you come.”
Her lips twitched like she was fighting a smile, then she groaned and buried her face in my chest.
“Oh my god. I can’t believe Daleyza and Drew heard us.” She mumbled.
I laughed, pressing a kiss at the top of her head. “Pretty sure the whole house heard us, Cherry. You only have yourself to blame.”
“I wasn’t exactly thinking… clearly.”
Neither was I. I blame the pretty naked lady.
She leans back just enough to meet my eyes, that little crease between her brows. There’s softness there, something warm and steady that’s just for me. Even with the realm falling apart around us, she wears happiness like it was made for her, subtle but impossible to miss.
“Obviously,” I breathe, my voice low as my hand slides to the back of her head, fingers threading through the mess of hair.
I pull her in and kiss her softly. She tastes like heat and wild things, like the calm before a storm I never want to end.
Every part of her is familiar and addicting, and for the first time in a long time, the ache in my chest begins to settle—like maybe she’s the place I’ve been searching for all along.
“I love you,” I tell her again because once will never be enough. I could spend the rest of my damn life saying it and still not scratch the surface.
Her small hands tighten in the fabric of my shirt, clinging like she needs to anchor herself. “Do you really mean it?”
It’s a silly question, but coming from her? Not surprising. After everything she’s been through, I get why she questions it.
I cradle her face in my hand, gently, not breaking eye contact. “You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and like I told you before—even if all I get is a piece of your heart, I’ll still love you with every damn part of mine.”
She doesn’t say anything, just looks at me—eyes steady, a little glassy. A tear slides down her cheek, and I wipe it away with my thumb. Her skin is warm under my hand, and even without words, I know exactly what she's feeling.
“I know it's complicated… with Malrik.” She trails off, nibbling her bottom lip, and I catch the hesitation in her voice.
She’s quiet as she thinks about the situation, and I know there’s something between her, Darian and maybe Kieran too.
There’s history with Darian, one that’s not easily forgotten.
But they’re my brothers, and if loving her means navigating a relationship only vampires and shifters have, then so be it. I will do it without question.
“But you have my whole heart, Ronan. It’s not split into pieces for each of you, it's whole for all of you.”
A grin spreads across my face before I sweep her up, lifting her off the floor, and her soft laughter spills into the air—light, unrestrained, punching straight through every scar I carry.
I can't help it. I press my lips against hers, desperate, fierce, because how the hell do you respond to something that makes your heart feel this alive?
She's my girl. Ours, maybe—but mine too. And I’m never letting her go.
“I’ve given you two enough time, but I won’t be responsible for what I do if I don’t see my little witch.”
I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. I let out a groan, dropping my forehead against Cherry’s as she pulled back slightly, still tucked in my arms.
I knew he would show up sooner or later; I was expecting sooner.
She looked toward the door, and just like that, her whole face lit up like the sun. Malrik stood there with that wild, dark-eyed stare—like he’d burn the realm down for just a second with her.
Don’t blame the guy.
I hold her a beat longer, unwilling to let go, before finally letting her slide down my body. The instant her feet hit the floor, Malrik is on her, crashing into her with a chaotic grin that makes her both groan and laugh at the same time.
Malriks' hand threads through her hair, the other digging into the small of her back as he devours her mouth. A low, feral growl vibrates from deep in his chest, and he pulls her impossibly close. She melts against him, letting him, letting the chaos of him consume her completely.
I stay put behind her, arms crossed, watching them.
I expected jealousy to hit me, maybe some bitterness at seeing another man with her, but it didn’t come. Not really.
Maybe a flicker of something stirred inside me when I heard that small moan escape her lips, but jealousy? Not a trace. Not the kind that burns and claws. Just… a quiet acknowledgement.
She was his, just like she was mine. Complicated as hell, no doubt. But that was us—messy and tangled, and real.
And somehow, I didn’t hate it.
She always came back. Always found her way into my arms, kissed me like I was the place she belonged. That was enough. More than enough.
So, I let him have this moment. Loving her wasn’t about owning her—it's about knowing she belongs to no one entirely, and yet somehow, she chose me.
Malrik shifts her against me, and suddenly she's flush to my chest, body grinding into mine like she was made to fit her, perfectly, impossibly.
I suck in a ragged breath, teeth clenched, trying not to move—trying not to yank her hips harder against me.
Every inch of me is screaming to take control, to claim her again, to watch her crumble beneath Malriks' mouth while I slide into her throat.
Then Malik's eyes crack open.
He doesn’t say a word as he kisses her—just stares at me like he knew what I was thinking.
Smug fucker.
There’s heat in his eyes, and something else too—a challenge. And damn it, I feel her soften right between us—like this is where she belongs. I should shut this down before it turns into something we can’t reel back from.
But I don’t.
I stay there, letting the tension climb, letting her feel exactly what she's doing to me, pressed up against my cock like that.
“I didn’t send you up there for another fuckfest—getting your arses down here!”
Keiran's voice cuts through everything like a sledgehammer. Ravena breaks the kiss with Malrik, breathless and grinning, and I can’t help but join her.
Gods, I love that fucking laugh and that small dimple that comes with it.
“That grumpy bastard's gonna get his teeth kicked in,” he mutters, scowling. “Cockblocking prick.”
I snort because—yeah, fair. Keirans mastered the art of ruining a good moment, and lately, he’s been on edge. Withdrawals were hitting him hard, and seeing Darian like that the other day didn’t help. Messed with all of us, but especially him.
Ravena’s laugh fades, her smile dipping as her eyes shift towards the door. That softness creeps in—concern written all over her face.
“Is he okay?” She asks quietly.
She worries about all of us, more than she even realises. It’s not forced, it's just there, natural, like breathing. That fierce, loyal heart of hers has been beaten up and bruised, but it's still wide open. Always putting us before herself, even when she’s breaking.
She doesn’t say much about her mum—only little fragments. But the way her voice softens when she does? You can tell her mother meant everything to her. And then there’s Darian—her first real friend. Maybe her only anchor back then. Her only safe place in a world that kept failing her.
It tears at me, thinking about how lonely she must have been growing up. How much of her life was spent surviving instead of living. And yet… here she is now, fighting, building something new. A family. Something real.
A future with us.
That stubborn, messy, wildly generous heart of hers? I believe it can hold all of us. I believe she could rule Velmore—not because she’s cruel or power-hungry—but because she actually cares. Because she feels it all and still chooses to fight for people. That’s real strength.
“He’s coping,” I say, keeping my tone even as I slide my fingers through hers. Her hand fits perfectly in mine.
Malriks off to the side, readjusting himself with a muttered curse, clearly still annoyed that we didn't get to finish what we almost started. I catch the whole thing and can’t help the quiet laugh that slips out.
Ravena’s head snaps toward me, one brow arched and a pout on her lips. The way she looks at me with that spark in her eyes gets me every time.
“He hasn’t had a drink in two weeks,” I tell her quietly, squeezing her hand gently. “But let’s not bring that up right now… and we had a visit from Darian.”
Just like I thought, her eyes widened. “He came? But—”