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“Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the
people with whom fate brings you together, but do so
with all your heart.”
-Marcus Aurelius-
DOMINIC
Luz is shifting around in bed, and I move from the window to her side. After the bonfire, I didn’t have the heart to wake her up, so I let her sleep. Then I got permission from Lucas—who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?—to take off for the night, and brought us both deep in the mountains.
A while ago, when I first settled into Rockland Creek and before my pack life, I enjoyed my solitude a little too much. I purchased a cabin buried here, with a perfect view of the sunrise above the snowy peaks. It’s the closest I can get to memories of Romania, my little haven of peace.
One I want to share with Luz, like everything else in my life now and in the future that awaits us.
The sun’s almost rising now, and I’ve been up half the night with weird questions, but mainly, a deep-seated need to protect her. I want her to wake up and watch nature’s best trick with me.
So I move to the bed, pushing aside her flaming hair so I can kiss her shoulder. “Wake up, draga mea.”
Luz rolls to her back, wrapping her arms around my neck and pulling me in for a sleepy kiss. I chuckle against her mouth, nibbling on her lips until her gorgeous emerald eyes blink awake.
“Good morning.”
My heart squeezes, then expands in joy at this simple moment. I kiss her forehead, and her nose, before picking her up—covers and all—and walking us both on the porch.
Luz’s eyes are wide as saucers when she realizes we’re not in my home, but rather somewhere else. “Where are we?”
“A little retreat up in the mountains.” I kiss her again, unable to stay away from her delectable mouth. “I told Lucas we’re taking a vacation to breathe and relax, after the events of the last few days.”
Luz meets my gaze with a smile. “You don’t have to manage me, you know. I’m okay with what happened.”
“I know. But I needed this, being away with you.” Luz snuggles deeper into my chest, and I shift her so she can see below us.
Her delighted gasp is the best reward, and she tries to move off me but my hands rein her in. “You’re barefoot, and there’s still snow everywhere.”
Luz shakes her head, gaze unwavering from the mountains and the sun peeking over their tips. “Dom, this is gorgeous!”
I kiss her shoulder again, tightening my hold on her. “I hoped you’d like it.”
“Like it?” She turns, grinning like a little kid. “I adore it!”
We settle back to watch the sunrise, my heart and soul content at having my mate so close. And still, the thoughts that kept me up all night come back.
Ah, what the hell. Might as well get this over with.
“And you’re sure you’re okay, with all of this?”
Lucrezia
I peer up at Dom, shaking my head at his question. “Am I okay with this? Dom, you...” How can I explain to him what he makes me feel? How none of this—the world I got dragged into—could ever push me away because of the love I feel for him?
The answer? I can’t. So I do the next best thing and show him.
Long hours later, I’m close to falling asleep when he says, “There may be a war coming with Jared and his pack. Promise me... No matter how stubborn and independent you are, swear to me that you’ll allow my protection. Don’t go places without me.”
I notice the worry that lines the corners of his eyes and press my fingertips to his furrowed brow, trying to smooth it out. “I promise, Dom. Anything you want.”
His eyes sparkle, and he looks boyish and endearing. “Anything?”
When I nod, he grins. “Move in with me.”
I gape at his request. We’ve barely started dating, and there’s still so much I don’t know about werewolves —and vârcolacs, especially.
Yet despite all the reasons against it, and my better judgment, I know I’d already made up my mind the moment he asked me.
I’ve already made all the crazy decisions, what’s one more?
So I kiss my wolf with all I have, then pull back and nod my answer. The joy in his sky-blue eyes makes my heart sing, and I nuzzle into his chest, soaking up the heat he so unconditionally shares—like everything else about him.
And in the quiet house, this little piece of heaven, something amazing happens. Dominic Konstantin, my wolf, falls asleep peacefully while I watch over him.