Lucy's pov
The fire had dimmed to glowing embers, casting a soft, amber hue over the rug where Ronan and I lay entwined. His arms held me securely against his chest, our bodies molded together in a way that felt both comforting and electric. My heart still raced from his earlier touches, those gentle explorations under my sweater that had left me breathless and wanting more.
No one had ever made me feel this way, this exposed yet cherished. My breaths came in soft, uneven puffs, syncing with his steadier ones, his pine-and-leather scent wrapping around me like a blanket. I trusted him completely; this was Ronan, my anchor in the chaos of pack life. If we were going to take this step, it had to be now, with him.
His hand, which had been resting on my hip, shifted slightly, finger
