Evaline:


    When I opened my eyes, for a moment, I didn''t move. I didn''t even breathe or think, because I knew this feeling.


    The dim light. The quiet. The stillness that always came after I woke up from something too overwhelming. And for a split second, fear crept in.


    What if it was all a dream?


    What if-


    My gaze shifted, and my heart stopped when itnded on Draven. He was right there, lying beside me. Close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from his body, close enough that I could see the slow rise and fall of his chest.


    He was real.


    It wasn''t all a dream.


    A broken sound escaped my lips as I pushed myself up on my elbows. My entire body trembled as I stared at him like if I blinked, he might disappear.


    "It''s real…" I whispered, my voice cracking.


    He didn''t vanish. He didn''t fade. He was real.


    Tears blurred my vision instantly, spilling down my cheeks faster than I could stop them.


    I had thought that back in that chamber I had cried everything out, that there was nothing left. But I was wrong.


    So, so wrong.


    Because now, now it was real in a way it hadn''t been before. There were no spells, no urgency, no fear that something might go wrong any second.


    It was just him. Here. With me.


    A tear slipped from my chin andnded on his cheek. His brows furrowed slightly as another dropnded on exact spot before I could stop it. And then, his eyes fluttered open.


    My breath hitched.


    He looked disoriented, his gaze unfocused as he adjusted to the light. And then he saw me.


    "Eva…" His voice was still rough, but stronger than before.


    That was it. That was all it took for me topletely break down.


    A sob tore from my chest as I threw myself at him. My arms wrapped tightly around him like I was afraid he would disappear if I didn''t hold him hard enough.


    "You are here," I cried against him. "You are really here-"


    His arms came around me instantly, pulling me closer as his one hand slid up to cradle the back of my head.


    "I''m here," he murmured softly. "I''m not going anywhere."


    I shook my head against him, gripping his shirt tighter. "No," I whispered desperately. "Don''t say that - just… just stay."


    "I will," he promised, his voice steady despite the slight strain I could feel in his body.


    I didn''t loosen my hold. Even the thought of letting go made something inside me panic all over again. So instead, I pulled back just enough to look at him.


    Really look at him.


    My hands came up to his face, cupping it gently once again as I brushed my thumbs over his skin like I was memorizing every inch of it.


    "You are okay…" I whispered, searching his eyes.


    "I am," he said softly.


    And I felt it. Not just from his words, but through the bond. He was much better than when he woke up hours ago.


    A fresh wave of tears spilled over, and I didn''t even try to stop them. Instead, I leaned forward and pressed my lips to his softly... almost hesitantly.


    But then it deepened into something desperate, something deep as he took the charge. It was months of longing poured into a single moment.


    "I missed you," I whispered against his lips, my voice trembling. "I missed you so much…"


    His arms tightened around me, pulling me fully onto him as I straddled his waist without even thinking as he shifted to a sitting position.


    "I know," he murmured as he rested his forehead against mine. "I felt it."


    "I love you," I said immediately, the words spilling out like they had been waiting too long. "I love you so much-"


    "I love you too," he said, his voice quieter now, but filled with something deeper.


    I didn''t stop and kissed his cheek, his jaw, and then his lips again. I kissed him over and over like I needed to make up for every moment I had lost.


    "I''m never letting you go again," I whispered fiercely, pressing my forehead against his. "Never."


    He let out a soft huff of augh, though there was warmth in it. "I''m not going toin for such a blessing."


    I kissed him again, and he chuckled softly, his hand sliding up and down my back in slow, soothing motions.


    For a while, we just stayed like that, wrapped around each other, breathing each other in, and grounding ourselves in the reality of this moment.


    After a while, he spoke gently, "You hve been out for a while."


    I frowned slightly, pulling back just enough to look at him again. "How long?"


    "It''ste afternoon," he replied. "You copsed around three in the morning."


    My eyes widened slightly. "That long?"


    "You pushed yourself too far," he said, his tone soft but firm.


    I winced a little. But I didn''t really regret anything. I leaned forward and rested my head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.


    "What happened after…?" I asked quietly.


    He exhaled softly. "Elder Ren made all of us shift. He said our bodies needed to reconnect with our wolves properly."


    I lifted my head slightly. "And?"


    A small grin tugged at his lips. "I feel a hundred times better."


    Relief flooded through me. "I can tell," I murmured, brushing my fingers lightly over his arm.


    He continued, "After that, he cleared us to leave, but we have to get another check this evening."


    I nodded slowly before asking, "And the others?"


    "They are fine," he said. "All of them."


    My chest eased. "And… you?" I asked, studying him again carefully.


    He met my gaze steadily. "I''m really okay, Eva."


    My power stirred faintly in response, brushing over him instinctively. Confirming it. He wasn''t lying.


    Still, I tightened my hold on him again. Just because he was okay didn''t mean I was ready to let go. Not yet.


    "River and Elion went to the council," he added after a moment. "The rest of us came back here."


    "And you stayed here with me?" I asked softly.


    He smiled faintly. "I wasn''t going anywhere until you woke up."


    That made my throat tighten again. I leaned forward and kissed him once more, softer this time.


    "Thank you."


    He brushed his thumb lightly against my cheek as he spoke, "You don''t have to thank me for that."


    I huffed softly. "I will anyway."


    He chuckled quietly. Then, after a brief pause, he tilted his head slightly. "You have been busy while I was gone."


    I stilled, confused what he''s talking about. "…What do you mean?"


    His gaze softened, but there was something knowing in it. And I realized why when he spoke the name - "Damian."


    My breath caught.


    Of course, they told him. I should have expected that.


    I looked down for a second before meeting his eyes again. "Yeah…"


    He studied me carefully before speaking, "You handled it wonderfully."


    I nodded slowly. "I did."


    A faint smirk touched his lips. "Sounds like we both have a habit of getting into trouble."


    I blinked, then let out a smallugh.n"Yeah… I guess we do."


    He smiled at that, and for a moment, everything felt light, normal... right.


    I leaned down again, resting my forehead against his. "But we made it back," I whispered.


    His arms tightened around me. "Yeah," he murmured. "We did."


    And this time, when I closed my eyes, there was no fear. Only warmth. Only him. Only us.


    And for the first time in a long time, that was enough.