Page 28 of Boss Level

“You’re beautiful,” I say, tugging Moon to face me fully. Tristan nods to me, stepping away to give us some privacy. “Moonlight, you’re…I…” I don’t know what to say. I’m lost for words, and how to express to her how much she means to me. How much I love her. I shake my head, swallowing thickly.

“It’s okay, Arlo. You don’t have to say anything. I can feel it,” she explains, pressing her hand to my chest.

“No, I want to. I…” I take a deep breath, calming my nerves. Taking her hands in mine, I look around us. “For so long, I was alone. The human woman who raised me died a long time ago, but even when I had her, I didn’t fit in anywhere. I was constantly hiding. Hiding who I was. Hiding my face. You’re the first person I let see me. Truly see me.” I take one of her hands and place it on my cheek. “You weren’t scared of me, or of my secrets. You accepted me. Gave me a sense of home that I never had before. Somewhere I belong. Now you’re going to make me a father. I love you, Moonlight, but more than that, I adore you. I don’t want to ever go back to the life I lived before you.”

“I love you, too, Arloshanas.” Her kiss lights me up inside and brings me a peace I’ve never known. I can never live without this woman.

Tristan

The waterfall is beautiful. Moon is more beautiful though. Her Chaos, her kindness. Her heart. Everything.

“Tristan?” She surprises me when she says my name, touching my arm, drawing me into her like a moth to a flame.

“Badger.” I wink, lightening the mood. Or trying to. I heard my brother’s confession. It struck something inside me.

I had a family. I had our mother for a while. My father was present my entire life until the day I took his head. For her. For my Moonlight.

I would do it a hundred times over again for Moon.

“You okay? You look sad,” she says with a slight frown. My chest heats, because despite the smile on my face, Moon can see my sadness. Senses it, maybe.

“I thought I’d be alone. Surrounded by people who wanted something from me. To use me, one way or another. But I thought I’d be alone. I never felt love before. Maybe for my mother, but she was gone for so long. I was too young, and my father spent a long time making me forget her. He beat all the love I might feel right out of me.” I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her against me. Soaking in her warmth. “Then you walked by. You didn’t care who I was. Didn’t even blink at my power. The sight of you, the way you move…Your eyes, your lips…You pull me in. You’re the center of the universe. Our center. My everything.”

“Tristan,” Moon whispers, tears filling her eyes as she smiles gently. “I love you.”

“I know you do. I can feel it when you look at me. I love you so entirely, and I never thought I would love anyone. I wasn’t sure that's what this was…this feeling. But I know now. With everything I will ever be in this life, I love you.”

I release her, pulling the crown out, and draping it over her head. The silver chains create a point in her forehead and lay loosely in her hair. It’s beautiful on her. But then, it could have been made of mud and would look just as good.

“I wish you could see yourself from my eyes. How deeply I love you. How deeply I love our family, and the child you’re bringing into this world for us.”

“Thank you,” she whispers, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I hope you know how much I love you.”

Warrior

“Daire,” I say, as I approach the Vampire. I blush every time he looks at me. I can feel my skin heat.

“Yes?” he asks, smirking at me in a way that has my heart racing.

“Will you help me with something?” I ask, turning, unable to look at him any longer. I want to kiss him again. But I don’t know how that would make Moon feel.

“Okay?” He follows me but sounds unsure.

“Arlo’s father provided me with the supplies. I know we have our bonded marks, but mine is…” I lift my arm, showing Daire. The skin of my arm is scarred, like all my skin. “It’s not…I…” I shake my head, suddenly unable to speak the words. Does Moon find my skin disgusting? When she looks at me, is she repulsed?

“Hey…” Daire lifts my chin with a firm grip. He’s so powerful. I respect that about him. “I can see the thoughts in your head by the look in your eyes.” He shakes his head, as he forces me to look into his red eyes. “Moonlight loves you fully and entirely. Mind, soul…body. Every inch.”

My chest tightens with his words. “But…” I look at him. His clear, flawless skin. I wear every pain I have ever suffered on the surface. For everyone to see. To judge.

“She loves you just as you are.” Daire cups my cheek, staring into my eyes. “You’re perfect.” His whispered words strike me in the heart.

“Even like this?” I shake my head, but Daire refuses to let me look away.

“Ask her. Give her the chance to tell you how she sees you.”

“Okay.” I let out a heavy sigh. “Help me with this first?” I ask, lifting the supplies.

“You’re sure?” Daire asks, and I nod.

---