Page 80 of Bind Me

And while I haven’t yet found who betrayed my grandfather, I’m getting closer… I feel it.

“I’ve been given a second chance,” I murmur, more to myself than to her. “And I’m going to make the most of it. I promise you, Sasha, I’ll always be by your side.”

She lets out a soft sigh, her eyes closing as she rests her head on my lap, and I know she’s found comfort in my words.

An hour, maybe more, has passed, and Sasha’s fallen asleep, her wolf form nestled against me, warmth radiating off her. I know it’s the exhaustion of everything she’s been through today that has her passing out. The weight of the transformation, both physically and emotionally, must have taken its toll on her.

As the air grows colder, I shift carefully, lifting her in my arms. She’s heavier in this form, her muscles thick and powerful, but there’s a softness to her, a warmth that soothes me. With her pressed against my chest, I tighten my arms around her body, under her tail and head. She slumps against me, trusting even in sleep.

“Well, let’s get you back to our room,” I whisper softly. “Then you might find it easier to come back to me in your human form.”

The trek back up the hill is slow and deliberate, and I keep finding myself burying my face in her fur, taking in her sweet wolf scent; beneath it all is the smell of the sea. She’s got me fucking hypnotized.

As I reach the mansion, the warm glow from the windows spills out onto the lawn. I push open the door with my shoulder, careful not to jostle her. Waiters inside pause, their eyes widening slightly at the sight of the wolf in my arms, but they step forward to help, holding doors open as I pass.

“Thanks,” I mutter, grateful for their assistance.

Finally, we reach our quarters, and I close the door behind us, shutting out the world. I walk to our room, then lay her gently on the bed. Her body shifts slightly, settling into the softness of the mattress, and I can’t help but smile at the sight of her so peaceful and serene. There’s no smart-ass commentary either, which has me grinning more.

The pitter-patter of tiny feet catches my attention, and I turn to find Chowder standing in the doorway, staring at the wolf, his head tilted with curiosity. His nostrils twitch as he sniffs the air.

“Why does wolf smell like Sasha?” Chowder asks, his brow furrowing.

“This is her, buddy,” I explain, crouching down to his level. “Tonight, she discovered her other ability, but now she needs to sleep.”

“She hurt?” he asks, stepping into the room, his attention on her.

I scoop him up quickly, not wanting to risk Sasha’s wolf instincts taking over if she wakes disoriented and thinks of him as a snack.

“She’s fine, just tired,” I reassure him. “We need to give her time.”

Chowder’s eyes never leave her. Even as I shut the door, he continues to stare in her direction.

“I worry for her,” he admits.

“I know. Me, too,” I say, setting him down gently. He scrambles up onto the couch, leaning on the armrest, his gaze fixed on her door.

To distract him, I grab a bowl of fruit from the table—grapes, pears, and mandarins—and bring it over. “Enjoy. It’ll keep you busy.”

He doesn’t hesitate, digging in with enthusiasm. I’ve never seen something so small eat so much, but it’s a welcome distraction.

With Chowder occupied, I slip back into the room to find Sasha still sleeping soundly. I don’t want her to wake up afraid and alone, so I climb into bed alongside her. I rest my hands behind my head, feeling the purr of her heavy breathing, the warmth from her body beside me.

“I meant what I said before,” I whisper into the silence, my voice barely audible. “I love you, Sasha.”

The words hang in the air. It’s a promise, a declaration I don’t give lightly.

I close my eyes, allowing myself to relax, to savor the peace after a long day.

Sleep already tugs at my thoughts…

I wake up to a sudden splash of water hitting my face. It’s cold and sharp, shocking me awake. I snap upright in bed, growling, “What the fuck!” My eyes are wide as water runs down my face, soaking my shirt and the bed—where I’m alone.

In front of me stands Sasha, holding an empty glass with a triumphant grin.

“I see you’re back in your human form,” I say, wiping my face with my hand.

“Thanks for looking after me,” she says, a teasing edge to her voice. “It means everything that you brought me back here.”

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