Page 50 of His Mate

I tucked her in, pulling the old quilt up around her shoulders, and she snuggled into the pillow, her eyes already drifting closed. I brushed my hand over her hair, smoothing it back, and for a moment, I just stood there, watching her, the steady rise and fall of her chest, the peaceful expression on her face.

“Goodnight, Kendra,” I whispered, leaning down to press a soft kiss to her forehead.

She murmured something in response, her voice thick with sleep, and I smiled.

I threw some water on the fire, the room dimming as the flames burned lower, and I settled myself in the chair by her bedside. I watched her for a long time, her soft breathing the only sound in the cabin, the flickering fire casting shadows on the walls.

Slowly, I stood, careful not to make a sound as I moved to the bed. Kendra lay curled up beneath the quilt, her hair spilling over the pillow in dark waves, her face soft and peaceful. The sight of her like this—calm, unburdened by fear or danger—made something inside me tighten.

I didn’t want to be apart from her, not tonight, not after everything that had happened today.

Gently, I lifted the edge of the quilt and slid in beside her, the old bed creaking softly under my weight. The mattress was small, forcing me to press close to her, but I didn’t mind.

I didn’t want space between us.

As I settled in, I slid an arm around her waist, pulling her body against mine. She fit so perfectly, her back flush against my chest, like she’d always belonged there. My hand rested on her hip, and I could feel the soft rhythm of her breathing through the thin fabric of her shirt, steady and comforting.

For a moment, I just lay there, holding her, feeling the warmth of her body seep into mine. The scent of her hair, that familiar mix of something sweet and earthy, filled my senses, and I buried my face in the soft strands, inhaling deeply. It was intoxicating—the scent of her, the feel of her—and I could feel my body relax completely for the first time in days.

She smelled like the forest, like wildflowers, likehome.

I pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head, my hand tightening slightly around her waist as I held her closer, pulling her deeper into me. She stirred, shifting in her sleep, and I felt her settle more comfortably against me. I didn’t want to let go. I never wanted to let go.

How did I get so lucky? The thought drifted through my mind as I ran my fingers lightly over her side, feeling the softness of her skin beneath the fabric. How had I, of all people, managed to find someone like her? Someone who trusted me, who looked at me like I was something more than just the monster I’d become? She had no idea how much I’d fallen for her—how deeply she’d gotten under my skin.

How much I already loved her.

I closed my eyes, resting my chin against the top of her head, breathing in her scent again. My heart ached with how much I wanted to protect her, to keep her here, safe in my arms, awayfrom the chaos of the world. I’d lost so much—Eva, my old life, the world as it once was—but Kendra was something I couldn’t bear to lose.

The cabin was quiet now, save for the crackling of the fire and the soft sound of her breathing, and I let myself relax fully, the tension finally draining from my muscles.

She was here. With me. That was all that mattered.

As I held her, I realized how completely she had taken over every part of me—mind, body, and soul. She was everything. And as I pressed another soft kiss to her hair, I silently vowed that I would never let anything or anyone take her from me.

“I love you,” I whispered, though I knew she couldn’t hear me, lost in sleep as she was. But it didn’t matter. The words were as much for me as they were for her.

With Kendra in my arms, her warmth against me, I finally let myself drift off to sleep, knowing that as long as I had her, I would fight for her—for us—until my last breath.

CHAPTER 16

Kendra

I woke slowly, the warmth of Rowan’s body pressed against mine, his arm still wrapped protectively around my waist. For a moment, I didn’t move. I didn’t want to. I just lay there, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest against my back, listening to the quiet rhythm of his breathing. For the moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the world.

The events of yesterday and last night before were a blur, but one thing stood out—the way he’d held me, the way he’d whispered something just before I fell asleep.

Had he said…I love you?

I wasn’t sure. It had been so soft, barely audible, like he hadn’t meant for me to hear it at all. But the thought of it sent a flutter of warmth through me, my heart beating just a little faster at the possibility that he might feel for me in that way.

I shifted slightly in his arms, trying to get a better look at him without waking him. His face was relaxed, peaceful, the hardedges of his features softened by sleep. He looked so different like this—calm, almost vulnerable. I couldn’t help but smile as I reached up, my fingers lightly brushing his cheek, tracing the line of his jaw. He stirred at my touch, his hold on me tightening just a little, and I felt a surge of affection for him, something that made my chest ache with its intensity.

I didn’t understand it.

As I lay there in Rowan’s arms, the warmth of his body surrounding me, I couldn’t help but feel lighter, freer than I had in days. The stinging soreness from the switching he’d given me still lingered, but instead of pain, it brought me a strange sense of relief. I was thankful—thankful that he had taken care of me in his own way. He hadn’t let my stubbornness or fear push him away; he’d met it head-on, and in doing so, he’d freed me from the weight of my own guilt. Rowan had held me accountable, and in that, he’d given me back the trust and safety I craved.

In a way, it was really quite beautiful.

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