Dakota exhaled slowly, tension uncoiling muscle by muscle, and lay down properly this time, pulling Takoda closer against her chest. The child made a small, sleepy sound of pure approval—contented hum vibrating against her skin—before nuzzling in fully, soft cheek pressed to Dakota's shoulder, warm breath puffing rhythmically against the curve of her neck.
"There," Dakota whispered quietly, fingers smoothing dark curls back with infinite tenderness. "Much better."
She focused on that instead.
The buttery slide of silk sheets against her bare legs.
The steady, radiating warmth of the pup tucked securely beside her.
The tiny, even breaths brushing her collarbone like a secret lullaby.
Anything except the man beyond those walls.
But unfortunately—
the bond did not care what she wanted to focus on.
Because the moment she relaxed even slightly—shoulders easing, breath deepening—she became aware of him again.
Closer now.
Moving.
