One Hour Ago
Damian woke before the first light of dawn. His senses instantly adjusted to the warmth pressing against his chest.
Evelina.
She lay curled up against him, her body warm and soft, breathing evenly as she slept deeply. A few strands of her brown hair fell across her face, and Damian instinctively reached out to tuck them behind her ear, surprised by how gentle his touch was.
His mate.
The reality of it settled deeper in his chest. She wasn't just some fleeting pleasure, wasn't just a woman he desired. She was his bonded mate now. His.
Storm stirred in his mind, a deep rumble of satisfaction vibrating through Damian's chest. "She's perfect," his wolf murmured. "Ours."
Damian exhaled, his fingers lightly tracing the curve of Evelina's shoulder. "Yeah," he whispered. "She is."
Storm huffed. "So what now? We have her, but the world still sees her as a traitor. And your father—"
Damian clenched his jaw. "I know."
