Chapter 35

Kimble

Talon took me back to the camp, where I stayed in my wolf form for a few more hours because of my adrenaline surge. My wolf wasn’t ready to shift back. Since this was the first time for both of us, I was just as excited as she was. Oh, my wolf’s name was Snow.

Finally, when Snow allowed me to shift back, I found myself in Talon’s arms. It was the break of dawn and we were on a makeshift bed in a tent. There were dark circles beneath his eyes, which meant he hadn’t slept while he held me tightly against him.

“Talon…” I murmured.

“Kimble…” His eyes were burning with unshed tears, and for the first time in my life, I saw my beautiful, ruthless mate and husband blinking tears from his eyes. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he tried to swallow his emotions. “You’ve got the most beautiful wolf on this earth and I love you. I’ll love you until the end of my life and on into the Fade.” He pulled me against his naked chest and I soaked it with my tears, crying for both of us.

“I love you, too,” I muttered so many times, giving in to the most beautiful sensation I’d ever felt, because with my wolf, I fully recognized Talon as my mate.

I don’t know when I had drifted off to sleep, but when I woke up, he was still staring at me, stroking the dip in my spine with his long fingers. He kissed my forehead and said, “Do you want to see Vandil? He’s here.”

I placed a kiss on his lips, unable to stop myself. “What time is it?” I asked, noticing the sunlight coming through the tent from outside.

“It’s 10 AM.”

Goddess, how long was I asleep? But this was the best sleep I’d had in days. I chuckled. “Yes, I’d like to see him.” I was amused that Talon was giving Vandil a chance, because I knew that he didn’t treat his enemies kindly. “But I want you to promise me one thing,” I said, cupping his cheek.

He took my hand and kissed every finger. “I know they’re your family, love. So I’ll try my best to make up with them.” My eyes widened in surprise for a moment. How did he know what I was thinking? He chuckled softly. “I can sense your sensations through our bond.” And then he kissed the tip of my nose.

It was strange, yet comforting, to see the way my family lit up around me. My mother’s eyes sparkled each time she looked my way, her hand finding mine often, as if she was afraid, I’d slip away if she didn’t hold on tight. My father—my papa—was a softer version of the stern figure I’d envisioned over the years, with a warmth I had never felt before in his embrace.

That night my entire family was surprised to see me shifting into my wolf. According to Talon, I was the most beautiful wolf he had ever seen, but according to my family, I was a rare white wolf with white fur.

And my brothers! They were troublemakers, every one of them except Vandil, who stayed reserved. Still, he watched me, almost protectively, with a silent acceptance I hadn’t expected. He kept an eye on Jackie always, like she was his everything.

I was genuinely happy for her. Talon had a long talk with her, in Vandil’s presence, in which she revealed everything. So many misunderstandings were solved.

It took two hours of negotiations and convincing Talon that Vandil had only reacted to protect his mate. Once Jackie had explained how Kirk had messed her about, Talon seemed to relax.

The best part—my best friend was my brother’s mate. It meant that I would spend more days forging my relationship with my family. The Moon Goddess had been so kind to me.

Those two days were like something out of a dream. I’d seen families before—always from afar, always with a longing I tried to bury in defiance. Yet, here I was, a part of a family that wanted me, that mourned all the years we’d lost.

But it was hard to shake the feeling that this was all borrowed time, a gift from Talon. He’d given me only two days with them, and I understood why. He was still cautious, protective to a fault, even though he knew how much this meant to me. Ayla had stolen my life, and Talon knew better than anyone how desperate I was to claim it back, to relive what I could, and to finally experience the love and joy I’d missed. This momentary freedom felt as fragile as glass, each second slipping away. But I wouldn’t take it for granted, not even for a heartbeat.

Talon left me alone with them that first night. And as the moon rose high, my mother sat me down and held my face in her hands. Her voice was soft, filled with the weight of her own guilt, and she apologized for not finding me sooner, for not saving me from the life Ayla had trapped me in. She’d had no control over it, and I tried to tell her as much. Ayla was ruthless, relentless, and terrifying. But now I was here, breathing in my mother’s lavender scent and feeling my father’s steady heartbeat when he wrapped his arms around us both.

