Chapter 10

Itook a deep breath as Nathan and I stepped through the front door of my home, the tension between us palpable. The battle against Jameson Tyler and the Arcanum Syndicate had been intense, but we emerged victorious, securing the Epoch Stone and thwarting their nefarious plans.

Nathan's hand grasped mine. His touch made me tremble, a reminder of the bond we now shared. I turned to face him, his piercing green eyes locked on mine, filled with longing.

"We made it," he said.

I nodded, unable to find the words to express the whirlwind of emotions coursing through me. Relief at our victory, gratitude for his support, and an undeniable desire that had been simmering beneath the surface for far too long.

Without warning, he pulled me closer, his strong arms encircling my waist. Our bodies pressed together, the heat between us igniting a flame that could no longer be contained. His lips found mine in a searing kiss, passionate and desperate, as if he feared this moment might slip away.

I melted into his embrace, tangling my fingers in his short, dark hair. The world around us faded away, leaving only the two of us, bound by an unbreakable connection that transcended the physical realm.

We stumbled toward the bedroom, a trail of discarded clothing marking our path. Hands roamed, exploring every inch of exposed skin, our need for one another growing more insatiable with each passing moment.

Finally, we tumbled onto the bed, our bodies intertwined and moving in perfect synchronicity. Nathan's touch was electric, igniting a fire within me that burned brighter with every caress. I surrendered to the intensity of our bond, allowing the barriers between us to crumble until our souls intertwined as one.

Afterward, we lay tangled in the sheets, our breathing ragged, bodies glistening with a thin sheen of sweat. Nathan pulled me close, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead. "Clara," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "You're my mate, my partner, and my everything. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

Tears pricked my eyes as I gazed up at him, my heart overflowing with love and devotion. "Yes," I cupped his face in my hands. "Not too fast though."

He nodded, looking not at all angry that Elliot was still a consideration for me, though it was unspoken. In many ways, it felt like Elliot had been gone for years, but time would shift peculiarly, and I'd feel like I'd just lost him moments before. I was ready to commit to Nathan, but there was no rush to make it official just yet.

Nathan's lips curved into a radiant smile, and he captured my mouth in a searing kiss, sealing our bond for eternity.

AS THE FIRST RAYS OFdawn peeked through the curtains, I was unable to sleep, my mind replaying the events of the night over and over again. Nathan's arm was draped across my waist, his steady breathing a comforting rhythm against my back.

Carefully, I extricated myself from his embrace, slipping out of bed and padding toward the window. The city stretched out before me, a tapestry of twinkling lights and towering skyscrapers, a stark contrast to the tranquility of my home.

I wrapped a robe around myself, the soft fabric caressing my skin like a lover's touch. My gaze drifted to the mantelpiece, where a familiar picture frame caught my eye—a snapshot of Elliot and me on our wedding day, frozen in time, a reminder of the love we shared.

A bittersweet pang tugged at my heart, but it was quickly overshadowed by a sense of peace and acceptance. Elliot's spirit had entrusted me to Nathan, blessing our union and granting me the freedom to move forward.

Footsteps behind me announced Nathan's presence, and I turned to find him standing in the doorway, his hair tousled, and his eyes heavy with sleep and desire.

"Couldn't sleep?" he asked, crossing the room to wrap his arms around me from behind.

I leaned back into his embrace, reveling in the warmth and security he provided. "Just thinking about how far we've come."

Nathan pressed a tender kiss to the curve of my neck, his breath hot against my skin. "And how much farther we have to go, together."

I nodded, a contented smile tugging at my lips. I turned in Nathan's arms, capturing his lips in a searing kiss. Our bond had been forged in the fires of battle, tempered by love, and sealed with an unbreakable vow.

Come what may, we would face it as one—mates, partners, and soulmates, bound for eternity.

THE FAMILIAR SCENTof freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air as I stepped into the kitchen several weeks later, a warm smile spreading across my face. Evan was already seated at the table, his nose buried in a textbook as he studied to get ahead on his fall science class, his brow drawn in concentration.

"Morning, sweetheart," I said, ruffling his tousled brown locks affectionately.

Evan glanced up, his blue eyes brightening as he returned my smile. "Hey, Mom. You're up early."

