CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The cool evening breeze flutters through the trees as I walk beside Lucas, his hand warm and firm around mine. We've been doing this for weeks now, wandering the forest paths that wind through our territory, learning the silent language of each other's presence. Laughter bubbles from my throat as Lucas spins me around, pulling me into a dance beneath the moonlight.
"Careful, Grace," he teases, his eyes twinkling with mirth. "You might start to enjoy this."
"Maybe I already do," I confess, allowing the happiness to seep through the words, light as the touch of his fingers on my waist. It feels natural, right, to be here with him, the Gamma who sees strength in my small stature, who looks into my brown eyes and finds something worth cherishing.
"Good." He smiles, leanin
