Page 60 of Samuel
"What are you going to tell the Elders?" I asked.
I knew that once this was all over, Finn would be returning to the Guild. It was part of who he was, just as it used to be part of me.
Finn scoffed, wiping his hands clean.
"Nothing. I’ll tell them I found nothing. What do you take me for?" he asked, sounding almost offended.
I smiled faintly, squeezing his arm in appreciation.
"Just checking," I said.
The truth was, it meant a lot to me that Finn wasn’t going to report anything about Samuel or our mating bond to the Guild.
He was protecting us in his own way.
Exhaustion hit me hard after that, and before I knew it, I was drifting off to sleep, the soft rustling of Finn moving around the cabin fading into the background.
My dreams were hazy, a mix of old memories and new feelings. But one thing stayed constant—Samuel. Always Samuel.
When I finally woke, the light outside had shifted, casting long shadows across the room.
My body protested as I sat up slowly, careful not to pull at my stitches or aggravate any of the wounds.
I could hear voices—Samuel and Finn—talking softly in the kitchen.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I swung my legs over the side of the bed, pushing myself to my feet.
Every movement was slow and deliberate. I wasn’t stupid.
Even though I was mated to a dragon shifter, I was still human, and it would take a while for my body to heal.
I shuffled toward the kitchen, the warm smell of cooking making my stomach rumble.
When I reached the doorway, I paused, taking in the sight before me.
Samuel and Finn were prepping dinner together, the two of them moving around the small kitchen with surprising ease.
It made me smile. Finn had been skeptical of Samuel, of our bond, but now… it seemed like they were getting along.
"How did it go with the sheriff?" I asked, making my presence known as I stepped into the room.
Samuel looked over his shoulder, his expression softening as soon as he saw me.
"You shouldn’t be out of bed," he chided, though his tone was more affectionate than reprimanding.
"I’m fine," I insisted, walking up to him and wrapping my arms around his waist from behind.
I pressed my cheek against the warmth of his back, feeling the solid muscles beneath his shirt.
The steady rhythm of his breathing calmed me, grounding me in the moment.
Samuel let out a small sigh, relaxing into my embrace as he continued stirring the pot on the stove.
"Davidson was suspicious," he said, his voice low. "I think he knows I’m keeping details from him, but he didn’t press. He’s just relieved the murders and fires are over."
"I would be too if I were him," Finn commented from across the room, setting the table for dinner.
I stayed where I was, holding onto Samuel for a moment longer, feeling the safety of his presence wrap around me like a blanket.
