what are you 74
1017 Words
Chapter 74
Ripley POV
I didn’t let go of her. Not when the rogues disappeared.
Not when everyone started talking at once. Not even when Drago told me to bring her inside. She stayed in my arms the entire time.
Unmoving. Too still. I hated it.
“She needs to be laid down,” Levonna said gently as we entered the house.
“I’ve got her,” I replied, my voice leaving no room for argument.
No one pushed me. Not even Drago.
That alone told me how serious this was.
I carried her straight to her room, kicking the door open with my foot before walking in. The space smelled like her, soft, warm, familiar.
It hit harder than I expected.
Carefully, I laid her down on the bed, adjusting the pillow under her head like she might feel it if I didn’t do it right.
She didn’t move. Didn’t react. Nothing. My chest tightened.
“Amber…” I murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
Still nothing. Behind me, I could hear movement—her parents, Alpha, the others filling the room. Too many people. Too much noise.
“Out.”
The word came out low. Controlled. Dangerously calm. Silence followed.
“Ripley…” Drago started.
“I said out.”
My dragon was right there, pressing against the surface, ready to snap if anyone argued.
“This isn’t up for debate,” I continued, my eyes never leaving Amber. “She needs quiet. Not a room full of people staring at her like she’s about to break.”
Levonna placed a hand on Drago’s arm.
“She’s right,” she said softly.
I almost corrected her..he…but didn’t. I didn't care. Not right now.
One by one, they left. The door clicked shut. And finally.. It was just us.
Amber POV Unconscious Mind
Darkness….But not empty..I could hear them. Feel them. Nyx.
Summer. And…The third.
You scared them, the deep voice said, almost amused.
“I didn’t mean to,” I whispered into the void.
“”Power doesn’t ask for permission.””
“I don’t understand what I am,” I admitted.
Nyx stepped forward first, her presence warm and steady.
“”You’re ours.””
Summer joined beside her. “”And we’re yours.””
Then the third presence moved closer.
Heavier. Stronger. “”And you are mine. And I am yours””
A chill ran through me.
“What are you?” I asked.
A pause., Then, your beginning… and your end. The white Lycan, the rarest, there is no one else like me.
Ripley POV
Time passed. I didn’t know how much. Minutes. Hours. It didn't matter. I stayed right where I was, sitting beside her bed, one hand resting lightly over hers. Grounding myself. Grounding her.
“You scared the hell out of me, you know that?” I muttered quietly.
No response. I let out a breath, leaning forward, resting my elbows on my knees.
“I was trying to do the right thing,” I admitted, my voice rougher now. “Give you space. Let you choose your life.”
My thumb brushed lightly over her knuckles.
“But I think I screwed that up.”
Yeah. Big time.
“I should’ve told you,” I continued. “Should’ve trusted you to handle it.”
My dragon rumbled in agreement. “”She’s strong.””
“I know.” “”Stronger than anyone I’ve ever met.””
And now? Now she was something else entirely. Something people would hunt., That thought alone made my jaw tighten.
“Not happening,” I said under my breath.
I straightened slightly, my grip on her hand tightening just a little.
“I don’t care what you are,” I told her quietly. “Dragon. Wolf. Whatever that third thing is…”
My voice dropped.,“You’re still Amber.”
The girl who laughed too loud sometimes. Who cared too much.
Who looked at me like I was more than just some alpha’s son.
“And I’m not going anywhere,” I added.
Not now.,Not ever.
Amber POV
Warmth. That’s what I felt first. Not pain. Not fear. Warmth.
It pulled me up slowly, like I was floating toward the surface.
Then I heard it. His voice.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
My chest tightened. Ripley… My fingers twitched.
Ripley POV
I felt it. Barely, but it was there. Movement. I froze.
“Amber?”
Her hand shifted under mine again. My heart slammed against my chest.
“Amber, come on… open your eyes.”
For a second, nothing happened. Then.. Her lashes fluttered.
And slowly… Her eyes opened.
Relief hit me so hard it almost knocked the breath out of me.
“There you are,” I said, a small, breathless laugh escaping me.
Her gaze found mine instantly. And something in it…Was different.
Not bad…Just…Stronger…Deeper.
“Hey…” she whispered.
My grip on her hand tightened slightly.
“Hey yourself.”
She studied me for a long moment.
“You stayed,” she said softly.
Like she was surprised. That did something to me.
“Yeah,” I replied simply. “I did.”
A small pause. Then..
“I heard you.”
My brows pulled together. “What?”
“Before I woke up,” she said. “I heard what you said.”
Oh. Well…Damn. I rubbed the back of my neck slightly. “Yeah?”
Her lips twitched just a little.
“You talk a lot when you’re worried.”
I huffed out a quiet laugh. “Don’t get used to it.”
Too late.,She already looked like she might. Silence settled between us again, but this time… It wasn’t heavy. It wasn’t tense. It was something else. Something calmer.,But still charged underneath.
“So…” she said slowly, “you’re not going anywhere?”
I met her gaze. Not even a hesitation.
“No.”
Her eyes softened slightly.
“Good.”
The bond between us settled into something real.
Not hidden. Not denied…Just… there.
- Writer
