Kyra lay in bed, her eyes fixed on Ryder as he slept soundly beside her. His features, usually so intense and commanding, were softened in sleep. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, and the sound of his breathing was a soothing contrast to the whirlwind of thoughts in her mind. She reached out gently, her fingertips brushing against his arm as her heart swelled with love for him.
She loved everything about Ryder—his strength, his determination, and the way he would sacrifice everything to protect her. He didn’t ask for any of this: not the title of Alpha King, not the responsibility of uniting two species who’d been enemies for centuries, and certainly not the constant pressure of enemies like Evelyn, Wyatt, and Jayce lurking in the shadows. All he wanted was to keep her safe, and
