Elaine
Kave’s arm settled around my shoulders, the weight of it heavy yet comforting. His thumb brushed slowly against my upper arm, a tender movement that didn’t match the storm I’d seen in him earlier. When he finally spoke, his voice carried a mix of regret and self-reproach, low enough that only I could hear.
“I can’t believe I reacted like that when Thomas knocked you down,” he said, his jaw tightening. “I didn’t even think. I never lose my head, Elaine—you know that. I’m the Alpha, I’m supposed to stay in control. But the moment I heard that growl, something inside me snapped. All I could think about was keeping my mate safe. I’m sorry if I scared you.”
I turned my face up toward him, searching his eyes. There was such raw honesty there that I felt the tightness in my chest ease.
