The matebond pulsing warmly between us confirmed it every few seconds like some smug magical heartbeat.
Still, there were some things I needed to handle before disappearing with my mate—preferably to his bed for the foreseeable future.
I squeezed Menon’s hand as we crossed through the glowing festival grounds toward the rides, still half-convinced I might wake up at any second and realize none of this had actually happened.
The claiming.
The moon blessing.
The way he looked at me like I was precious instead of disappointing.
All my life I had felt like something unfinished.
Too emotional.
Too soft.
Too weak.
Too much in some ways and never enough in others.
But now?
Now a celestial Monster from another realm was touching me like he never intended to stop.
Please, don’t stop.
The matebond pulsed warmly between us, every brush of his fingers against mine sending little sparks of awareness skating beneath my skin.
I felt protected, cherished, alive.
More alive than I ever had before.
The carnival lights reflected off the black sea surrounding Asgarheim while enchanted rides spun against the night sky.
Students laughed nearby. Music drifted through the cool air. Somewhere farther down the midway, a pair of Shifters argued loudly over fried dough.
And through all of it—Menon’s warmth anchored me.
His tail remained loosely curled around my waist possessively while his thumb brushed slowly over my knuckles.
Mine.
The bond practically hummed the word constantly now.
I smiled softly to myself.
Gods.
I was completely gone for him.
His tail remained wrapped securely around my hips as we crossed through the festival crowds together.
Every few steps his fingers brushed my lower back like he physically needed constant reassurance I remained beside him.
Honestly?
Same.
