**Mira's POV — That Night**
She drove to his apartment without telling anyone.
No more court orders. No more hiding. The pack had voted. Elder Thorne was defeated. And she was done waiting.
Valeblack opened the door at her first knock, like he'd been waiting.
"You shouldn't be here—"
She kissed him. Hard. Desperate. Weeks of separation and fear and fighting all pouring into that single contact.
He pulled her inside, kicked the door shut, didn't break the kiss.
"The court order—" he managed between kisses.
"The pack voted to end interference. Elder Thorne's campaign is over." She pulled at his shirt. "I'm done following rules that were designed to break us."
"The Council's going to remove me. My confession at the meeting—"
"I know. And we'll deal with it. But
