Chapter 114 INTIMACY WITH HIM
AMBER’S POV
He didn’t rush me, that mattered more than anything else.
Derek stood in front of me like he had nowhere else to be, like the world outside the room had paused out of respect. His hands were warm when they found mine, steady, sure.
“You don’t have to prove anything,” he said.
“I know,” I replied. “I just want you.”
His thumb brushed over my knuckles, slow. “Say that again.”
“I want you,” I said. “Not because of the bond and not because of the packs.”
“Because?” he asked.
“Because you chose me,” I said. “Even when it was hard.”
He leaned his forehead against mine. “I always choose you.”
The bond hummed, not sharp, not demanding. It was calm and full.
He kissed me gently at first, like he was asking permission even though he already had it. I answered by pulling him closer. The kiss deepened, not rushed, not desperate. Just honest.
“I missed you,” I said against his mouth.
“I missed who I am with you,” he replied.
That broke something open in my chest.
His hands rested at my waist, grounding me. No grabbing and no urgency. Just presence.
“Stay with me tonight,” he said.
“I’m not leaving,” I told him.
He guided me back slowly, watching my face the entire time, like every reaction mattered. When I sat, he knelt in front of me, eyes level with mine.
“You don’t have to be strong here,” he said.
I swallowed. “Neither do you.”
He smiled, small and real.
We touched like we were relearning each other, like time apart had made us careful instead of hungry. Every brush of skin carried meaning, every breath felt shared.
I rested my hands on his shoulders. “This feels different.”
“It is,” he said. “We’re different.”
“I love you,” I said, the words steady, not rushed.
He didn’t answer right away. He kissed my palm instead, then looked up.
“I love you too,” he said. “I don’t say it lightly.”
The bond warmed, wrapped around the words, made them settle deep.
When he finally pulled me into his arms, it wasn’t about need. It was about belonging. I felt safe, chosen and seen.
We moved together, slow and unguarded, letting closeness replace distance. Nothing felt forced and rushed.
“This isn’t about forgetting everything else,” I said quietly.
“No,” he replied. “It’s about remembering who we are.”
I nodded, resting against him.
Whatever came next, whatever waited outside this room, we would face it together.
Tonight was proof of that.
The world narrowed to the space between us.
Derek’s breathing was steady, deep, like he was anchoring both of us. I listened to it, let it guide me, let it pull me out of my head.
“You’re shaking,” he murmured.
“Not from fear,” I said.
“Good,” he replied. “Because I’m right here.”
His arms tightened around me, not confining, just sure. I felt his strength without being overwhelmed by it. That balance had always been his gift.
I traced the line of his jaw. “You feel real,” I said.
“I am,” he answered. “All of me.”
The bond stirred, carrying quiet thoughts, reassurance without words. No pressure, no claim. Just connection.
“I don’t need promises tonight,” I said. “I just need honesty.”
“Then hear this,” he said. “You’re my home.”
My throat tightened. “Even when things fall apart?”
“Especially then.”
We stayed like that for a long moment, breathing together, letting closeness do the work words could not. When he kissed me again, it was slower, deeper, like he was sealing something already agreed upon.
I pressed closer, feeling the warmth of him, the familiarity, the comfort of being held without expectation.
“This doesn’t feel like escape,” I said.
“No,” he agreed. “It feels like a return.”
I smiled into his shoulder. “Tomorrow will be difficult.”
“Tomorrow can wait,” he said. “You’re here now.”
I let myself relax fully for the first time in days. The tension drained out of me, replaced by something solid and quiet.
“I trust you,” I said softly.
He kissed my hair. “I won’t waste that.”
We stayed connected, not chasing anything, just letting the moment stretch until it felt complete on its own. The bond settled into something deep and calm, like it approved of the stillness.
When we finally lay side by side, his arm around me, I felt full in a way that had nothing to do with desire.
“This matters,” I said.
“It always has,” he replied.
I closed my eyes, listening to his heartbeat, matching my breathing to his.
Whatever the packs decided. Whatever lines were broken and whatever battles waited, tonight, we chose each other and that was enough.
He paused for a while, several thoughts running through his mind. I knew he had a million and one questions, all centered at the fact that all of this was something he hadn’t thought would happen. I could tell from the look on his face but yet again, he wasn’t so sure he could say that.
“I’m sorry about Trent.” He said, finally.
I stilled, my hands shaking of their own accord just as I remembered his face just before he died. There were so many things wrong, things that shouldn’t even have happened in the first place. I closed my eyes for a bit, wondering where he was. Even though he was dead, long dead, I still felt him in my heart, yearning for me.
“I miss him, I miss him so much.” I murmured.
“I know and I’m sorry that happened. Trust me when I say if there was a way for me to change what had happened, I would do that without wasting any time.” He said.
I knew he was saying the truth but now that it had happened, there was really nothing we could do about it.
“I know.”
Tears streamed down my eyes at the senselessness of it all. This was something we could have easily avoided but yet again, pride and anger had ruined everything in such a small amount of time it felt ridiculous.
“And for the rest of my life, I’ll always
try to prove this to you. I promise.” He said, finally.
A HARD PATH