I reached out and gently ruffled Jared's hair, letting my voice settle into something calm and certain as I spoke. "I don't need anyone else but you. I'm not going to bind myself to another mate in this lifetime."
My decision came from clarity rather than fear. I had no intention of wagering our stability on uncertain ties or shifting emotions. My priority was simple—raising Jared within a steady environment where his instincts could grow without disruption. Elliot's presence, while helpful, felt like a gesture of gratitude rather than something permanent, a connection that could dissolve as easily as it had formed.