"Couldn't sleep," I said, pouring myself a steaming cup of the rich, aromatic brew. "Too excited to have you home."

He chuckled, closing his book with a soft thud. "It's only for a few weeks, but I'm glad to be back too."

I settled into the chair across from him, cradling the mug between my palms. "How's the studying going? Are you ready for the autumn semester already?" I glanced pointedly at his book and gave him a teasing smile.

Evan nodded, running a hand through his hair—a gesture so reminiscent of his father that my heart clenched momentarily. "Just trying to stay on top of things. You know how it is."

"I do," I said, taking a sip. "Your father always said knowledge was power."

A fleeting shadow crossed Evan's features at the mention of Elliot, but it was gone in an instant, replaced by a reassuring smile. "He was a wise man."

We lapsed into a comfortable silence, the only sound the gentle ticking of the clock on the wall. I studied my son, marveling at how much he had grown—not just physically, but in maturity and wisdom. The past few months had been a whirlwind of change, and yet, Evan remained a constant reminder of the love Elliot and I had shared.

"So," I said with a sigh, setting down my mug with a soft clink. "How have you been, really? No one's given you any trouble, have they?"

Evan's brow furrowed, his gaze meeting mine with a hint of confusion. "Trouble? No, of course not. Why would you think that?"

I waved a dismissive hand, forcing a casual tone. "Just checking in. With everything that's happened, I wanted to make sure you're doing okay."

He regarded me for a moment, his eyes searching mine, before nodding slowly. "I'm fine, Mom, really. College has been great, and I've been so focused on my studies that I haven't had time for anything else."

Relief washed over me, and I reached across the table to give his hand a gentle squeeze. I hadn't really expected any of Jameson's minions, should any remain, to have gone after him, but it was a relief to hear he hadn't noticed anything. His wolf guards hadn't either, and I was inclined to agree with Gabriel that they didn't need to shadow him upon his return to MIT in a few weeks. "That's good to hear."

Our conversation drifted to lighter topics—his classes, his friends, and his plans for the summer. As we talked and laughed, contentment washed over me. Despite the turmoil of the past few months, Evan's presence was a reminder that life went on, and that love and family were the anchors that kept us grounded.

It wasn't until later that evening, after we had settled in the living room with a movie and a bowl of popcorn, that I broached the subject I had been dreading. "There's something I need to tell you."

He glanced over at me, his expression curious. "What is it, Mom?"

I took a deep breath, fortifying myself for his reaction. "Nathan and I...we're engaged."

Silence reigned for a second, punctuated only by the muffled sounds of the movie playing in the background. Evan's eyes widened, and his mouth parted slightly as he processed my words. "Engaged?" he echoed, his voice tinged with disbelief. "But Dad's only been gone a few months."

I nodded, my heart hammering in my chest. "I know, sweetheart. Believe me, I know how it sounds, but Nathan has been such a rock for me through all of this. He's helped me find my way when I felt lost, and he's given me the strength to keep going."

Evan's gaze dropped to his lap, his fingers toying with the hem of his shirt. For a moment, I feared he would lash out and accuse me of betraying his father's memory, but when he finally met my eyes again, there was softness there, an understanding that belied his years.

"I can see how happy he makes you," he said, his lips curving into a small, wistful smile. "And if Dad were here, he'd want you to be happy too."

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I reached out, patting his cheek. "Thank you for understanding."

He covered my hand with his own, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'm glad you found someone, Mom. Dad would be too."

A weight lifted from my shoulders, a burden I hadn't even realized I was carrying. Evan's acceptance, his blessing, soothed the lingering guilt and uncertainty that had plagued me since Nathan's proposal.

It truly felt like everything would somehow be okay now. Different from how it had been, but still good. I wasn't dead yet, and life went on, this time with Nathan at my side instead of Elliot. I couldn't wallow in what might have been, and I appreciated Evan understanding I needed more than a memory. Maybe someday, I'd explain everything to him, including the fated mates aspect, but I doubted it.

With Jameson gone, we could live solidly in this reality again. Evan didn't ever need to know there were worlds and possibilities beyond his imagination. I'd keep him safe from all that. It was my duty as a Guardian.