Chapter 221
The days that followed were a balm to the soul. The pack continued to thrive, and peace became more than just a word—it became our reality. For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t weighed down by fear, or betrayal, or the need to look over my shoulder.
Roman and I had talked about going on a proper date for weeks now, always promising "when things calm down." And tonight… things were finally calm.
The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of amber and gold as Roman led me out of the packhouse. He had refused to tell me where we were going, only giving me that boyish grin of his and saying, *“Wear something you feel beautiful in. Not that you ever need help in that department.”*
I rolled my eyes at the memory, but the butterflies in my stomach hadn’t stopped since.
He took my hand as we walked through the forest, his fingers warm and steady against mine. The earthy scent of pine mingled with the fading light, and the quiet rustling of leaves felt like nature was holding its breath—just for us.
When we reached the clearing, my heart fluttered.
Blankets were laid out beneath a canopy of fairy lights strung between trees. Lanterns flickered gently, casting golden shadows, and a small table stood off to the side with a covered basket of food and chilled sparkling cider. In the distance, the lake shimmered, moonlight dancing on its surface.
I turned to Roman, momentarily speechless. “You did all this?”
He nodded, a glint of pride in his eyes. “You deserve a night with no interruptions. Just me and you.” He stepped closer, brushing a stray curl behind my ear. “I want to remember what your smile looks like when the world isn’t falling apart.”
I smiled—because how could I not?
We sat together under the lights, and Roman poured us both glasses of cider. The food was simple—cheese, roasted chicken, fresh berries—but it felt like a feast just because it was ours.
We talked, we laughed, and we got lost in stories that had nothing to do with war or betrayal. He told me about the time he shifted for the first time and ran straight into a tree. I told him about sneaking into the river as a kid, convinced I could talk to fish.
His laughter was everything.
At some point, music started playing softly from the speaker he’d hidden in the trees—something slow and dreamy. Roman stood and held out his hand. “Dance with me?”
I took it, letting him pull me into the center of the clearing.
His arms slid around my waist, mine around his neck, and we swayed in silence. I rested my head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. It grounded me, calmed me in ways I never fully understood.
“Tell me something,” I murmured.
“Anything.”
“If we could go anywhere tomorrow… just the two of us… where would you take me?”
He chuckled softly. “Somewhere warm. With no responsibilities, no pack business, just hammocks, and the ocean. And I’d watch you sunbathe and probably get jealous of the sun.”
I laughed, tilting my head to meet his eyes. “That sounds perfect.”
“I’ve been thinking,” he said, his voice dropping low as his fingers traced slow, lazy circles on my back. “Now that things have settled, maybe it’s time we really start building our future.”
My heart skipped. “What do you mean?”
“I mean,” he said, brushing his nose against mine, “we already survived the worst. We’ve proven we can protect our people… now I want to start living with you, not just surviving beside you.”
I felt my throat tighten, tears blurring my vision. “Roman…”
He kissed me before I could say more. Softly. Sweetly. Like a promise sealed in moonlight. It wasn’t rushed or frantic. It was the kind of kiss that melted every wall, every lingering fear, and replaced it with a love so sure, so steady, it anchored me to the earth.
When he pulled back, he smiled. “I want a home with you. Our own place. Maybe even... pups running around someday?”
I laughed through the tears, nodding. “Yeah. That sounds like everything I never knew I wanted.”
We danced until the song ended. Then we lay on the blanket, fingers entwined, watching the stars above.
The quiet between us wasn’t empty. It was full of unspoken dreams and shared peace.
And as I drifted off in his arms, I realized that this was what healing looked like. This was love without fear. A quiet night under the stars, and a future that finally felt like it belonged to us.
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