Page 47 of Blood, Shadow & Claw

"Feeling better?" he asked, moving closer, the warmth of his body radiating towards me like the morning sun dispelling night's shadows.

"Memories of last night," I answered softly. “I hope they aren’t always this vivid.”

"Come here." It wasn't a command, though it carried the weight of one. It was an invitation, a promise of sanctuary.

I slid over, and he sat on the bed. Then he gently enveloped me in his arms, and the lonely, fragmented pieces of myself began knitting back together. In the shelter of Ajax's embrace, I found the solace that had eluded me in sleep. Vulnerable yet fiercely protected, I was home—not the one I'd been born into, but the one I'd chosen, the one that had chosen me.

"I love you," I whispered, the words muffled against the solid wall of his chest. “I love you, and I should have told you before. I was scared to let you in and tell you how I felt when I assumed you were pulling away.”

“No,” he corrected, “that’s on me. I was trying to protect you from the seedier side of things and, in doing so, nearly lost you. Iwill always tell you what’s going on from here forward. You never have to worry about me pulling away from you. That’s a promise.”

I leaned up and kissed him, loving the way he devoured my mouth each time. After a moment, I pulled back just a fraction. “Thank you for listening, waiting, and being my unwavering constant in a life that had known too much change.”

"Always, Mazie," he murmured back, his breath stirring the hair at the crown of my head. “I love you, Mazie Green. You are my everything.”

And somehow, I knew he meant it. Every word, every silent vow, every unspoken promise. Always.

How could such strength be so gentle? His embrace was a fortress; I found the safety I'd always craved. The tremors that had wracked me slowly subsided as we remained locked in silence, our heartbeats syncing up like a rhythmic dance.

"Look at me, Mazie," he murmured after a moment, tilting my chin with his fingers.

His eyes were the color of a stormy sea, deep and fathomless, yet there was no threat of drowning—only the promise of shelter from my swirling tempests. He searched my face, finding every hidden fear and silent plea written in the lines of my worry.

"Every piece of you," he said, tracing the contour of my cheek with the pad of his thumb, "every doubt, every scar, is precious to me."

The words unraveled me, and I leaned into his touch, savoring our raw honesty. In his gaze, I saw my reflection—not the fractured image I’d grown accustomed to, but whole, cherished.

And then his lips found mine, tender at first as if he too feared shattering the fragile moment. But as I responded, the kiss deepened, igniting a fire that seemed to consume all of my fears, leaving only the purest form of desire.

In the tender war of lips and breath, I lost myself to the sensation, the man whose very essence called to the core of my being. With each gentle caress, he staked his claim, not as an alpha asserting dominance but as a soul recognizing its counterpart.

His kiss spoke of an eternity lived together, nights spent underthe moon’s watchful eye, and quiet mornings where the world began and ended with the rise and fall of our chests. It was a conversation without words, a vow that needed no witnesses.

When he finally pulled away, breathless and with a smile that mirrored my own, I knew we would face them together, no matter what uncertainties lay ahead.

A coarse cough shattered the silence, a jarring note indicating that we weren’t alone. Startled, I blinked open my eyes to find Kyle looming in the doorway, his arms crossed and an amused eyebrow arched high enough to disappear into his sandy hairline.

"Is everything back to normal, then?" he quipped, with a twinkle that reached his eyes.

Ajax released me from our embrace just enough to turn his head toward the intrusion. “Get out, Kyle. I’m with my woman.”

I whacked him on the arm, causing him to grunt. “What he meant was, please come in Kyle. We appreciate your help.”

“That’s what I meant?” Ajax teased, his arm tightening around my waist and pulling me back into his arms.

"Air is good," Kyle piped up again, his voice slicing through the sensual haze that always surrounded Ajax and me when we were together. I pulled back slightly, my heart still erratic from Ajax's kiss but now snagged by the thread of humor in Kyle's tone.

"Really, you two can't go five minutes without—" The ribbing in his voice faltered as he stepped aside, revealing Kayla huddled by his side.

What? Why was Kayla here? Her petite frame seemed even more fragile against his sturdy one, a stark white bandage encircling her head like a grim halo.

My breath caught in my throat at the sight of her. "Kayla," I gasped, my previous irritation with Kyle dissolving into a puddle of guilt and worry.

"Hey, Mazie," she said, a brave attempt at a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. It didn't reach her eyes; those big brown eyes were clouded with pain and fatigue. “So, I heard that Raylene met with an accident. Kyle said that Alpha would find me another home to stay at.”

All of the different foster homes flashed through my mind. Shoving whatever I had into a garbage bag or even my pillow case and leaving at a moment’s notice. No, I did not want this future for Kayla. I couldn’t save myself, but I could save her.

"God, Kayla. I'm so sorry," I whispered, wondering if I should wait and talk to Ajax before implementing my plan. I had been about to ask Kyle to give us a moment alone when he spoke.

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