30. Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty

J asmine

Waking up in Bold's strong arms, surrounded by his woodsy scent and the warmth of his body, feels like a dream I never want to end. After the terrifying ordeal with Wright, being here, safe and cherished, soothes my battered soul.

I snuggle closer, pressing a soft kiss to Bold's scruffy jaw, marveling at how right this feels. How perfectly we fit together, even with our differences. Maybe even because of them.

"Morning, beautiful." His sleep-roughened voice rumbles through his chest. He slowly sweeps his large hand up and down my back, making no move to rise. Like he's just as content as I am to stay safe and quiet in our love nest.

"Morning yourself, handsome." I trace the line of his collarbone with my fingertips, savoring the contrast of smooth skin and soft fur. "How'd you sleep?"

"Better than I have in ages, with you here and safe." He tilts my chin up to capture my lips in a slow, honeyed kiss that makes my toes curl. "I'm afraid if I move, I'll wake up and this will all have just been an amazing dream."

I kiss him back, deep and sure and full of promise. "Not a dream. You're wide awake, I'm really here, and we're together."

"Mate." He breathes the word like a prayer, his eyes shining with love and wonder. "My Jasmine. My everything."

We lose long moments trading lazy kisses as we whisper endearments. Reaffirming our bond, our unshakable connection.

Bold barely misses a beat of scratching my back with his claws as he gets a phone update from Fury. His brow furrows with concern as he listens; then he ends the call and turns to me with a relieved smile.

"Courage was just discharged. Well, he walked out AMA." He gives me a sly grin and a shrug. "It's the wolven way. Now that you're living here, I guess you'll have to get used to it."

"Yep." I ruffle my fingers through his shoulder fur. "I now have the honor of living with a pack of big, bad wolven." I kiss his pec and add, "I'll have to thank him. He wouldn't have been stabbed if—"

"I'm sure he knows how appreciative you are, love. We'll see him today at some point and you can thank him in person. And, word to the wise? Giving him shit will feel as good to him as a heartfelt thank you. He might even like it better."

"The wolven way?"

"My brilliant mate catches on fast."

After a quick, late breakfast in our apartment, Bold drives me to meet with Detective Martinez. She updates me on the case against Wright.

"We put a little pressure on Amanda Brandt, helped her understand that she'll be safer now if she testifies against Wright and keeps him behind bars. She agreed. Between her video evidence, what happened in that warehouse, and the kidnapping and false imprisonment charges, Wright will be in jail for a long time. I could practically guarantee that the evidence and resulting scandal will take down Nature's Edge as well. "

It's only when we're safely in my car on the way home that tears sting my eyes as the magnitude hits me. We've turned the tide. Our efforts made a difference. This inquiry will go forward against not just Wright's enterprises, but all the outdoor therapy centers will undergo a thorough investigation to ensure they're following the laws. This is a breakthrough in what I've fought so hard for. My suffering wasn't for naught. Not as an adolescent, and not when I was held hostage in that warehouse.

"Bold." I reach across the console and press my palm to his cheek, my heart swelling with love and gratitude. "I'd be dead without my wolven guardian angel and my Wolven Warriors."

He presses my hand tighter against his flesh, his blue gaze full of quiet pride and devotion. "Anything for you, Jazz. You know that."