Chapter 45

FORTY-FIVE

S tanding before the great hall’s ancient doors, Emma’s heart hummed not with scientific curiosity, but with pure love for the extraordinary alpha waiting to claim her before his entire clan.

“You know,” she whispered, fingers tracing the runes in her dress, “I used to think I had to choose between my research and real connection. That no one could possibly understand both sides of me.”

Through their bond, Lucas’s love wrapped around her like a warm embrace. “And now?”

“Now I have someone who lights up when I babble about quantum frequencies,” she managed past the thickness in her throat. “Who looks at me like I’m precious even while I’m trying to document everything, who makes me feel like my enthusiasm is beautiful instead of strange.”

His power surged through their connection with such tender ferocity it made her crystal spark. “Emma...”

“I love how you watch me with those golden eyes,” she continued softly, letting herself be completely vulnerable. “How you find ways to touch me even while I’m deep in research, how you’re proud of my mind instead of trying to change it. You make me feel like everything I am is exactly enough.”

The doors began to open, but Emma wasn’t finished. “I’m not just measuring frequencies anymore, Lucas. I’m measuring moments. Every smile, every laugh, every time you pull me into your arms while I’m babbling about data points. I’m documenting us, our story, because you make even ordinary moments feel extraordinary.”

His answering pulse of emotion nearly brought her to her knees. Through their bond, she felt his heart racing to match hers, felt his panther purring with joy at her words.

“My stunning, incredible mate,” his voice carried such love it made her eyes tear up, “who turned my carefully ordered world into a fascinating experiment worth living. Who makes me want to show off just to see her eyes sparkle with appreciation. Who taught me that real strength is letting someone see your heart.”

Emma stepped into the great hall, her body glowing not with scientific energy but with pure devotion. The assembled pride gasped as ancient magic responded to their enhanced connection, creating patterns of light that danced around them like stars.

But she had eyes only for Lucas.

“The preliminary data suggests,” she managed with a shaking voice as they reached the front of the room, “that I am completely, irrevocably in love with you.”

Lucas’s laugh held such joy it made the ceremonial crystals sing.

“For us,” Emma whispered against his lips, pulsing with everything in her heart. “Always for us.”