Page 96 of Escaping Rejection

“Hang on,” I said, holding up the sleeping bags. “I found something to make things more comfortable.”

“Oh, thank you,” Kira said, sitting up. “This is better than the ground, but not by much.”

I laid out the sleeping bags, then joined Kira on the bed. The rooms were all lit with fae lights, but the shadows were dark enough that I could feel myself slipping under as soon as Kira nestled against me. The warmth of her body pressed to mine sent a wave of desire through me. I wanted her badly, but I was more concerned with her comfort and safety right now.

Kira snuggled her back into my chest. “I needed this,” she murmured.

I smiled to myself and wrapped an arm around her. “I think I did, too. I could get used to falling asleep with you in my arms for the rest of my life.”

My smile grew wider as Kira spluttered a response. “The rest of… uh, I meant, well, what I meant was that I needed to relax. Sleep, you know.”

“I knowexactlywhat you meant.”

She sighed and her body softened, sinking further into me. “Though, I have to admit, this would be nice to have every night. I wouldn’t mind it in the least.”

Rolling her onto her back, I leaned in and kissed her lips. She kissed me back, running a hand along my jaw.

When we pulled away, she looked into my eyes. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

“Uh oh. Sounds serious.”

She rolled her eyes. “Iamserious. Now that the show is over, and my whole reason for coming here is gone, I can be honest.”

“About?”

She chewed her lower lip. The silence dragged on for several seconds before she finally answered. “Originally, I came here to reject whoever I ended up with at the end of the show and get Heline’s favor. The problem is, I’ve pretty much talked myself out of that.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “If things had continued, and you and I were left alive at the end, I wasn’t going to take her gift. I was going to choose you as my mate.”

Her revelation stunned me. I’d hoped to hear something like that, but her words still floored me, knowing how fiercely loyal she was to her pack and family. She’d been so emotionally and mentally driven to stop this war before it even began. I knew she’d always choose the greater good over what her heart truly desired. Now she was saying she’d been planning to forgo all that for me.

“I couldn’t stand the idea of leaving you here to die,” she said. “Never seeing you again? Never hearing your voice, feeling your hands on me, your arms around me? I would have never been able to live with myself.”

Words wouldn’t come, and I was utterly giddy. I’d fantasized about her picking me and hearing her say she chose me. Now she was, and I had a hard time figuring out how to respond. Knowing she cared for me as deeply as I did for her was almost more than I could imagine.

My face must have said it all. Kira smiled, ran a finger across my lips, and snuggled against me. “I thought you should know.”

She was asleep in seconds, her breathing steady and deep. While she slept, my brain went into overdrive. What happened next? Despite what Kolton said during our last conversation, I didn’t think it was possible for him to get us off the island. Our loved ones and friends would have to deal with the fallout of the war on their own. We would be stuck here, dealing with Simon and whoever pulled his strings.

It was like everything we’d worked so hard for had slipped away. All the agony and terror ofThe Reject Projecthad been for nothing. Well, maybe not for nothing. I pulled Kira even closer. I’d meant what I’d said to her back in the cave. I wouldn’t do anything different because now I had her. And she had me.

Chapter25

Kira

When my eyes snapped open hours later, I had a moment of terror. Where was I? Was I safe? Then Wyatt’s strong arm circled my waist, and I breathed a sigh of relief. We were in Haven. Safe.

With the fear gone, I realized I was better rested than I’d been in a long time. Sleeping on a thick, soft mattress with cool, smooth sheets and heavy, luxurious blankets in the mansion was nothing compared to sleeping in the arms of the man I loved. Even here, on a bed made of rock, leaves, and sleeping bags, I couldn’t remember ever feeling so rejuvenated and relaxed.

Rolling over, I pressed myself against him, breathing in his scent and letting the warm surge of contentment that followed wash over me. My movement stirred him. His eyes blinked open, squinting at the fae lights in the corners of the room.

“Are you okay? Nightmare?” Wyatt asked groggily. “Do you need something?”

He looked cute with his eyes swollen from sleep and his hair all mussed. I slithered my hand between us and caressed his cock through his pants.

“Since you’re offering,” I whispered.

His eyes snapped open, wide awake and already hardening beneath my fingers. He glanced around furtively at the door. “I swear, if someone tries to walk in here and interrupt us, I’m gonna lose it and let my wolf have full control.”

I leaned forward and gently bit his lower lip. “Is that a promise? Are you going to turn your wolf loose on me?”

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