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Tess's eyes widened, her lips parting in surprise as she searched my face for the truth of my words. She hesitated, her breath hitching in her throat as she took in the enormity of what I had just revealed. "You know," she murmured, her voice trembling with emotion. "We've only just met, and yet… and yet, I feel it too. This pull between us, this is a connection that defies explanation."
I nodded, my eyes never leaving hers as I spoke the words that would forever change our lives. "It's real, Tess. It's the most powerful force I've ever known, and I swear to you, I will do whatever it takes to protect you, to keep you safe from those who would use me for their own gain. You are my everything, my reason for being, and I will never let you go."
I watched as Tess's gaze dropped to the floor. I couldn't imagine the torrent of thoughts that flew through her mind. "Can I ask you something?" she whispered, her voice barely audible above the sound of my own ragged breathing.
"Anything," I replied, my heart pounding in my chest.
"Before… before you changed back into a man, I was drawn to that bottle. I felt this inexplicable connection to it, and I couldn't explain why." Her eyes met mine, filled with wonder and uncertainty. "Was that because you are my... Tsigo?"
"Yes," I murmured, my voice husky with emotion. "We were destined to find each other, regardless of the circumstances."
Tess bit her lip. "Hadrian, I don't know if I can wrap my head around all of this. It's so much to take in, and I want you, but I just don't know how it will all work out yet."
My heart ached for her, the intensity of my love for her only growing stronger in the face of her vulnerability. I reached out, brushing a stray bit of hair from her face as I tried to offer her some semblance of comfort.
"Listen to me, Tess," I urged, my voice low. "I know how overwhelming this is, but trust me when I say that you have nothing to fear. I will do everything in my power to protect you, to keep you safe from the dangers that lie ahead."
"Promise?" she asked, her voice wavering with emotion.
"On my life," I replied, offering her a small, reassuring smile.
"Okay," she finally whispered, her eyes locking onto mine as if trying to draw strength from my unwavering resolve. "I trust you, Hadrian. It doesn't make sense and I should be checking myself into a hospital for even considering it, but it feels right."
As I held her gaze, I knew that our lives would never be the same again. We had been thrown together by fate, drawn to one another by the mysterious forces that governed the world of shifters and humans alike. And though the journey ahead would no doubt be fraught with danger and uncertainty, I was determined to face it head-on, hand in hand with the woman who had become my everything.
I wasted no time in pulling on my own clothes. My fingers fumbled with the buttons of my shirt as my mind raced with anticipation and concern over Kael's message. "Come on, let's go see what has Kael all worked up." I told her, taking her hand in mine once we were both fully dressed.
We ventured out into the well-lit hallway, the air stale from recirculated air. This place felt more personal with Tess by my side.
"Where are we?" Tess asked, her voice barely audible above the sound of our footsteps.
"We're in a secure facility run by an independent mercenary group who work to protect shifters," I explained, my eyes scanning the corridor for anyone I knew. "Kael is my partner and we have a team that lives here full time for security reasons."
"Are they... like you?"
"Most of them, yes," I said, squeezing her hand reassuringly. "Shifters of all kinds, united under a common cause."
"Is it safe here? For me, I mean?"
"Nothing is ever truly safe, but we are as safe as we can be." I admitted, my chest tightening with worry. "But I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."
"Thank you."
As we continued through the winding corridors, the weight of our situation bore down on me. Until I knew what the message was about, I couldn't decide if it was a good or bad thing. Either way, no one would hurt Tess. I'd be damned if I let anyone take her from me.
Chapter Seven
The heaviness in the air choked me when we stepped into the briefing room, making it instantly uncomfortable. Kael leveled a glare at me the moment he noticed Tess. I refused to let go of her as I directed her to sit in the nearest seat.
"Is it really a good idea to have the human here?" Kael's eyes narrowed as he regarded Tess with suspicion. "We'll be talking about Agenti stuff."
"Kael, she's not just any human." My voice was tight, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "She's my Tsigo. She saved me. I trust her completely."
Tess squeezed my hand, a silent reassurance that she was there with me, regardless of the tension in the room. I'd have to explain the full dynamics of shifter culture, language, and customs, but first we had to get through this meeting. "What's an Agenti?"
Kael gave me a what-the-actual-fuck look, but I ignored it. "Our word for shifters."
"Fine, whatever." Kael grumbled, though his gaze remained wary. He couldn't understand the connection I felt with Tess. How could he? He hadn't experienced the bond that formed between a Tsigo couple. Hell, I hadn't expected it until it happened. It was so much more intense than anything I expected.
