Page 27 of Promise & Artem

After the hot spring, he’d brought her back to his cabin and they’d made love again, then fallen asleep in each other’s arms.

He’d never slept so well in his life.

It was positively soul-restoring.

As if sensing he was watching her, Promise stirred, stretching with a squeak and a yawn.

“Morning, beautiful.”

She smiled sleepily and pressed her warm hand against his cheek. “Good morning.”

“Did you sleep well?”

“Better than I have in a long time,” she said as she snuggled closer. “I still can’t believe that this is real, it seems like a dream, and if it is, I never want to wake up.”

“It is real, and it’s just the beginning. We’ve got a lot to look forward to.”

She smiled again, but her expression quickly turned serious. “Speaking of looking forward to things, or I should say thingsI’m not looking forward to, when are you going to talk to that owner guy?”

He rubbed the back of his neck. He’d planned to wait until his next fight, but he knew it was probably better to get it over with. “Later today, before Nero heads to the warehouse for the fights.” It was definitely time for him to leave that life behind now that he’d found his mate.

“You’re sure it’s safe? Even with your dad? Promise's brow furrowed with concern. “I’m worried he’s not the kind of guy to just let you walk away.”

That had been on Artem’s mind as well. “My dad’s dealt with people like Nero before, and I know how his mind works. He let people leave before, I don’t know why he wouldn’t let me leave.”

“I just don’t want anything to happen to you. I just found you.”

“You won’t lose me, I swear. We’ll meet with Nero, make it clear I’m finished fighting, and walk. I don’t need to fight anymore, my beast is content with you.”

“I’m glad. I’m ready to start our life together.”

“Me too.”

“Just be careful.”

“Always.”

They lingered in bed a while longer, kissing and talking, before they spent long enough in the shower that the water went cold and then they had to warm each other up. Eventually, they made their way to the welcome center to have breakfast.

“So everyone who works here eats in the welcome center?” Promise asked as they walked hand-in-hand around the property.

“Pretty much. Ally makes most of the food. She does breakfast and lunch, and a couple of times a week she and her mates host a dinner for everyone.”

There were twenty-four people who worked at the campground on various tasks. Artem and his parents ran the four-wheeler tours, a hyena quartet of Ally’s sons and their shared mate who handled the landscaping, along with another hyena from a different clan.

“One big happy family,” she said. “Sounds like a pack, where everyone works together.”

Inside the welcome center’s big kitchen, they found his sister and Angel and her mates’ sons, Cade, Daxton, and Varick.

“Saved you some waffles,” Isolde said, pushing the platter over as Artem and Promise sat on one of the benches at the big table.

“Thanks,” he said.

“Is there coffee?” Promise asked.

“You bet, let me show you where Ally keeps all the fun stuff,” Isolde said.

“Fun stuff?” Artem asked with an arched brow as he put several large waffles on a plate.

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