Darien
My hand rested over Leah's, warm and still, as she slept. I'd been sitting in this damned chair for hours, my back screaming in protest, but I couldn't bring myself to move. Not when her breathing had finally evened out. Not when she looked so peaceful for the first time since she'd arrived.
The door opened with a soft creak, and I didn't need to turn to know it was Cain. His presence was familiar, controlled, completely unlike the chaos that had torn through this room earlier.
What's going on? His voice entered my mind, smooth and careful.
I kept my eyes on Leah, watching the rise and fall of her chest. She's mine.
The weight of his pause pressed against my shoulders. Your mate?
Yes. The word resonated through every fiber of my being, absolute and undeniable. My beast recogni
