HIS FORBIDDEN CLAIM

CHAPTER 45 — His Shadow, His Obsession

The rain tapped softly against the tall windows of the master bedroom, a quiet rhythm that didn’t belong in the storm raging inside Vionn.

Kaela slept with her head turned gently toward him, her breathing still uneven—recovering, but fragile.

Too fragile.

Vionn sat beside her, one hand wrapped around hers, the other clenched so tight his knuckles had turned white. He hadn’t moved from that position in hours. He hadn’t even blinked enough.

Every time Kaela shifted, he flinched as though the shadows themselves were trying to take her again.

Dr. Hale had practically begged him to rest.

Lucas had outright demanded it.

The staff was afraid to look at him.

But nothing—no order, no reason, no fear—could pull him away from her.

Not again.

Never again.

When Kaela’s eyelashes fluttered, Vionn leaned closer, breath stopping in his throat.

Her eyes opened slowly, hazel shimmering in the dim light as if she were waking from a nightmare she wasn’t sure had ended.

“Vionn…?” her voice was small, raw.

He was already touching her cheek, thumb gently sweeping beneath her eye.

“I’m here,” he answered instantly.

A promise.

A vow.

Her gaze roamed him—messy hair, dark circles, his unshaven jaw tight with exhaustion.

“You didn’t sleep…” she whispered.

His voice was low, rough. “Not until I know you’re safe.”

Kaela swallowed. Her heart pinched. “You can’t stay awake forever.”

“I can,” he said without hesitation.

“And I will.”

“Vionn—”

“No.”

He leaned closer, forehead nearly touching hers.

“I leave you once… he takes you. I leave you for a second… he poisons you.”

His fingers tightened around hers, possessive, trembling.

“I will not let you out of my sight again, Kaela.”

His confession caused a shiver to run through her—fear and warmth tangled together.

“You’re obsessed,” she whispered.

“Yes.”

His answer came instantly, unapologetic.

“And you should be angry. You should scream at me. Hit me. Run from me.”

His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.

“But I’d still follow. Every time.”

Kaela’s breath stilled.

The vulnerability in his eyes wasn’t weakness—

It was devotion sharpened into a weapon.

She lifted her free hand, touching his jaw lightly.

“You don’t have to punish yourself,” she said softly.

His eyes closed for just a second—like her touch was the only thing keeping him from shattering.

“I failed you,” he breathed. “I swore no one would hurt you… and he almost—”

His voice broke.

Just barely.

Kaela cupped his face fully now, forcing him to look at her.

“You came for me,” she whispered.

“You saved me.”

Vionn’s chest rose, breath unsteady, the fire in his eyes softening into something heartbreakingly deep.

He lifted her hand and pressed a slow kiss to her palm.

“I will never let you go again.”

He whispered it like a prayer.

Like a nightmare.

Like the only truth he recognized anymore.

Kaela felt her pulse flutter.

He leaned closer—

his breath brushing her lips—

so close she could feel the promise in him…

Then a soft knock at the doorway—

“Ahem—”

Lucas cleared his throat.

Kaela jerked lightly. Vionn didn’t move.

His glare alone could’ve killed a man.

Lucas lifted his hands in surrender.

“Doctor Hale needs to check her vitals. And… you need to shower. And eat. And maybe remember other humans exist?”

“No.” Vionn’s answer was flat. Final.

Lucas sighed. “Big brother, you can’t—”

Vionn growled quietly—

like he was one word away from throwing Lucas out a window.

Kaela squeezed Vionn’s hand gently.

“It’s okay,” she murmured.

Reluctantly, painfully, Vionn leaned back just enough for the doctor—and only because she asked.

But his hand never left hers.

Not even for a heartbeat.

And Lucas…

Lucas finally understood:

Vionn wasn’t just in love.

He was claimed.

Completely.

Irreversibly.

Dangerously.

Kaela was his North Star now.

His anchor.

His obsession.

And God help anyone who tried to take her again.