Cassius POV
The weight of the night settled around me like a thick blanket, but for once, I didn’t feel burdened by it. Instead, I felt… content. Satisfied. Something in me had been restless for days, a gnawing sense of unease that only settled the moment I had her within my reach again.
April.
She was curled up against my chest, her breath soft and steady, her body molded into mine like she belonged there. Like she’d always belonged there. My arm draped over her waist protectively, fingers tracing idle patterns on her back. She smelled like me now-like my soap, my clothes, my home.
Fuck, that did something to me.
I’d brought her here because she wasn’t safe at the bar. That was the excuse, the reasoning I told myself. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t just that. I wanted her here. With me. Under my roof. In my bed.
Mine.
I let out a slow breath, pressing my lips to the top of her head, inhaling the scent of her hair. She shifted slightly in her sleep, nuzzling closer, and a quiet growl of satisfaction rumbled in my chest.
My girl.
She didn’t even realize it yet but wasn’t going anywhere. She was it for me. The one I wanted by my side, the one I’d fight for, the one I’d protect with everything I had.
My future wife.
The thought hit me hard, like a truth that had always been there, just waiting for me to acknowledge it. I’d never cared for the idea of settling down before. I had my pack, my warriors, my duty-that had always been enough. But now?
Now, I had her.
And one day soon, she’d be more than just my girl. She’d be standing beside me, ruling beside me.
My future Luna.
A soft sigh left her lips, and I tightened my hold on her, vowing to myself that nothing and no one would take her away from me. The rogues wanted her for some reason. They were willing to come after her, to try and take her from me.
They had no idea who they were dealing with.
I’d kill every last one of them before I let anything happen to her.
I pressed another kiss to her forehead and closed my eyes, allowing myself-for the first time in a long time-to actually relax. Because with her in my arms, in my bed, in my life, I finally felt at peace.
And I’d be damned if I ever let that go.