The alpha's bride

Chapter 72

The first thing Tessa became aware of was warmth. Not just the lingering heat of sheets twisted around her legs, or the sun filtering through the curtains in pale golden streaks, but the solid weight of Dastien’s arm locked around her waist, holding her against him like he’d never let go. His chest rose and fell with steady breaths, and the sound rumbled softly against her ear.

For a moment, she didn’t move. She just lay there, listening to the rhythm of his heart, soaking in the quiet that felt so fragile she was afraid to break it.

Last night had been fire—wild, desperate, full of heat and hunger that consumed them both. But this morning was different. This was the silence after the storm, the sweetness of survival.

Dastien stirred, his nose brushing against her hair. “You’re awake,”