Chapter 72
Kane’s POV
The sight of Tessa lying peacefully in the bed, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm, was both a comfort and a torment all at the same time.
It was the next day, the day that held a mass of uncertainty…
She looked so small, curled up beneath the heavy blanket, her hair splayed out across the pillow like a halo. For a fleeting moment, I wished I could freeze time and stay here forever just her and me, with no battles to fight and no enemies to hunt.
But that wasn’t our reality. At least it wasn’t yet.
I ran a hand through my hair and turned back to the backpack on the chair beside me. The sound of my pacing was muffled by the thick
rug beneath my sneakers as I moved around the room, gathering what I needed. A knife, the radio, extra rounds, a few protein bars all the essentials for the long day ahead. My hands worked automatically, but my thoughts were elsewhere as I continued to glance back at the human I was willing to put my life on the line
for.
Tessa wouldn’t like this. Hell, she’d fight me on it if I gave her the chance. She probably thought that I would bring her with me today, but that was a
foolish thought.
She’d want to come with me, to stand at my side and face whatever dangers lay ahead, but we both knew she couldn’t. She was a human, and without being too harsh, she wouldn’t be able to bring much fight to the table against an army of crazed Russian wolves…
One fact stood certain; this was a fight that I couldn’t ever let her join.
I glanced back at the bed, my chest tightening as I watched her shift in her sleep ever so slightly. She deserved more than this life of constant fear. She deserved to feel safe, to heal, to dream about something other than just pleasing wolves for survival.
–
in fact, it was the only choice. Kion’s people were shaping up to seem pretty loyal and Leaving her here with Erin at Kion’s pack was the best choice today capable, and they’d protect the girls with their lives Kion had promised.
But still, the thought of being away from her, of not being there to shield her from every potential threat, made my gut crunch.
But I couldn’t let that stop me from helping Kion to do the right thing here.
We were set to leave in just over an hour. I’d be leading the northern strike team alongside Viktor and Seth, our mission clear: infiltrate Dimitri’s compound, free the trapped women and children, and end that bastard’s reign of terror once and for all.
I glanced at my watch and sighed.
It was almost time.
Walking over to the bed, I sat down carefully on the edge, the mattress dipping slightly under my weight. Tessa stirred but didn’t wake, her face soft and unguarded in a way I rarely got to see. My hand moved on its own, brushing a stray strand of hair from her battered cheek.
“Tessa, sweetheart,” I murmured, my voice low and gentle.
Her eyes fluttered open slowly with a whine, hazy with sleep as they eventually found mine. For a moment, there was no fear, no tension of her gaze and the faint smile that tugged at her lips.
just the warmth
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Chapter 72
“Kane,‘ she whispered, her voice hoarse. “What time is it?”
“Lunch time, you must’ve needed this rest,” I replied, my hand finding hers beneath the blanket. “I need to talk to you before I leave…
That wiped the sleep from her face instantly. She pushed herself up, the blanket pooling around her waist as she sat upright. “L–Leave?!” she repeated, ber eyes narrowing.
I nodded, my jaw tightening in preparation for our faux argument. “Seth and I are heading out with the others. It’s time to make a move on Dimitri’s compound, we have to travel up and around the pack to full surround him before closing in.”
Her expression shifted from confusion to determination in an instant. “Then I’m coming with you – let me help, I can get the women and children to safety.”
I sighed, already prepared for this argument. “No, Tessa. You’re staying right here. You’ll be safe back here with Kic pack. I’m not putting you in danger again!”
Her forehead creased, and I could see the fire in her eyes building. “Safe? You think I care about being safe anymore when you’re out there risking everything for this? I can help, Kane. I know I can! I would rather be by your side…”
I cupped her face with both hands, forcing her to look at me and to see reason. “Tessa, listen to me. I know you could be a great help for comforting the women and children and I know how strong you are. But this isn’t just about you helping anymore. These men that we’re dealing with, they would rip you apart in a battle and besides, If something happened to you out there…” My voice cracked, and I swallowed hard before continuing. “I couldn’t live with myself. I need to know that you’re here, alive, waiting for me to come back in order to give this my best shot.”
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but she didn’t look away. “You can’t ask me to just sit here and wait while you go out there, Kane. Not after
everything we’ve been through – I only just got you back again.”
“I’m not asking,” I said firmly, though my voice softened as I pressed my forehead to hers. “I’m telling you. This is how it has to be. You’ll stay behind and
you’ll wait for me to return!”
A tear slipped down her cheek, and I wiped it away with my thumb. “You’ve been through enough already, Tessa. Let me handle this. Let me keep you safe. You’re being ridiculous if you thought for a minute that I would take you in to this with me…”
She closed her eyes, leaning into my touch as if trying to draw strength from it. “Then just promise me that you’ll come back untouched,” she whispered.
I tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet my gaze. “Baby, you don’t even know me, do you? I’m an Alpha with great power and strength, I’ll hold my own out there I swear it,” I said, my voice strong despite the storm raging inside me. “I’ll come right back to you, Tessa. No matter what it takes.”
Her fingers tightened around mine, and for a moment, we just sat there, holding on to each other as if the world outside this room didn’t exist.
But it did.
And it was time to face it.
I kissed her softly, pouring everything I couldn’t put into words into that single moment. When I pulled away, her eyes were filled with a mix of love and fear that threatened to break me.
‘O–Ok… I’ll be waiting,” she said quietly, her voice trembling but resolute.
I nodded, standing and shouldering my backpack. “I love you, my little human…” I state, as she sniffles and forces a small smile.
‘I love you too Kane… always!” She responds, making my heart skip.
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1:39 pm P
Chapter 72
With one last look at her, I turned and forced myself to walk out the door, each step heavier than the last.
I’ll do this for her. For Erin. For Sasha. For all of the women and children being treated unfairly here.
For everyone trapped under Dimitri’s crippling rule.
It was time to face this beast, to force him to face his match.
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R Visitor
I hate when women characters do this, “I need to be there” you’ll be a hindrance
7 days ago
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
