Go Carefully, Little Wolf


    Ava''s POV


    The second time was different-slower, more deliberate. ke took his time worshipping every inch of me, his hands and mouth moving with a patience that drove me wild. He found every sensitive spot, every ce that made me gasp and arch


    beneath him.


    "You''re so perfect like this," he whispered against my skin, finding that spot on my inner thigh that made me shiver. So beautiful when you let gopletely."


    His mouth was everywhere-trailing hot kisses down my body, pausing tovish attention on ces that made me writhe. When his tongue found that sensitive bundle of nerves, I couldn''t hold back the broken moan that escaped.


    "That''s it," he encouraged, his voice rough with desire. "Let me hear you."


    I lost track of words, lost in the sensation of being thoroughly,pletely


    cherished. My fingers tangled in his hair, holding him closer as he brought me to the edge again and again before finally letting me fall.


    Later, wrapped in the soft furs, we moved to the window alcove. ke settled behind me, my back against his chest as we watched the sun continue its descent toward the mountains. His arms encircled me, possessive but gentle.


    "The golden mark suits you." He pressed a kiss to my shoulder, lips brushing over the glowing skin. "Did I ever tell you


    what it felt like when it first appeared?"


    "No." I leaned into his warmth, feeling utterly content.


    "Likeing home." His arms tightened around me. "Like finally finding something I''d been missing my whole life.*


    The words made my chest tight with emotion. I turned in his arms, needing to see his face. The golden afternoon light caught the blue-gray of his eyes, making them almost luminous.


    "I love you," I whispered.


    His answer was a kiss that started soft and deepened slowly, hands that knew exactly how to make me melt. When the desire stirred again, it was gentle this time-slow and sweet and perfect. We were finally still, thoroughly spent and utterly content, as evening shadows crept across the floor. ke pulled the soft furs over us, and I curled against his chest, my skin still warm and flushed from our extended afternoon together.


    His fingers tracedzy patterns on my bare shoulder, and I could feel the deep satisfaction radiating through our bond.


    "Mmm," I hummed contentedly, pressing a kiss to the steady pulse in his throat. "Your urgent Alpha business?"


    I felt his quietughter rumble through his chest. "Most pressing matter of my entire day."


    The manor was peaceful around us. Through the tall windows, I could hear evening birds beginning their songs, the distant sounds of the stable hands finishing their duties.


    "ke." Lyra''s words suddenly flooded back. "I should tell you-before the delegation left, Lyra said something important


    His hand stilled on my shoulder. About what?"


    "About Dad''s case." I lifted my head to meet his eyes. "She said his name came up during their recent border discussions with Shadow Creek. She ns to ask


    the Northern Lights border guards about him when she gets back."


    ke wentpletely still beneath me. I watched as his expression shifted from contentment to something much darker guilt, frustration, self-reproach.


    "ke?" I touched his cheek gently.


    "God, Ava." His voice came out rough, strained. "While I''ve been sitting here ying politics, failing to find a single piece of useful evidence, you''ve managed to uncover a potential lead I never even considered."


    He sat up abruptly, running both hands through his hair. "Border incidents. Why


    the hell didn''t I think to check with other territories?"


    "Hey." I caught his hands, forcing him to look at me. "You''ve been doing everything you can. You saved Dad''s life-


    "I dyed his execution." ke cut me off, his voice hard with self-anger.


    "There''s a difference. And meanwhile, you''re the one actually finding ways to help him.


    The guilt in his eyes was devastating. This powerful man-Alpha King of the entire werewolf world-looked utterly defeated by his inability to save my innocent father.


    "ke, we don''t even know if it''ll lead anywhere yet."


    "But it''s hope," he said, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. "Real hope. More than I''ve been able to give you." He cupped my face in his hands. "I''m sorry, Ava. I should have done more, been smarter about this..."


    "Stop.” I pressed my forehead against his. "We''re in this together now. Maybe that''s what was missing-different perspectives, different connections."


    Something shifted in his expression then, hope kindling alongside the determination. "You''re right. Together." His thumb traced my cheekbone. "And if Lyra finds something..."


    "Then we finally have a real chance."


    It was in this moment-wrapped in new hope and shared resolve-that thoughts of Sophia crept back into my mind.


    "ke?"


    "Mmm?"


    "I still need to talk to Sophia."


    His hand stilled on my shoulder. "About whatever Jackson''s been filling her head with?"


    "About everything." I tilted my head to look at him in the golden afternoon light. “I want our family to find peace. I want her to understand that I''m not trying to take anything from her."


    ke''s expression grew thoughtful. You know I could handle this. Talk to her myself."


    "I know you could." My voice was gentle but firm. "But this needs toe from me. Woman to woman. I don''t want her thinking you''re choosing sides or fighting my battles for me."


    Chapter 187: Go Carefully, Little Wolf


    He studied my face for a long moment. "And if she''s not ready to listen?"


    "Then at least I''ll have tried." It


    traced one of the old scars on his chest with my fingertip. "I can''t fix everything, but I can


    try to heal what''s broken."


    Something soft entered his expression. "My brave Luna."


    Before I could respond, a gentle knock sounded at the door.


    "Ava?" Ruth''s voice came through the heavy wood, carefully respectful. "Forgive


    the interruption, but Sophia has juste downstairs."


    ke''s arms tightened around me instinctively, but I was already sitting up, the real world rushing back like cold water.


    "Thank you, Ruth! I''ll be there in a minute!"


    ke caught my hand as I started to rise. "If things go badly-


    "You''ll be nearby." I leaned down to brush my lips against his. "I know,"


    His eyes held mine for a heartbeat longer. "Go carefully, little


    wolf."


    I gathered my scattered clothes quickly, ke watching with obvious reluctance. As I fastened thest sp of my dress, I felt our bond pulse with warmth-his strength flowing into me, steadying my resolve.


    This felt different now. Not just another family conversation to stumble through, but a real chance to clear the air and move forward. With potential answers about Dad on the horizon and ke''s full support behind me, I wasn''t walking into this as the defensive outsider anymore.


    I was walking in as ke''s chosen Luna, with nothing to apologize for and everything to fight for.


    Whatever waited for me downstairs, I would face it. Not as anyone''s idea of who I should be, but simply as myself.


    And maybe that would finally be enough.