Chapter 54 Picking A Side

Chapter 54 Picking A Side
Nova woke with a groan as white light flooded into her bedroom. She yawned and sat up.

"You're awake."

She flinched. Rune sat in the chair beside the bed, watching her. This had become a common occurrence, him always startling her.

"Do you always watch me when I sleep?" she asked, a hint of teasing in her voice.

"Only when it matters." He teased, leaning back. "You passed out last night during our... moment. I assumed you were exhausted, so I carried you to your room and stayed."

Nova's brow furrowed. She hadn't passed out from exhaustion. It had been another vision of Veronica. The more glimpses she saw of the past, the harder it became to reconcile the vile woman who had nearly destroyed the supernatural world with the sweet girl she kept witnessing, someone who only wanted peace.

If anything, Eloise had been the more likely candidate for "world ender."

She didn't know whether to tell Rune about the visions. Would he even believe her? She wasn’t even sure if this wasn’t another hallucination.

Rune moved from the chair to the bed, sitting beside her. He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. The new romantic ease between them still felt foreign, but at the same time, it felt right, like she had finally come home.

"You alright?" His voice was gentle. "You were frowning in your sleep."

She blinked. "Was I? I must have been very tired."

His expression flickered. "Did I overwork you?" She frowned, confused. "When we were together last night. One thrust in and you were out. Was it too much?"

Understanding dawned on her. That vision had to come at the wrong possible time.

Her face grew a few shades darker and she shook her head quickly. "No. It wasn't like that. You weren't too much." The words tumbled out before she could stop them. "I wouldn't have minded if you'd gone further."

The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them. Rune's lips curved into a slow smirk. He leaned in.

"Really?" His voice dropped. "Why don't I fulfill that wish, then?"

He moved to kiss her.

"I haven't brushed my teeth—"

"Don't worry." His lips brushed against hers. "I had some omegas come in last night. Cleaned you up so you could sleep better."

Before she could protest, his mouth claimed hers. She melted into him, her fingers threading through his thick hair.

The kiss deepened, turning hungry. His hands slid beneath her nightdress, finding her thigh, fingers tracing a slow path upward. She parted her legs instinctively, granting him more access.

His fingers found her lacy underwear. A single tug tore them away. She gasped, but he held her steady. Then, without hesitation, two fingers pushed inside her.

A wave of pleasure rolled through her. Her toes curled as he worked her, his fingers stroking her exactly where she needed, his mouth never leaving hers. The kiss grew rougher, more desperate, and she clung to him, lost in the feeling.

His thrusts quickened, and Nova's moans grew louder, filling the room with the sound of their shared pleasure.

He pulled back for a moment, staring down at her with a heated gaze that made her shiver. "I want to mark you so badly right now." His voice was rough, barely restrained. "My wolf and I want to claim you. Can I?"

Marking her would complete the mate bond, fully cementing her as Luna. If he had asked her before, Nova would have rejected the idea outright. But now…

"Yes."

A low growl rumbled from his chest before his mouth crashed against hers again, hungrier this time, more demanding. His hands left her aching center, and he laid her back on the bed, positioning himself above her. In one swift motion, he peeled away her nightdress, leaving her bare beneath him.

Rune's gaze traveled down her body, slow and deliberate, lingering on every curve. The intensity in his eyes made her pulse race. Then he stripped off his own clothes, revealing the sculpted lines of his chest and the taut muscles of his abdomen. In the morning light, he looked heavenly, like a god carved from marble.

He captured her mouth again, his tongue sliding against hers as his hand found her breast, kneading firmly. She moaned against his lips, arching into his touch.

He didn't relent. His fingers closed around her nipple, rolling and pinching until pleasure and pain tangled together, shooting sparks down her spine. She gasped, her nails digging into his shoulders. The sensation was overwhelming, too much and not enough all at once.

His mouth left hers, trailing fire down her neck, her collarbone, until his lips closed around her other breast. His tongue circled the tight peak while his fingers continued their torment, and Nova cried out, her back bowing off the bed.

"Rune—" His name escaped her on a broken whisper.

His response was a growl that vibrated against her skin. One hand slid down her stomach, fingers finding her slick and ready, and he groaned at the feel of her.

"I need you," he breathed against her skin. "Now."

He positioned himself at her entrance, the tip pressing against her, and Nova's breath hitched in anticipation. She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer—

Then he stopped.

His body went rigid above her, his gaze turning distant, unfocused. Nova's frustration spiked, desire warring with confusion as she recognized the look. Someone was mind linking him

A moment later, he blinked, his focus returning. His brow furrowed deeply.

"What?" she asked, her voice still breathless.

Rune's jaw tightened. "It's the council. After yesterday's attack, they want to accelerate our plans." His eyes met hers, heavy with meaning. "They need your decision."

The heat between them cooled instantly. Nova's stomach tightened.

They wanted her to choose. Side with the supernaturals, or side with humanity. Weeks ago, the answer would have been simple. But she had seen things now — the tortured rogue with hollow eyes, the scars and needle marks on his body. Humans were committing atrocities against supernaturals, right now, in this very moment. She couldn't ignore that.

But she had also seen the past. Seen how supernaturals had treated humans when they held all the power. She couldn't forget that either.

The only difference was time. One horror was centuries old. The other was still happening.

She made her choice.

"Okay." Her voice was steady. "I'll join. But you have to promise me something." She held his gaze. "When humans surrender, when they stop fighting, don't hurt them. Not the innocents. Not the ones who had no part in this."

Rune searched her face for a long moment, something shifting in his expression. Then he nodded slowly.

"I give you my word."

A small smile tugged at his lips as he pushed himself off the bed, reaching for his clothes. "Now we need to freshen up." He glanced back at her with a gleam in his eye. "The council is waiting."