Chapter 72
CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO
VALERIAN
She loves me.
Something has clicked into place inside my head and body, and the relief is undeniable. I never thought hearing those words would affect me this fucking much.
Those words spoken by my mate, the woman I’ve been in love with from the moment I saw her, and more so with each passing day.
I could stay here, lying on the soft soil and kissing her forever.
But the bastard lord of the manor may send more men and dogs to find her. He wants her lands and didn’t hesitate to send killers once already. He has no scruples.
And she’s right. We don’t care about him. Happiness is the goal, and I’m happy with her. We’ll go home, to the mountains, to my family.
Will she like it there? I hope so. But if not, I don’t care where we live, as long as I get to see her face every morning and hold her every night in our bed.
I’m a simple man. Son of the Blue Moon priestess—but still just a man. A man in love. Can’t believe my luck. I need to make an offering to the Gods, not to cause their jealousy or even their attention. After all, so many people find the love of their lives.
It still feels like a miracle. Something I don’t deserve.
But she deserves happiness and I’ll do everything in my power to give it to her. It will be my honor and joy to take care of her. To love her as she deserves to be loved.
I’m flying. Fucking flying. Also, I got a little something in my eye.
“Valen. We should get going.” Darian sniffs the air. “This place isn’t safe. We’ve lingered enough.”
“Yeah,” I say roughly. “Right.”
“Get up,” Konstam says, “before you accidentally make babies.”
“Hold onto that thought,” I growl, and I see her eyes widen. “Right, Princess?”
Having a family with her would be the culmination of every dream, but we haven’t talked about our future, and I don’t want her to feel any pressure.
She smiles, though, all flushed and pretty, and says softly, “Right.”
Which makes me think she doesn’t mind the thought.
Which means she really likes me.
Fuck…
“Valen…” She lifts a hand to my face, under my eyes. “Are you crying?”
“Me? Never. What an idea.” I chuckle, then wince. “Don’t tell the others, I beg you. Their teasing will know no bounds.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Wrong? Nothing. On the contrary, everything’s perfect. You’re perfect. And I’m yours to do whatever you want with, Princess.”
“And I am yours,” she breathes, slaying me all over again. “I’ve been yours since the beginning, but I hadn’t realized. You won me over.”
I smirk. “With my manly strength?”
Her grin is wide. “With being you. Now, let me up before your friends have a coronary. They seem very concerned that we might start having sex. I thought wolves were relaxed?”
“We are relaxed,” Darian says, “but your bastard lord of the manor may not be.”
“Point taken,” I say. Sitting back on my heels, I pull her up with me so we’re both standing, our arms around each other. “Time to go.”
“And the plan is?”
“We three will shift, and you will ride me,” I tell her. “Just hold on tight, keep your body close to my back. Don’t worry, I won’t let you fall.”
“I know,” she says simply. “You’d never hurt me.”
“Fuck, I love you.” I give her another quick kiss because I can’t help myself. “Let’s go home.”