Page 20 of Shifting Hearts 1
Turning my gaze on Gabriel, I let every ounce of strength, of fire, of my new wholeness shine through. “You don’t get to come back now that you realize what you threw away. I’m not broken anymore. And I’m not yours. I never was.”
Gabriel’s face hardens, his pride crumbling into fury. “You’ll regret this,” he spits, before spinning on his heel and storming into the woods.
Ranger watches him go, every muscle tight, ready to chase.
But I curl my fingers into his, tugging him back. “He’s not worth it,” I whisper. “You are. We are.”
His storm-grey eyes drop to mine, still burning with possessive fire. “If he comes back….”
“He won’t.” I press my forehead to his, the bond thrumming warm and whole inside me. “And even if he does, it won’t matter. I’ll never let him take me from you.”
His snarl fades into something softer, but no less fierce. His hands grip my waist, his voice a low vow against my lips.
“Forever, Paris. You’re mine. Forever.”
And this time, there’s no doubt. No fear. No running.
Only us.
Unbreakable.
EPILOGUE
Forever Claimed
Paris
One year later
If I’ve learned anything this past year, it’s that some men don’t know how to let go.
Gabriel tried. Goddess, did he try.
He showed up at my parents’ door with flowers, with apologies, with promises that meant nothing. He brought the Alpha into it, whispering poison about broken bonds and mistakes that could be forgiven. He even stood before the whole pack once, begging me to see reason.
But no one could change my mind.
Not because I’m stubborn. Not because I wanted to punish him.
But because the moment Ranger marked me, the moment the bond sealed us together, there was no room for anyone else. Not in my heart, not in my body, and not in my soul. And the more Gabriel pushed, the more I saw the truth, I never belonged to him. I was always meant for Ranger.
Now, a year later, I lie beneath the man who became my everything, my legs wrapped tight around his waist as he drives into me with deep, possessive thrusts.
His storm-grey eyes lock on mine, dark and raw with need, his muscles straining as he pins me to the bed we share. The air is heavy with our scent, the mark on my throat pulsing with every snap of his hips.
“Say it,” he growls, his voice rough with hunger. “Say who you belong to.”
“I’m yours,” I gasp, clinging to him, nails raking down his back. “Always yours. I belong to you and no one else.”
He snarls, the sound vibrating through me as he buries himself deeper, grinding into that spot that makes my vision blur. “Mine. My mate. My forever.”
“Yes! Fuck, Ranger….” My voice breaks, tears stinging my eyes as the bond surges hot and alive, reminding me of everything we’ve survived. Gabriel’s rejection. My pain. Ranger’s restraint. The fight, the passion, the claiming.
It all brought us here. And now all I want is more.
“Breed me,” I beg, wrapping my legs tighter, pulling him in as deep as he can go. “Fill me, Ranger. Make sure no one ever doubts I’m yours.”
His roar splits the air in the cabin as his thrusts grow brutal and relentless. His lips dragging over the mark he left on my throat. His cock pounds into me, thick and unyielding, my body clenching around him, begging for his seed.
