Kai nodded, swallowing hard. Then I pulled Mason closer again, unable to help it, unable to let go.
“It’s over,” I murmured against his temple. “You hear me? It’s done. He’s not touching you. He’s not touching your brother. Not ever again.”
Mason let out a shaky breath, his body finally sagging into mine like the fight had drained out of him all at once.
“I thought for a second there…” he started, then stopped.
“I know,” I said quietly. “I know.”
I tilted his chin up gently, meeting my eyes.
“You don’t have to worry anymore,” I told him. “I’ve got you. We’ve got you. That’s not changing.”
Something in his expression broke then, relief, disbelief and finally, hope.
He nodded, just once. And I pulled him back into my arms, holding on like I had no intention of ever letting go again.
Chapter 17
Mason
One Month Later
Morning light slipped through the thin curtains in pale gold stripes, warming the bed and the tangle of blankets around us.
I woke slowly, aware first of the weight pressed against my chest, then the steady rhythm of breathing beneath my ear.
Levi’s arm was wrapped loosely around my waist, fingers curled into the hem of my shirt like he’d fallen asleep holding on.
I lay still for a moment, letting myself take it the quiet. The warmth. The way nothing inside me felt like it was bracing for impact.
A month ago, I hadn’t believed this kind of morning was possible.
Levi shifted, his nose brushing the side of my neck. His breath was warm against my skin, and a faint shiver ran through me before I could stop it.
“You’re awake,” he murmured, voice rough with sleep.
“Mm.” I tilted my head back slightly. “You drool.”
He huffed softly. “Liar.”
“You absolutely drool.”
He lifted his head just enough to glare at me, though the effect was ruined by the pillow crease across his cheek. “You’re lucky you’re my mate.”
The word still did something to me. A quiet, grounding pull that settled deep in my chest. I reached up, brushing my fingers through his hair, letting my hand linger at the nape of his neck. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” His expression softened. “Otherwise I’d have kicked you out of my cabin weeks ago.”
I snorted. “You mean you wouldn’t let me move in.”
“You showed up with a duffel bag and Kai,” he pointed out. “That’s basically moving in.”
“Temporary,” I said automatically, though we both knew that hadn’t been true for a while now.
His gaze flicked over my face, warm and steady. “You still planning to leave?”
I shook my head. “No.”
