Sunlight filtered through the heavy curtains of Xander’s bedroom, painting the room in soft golden hues. Claire stirred slowly, her body warm and heavy with the kind of peaceful sleep she hadn’t experienced since moving to America. Something felt different—safe, anchored. A solid arm was wrapped possessively around her waist, and the steady rise and fall of a chest pressed against her back.
She blinked her eyes open.
Xander was already awake, propped on one elbow, staring down at her with an intensity that made her breath catch. His dark hair was tousled from sleep, emerald eyes glowing faintly in the morning light, a soft smile playing on his lips. The wolf tattoo on his chest seemed almost alive in the warm glow.
“Good morning, baby,” he murmured, voice husky and low.
Claire felt hea
