"Finn, I’m…" she gasped, her voice breaking as she came, her body convulsing around me.

I wasn’t far behind. With a final thrust, I buried myself deep inside her, my own release crashing over me like a wave. I collapsed onto her, my breath ragged, my heart pounding in my chest.

“You are beyond incredible,” I said as I kissed her ear lobe.

For a long moment, we lay there, tangled together, our bodies still humming with the aftershocks of pleasure. I pressed a kiss to her forehead, my arms wrapping around her as I rolled onto my side, taking her with me.

“Having you inside me felt so good…” Amelia whispered.

The soft dawn light spilled over Amelia as she slept, her face peaceful, and I slipped out of bed to make her breakfast, my mind replaying the night before as I carried the tray back to find her sitting up, smiling sleepily at me.

“Good morning,” she said, her voice soft and husky.

“Good morning, my world” I replied, setting the tray down on the bed. “I thought you might be hungry.”

Her eyes lit up as she took in the spread.

“You made me breakfast?”

“Of course,” I said, sitting beside her. “You deserve to be spoiled.”

She reached for a piece of toast, her fingers brushing mine, igniting that familiar spark as we ate in comfortable silence, sharing glances, until I stood and held out my hand.

“Come on, let’s shower.”

“Together?” She raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at her lips.

“Unless you’d rather go alone,” I teased, pulling her to her feet.

She laughed, the sound music to my ears, and followed me to the bathroom. The shower was steamy and intimate, our hands exploring each other’s bodies as the water cascaded over us. It was slow, deliberate, a quiet reaffirmation of what we’d shared the night before.

We were just stepping out, towels wrapped around us, when the villa’s system chimed.

“Finn,” the automated voice said, “Aidan has arrived. Shall I grant him access?”

I frowned. Aidan wasn’t supposed to be here. Something must have happened.

“Let him in,” I said, my voice sharp. “Lead him to the study.”

“I just hope he has good news…” Amelia said.

“I hope so too,” I said, grabbing a fresh set of clothes.

She nodded, quickly dressed, and we headed to the study, tension thick in the air. Inside, Aidan stood by the window, his posture tense, and his eyes flicking to Amelia before settling on me.

“Finn,” he said, his voice low.

But before I could respond, Amelia froze, her eyes locked on the wall behind me. I followed her gaze to the large portrait of my father, the former Alpha, his stern face staring down at us.

“Finn,” Amelia whispered, her voice trembling. “Who… who is that?”

“That’s my father. Why? Is something wrong?” I frowned, confused by her reaction.

Her face paled, her hands clutching at her throat as if she couldn’t breathe.

“That’s him,” she said, her voice barely audible. “That’s the man from my dream. The one who tried to strangle me.”

“What?” My blood ran cold.