My fingers tug at his shirt, the fabric tearing under my grip, and I feel Eric’s hands on my shoulders, his lips moving lower, trailing fire across my skin. It’s raw, consuming, the kind of heat that could burn this whole pack house down. 

I want more—more of Rick, more of Eric, more of this bond that makes us whole, even without her.

“What the hell are you guys doing?” a voice snaps, sharp and raw, cutting through the haze.

I freeze, my lips still on Rick’s, my hands gripping his hair. I turn my head, slow and deliberate, and there she is—Lia, standing in the doorway, her eyes wide with shock, her face a storm of fury and something else, something that makes my wolf howl. 

My smirk widens, slow and deliberate, as I meet her gaze, letting her see every bit of the monster she hates.

I open my eyes slowly. My body felt warm and heavy with sleep. Something presses against my side. 


I turn and see a hand resting there, fingers strong but gentle.


 Rick's arm, thrown over me like a shield. I shifted and Dorian was beside me, his face close to mine, his breath even in sleep.


 Eric and Dean are nearby too — not touching, but close enough that their hands are stretched toward me, like even in sleep they don't want to let me go.


The mate bond hums in my chest. It's soft and steady, pulling me to them. For the first time, it doesn't feel like a chain. It feels like a promise.


I look at Dorian. His face softer than I've ever seen. I used to hate him the most — thought he was the worst of them: cold, angry, always pushing me away. But now I know more. I know what they did to protect me, how they saved me from Lucas. I feel dumb for judging them. They aren't monsters, not really.


Chapter 48 - chapter 47