The rising sun filtered through the chapel’s fractured windows, casting golden slants of light across Ari’s bare shoulder. She blinked against the warm glow, her body half-curled beside Ronan. His arms were still wrapped protectively around her, his breathing slow, steady, grounding.
For a moment, it was just them. No secrets. No bloodlines. No war.
Just the press of his chest against her back, the weight of his palm resting over her heart.
Ari turned slightly, watching his sleeping face. In sleep, he looked so different—less Alpha, more boy. Less guarded, more human.
And yet, the moment she moved, his eyes opened—piercing, aware.
“You stayed,” she whispered, afraid to break the spell.
His brow furrowed. “You thought I wouldn’t?”
“I wasn’t sure what last night meant.”
He lifted him