Time melted in their presence, and I nearly forgot about the threat that loomed in the shadows. The thought of Aria had slipped my mind until I felt the pull of my mate bond, a flicker in the distance that tugged at my chest like a taut string. Talon called me, urgency flickering through our bond.

My heart beat faster. I’d tried to push Aria’s betrayal from my mind, to savor this time without the dark cloud of her schemes, but it all rushed back. She and Liam had wanted me dead. That fact gnawed at the back of my mind, even as I laughed with my family, even as I took in the little comforts of home. I couldn’t escape it; Talon wouldn’t let me ignore it.

When Talon arrived the next morning, I could see the tension in his jaw, the silent fury simmering beneath his calm exterior. His hands brushed my arms briefly before he pulled me into a protective hold, his warm breath against my ear.

“It’s time,” he murmured, his voice heavy. I knew he didn’t just mean it was time for me to leave my family. He’d come to exact retribution. To end the threat that Aria posed.

I said my goodbyes quickly, though I knew this wasn’t the end. My mother kissed my forehead, and my father squeezed my hand, his eyes saying all the words he couldn’t speak. My brothers gave me grins, mischievous winks, and mock-punches to the arm, promising we’d meet again soon.

When I stepped outside, Talon’s hand found mine, his grip possessive, protective, as we began walking. “Where did you find her?” I asked.

“She was with Macy, packing her stuff to run away,” he growled. “Kenzie found her and brought her here.”

It wasn’t long before we reached the place he had chosen for this final confrontation. I caught sight of Aria standing there, her eyes wide as she realized Talon wasn’t here to talk.

Aria’s gaze flickered toward me, her mouth opening as if she could say anything to change this outcome. Her expression was one I’d seen before—cunning, manipulative. The same expression Ayla used when she twisted her lies to control me. And yet, this time, I felt no fear.

“Kimble,” Aria said, her voice slipping into an almost pleading tone, “you don’t understand. I was only trying to protect—”

“Protect yourself,” Talon interjected coldly, his voice a blade slicing through the space between us. “From what? Kimble’s done nothing but survive, and you sought to end even that.”

Aria took a step forward, defiance flickering across her face. “You’re going to judge us, Talon? We both know the lengths you’ve gone to. Liam wanted power, yes. But is that so different from what you’ve sought?”

Talon’s grip on my hand tightened, grounding me as he replied, his voice steady and unyielding. “The difference is that I’ve never threatened the lives of my own people, of my own mate. You crossed that line when you put Kimble’s life in jeopardy.”

For a moment, it looked like Aria would run, but Talon was faster. He held his hand out, and his power rippled through the air, suffusing the space with a chilling finality. She snarled, lunging toward Talon, but my mate anticipated her every move, dodging with calculated precision. One swift movement, and Talon’s claws were against Aria’s throat, a warning that needed no words.

“You betrayed me,” Talon said, his voice dark and merciless as he held Aria’s gaze. “You and Liam conspired against me. I could take that. However, you conspired against my mate. And that’s unpardonable.”

Aria’s face contorted, and her gaze filled with fear. Talon’s power radiated strength; an immovable force that left her pinned in place.

“Please,” she gasped, her voice strangled. “Please, Talon… for the sake of what we once had, have mercy!”

Her words repulsed me. “There’ll be no mercy! Not for you, Aria,” I snapped. Not for the one who had conspired against my life. Not for someone who wanted to rip Talon away from me. I could feel Talon’s resolve as surely as my own heartbeat. He was my shield, my justice, my retribution.

And then, in one swift motion, he snapped her neck and delivered the end she’d brought upon herself. Aria’s body went limp, her life extinguished as swiftly as her plans had crumbled.

When it was over, Talon looked at me, his eyes searching, cautious, as if he feared he’d see fear or revulsion in my gaze. But I met his eyes steadily, feeling the quiet strength of our bond. His protection was absolute, his love unwavering. I knew he would go to any lengths for me, just as I would for him.

It wasn’t the reunion I’d dreamed of with my family. But it was a beginning, a promise of safety, and a testament to the strength of the life I’d fought to reclaim. As Talon and I walked away, his hand in mine, I knew that no one would take this life from me again.