Chapter Twenty-Eight
Lorenzo’s POV
The first thing I noticed was warmth, wet heat followed with soft steady breathing. The delicate scent of jasmine mixed with something that was just her scent.
Her chest rose and fell against my hand.
Soft. Steady.
Arielle.
She was wrapped around me, her body tucked close, her slow, those even breaths brushing against my neck. I wrapped my arms tightly around her and she curled her body into mine as if we had been made to fit together.
My wolf purred in satisfaction, a primal part of me happy for the simple fact that my mate was finally here—safe, within my reach.
I stayed still, not wanting to disturb her, just enjoying the rare peace of the moment.
Memories of last night flooded my brain, her tiptoeing into the library as if I couldn't hear her footsteps against the wooden floor.
She had fallen asleep in my arms, curled against me like she belonged there.
And the truth was that—she did belong there.
I shifted slightly, careful not to wake her, letting my eyes roam over her face. It was morning, the sun was not totally up yet but daylight was filtering through the library windows falling over the floor and over her face casting a soft shadow over her delicate features.
She looked so different like this—unguarded, vulnerable.
Mine.
The possessive thought settled deep in my chest and refused to leave last night had changed something between us for me.
She had let me hold her, let her walls drop for just a little while exhaustion winning over the fear she tried so hard to hide. And I had held her, not because I had to, but because I wanted to.
I knew she wasn’t ready to admit what she was feeling—what we both were feeling—but this was enough for now.
For the first time in a long while, I felt whole.
I brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, running my fingers through her dark hair, tracing the soft strands with my fingers lingering for a second longer than was necessary.
A part of me wanted to stay like this forever, just both of us lying together as I watched her sleep.
But forever wasn’t a luxury men like me had.
A soft creak at the door made ,tense as my head snapped up.
Whoever the hell was about to interrupt this was about to lose a limb.
I lifted my head just enough to see Enzo standing in the doorway, hands shoved in his pockets, his usual smirk absent replaced by something more serious, he glanced around the room a smirk forming on his lips when he saw us both on the ground.
I glared up at him
His eyes flicked from me to Arielle, still curled up in my arms, then back to me. He lifted a brow, silently asking if I was done playing house.
I lifted a finger to my lips, silently telling him to shut the hell up. He raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching as he nodded, stepping back without making a sound.
Carefully, I eased myself out from under Arielle, making sure she stayed comfortable before I stood. She stirred slightly but didn’t wake. I walked over to the table by some shelves and reached for the notepad on the table, tearing off a clean sheet.
Sleep a little longer, bella. You can read here if you want. I’ll be back soon.
I placed the note where she would see it, then turned and followed Enzo out of the room. The moment the door clicked shut behind us, I shot him a glare.
He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his lips widening into a smirk
“You looked cozy in there. Should I come back later?”
I growled low in my throat.
“This had better be important.”
“Say what you have to say before I break your nose.”
His amusement faded instantly.
Enzo shoved his hands in his pockets, looking far too amused for someone who had just interrupted my morning.
“It is.”
I sighed, running a hand through my hair.
“What’s the problem?”
Enzo’s smirk faded.
“It’s the Great Council,” he said, his tone dropping into something colder. Of course it was, sometimes I wished I could tell them to let me be but that wasn't going to work at all. I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair.
“What now?”
Enzo’s jaw tensed
“The council isn’t letting this go, they are calling for you to resume your position, there was an attack on some brothels by the Westerns the council is calling it an act of war." I sighed walking with him down the corridor,
"Where is Rafe " I asked
" Waiting for you, he told me to come get you" he muttered and I nodded
" Let's get this over and done with"