Nikolai’s P.O.V.
I had her back in my arms. My mate. She was sitting with her face buried in my chest after a tough day of hunting, chasing, and interrogations. Even I was exhausted, but I wasn’t going to let her see that side of me right now. Seeing Marcus had really done a number on Alvira’s nerves, but I was so proud of her. She’d pushed far harder than many others in her shoes might have, and all of this was just proof positive that the Council had made the right choice.
My fingers brushed through her long curls, and I gently tilted her face up towards me. When her grip on my waist loosened, I dropped to my knees to get closer to eye level. “Vira,” I whispered, leaning in and kissing her cheeks. “I’m sorry for trying to push you out of the situation this morning.”
Her eyes met mine
