I love you

. The Alpha of New York found a computer room and downloaded a ton of files on the organization and then a witch went in behind him and zapped all their electrical. The building is running on a backup generator right now, but it won't hold for long with all the power in this area right now." Another witch, a shorter woman with wild green curls, answered.

"Good," Apollo breathed with relief. He had already lost so many wolves on what was only supposed to be a business trip to New York. He'd found his way into a plot of betrayal and a wild adventure instead.

I could feel how tired he was and the sorrow he was trying not to show. My poor mate had gone through so much and I wanted to reassure him at the first chance we got.

The shiny doors to the elevator dinged and slowly opened. The warlock went first, followed by Alannah and the witches helping her. Apollo and I went in the back, keeping our eyes peeled for any stragglers. I had spent a lot of time here throughout my life and seeing it devoid of life and covered in blood made me feel as if the lock on my cage had finally come undone.

Perhaps I wasn't fully free yet, but I took that first step outside of my cage toward my freedom. Outside on the street, the wards on the building must have still been working because the early risers of the city weren't paying any attention to us. The sky was still dark, but morning was obviously on the horizon. Birds chirped and cars whizzed past.

"Are we clear?" I asked, swallowing hard and craning my neck to look up at the skyscraper.

"One second." The red-haired witch lifted her hand and a soft yellow glow emanated from her fingers as she magically scanned the building. "Everyone important to us is out."

Alannah peeled herself from the green-haired witch and straightened up. We locked eyes, and I assessed her determination before giving her a nod. As wiped out as she was, I could read the need in her eyes to complete the plan we made.

And I was ready to let go.

There was no warning when suddenly, the building burst into flames. It licked up the walls and the glass windows shattered and then sucked into the building as if from a black hole within. A vortex of wind and violet flames swirled around the building and the air blew around us..

My hair whipped into my face, and I buried it in Apollo's chest. He wrapped both arms around me and held me tight as this organization building turned into ash.

"I cast a glamor on this area, but it won't last long with a fire like this. Eventually humans will notice, and the authorities will be called out here for a fire of this size in the middle of the city." The warlock approached us, nodding to one car across the street we came in.

"I'm ready to go!" Alannah was more than eager to leave as she followed the others of her kind.

Apollo pulled away, but I held onto him, keeping us back for just a second. When the others were out of earshot, I tilted my head back and placed it on his chest. He looked down at me and his dashing face and the light in his eyes as he looked at me mesmerized me. Even after everything that light, his joy was for me.

"I love you," I admitted. The first time in my life I had ever said those words. I meant them more than I ever could have dreamed I would. It wasn't just an emotion, it was a feeling in my soul and, without a doubt, it would stay with me forever.

"It only could have been you. You're the only one I could ever love." I bit my lip when he didn't reply. Instead, staring down at me with wide eyes, lips parted as if I had struck him dumb.

"You almost died and we're watching a building burn." His hands rose to cup my face. "Why am I surprised this is the moment you would tell me that?"

"It's quite on brand, actually. You should have seen this coming," I laughed. Before I could say anything else, his lips were on mine and I fell into the taste of his mouth on my tongue.

"Gods, I fucking love you, Callie. More than the air I breathe." He pressed his head to mine, and I felt that connection between us humming. "My fierce, wild little wolf. I love you."

We only had seconds to embrace, and it wasn't enough time. But we needed to leave the scene of chaos burning in our wake. I took Apollo's hand and turned away from the burning building, watching as the glamour surrounding it and shielding it from human eyes melted away.

"Take me home, Alpha," I said.

"With pleasure." Apollo's smile could light up the darkest night.

Hands entwined, hearts and souls full, we walked away from the fire roaring behind us. The wolves were handled and the organization here was gone. Myst would be nothing more than a myth as time went on.

After all the pain and hardships of my life, I knew being with Apollo was going to be easy. This was the life I was meant to live. Even as a hybrid with a dark past, I was worthy of love, and I wouldn't let anything get in my way.

Now I had real friends and people I could trust without question. A mate who loved me beyond words and feelings. And a pack ready to welcome me as their Luna. For the first time in my life, I had love and a home. It just goes to show that no matter how hard your life gets, you're worthy of a happy ending.