Tears spill over, and I nod, unable to speak. The bond between us hums with life, an undeniable force that wraps around my heart and soul, leaving no room for doubt. For the first time in my life, I feel seen. Wanted. Whole.
Kael tilts his head back, a powerful howl ripping from his throat, and the pack answers in unison, their voices echoing through the hall. It’s a sound of celebration, of unity, of acceptance.
And as I stand there, trembling in Kael’s arms, I let myself believe that this might be the start of something extraordinary.
LATER THAT NIGHT
Kael carries me over the threshold of the Governor’s Mansion, his strong arms holding me like I weigh nothing. My heart pounds as the heavy oak door closes behind us, sealing us inside his home—our home now. The air is buzzing with unspoken promises, and every nerve in my body is alight with a strange mix of anticipation and fear.
The mansion is grand, opulent in a way that feels worlds apart from anything I’ve ever known—opulence that no longer represents my servitude, but a home I am meant to share. Chandeliers cast soft silver light over polished floors, and the scent of winter pine—Kael—fills the air. But I can barely take it in, too consumed by the fact that I’m in his arms, in his home, and somehow, this is all real.
“Welcome home,” he says, his voice low and deep, the words wrapping around me like a warm embrace.
I can’t find my voice, so I nod, my cheeks burning as I glance up at him. His grey eyes are soft but intent, and the way he looks at me makes my breath hitch.