The days after the challenge were quiet.
Kael's ribs healed slowly wolf healing was fast, but cracked bones still took time. He hated every minute of it. Being still. Being weak. Being dependent.
I didn't mind.
I liked taking care of him. Bringing him food. Changing his bandages. Sitting with him while he rested.
"You're hovering," he said one afternoon, amusement in his voice.
"I'm caring. There's a difference."
"You've checked my bandages four times in the last hour."
"They need checking."
"Elena."
"What?"
He pulled me onto the bed beside him. Winced slightly at the movement.
"I love you. But I'm fine."
"You were nearly killed."
"I wasn't. I won." He kissed my forehead. "Garrick is gone. I'm healing. We're okay."
I wanted to believe him. But the memory of that fight of him shifting, of blood and teeth and danger wouldn't leave.
"I was so scared," I whispered.
"I know." He held me tighter. "I felt it. Through the bond."
"Was it too much?"
"Never." He kissed my hair. "Feeling you even your fear it grounds me. Reminds me what I'm fighting for."
"What are you fighting for?"
"You. The pack. Our future." He pulled back, looked at me. "A future I never thought I'd have."
I touched his face. Traced the fading bruise on his jaw.
"I love you."
"I love you too. Now stop hovering and let me rest."
"Fine. But I'm staying right here."
"Good."
That night, he woke screaming.
I jerked awake, heart pounding, to find him thrashing beside me. His eyes were open but unseeing, trapped in whatever nightmare held him.
"Kael. Kael, wake up."
I touched his face. He flinched. Kept thrashing.
"Kael!"
His eyes snapped to mine. Wild. Feral. For one terrifying moment, he didn't recognize me.
Then he did.
"Elena?" His voice was rough. "What"
"Nightmare. You were screaming."
He sat up slowly. Rubbed his face.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."
"Don't apologize." I moved closer, wrapped my arms around him. "Want to talk about it?"
He was quiet for a long moment.
"The challenge. But different. In the dream, I lost. Garrick won. And he " Kael's voice broke. "He took you. Made you his. And I couldn't stop him."
I held him tighter.
"That's not going to happen."
"I know."
"I'm yours. Only yours. Nothing changes that."
"I know." He pulled back, looked at me. "But knowing and feeling are different. My wolf still remembers the fear."
"Then let me help you forget."
I pushed him back on the bed.
Gently mindful of his ribs. Straddled him carefully.
"What are you doing?"
"Reminding you what's real." I leaned down, kissed him. "Reminding you what's yours."
"Elena"
"Shh." I kissed him again. "Let me take care of you for once."
He let me.
I started slow.
Kisses down his chest. Careful attention to the places that made him gasp. His hands fisted in the sheets, letting me control the pace.
Through the bond, I felt his surprise. His pleasure. His overwhelming love.
When I took him in my mouth, he groaned.
"Elena that's…."
I looked up at him. Didn't stop.
His head fell back. His hips twitched. Through the bond, I felt every wave of pleasure, amplified and beautiful.
"Close," he gasped. "So close"
I pulled back. Smiled at his frustrated growl.
"Not yet."
"Tease."
"Your tease."
I positioned myself over him. Slowly, carefully, took him inside me.
We both groaned.
"This," I breathed. "This is real. Me. You. Us."
"Elena."
"Feel me, Kael. Feel how much I love you. How much I want you. How much I need you."
I moved.
Slow at first. Then faster. His hands found my hips, guiding, but I was in control.
Through the bond, I poured everything into him. My love. My devotion. My promise that I'd never leave, never stop wanting him, never let anyone take me away.
He came with my name on his lips.
I followed seconds later.
Afterward, he held me close.
"No more nightmares," he murmured. "Not tonight."
"Good."
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For being you. For staying. For…" He kissed my hair. "For everything."
"Always."
We slept tangled together, the bond humming with peace.
The next morning, he was stronger.
Not just physically though his ribs were nearly healed. But mentally. Emotionally. The nightmare had passed, and with it, the last shadows of the challenge.
"I'm sorry," he said over breakfast.
"For what?"
"For last night. The nightmare. Scaring you."
"You didn't scare me."
"I did. I felt it." He took my hand. "You were afraid. For me."
"A little."
"A lot." He kissed my knuckles. "I'm sorry."
"Stop apologizing." I squeezed his hand. "You're allowed to have bad nights. You're allowed to be human—wolf—whatever. You're allowed to need me."
"I do need you."
"I know." I smiled. "That's why this works."
That afternoon, he returned to his duties.
Patrols. Meetings. Pack business. But he checked in constantly through the bond little touches of warmth, reminders that he was thinking of me.
No I spent the day with Sasha, learning more Luna duties.
"You're different," she said.
"Different how?"
"Softer. Stronger. Both." She smiled. "Mated life suits you."
"It does."
"Good. Kael deserves this. Deserves you."
"I think I deserve him too."
"You do." She squeezed my arm. "You're perfect for each other."
That night, he came home exhausted but happy.
Dinner together. Talking. Laughing. Normal things I'd never thought I'd have.
In bed, we made love slowly. Gently. A celebration of survival, of healing, of being alive.
"I love you," he whispered.
"I love you too."
"Forever?"
"Forever."