Page 31 of Boss Level

“I don’t have anything to give you. I feel guilty.”

“Hey. Don’t. You have nothing to feel guilty about. You give us more than enough every day. You give your heart and your love. Your care and attention. And, you’ve given us a future. That baby in that egg is all of ours. Hope for a life we never would have gotten without you,” I tell her honestly, forcing her to look into my eyes, as I take her hand, and slide the ring onto her thumb.

“Crow…” she whispers, and I grin.

“Do you like it? They’re Elven crystals,” I say, loving the look in her eyes as she admires the jeweled ring.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispers.

“I hope you think of me when you wear it. I have everything I need, right here. With you. I’ll spend my life doing everything I can to make you happy. I love you, Moon.”

“I love you too, Crow. So very much.”

Odas

I’m sitting beside Cato, watching as he fusses over the egg. It’s so small still, but once we return to his cave, it’ll really start to grow.

I’m the last of my kind, that I know of, but that never really bothered me the same way it does Cato. He’s my best friend, and I can’t even describe how it feels to know he’s not going to be the last of his kind.

Hell, maybe the Queen lied, and there are more of us both out there somewhere in the world.

Cato stays close to the fire, even though his body temperature alone will keep the egg safe.

As I look around and watch all of Moon’s other mates, something deep in my soul settles. Cato and I spent so much of our lives scared, wondering what the next day would bring.

Our child will never know that feeling. They will never wonder if they'll be fed that night, or if they’ll be beaten. They won’t wonder if they’ll die in a cell… They’ll be loved, and surrounded by men who would die to keep them safe.

I know I will.

“I need you to come with me,” I say to Cato, who looks up at me.

“Okay?” he asks, and I smile.

“You’ll see.”

We find Moonlight sitting in the grass, leaning back on her hands and staring up at the stars.

“Can I sit here?” I ask, pointing beside her. Moon nods, looking at me.

“Of course.” Moon pats the grass and sits up. Cato sits on my other side, remaining quiet. “You okay?” Moon asks, as she rests her hand on my arm.

“I am. I just wanted to give you something.” I take a deep breath. “My vow.” I pull out my knife and slice open my palm. Cato raises the egg in front of me, and I rest my bloodied hand on it. “To protect and love this child fiercely for as long as I live. With my blood. They will never be alone in this world.”

“Odas!” Moon cries, moving to her knees. She watches me with tears in her eyes.

“My blood will help protect them. They’ll be safe, as long as I live, and if they are ever in danger they can use this connection to call to me. I will always be there,” I tell her, as I release the egg, and pull my mate into my lap. She straddles my hips and cups my face between her palms.

“Oh, Theodas, you didn’t have to…”

“I know. But there’s no one, in this lifetime or the next, I would rather do this for. Our child. I love you with all my heart and soul, Moonlight. I always will.”

“I love you too. I love you so much!” Moon kisses me, and every cell in my body is focused on her. She’s the center of my soul.

The center of our world.

Silas

Moonlight senses me as I approach her. I don’t mind that she always knows when I’m near. Cato and Odas can also sense me, but neither of them reacts physically.

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