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They’d also begun exploring the city together, going farther from their house than she typically went on her own. He’d taken her on long walks from one end of the city to the other, showing her places he thought she might find fascinating and introducing her to some of the warriors he trained with, as well as their mates.
On other occasions, they ventured into the forest behind their home, following the white-stone paths beneath the thick canopy. Holly was always enchanted by the lush vegetation and strange birdsong, stopping frequently to take pictures and videos of unusual plants, flowers, and small animals.
During their nature walks, he always found himself watching her more than the scenery. She was especially beautiful when she was excited.
So radiant. So pure of heart.
Every day, he felt more consumed with thoughts of her.
More drawn to her.
More possessive and protective.
Utterly obsessed.
Hopelessly in love.
He hadn’t told her of his feelings yet. Not directly. But he hoped to say the words soon. When the moment was right. Perhaps during their next romantic walk in the forest.
He thought about how the passion between them only kept intensifying. Every night, they mated at least twice before falling asleep in one another’s arms. Star God, he honestly couldn’t get enough of her. Sometimes, he even lay awake in the darkness, fighting the urge to drift off, just so he could watch her sleep.
He couldn’t help but marvel that she was really here. On New Vaxx with him.
His precious darling mate.
Sometimes, the thought left him breathless.
Sometimes, it felt like a dream.
He’d spent so much of his life feeling restless, out of place, and never quite looking forward to the future. The war had cast an extra shroud of darkness around him. The cage fights too. He’d never allowed himself to hope for something more… until he’d learned about the VAMOB program. Until he’d applied for a mail order bride.
Now he had Holly.
She brought him more joy than he’d ever imagined possible. Hope, too.
And lately, he’d begun to wonder what other happiness their future might hold.
Children?
The thought had been creeping into his mind in recent days, often when he least expected it. He would catch sight of a child playing or hear the laughter of children echoing from a nearby house, and he would find himself imagining what it would be like to raise a family with Holly.
Would their children inherit her dark brown tresses and eyes? Or would they have his glowing green eyes and black hair? Would their first child be a girl or a boy? And how many offspring would they have in total?
He released a contented sigh. He truly wanted a family with his mate. A future filled with laughter, joy, and the kind of togetherness he had never believed would be possible for a male like him… a male who’d come from nothing.
The restaurant doors opened, pulling him from his thoughts.
Holly emerged with a group of human females, her laughter carrying her into the night. She said something to the woman next to her before turning to the street just as Errik stepped out of the shadows. The instant her gaze landed on him, her face brightened. She exchanged quick goodbyes with her new friends, then rushed toward him, her smile growing wider, her eyes catching the light of the twin moons.
“There you are!” she called, throwing an arm around his waist.
He barely had time to open his arms before she grabbed his collar and pulled him down for a kiss. He cupped her face, savoring the softness of her lips, her familiar warmth, and the pleasing floral scent that always clung to her.
“Did you have a good evening, my darling mate?” he asked when she finally drew back.
“Oh, it was wonderful.” Her eyes sparkled. “I have so much to tell you.”
“I look forward to hearing every word.”
