Finnegan’s arms wrapped around Leela, drawing her flush against his chest. He rested his chin on the crown of her head, grounding himself in the familiar, soothing scent of her hair. Within the quiet sanctuary of their bedroom, the frantic spike of battle-ready adrenaline was finally ebbing, leaving in its wake a brutal, freezing clarity.
"I had to be ice," Finnegan murmured, his voice a rough rumble vibrating against her. "If I had let your fear through the bond... if I had truly felt your terror for Briar and Caspian at that moment... the wolf wouldn't have stopped. I would have ripped Vane’s throat out where he stood. And if an Alpha slaughters a High Judge, not even the Moon Goddess Herself could shield our pack from the fallout."
Leela pulled back just enough to meet his gaze. She l
